03-09-2000 Special Called Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Staff Report Zone Change Request #R00-003 Planning and Zoning Commission April 27, 2000 Location of Proposed Change 3600 Underwood Road Legal Description of Proposed Zoning Tract 813 & N. 300 FT of Lots 698 and 6", La Porte Outlets Applicant Rev. Oliver Stillwell Present Zoning Medium Density Residential (R-2) Acreage to be Rezoned 4.7047 acres Surrounding Zoning North Low Density Residential (R 1) East Low Density Residential (R-1) South Low Density Residential (R 1) West Medium Density Residential (R 2) Land Use Residential Background: . The applicant is requesting a rezoning of this property from Medium Density Residential (R-2) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC) for the purpose of selling to a buyer who wishes to build a boat and recreational vehicle storage facility. • A boat and recreational vehicle storage facility is not allowed in Medium Density Residential (R-2). • A boat and recreational vehicle storage facility is not a specified use in the Zoning Ordinance, but is similar to a parking ramp and storage facility, which is allowed in Neighborhood Commercial (NC), as a conditional use upon approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission and with City Council approval. Analysis The site under consideration comprises 4.7047 acres, which is cunvntly zoned Medium Density Residential (R-2). The site is located along Underwood Road, which is a primary arterial for north and south running traffic. The surrounding area is residential, comprising mostly of single family housing. The effect of the change from R-2 to NC should not have an adverse impact upon the infrastructure. The overall impact on public services should be minimal. Underwood Road should have adequate capacity to handle the traffic generated by this proposed site. The impact upon the public health, safety, and welfare of the city should be minimal. A zoning change from R-2 to NC would be compatible with the surrounding area. However, there are some permitted uses in the Neighborhood Commercial that would be out of character when placed adjacent to a residential area. Such a permitted use would be the proposed boat and recreational vehicle storage facility. A boat and recreational vehicle storage facility would provide either a large warehouse type building, covered storage areas, open storage areas or a combination of all three. Great care would have to be taken to reduce the impact upon the surrounding residential areas. A Special Conditional Use Permit could provide some protection from these impacts, if attached to the approval.