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

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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of March 16, 2000 Page 3 of 5 VI. CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR ZONE CHANGE #R99-005. Motion by Melton Wolters to recommend City Council approval of R99-005. Second by Sandie George. All were in favor and the motion passed. VII. CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR ZONE CHANGE #R00-001. Motion by Dottie Kaminski to recommend City Council approval of R00-001. Second by Melton Wolters. All were in favor and the motion passed. VIII. REVIEW DRAFT OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE. Chapter 5 — Transportation Thoroughfare System Bret Keast led discussions regarding transportation planning. Mr. Keast noted that the proposed Farrington Road extension has been a significant issue for numerous residents in the Lomax area. Residents from the area attended a steering committee meeting and stated their objection to the road extension. Wilbur Smith Associates, addressing the technical aspects of extending Farrington Blvd., prepared a technical memorandum for city staff. Mr. Keast reviewed with the Commission, the advantages and disadvantages that were listed in the memorandum. Fire Chief Joe Sease addressed the Commission. Chief Sease described a need for north to south connector roads within La Porte. Cross streets are not present in the subject area possibly due to the fact that the Lomax area originally was a city unto itself. The location for the proposed Fire Station 3 remains undecided until such time that a decision is made regarding Farrington Blvd. Other streets to consider as north to south connectors might be Airport Blvd., on the east side of the airport, and Valleyview, between "P and "L" Streets. A major incident occurred during the last year at the railroad overpass on Spencer Hwy. Sens Rd. was shut down and the only way to move ambulances out of the area, because they were located down wind of the spill, was via Underwood Rd. Chief Sease also noted that a unit responding from Fire Station 2 to North "H" Street at Lomax School Road currently travels 31/2miles. The distance would be reduced to 3/4 mile if Farrington were extended. Extra starts and stops for fire trucks mean longer response times. Police Chief Richard Reff addressed the Commission. Chief Reff stated that a crime study was recently conducted to determine where activities were occurring within the City. With this information, the Police Dept. is better able to deploy officers with quicker response times. The subject area had the second highest number of activities reported in 1999. When comparing response times, this area had a considerable delay due to the fact there are only two ways to gain access. The connection to Lomax School Road would allow easier access with lower response times. Chief Reff agreed with Chief Sease that additional north to south