Hill’s Request Denied by LG Council

At last Monday’s meeting, the La Grange City Council denied a request from Robert and Julia Hill to subdivide property at 337 and 345 E. Lower Line St. Robert Hill presented the request to the Council at the last meeting on Aug. 18. Council took no action on the request at that time due to several Council members who were absent for that meeting. Hill returned this Monday to present his request to the full Council.

Two homes that the Hill currently rent sit on the property. Hill wishes to divide the property into two tracts and sell each of the homes individually. The homes were built in the 1920s and 1930s, he said, which predate the City’s zoning ordinance. The two new lots would be smaller than the City’s 7,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size as stipulated in the zoning ordinance. In addition, two structures on the property would be located two feet from the new property line. The zoning ordinance stipulates a minimum five-foot setback. The property lies in a single-family zoning area.

“This is designated as a single- family area,” Hill said. “But with two houses on it, it’s multi- family. One thing it would do is put it back in compliance with the zoning. So I think that would improve the area.”

The City sent letters out to surrounding property owners twice since Hill made the request. All of the residents who responded to the letter were in favor of Hill’s request.

“All I’m asking is to let me make it single family again and be able to sell it to individuals,” Hill said.

At the meeting, Interim City Manager Frank Menefee stated that the property would not meet minimum lot size requirements if Council approves it.

“We’re always instilling all of our code of ordinances with people to make sure they’re doing the right thing, and I don’t think it would be a good idea if we approve this and make substandard property,” Menefee said. “It’s the staff’s recommendation that we deny the request.”

“I understand about the lot sizes,” Hill said. “But nothing changes. When you drive by there tomorrow, if y’all approve this, it’s going to look just like it did the last 60 or 70 years. It will allow two owners instead of one owner.”

Councilman Ken Taylor moved to accept the staff recommendation to deny. Councilman Arthur Bosque seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.