O-2019-3755 amending ch 86 "Development Regulations" of the code of ordinances

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City secretary:The person holding the office of city secretary under the terms of the La Porte Charter,or her/his designated representative. Commission:The planning and zoning commission of the city. Compensation open space:Those areas designated on a plat or plan that are restricted from development,except for landscaping and recreational uses and which all owners of residential properties within the plat have a common legal interest or which are retained in private ownership and restricted from development,except for landscaping and recreational uses,for the exclusive use of all owners of residential property within the plat,and such designation shall remain in effect until the plat is vacated or the tract is replatted.The terms"compensating open space","common open space","common property"and"common area"may be used interchangeably and may be considered as similar. Comprehensive plan:A long-range plan adopted by the city council in accordance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 213 and as such plan is periodically amended or updated,which is intended to guide the development of the city and that includes analysis, recommendations and proposals for the community's population, economy, housing,transportation,community facilities and infrastructure. County:Harris County,Texas. Department:The Planning and Development Department of the City of La Porte. Developer: The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or any land included in a proposed development including the holder of an option or contract to purchase,or other persons having property interests in such land. Development: The process of converting land within the city's jurisdiction from its natural state,or altering the elevation of property or converting its existing usage to residential, commercial or industrial uses. This definition encompasses any and all physical changes to the land not regulated through the city building code inherent in such conversions.The term development includes subdivisions as defined herein. Development authorization:A document issued by the department for the development of land within the city's jurisdiction.A development authorization is issued after final approval of a subdivision plat or development site plan by the city approving authority,and authorizes the construction of improvements not regulated by the city building code. Development,major:Any development not qualifying as a minor development,as the term"minor development" is defined herein. Development, minor: Any project or development that involves no more than ten acres of land and where the total square footage of all buildings on the site does not exceed 150,000 square feet and presents no conflict with the city's comprehensive plan. Director:The director of the planning and development department or designated representative. Dwelling unit:A single unit providing complete,independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living,sleeping,eating,cooking,and sanitation. Easement: A right given by the owner or a parcel of land to another person,public agent or private corporation for specific and limited use of that parcel. Extraterritorial jurisdiction: The unincorporated territory outside of and contiguous to the city limits of the city established by the authority of Texas Local Government Code Chapter 42. Electronic format: Information recorded in a manner that requires a computer or other electronic devise to display,interpret and process it,including.pdf or other similar formats. Engineer:A professional engineer licensed by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. Filing date:The date when a development site plan,general plan,or a subdivision plat is formally presented to the approving authority for its approval and is registered as a part of the approving authority's official records. Flood hazard area: Those areas of the city designated as having a greater chance of flooding from natural disasters such as rainstorms or hurricanes. Such areas are shown on the official flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) established by FEMA and adopted by city council. Flood hazard prevention ordinance: The ordinance adopted by the city council and codified in chapter 94 "Floods"of the La Porte,Texas Code of Ordinances that defines the special flood hazard areas of the city and regulates land development more restrictively within such areas.