By Phil Major | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009
Decatur Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a variance for the First Baptist Church Monday, that it won't have to install curb and gutter along Farm Road 51.
The state highway forms the east boundary of the church's 32 acres, and the Texas Department of Transportation said it does not want curb and gutter installed in its right-of-way.
The variance request came to the commission when the church discovered its property had not originally been platted. The church is planning a future expansion.
A similar request recently by Assumption Catholic Church was denied. That church sits along a city street.
Planning Director Dedra Ragland said the planning department is aware the city council and P&Z don't want to consider more variances. But since FM 51 is a state highway, and the state doesn't want it curbed and guttered, the variance is necessary.
The city subdivision regulations do not differentiate between a city street and a state highway, Ragland said.
"It makes sense in this case," said Bob Bastain, P&Z commission member. He said the ruling causes some concern since a similar request from another church was denied.
"We are not playing favorites," he said.
The variance was approved unanimously.
Once the variance passed, the P&Z also approved the preliminary and final plats.
The commission also approved a preliminary plat for the Taco Casa addition, which is the current location for the Golden Wok restaurant. It was also discovered to have not been previously platted.
Ragland said something else will probably be done with the property, and a final plat will be considered then.
