Board of Adjustment

AGENDA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING COMMUNITY ROOM, 303 N. 8TH STREET ORANGE, TEXAS JULY 21, 2026 5:30 P.M. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that: The Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Orange will conduct a meeting scheduled on July 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM at 303 N. 8th Street, Orange, Texas; This Notice and Agenda Packet are posted online at www.orangetexas.gov. The public will be permitted to offer public comments as provided by the agenda and as permitted by the presiding officer during the meeting. A recording of the meeting will be made and will be available to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Act upon written request. 1. Call to Order 2. Citizen Comments a. At this time comments will be taken from the audience on any subject matter, whether or not that item is on the agenda. All comments are limited to a maximum three minutes for each speaker. Your comments are appreciated. As the Texas Open Meetings Act does not allow the Zoning Board of Adjustment to respond to items not listed on the agenda, your comments will be duly noted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment and forwarded to the appropriate department for prompt consideration. A member of the audience that desires to speak during the Zoning Board of Adjustment consideration of any specific agenda item is requested to notify City staff prior to the start of the meeting. 3. Minutes a. Consideration of the minutes from the May 27, 2026 meeting. 4. Public Hearings a. Case No. 26:04. Conduct a public hearing on a request from Celeste Williams for a variance to the sign ordinance requirement for property located at 1/20  Abstract 129, Henry B. Longley Survey, Tract 033 also known as 4300 Meeks Drive (Catholic Dioceses of Beaumont, St. Mary’s Cemetery). 5. Discussion/Action Items a. Case No. 26:04. Consider a request from Celeste Williams for a variance to the sign ordinance requirement for property located at Abstract 129, Henry B. Longley Survey, Tract 033 also known as 4300 Meeks Drive (Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, St. Mary’s Cemetery). 6. Adjournment of Board of Adjustment Meeting If, during the course of the meeting and discussion of any items covered by this notice, the Planning and Zoning Commission determines that a Closed Executive Session is required, then such closed meeting will be held as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Section 551.071 - consultation with counsel on legal matters; Section 551.072 - deliberation regarding purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property; Section 551.073 deliberation regarding a prospective gift; Section 551.074 personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; Section 551.076 - implementation of security personnel or devices; Section 551.087 - deliberation regarding economic development negotiation; Section 551.089 - deliberation regarding security devices or security audits, and/or other matters as authorized under the Texas Government Code. If a Closed Executive Session is held in accordance with the Texas Government Code as set out above, the Planning and Zoning Commission will reconvene in Open Session in order to take action, if necessary, on the items addressed during Executive Session. Texas Penal Code 30.06: “Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun” “De conformidad con la Sección 30.06 del código penal (entrada de persona con licencia de portar o llevar armas de mano oculta), una persona licenciada bajo el subcapítulo H, capítulo 411 del código de gobierno (ley de licenciación para portar o llevar armas de mano) no se permite entrar en esta propiedad con “ninguna armas de mano oculta” No Firearms Allowed /No se permite ninguna armas de fuego 2/20 Texas Penal Code 30.07: “Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly” “De conformidad con la Sección 30.07 del código penal (entrada de una persona con licencia de portar o llevar armas de mano visible), una persona licenciada bajo el subcapítulo H, capítulo 411 del código de gobierno (ley de licenciación para portar o llevar armas de mano visible) no se permite entrar en esta propiedad con ninguna “armas de mano visible” 3/20  ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Members Present: Ed Freiberg …………………………………….................................................................................Chairman Isaac T. Henry III…….….…………………………………………………………….……………………………Vice Chairman Todd Loupe………. …………………………………………………………………………..…………………………… Member Keith Longlois…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Member Members Absent: None Council Members Present: None Staff Present: Kelvin Knauf, Director of Planning & Community Development Wendy Lloyd, Planning Secretary Marvin Benoit, Building Official Chairman Freiberg called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS None REGULAR BUSINESS - MEETING MINUTES Chairman Freiberg asked for motion to approve the April 21, 2026 meeting minutes. Vice Chair Henry motioned to approve Member Longlois 2nd Vote: 4 - 0 Motion Carries PUBLIC HEARING Case No. 26:03. Conduct a public hearing on a request from Raul Cortez for a special exception to construct and operate a building general contractor business (SIC Code 15) on Lot 111 x 200’ of B, Out Lot L-2 Gates Addition, also known as 1034 Henderson Avenue and on Lot SW 111 x 200’ less 25 x 25’ of B Block, Out Lot 2, Gates Addition also known as 1042 Henderson Avenue. Chairman Freiberg opened the public hearing at 5:31 p.m. Case 2603: Special Exception Request • Applicant: Raul Cortez, requesting a special exception for a "Building General Contractor Business" (SIC Code 15). 