2007-04-14 Minutes of the City Council Retreat Meeting of La Porte City Council

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: May 21, 2007 Requested By: Wa ne Department: Plannine Ordinance: Exhibits: Ordinance Special Conditional Use Permit SCU#07-004 P&Z Staff Report Aerial Map General Plan Appropriation Source of Funds: N/A Account Number: N/A Amount Budgeted: N/A Amount Requested: N/A Rudeeted Item: N/A SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The Lakes at Fairmont Greens Subdivision is developing under a Master General Plan and an approved Special Conditional Use Permit (SCU 04-012) passed by Council on August 23, 2004. The Planning and Zoning Commission granted an extension for the Permit on April 21, 2005, and construction on the infrastructure has begun. Section 9 of the Subdivision, the subject of this permit request, has a change in land use and, therefore, requires a separate SCUP. The previously approved land use designation for Section 9 included both residential and commercial activity. The current Special Conditional Use Permit and General Plan are for proposed 108-units single family development on a special lot line configuration. After approval of the General Plan and SCUP by City Council, the applicant would be authorized to submit a preliminary plat. Approval of the preliminary and final plats would then authorize the applicant to begin construction of the project. The subject property is located at the northeast corner of McCabe Road at State Highway 146 adjacent to the Bay Forest Golf Course. By definition, single-family special lot line means any residential lot for single-family purposes with an area of less than 6,000 square feet, but equal or greater than 4,500 square feet. Since this proposed development is a unique design within a PUD, Staff focused on the merits of the concept presented and not on the definition. The proposed layout has several variations from developments within the standard residential zoning districts showing reduced setbacks (15 feet instead of 20 feet) public streets will be 50'rights-of-way with 28' paved streets (instead of 60 ` ROWs) and 20' wide alleys with 12' of pavement to allow rear access to the home sites. Alleys will be one-way and although proposed to be dedicated to the public, will be maintained by the HOA or PID as determined by the Developer's Agreement, when finalize and approved by the City. While the development shows smaller 4000 S.F. lots, the homes will range from 56% to 59% lot coverage which conforms to standard special lot line requirements. One point of access is shown along the frontage road of State Highway 146 and another along McCabe Road. Proposed access along State Highway 146 is subject to TxDOT criteria, traffic volume, and speed Imitation along highways and will require TxDOT approval. With land being dedicated for a Parr parkland development fees will not apply. All common amenities will be privately maintained. The draft SCUP was crafted to outline the variations built into the design of the development. Should this SCUP be approved, a preliminary plat will be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission which replicates the SCUP. During the Planning and Zoning Commission's April 19, 2007, meeting a public hearing was held. Four public notices were mailed to property owners within 200' of the subject site. No response was received in this regard The Planning and Zoning Commission considered the 25-items SCUP pertaining to Section 9 and modified the draft to ensure that maintenance of common areas was the responsibility of the HOA or PID. They also added wording to solidify this SCUP's attachment to the Master General Plan to ensure commonality with the standards of the other Sections of the Subdivision for landscaping and fencing requirements. The Planning and Zoning Commission, by a unanimous vote, recommended approval of the amended Special Conditional Use Permit #SCU07-004.