04-18-1985 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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~c ~ ~` r` Qf v ro ~~~~ P~.~,\~ 1985 o0 ~°' • r City of LaPorte Planning & Zoning Commission City Hall 604 West Fairmont LaPorte, Texas 77571 Subject: Development Ordinance Review Dear Chairman Latimer and Commission Members: I would like to preface my comments by complimenting you, John Joerns, Bob Speake, John Armstrong and other members of your staff for a fine job well done. The task you set out to accomplish was a difficult, but necessary one. You have all handled it admirably. Adopting this ordinance, which I view as one of the best I have seen, will be the first major step toward implementing a plan to guide your city's future. As you may remember, our firm reviewed your existing subdivision ordinance last spring and recommended several modifications. Your staff consolidated our comments with several elements to meet specific local needs. The result is a "hybrid" working document that provides levels of review compatible with the level of development presented. This unique approach should serve you well for many years to come. John Joerns, Bob Speake and I discussed several specific elements within the Development Ordinance draft. Most of my comments involved clarification of intent and can be handled in a final draft. However, there are a couple of policy considerations that need to be addressed. Title certificate information is important at the preliminary plat or development site plan stage. However, a full blown title report is difficult and expensive to obtain. I have included an example of what is known as a "planning letter" from a title company. It is a shortened version of a title report, but provides the information necessary at this stage of a development. It can be prepared by a title company or an attorney. As a policy, you should require this type of information at the preliminary plat or development site plan stage. Park land dedication and requirements for compensating open space is another policy consideration to be addressed. The legal issues • involved in park land dedication are still at question based on my information, therefore current status should be checked again by your city attorney. Assuming it will be considered legal at some Vice Presidents: Mary Lou Henry, A.I.C.P. Michael L. Ilse, A.S.L.A.