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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
Beaumont City Council voted to contribute $15,000 to be used as a revenue guarantee in an effort to attract Delta Airlines to the Southeast Texas Regional Airport for airline service to Dallas-Fort Worth. "The Southeast Texas Coalition for Air Service, LLC, created by the Beaumont and Port Arthur chambers of commerce, is leading an effort to attract Delta Airlines to provide air service to and from the Southeast Texas Regional Airport," said City Manager Kyle Hayes, in his recommendation to the city council. "Delta Airlines is requiring a $975,000 revenue guarantee from the Southeast Texas community before they sign an agreement to provide air service for one year." "We are asking each city and county in our region to assist us by investing a minimum of $0.10 per capita toward the letter of credit we must provide within the next three weeks," said Jim Rich, president of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, and Verna Rutherford, president of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, in a joint letter. Rich and Rutherford said the service is expected to generate enough revenue to make the guarantee unnecessary. "If service is at the level projected, all or part of the funds will be available for return to those who make the contributions." The city council voted to deny a zone change from Residential Single Family Dwelling to General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling for property at the southwest corner of Highway 105 and East Major Drive. "The subject property is surrounded by single family residential uses to the west and south," notes Planning Manager Stephen C. Richardson, adding that the request, to facilitate resale for commercial development, could be considered "spot zoning". The Planning Commission had recommended against the request, as well. The city council approved a specific use permit to allow Adair's Eskimo Hut to operate a drive-in and drive-through store that will sell convenience items, beer, wine, cigarettes and frozen wine-based daiquiris at 5405 College Street. The city council reappointed Walter Crook to the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway Commission on a motion by Nancy Beaulieu; and appointed Pauline Mouton to the commission on a motion by Mayor Evelyn Lord. All other agenda items were approved.
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