1 4/20  • Location: Lot 111 by 200ft of B, out Lot L2 Gates Edition (1034 Henderson Avenue) and Lot SW 111 by 200ft, less 25 by 25ft of B block, out Lot 2 Gates Edition (1042 Henderson Avenue). • Zoning: The property is commercially zoned, necessitating a special exception for this business type. • Approval Requirement: A super majority of 4 out of 5 Board of Adjustment members is required for approval, even with a vacancy. Business Operations and Facility Plan • Raul Cortez, 2202 Sunrise Oaks, Orange: plans to construct and operate a weld shop at this location 1034/1042 Henderson, on commercially zoned property. • Consolidation: The new Orange facility will eventually consolidate existing operations, including a weld shop in Village Mills/Wildwood area and an office in Vidor. • Services: The business will focus on fabrication work (e.g., heat exchangers, heat bundles) for clients like Exxon, Chevron (approved vendor for new Orange facility), TOTAL, and BASF, in addition to commercial and residential construction. • Employment & Traffic: The facility is projected to employ 30-60 people, with employee traffic being sporadic based on project needs. • Construction: The plan involves building a "big metal fabrication building" or "just a big shop" on the property, which already features a big driveway entrance. Site Logistics and Environmental Considerations • Traffic Flow: Trucks will enter the property, circle behind the proposed building, and exit, ensuring "nothing will be out on the road." The road is considered capable of supporting heavy truck traffic. • Storage & Chemicals: All storage will be located behind the building, out of sight from the road. No chemicals are expected to be stored or released, as items are "usually clean before we ever get it." • Hours of Operation: Typical hours are "8 to 5" for 90% of the time, with flexibility based on workload. • Ditch Maintenance: An inquiry was made regarding the cleaning of a ditch behind the property. o Action Item: Per Marvin Benoit will "check with Mike Marcentel with Public Works and see if it's one of our ditches" to determine ownership. If not a city ditch, Doug Manning (drainage district) would be the contact. o Per Mr. Cortez, drone footage revealed "some obstructions back there on that far corner that could push the water back this way." Property Development and Flood Hazard • Lot Combination: If the proposed building straddles a middle lot line, the two lots will need to be combined into one, which would create "a bigger lot, be more marketable." Otherwise, they can remain separate if setback requirements are met per Mr. Knauf. • Future Plans: The applicant expressed a goal to eventually "buy everything down that street and... clean it all up," noting challenges with property owners unwilling to sell or probate issues. • Flood Hazard: The property is situated in a "special flood hazard" area per Mr. Benoit. o Requirement: New construction mandates the floor of the building to be "at least nine feet above mean sea level." 2 5/20  o Historical Context: Member Longlois mentioned the area has been observed to be "about nine feet underwater, just to let you know. Probably twice, unfortunately." Chairman Freiberg closed the public hearing at 5:41 p.m. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM Case 26:03. Consider a request from Raul Cortez for a special exception to construct and operate a building general contractor business (SIC Code 15) on Lot 111 x 200’ of B, Out Lot L-2 Gates Addition, also known as 1034 Henderson Avenue and on Lot SW 111 x 200’ less 25 x 25’ of B Block, Out Lot 2, Gates Addition also known as 1042 Henderson Avenue. Vice Chair Henry motioned to approve Variance as requested Member Loupe 2nd Vote: 4 – 0 Motion Carries Vice Chair Henry motioned to adjourn Member Longlois 2nd Chairman Freiberg adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. 3 6/20  MEMORANDUM To: Board of Zoning Adjustments From: Kelvin Knauf, Director of Planning and Community Development Subject: Case No. 26:04. Conduct a public hearing on a request from Celeste Williams for a variance to the sign ordinance requirement for property located at Abstract 129, Henry B. Longley Survey, Tract 033 also known as 4300 Meeks Drive (Catholic Dioceses of Beaumont, St. Mary’s Cemetery). Date: July 14, 2026 Attached for your consideration is an application from Celeste Williams for a variance to the sign ordinance. Ms. Williams is requesting to construct a 17.01 square foot (70” wide by 35” high) brick, mortar, and granite ground sign at the entrance to St. Mary’s Cemetery located at 4300 Meeks Drive. The proposed sign would have “St. Mary’s Cemetery” on the sign, be lighted with a floodlight on the ground, and be located perpendicular to the existing fence at the entrance to the cemetery. The property is zoned R-1 Low Density Residential. The Orange Code of Ordinances Article 12.1000 “Sign Regulations” Section 12.1005(C)(iv) limits ground signs in the R-1 zoning district to no more than six (6) square feet and limits the maximum sign height for a ground sign to four (4) feet above grade. However, Section 12.1007 “Board of Adjustment Review” of the Orange Code of Ordinances states the following: To provide reasonable flexibility in these regulations, the zoning board of adjustment may approve an application for a sign that may not conform with the provisions of the zoning district in which it is located, where the location, size, or addition would not be inconsistent with the character of the area or neighborhood in which such sign or structure is to be located. Letters were sent to property owners within three hundred (300) feet of the subject property. As of this writing, no objections to the variance request have been received. The Board may want to consider the following when deciding whether or not to approve the variance: • Although zoned residential, the property is used as a cemetery/institutional use. • A small monument sign constructed with masonry materials is generally consistent with cemetery entrances and does not have the visual impacts associated with commercial signage. 