On February 12, the night of the historic vote on Esperanza, The City Council had a hearing at 7pm to listen to arguments both for and against the change in zoning use at 507 Frey Street, which is an R-1 residential neighborhood. The request was made by the Hill Country Christian Action Council, dba: The Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center . The Pregnancy Care Center is a good organization and provides needed services for our community . It is not what they do , but how they want to do it.
An ordinance was past last year by the Boerne City Council to allow 501 © (3), non profit corporations to be located in an R-1 residential neighborhood by using the existing housing stock so that the neighborhood would not be negatively impacted. Just as important, it is clear in the ordinance that when the building is vacated it must revert back to it’s original use, R-1 residential.
The Pregnancy Center bought the property at 507 Frey with a 900 square foot home on it. They knew this house would not meet their needs and they plan to demolish it and build a 6000 square foot medical facility , a paved parking lot and erect a 15 square foot sign.
In an article in the Boerne Star , they claimed that “they have been given a favorable reception by the Frey Street residents”. This gave the erroneous impression that the neighbors had been consulted and were supportive. I can honestly say there was not a favorable reception . We submitted 81 signatures from 65 residences in the Frey street neighborhood who were against the ordinance.
Additionally, Councilman Jacque Dubose, sits on the board of the Directors of the Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center.
The City Attorney said that Jacque Dubose legally did not have a conflict of interest in this matter. Jacque Dubose said he could vote objectively for the interests of the citizens of Boerne. Yet as a director of the HCCPC he is charged with the responsibility to do everything to further the mission of the organization. He has taken a personal interest in the pregnancy care center and he cannot act with independence and impartiality, legally or not. The citizens of Boerne are entitled to have a fair, ethical and accountable local government.
In closing, it is not over yet. This item was taken off the Agenda until further notice.
The way ordinance was written, a 501 © (3) can go into any neighborhood in Boerne , next door or across the street from your house with City Council approval.
Ted and Janis Maxymof
