07-21-1998 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Planning and Zoning mission • Minutes of July 21, 1998 Page 5 of 8 will be directed to SH 146 8~ Wharton Weems (a portion of which will be a phased development). Three large buildings are shown on the General Plan, the size of each being approximately 200,000 to 220,000 square feet. They will be built in phases. As far as traffic increases are concerned, once the first building is constructed, approximately 15 trucks per day will be generated from the site. Mr. Northrup added there were six items previously noted regarding the project: Land Use Compatibility: Correct land use designations will be shown prior to the next meeting. Utilities: Identified problems and are committed to solving them. Drainage/Detention: Identified problems; drainage facility shown on plan. Open Space: Satisfied with what is being proposed. Rail Impact: Being developer controlled is asset to City. Original 60 rails now reduced to 22 rails. Truck Traffic Impact: Developer controlled; traffic will be directed to SH 146. Jerry Rowell, of T.G. Rowell, Inc., transportation consultant for the last four years, and previously employed by Southern Pacific Railroad for fifteen years, addressed the Commission. Mr. Rowell's area of expertise in the transportation department is rail. He was retained by the property owner to address concerns about the impact a rail served facility such as the proposed facility may have on rail traffic; more specifically, the grade crossing at Fairmont Parkway. A lack of rail infrastructure in the Bayport area causes multiple movements of rail cars. The proposed facility is considered a branch line that feeds a core route (Strang to Houston). The Bayport area is the branch area and all of the industries served (32 at present). They produce approximately 300 rail car shipments per day (inbound and outbound). This type of facility would reduce the number of grade crossing events at Fairmont Parkway by reducing the number of trips from the support yard (Strang) to the industries.