03-21-1991 Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

Browse Search

Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting • Minutes of 3-21-91 Page 4 of 5 VI. SECTION 7-600. INDUSTRIAL TABLE B: This section regulates setbacks within Industrial Zones. The Commission has been required to consider amending the setback provisions of this Table as they apply to Business Industrial uses. The current setback requirements are as follows: Front - 50 feet; Rear - 40 feet; Side - 30 feet Requested setbacks are as follows: Front - 30 feet; Rear - 15 feet; Side - 15 feet. In considering this request, it is necessary to examine the intent of the Comprehensive Plan as it applies to Business Industrial use zones. In developing the Comprehensive Plan, public hearing input and citizen surveys revealed that a primary desire of La Porte's resident citizens is for an improved residential environment. One of the steps necessary for protecting and upgrading neighborhoods is "buffering" between residential and industrial areas. Another function of Business Industrial setback relates to the types of uses permitted in BI zones. The majority of BI uses involve some aspect of warehousing and therefore some degree of heavy truck traffic. Business Industrial setback areas are intended to be utilized for truck parking and maneuvering. In summation, the thrust of this argument is as follows. In order to accommodate the on-site parking, loading dock and maneuvering requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, setbacks comparable to those presently in effect would be necessary on most tracts of property. The alternative would be "congestion of the public right- of-way" which the Ordinance seeks to avoid. So finally, the question returned to once again is this, "would 15 feet side and rear Business Industrial setbacks provide an adequate buffer between areas of industrial and residential development? Also would these setbacks allow for adequate on site manuvering? After lengthy discussion and comments from Mr. Mark McKim (making the setback change request) the Commission tabled the item for more discussion and research. The next workshop was set for April 18, 1991 at 6:00 PM. •