02-19-1998 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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• • Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 19, 1998 Page 4 of 6 Mr. Toups introduced Stuart Haynsworth. Mr. Haynsworth, general partner of the property owners. The land was purchased approximately 30 years ago and was not located in the City of La Porte. During annexation proceedings, an agreement was made between the property owners and City officials, that if they did not oppose the annexation proceedings, they could be assured that they would have sewer and water facilities within 3 years and zoned Heavy Industry. Neither has happened. Mr. Haynsworth assured the Commission that they are committed to cooperating fully with the City. The development is anticipated to be a first class operation with restrictions on the type of construction and the activities that will take place. Mr. Northrup addressed the Commission. Mr. Northrup appreciates the help he has received from the City. He noted that Mr. Schieffelbein works for Wood Harbor Associates consulting a great deal with the Port Authority. Mr. Northrup added that figures obtained from Harris County and the TXDOT do not indicate a great deal of justification for construction of a grade separation on Fairmont Parkway. The proposed interchange on SH 146 at Wharton Weems Blvd. will help out. This project has been designed with land use compatibility in mind. They have looked at bringing Powell Rd. into the intersection of the freeway at Wharton Weems, as a collector road (in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan). A landscaped bermed buffer area would be against the west side of Powell Rd. The buildings would be approximately 200,000 sq. ft. with 20 ft. roofs and serve as buffers from the rail operation in the back. Utilities can be worked out by the developer and the City. Drainage is in place to some extent and detention will be required. The drainage facility would be widened to include drainage, detention, and probably trail systems. Melton Wolters asked Mr. Schieffelbein where he got his railroad statistics. Mr. Schieffelbein answered he got them from the nationwide grade crossing inventory of the Federal Railroad Administration (1996 data). Ms. Staniszewski asked why it would behoove the City to accept their proposal since her concerns are the same as when this project was first presented to the Commission. Mr. Schieffelbein answered that the one thing that is different this time is that tracks will be made available to Union Pacific so that it could preposition cars during off-peak hours. Mr. Northrup added that since the new bridge has been completed, there has been a 30-40% increase in vehicular traffic on SH 146. Regardless of whether this project happens or not, it should be a long or short-term goal of the City to have an interchange built across the Fairmont rail crossing. One of Mr. Northrup's projects he is currently working on is 2100 acres in size and called Glenlock Farms just south of Tomball in Houston's ETJ on