7/20  • A six-square-foot sign is relatively small for an institutional cemetery entrance and may not provide adequate visibility or an appropriate entrance marker. • The sign would be illuminated with a floodlight pointed at the sign from the ground and away from residential properties located across Meeks Drive. • The proposed materials (brick, mortar, granite) provide a permanent architectural feature rather than a typical freestanding advertising sign. If approving the variance, the Board may want to include the following as part of the approval: • The sign shall be constructed substantially as shown in the submitted application materials. • The sign shall only identify St. Mary’s Cemetery and shall not be used for commercial advertising. • The sign shall not be located where it would create a traffic hazard by blocking the sight distance on Meeks Drive. • Any lighting shall be low intensity and directed away from adjacent residential properties. • The sign shall comply with all other applicable zoning, building, and sight-distance requirements. Included in your agenda packet is an application for a variance to the sign ordinance. As of this writing, we are anticipating receiving written permission from the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont for Ms. Williams to install the sign on their property. Also attached are pictures of a sign that is very similar to the type of sign being requested. The Board will need to conduct a public hearing on the requested variance. 8/20 9/20 10/20 11/20 12/20 13/20 14/20 15/20 16/20 17/20 18/20  MEMORANDUM To: Board of Zoning Adjustments From: Kelvin Knauf, Director of Planning and Community Development Subject: Case No. 26:04. Consider a request from Celeste Williams for a variance to the sign ordinance requirement for property located at Abstract 129, Henry B. Longley Survey, Tract 033 also known as 4300 Meeks Drive (Catholic Dioceses of Beaumont, St. Mary’s Cemetery). Date: July 14, 2026 Attached for your consideration is an application from Celeste Williams for a variance to the sign ordinance. Ms. Williams is requesting to construct a 17.01 square foot (70” wide by 35” high) brick, mortar, and granite ground sign at the entrance to St. Mary’s Cemetery located at 4300 Meeks Drive. The proposed sign would have “St. Mary’s Cemetery” on the sign, be lighted with a floodlight on the ground, and be located perpendicular to the existing fence at the entrance to the cemetery. The property is zoned R-1 Low Density Residential. The Orange Code of Ordinances Article 12.1000 “Sign Regulations” Section 12.1005(C)(iv) limits ground signs in the R-1 zoning district to no more than six (6) square feet and limits the maximum sign height for a ground sign to four (4) feet above grade. However, Section 12.1007 “Board of Adjustment Review” of the Orange Code of Ordinances states the following: To provide reasonable flexibility in these regulations, the zoning board of adjustment may approve an application for a sign that may not conform with the provisions of the zoning district in which it is located, where the location, size, or addition would not be inconsistent with the character of the area or neighborhood in which such sign or structure is to be located. Letters were sent to property owners within three hundred (300) feet of the subject property. As of this writing, no objections to the variance request have been received. The Board may want to consider the following when deciding whether or not to approve the variance: • Although zoned residential, the property is used as a cemetery/institutional use. • A small monument sign constructed with masonry materials is generally consistent with cemetery entrances and does not have the visual impacts associated with commercial signage. 19/20  • A six-square-foot sign is relatively small for an institutional cemetery entrance and may not provide adequate visibility or an appropriate entrance marker. • The sign would be illuminated with a floodlight pointed at the sign from the ground and away from residential properties located across Meeks Drive. • The proposed materials (brick, mortar, granite) provide a permanent architectural feature rather than a typical freestanding advertising sign. If approving the variance, the Board may want to include the following as part of the approval: • The sign shall be constructed substantially as shown in the submitted application materials. • The sign shall only identify St. Mary’s Cemetery and shall not be used for commercial advertising. • The sign shall not be located where it would create a traffic hazard by blocking the sight distance on Meeks Drive. • Any lighting shall be low intensity and directed away from adjacent residential properties. • The sign shall comply with all other applicable zoning, building, and sight-distance requirements. Included in your agenda packet is an application for a variance to the sign ordinance. As of this writing, we are anticipating receiving written permission from the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont for Ms. Williams to install the sign on their property. Also attached are pictures of a sign that is very similar to the type of sign being requested. The Board will need to consider and vote on whether or not to grant the requested variance. 20/20