1996-06-10 Public Hearing Regular Meeting

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e e In order to justify a rezoning of property, it is necessary to demonstrate that at least one of the above criteria has been satisfied. It should be noted that the burden of proof, in terms of justifying the rezoning, is placed on the applicant. The Comprehensive Plan, as it applies to this request, recommends a land use of "Low Density Residential Land Use". This recommendation is borne out in the R-1 zoning that has been assigned to the area. The zoning and land use designations are intended to both conserve and promote neighborhoods of single family homes on individual lots. A Warehouse does not conform to the recommendations and regulations established for this area by the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The Northside Area is finite in size and an expanding non-conforming use would clearly subtract from the limited R1 Zone on the City's Northside. The recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan regarding this area have not been made in error. As detailed in Exhibit "C", the recommendations of the Plan were made with consideration given not only to the character and history of the North Side, but also that of the surrounding developments. Residential Uses on the Northside should be encouraged and stimulated by the City. One of the intents of the Comprehensive Plan is to effectively protect different areas in a manner that benefits the City as a whole. The R-1 zoning, in conjunction with the Low Density Residential land use designation is not only appropriate for the area in question, it also serves to conserve and enhance property values in the neighborhood. The City of La Porte has received two-hundred and fifty-thousand dollars for the purpose of developing thirty new houses on the City's Northside. The development of a comprehensive program to stimulate and revitalize the Northside and Main Street Area should begin within six months. The overall intention of the program is to stabilize the neighborhood, while increasing the both residential and commercial development. There has been, since the time of Plan implementation, no change to the tract in question or the surrounding area that warrants either a rewning or an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The applicant has not justified this location, in an existing residential neighborhood, as opposed to a less intrusive location in an otherwise undeveloped area. In fact, rather than changes that would warrant a rezoning, development that will be stimulated over the next 12 months by a grant from the Harris County Housing and Community Development Agency would build a minimum of 30 new homes in the R1 section of the Northside. This action would affirm the intent and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. Staff is currently working on a process of Infill development. Infill development promotes housing affordability by using existing infrastructure and services rather than requiring expensive extensions of roads, water/ sewer lines, and other facilities into newly developed areas. Infill development also avoids the consumption of open space in outlying areas and puts housing closer to job centers. Regulatory techniques that promote Infill include administrative streamlining, density bonuses, and the elimination of overzoning for industrial uses.