06-30-08 Joint Meeting/Special Called Meeting of La Porte City Council and Main Street Advisory Committee

Browse Search

Beautification and Conservation ................................................., Chapter 10 Citizens have expressed great interest for enhancing the visual appearance of La Porte and the potential for redevelopment and reinvestment in Downtown, along major corridors, and in nonresidential areas. Through the Community Forum and a series of Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meetings, it is apparent that citizens visualize attractive shopping centers, livable neighborhoods, landscaped roadways, pleasant places to walk. and an enhanced quality of life. They want successful shopping areas that appeal to shoppers. They see the opportunities in the downtown to create a destination that combines a lively entertainment district in a historically significant area. retail stores interspersed with restaurants and professional offices and a blend of residential units as well. The purpose of the Beautification and Conservation Element of the La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update is to establish a framework within which the City can operate to encourage quality sustainable development This element outlines the issues identified by citizens through the plan development process and establishes guidelines for achieving the community's vision. Smart development is well managed to ensure it is compatible with the natural environment, is fiscally responsible pertaining to public investment in infrastructure, uses tax dollars and resources efficiently, and makes private development profitable. The following goals, objectives, policies and actions were prepared by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee as a result of the issues and needs identified by community residents at the community forum in October 1998. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 10.1: Improve the community character of La Porte to make it a more desirable place to live, work, and visit. OBJ. 10.1 a: Enhance the visual aesthetic character of the community through the establishment of programs, standards, and guidelines. Policy 1: The City should develop and implement aesthetic guidelines and standards to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the community. Action 1: Consider a program to organize and promote the maintenance and upkeep of neighborhoods and business districts. Action 2: Continue to actively identify code violations and proactively pursue compliance with City ordinances and regulations. Action 3: Review and amend, as necessary, the existing codes and ordinances of the City to ensure that each achieves the desired results of an aesthetically pleasing environment Action 4: Consider a program to publicly recognize residential and business property owners for their role toward enhancing the visual climate of La Porte. Page 10-1 L R tell . PI Vi d t Wilbur Smith ksociates ? Earth Tech .........................................