06-21-12 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

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outweigh the financial or administrative resources available to achieve the desired outcomes. Therefore, it is recognized that there are areas of La Porte that are more visible and, thus, may serve as a "starting point" to initiate these enhancement efforts. There are a large variety of components that contribute to the visual appearance and "feel" of a community. Some components are more apparent than others, although they all contribute to the overall character of the community. Since the last plan update, the City has been proactive in improving the appearance of the City, including the installation of gateway signage, and investments in public amenities such as the revitalized Five Points Town Plaza and the emerging Ccity-wide trail system. However, according to the sentiments expressed during the public participation process, the citizens feel that continued improvement is a priority. Actions and Initiatives 1) Expand the efforts started with Ordinance 1501-II (which was intended, partly, as a means to mitigate the visual impacts of container yards) to require existing non -conformities' in designated enhancement corridors to be brought into compliance over a reasonable period of time. Similar provisions have been adopted elsewhere in Texas where nonconforming site conditions (e.g., parking lot landscaping and screening outdoor storage and display, fencing, buffering, signage, etc.) must be registered with the City and steadily brought into compliance over a period of years. 2) Outside of City limits, partner with the entities in which the City has interlocal agreements to determine strategies to increase the level of screening of container yards that exist along the City's entry corridors and periphery. 3) Consider the development of corridor enhancement plans for the primary and secondary enhancement corridors depicted in Map 2.2, Beautification Plan. (Additional guidance can be found in Chapter 4, Community Mobility. 4) Enhance the appearance of properties adjacent to street corridors by evaluating and improving codes and standards for better building placement (build -to, maximum vs. minimum setbacks), design (building shape, wall articulation, entry identification, transparency, 3100 360 degree architecture), and materials; improved parking lot, streetscape and foundation landscaping; higher quality screening of outdoor storage; management of outdoor display; improved lighting and sign controls; and improved buffering of adjacent properties.