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• • <br />Minutes, Regular Meeting <br />La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission <br />May 16, 1985 - Page 2 <br />4. Chairman Latimer asked that the Commission Consider the <br />request of Southern Pacific Transportation Company to <br />Rezone a 121.41 Acre tract of land located in La Porte. <br />He asked the person representing Southern Pacific to come <br />forward, give his name and proceed. <br />William Osborn, Council for Southern Pacific came forth and <br />told the Commission what Southern Pacific was requesting. <br />Mr. Osborn stated that Southern Pacific has pending two <br />positions seeking zoning change for two tracts of land <br />owned by the Company in the City of La Porte. Southern <br />Pacific is proposing development programs which it <br />considers to be responsive to the Company's need as well as <br />consistent with the general desires of the City of La Porte <br />and suitable for areas in which property is located. <br />On behalf of Southern Pacific, Mr. Osborn gave historical <br />review which would help put the two petitions and programs <br />in proper perspective. <br />i In the late 1960's, steps were initiated to improve rail <br />service to the area of La Porte for industries. To provide <br />the service, a study indicated that Intersection of Highway <br />225 and Company's mainline to Galveston is where it should <br />be expanded. Based on the study, the Company purchased 32 <br />acres in 1969-70 for the Company's existing Spring Yard <br />which has been in continuous operation since 1975. Since <br />1975, the area around La Porte has continued to expand. <br />Among the industries in this area are about 21 plants. <br />These customers use about 3,300 railcars.. Southern <br />Pacific's existing facilities are centrally located to <br />these 21 industries and expansion of facilities should <br />necessarily be in this vicinity. <br />Since 1981, Southern Pacific has owned approximately 200 <br />acres adjacent to east side of Strang Yard. The Company's <br />petitions for zoning changes cover this acreage. <br />Mr. Osborn stated that it had become more difficult for the <br />Industry served by the Railroads to store their cars within <br />their plant areas due to space restrictions and that it is <br />also difficult for Southern Pacific to find tracks which it <br />owns on which to store these cars. At the request of these <br />Industries, and to provide efficient rail service from the <br />Company to these Industries, Southern Pacific needs a <br />• <br />