12-19-2002 Workshop Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Planning and Zoning Commissi~ • Minutes of Meeting December 19, 2002 Page 2 Public hearing notices were mailed to 23 property owners within 200 feet of the site in question. Public hearing notices were also sent to nine property owners within 500 feet of the site, from a mailing list the Port used for their meetings. Staff received four responses in favor of the request and one response in opposition. 2. PROPONENTS Kent Marsh, 1538 Arlington St., Houston Heights, consultant for the Port of Houston, spoke about the positive relationship the Port has with most of the residents of ~ the area. The Port conducted two public meetings with nearby property owners to discuss concerns they may have about the development. Property owners submitted a list of 20 concerns and the Port has responded to each of the items. Jimmy Jamison addressed the Commission. Mr. Jamison has worked for the Port for 22 years, as Terminal Manager for the last ten years. He stated the proposed facility would not be a warehouse. There will not be any machinery for stacking containers, nor will there be any cargo held overnight at the facility. The facility's main purpose is to improve efficiency of truck traffic by reducing a process that currently takes 22 minutes down to 6 minutes. At the pre-check facility, trucks will drive up to an automated lane and cameras will capture the container and chassis numbers. Physical inspection of the cargo will continue to take place at the terminal. Chairperson Waters inquired about hazardous cargo and safety issues. Mr. Jamison responded that technology would be implemented that would track a driver throughout the facility. Drivers will continue to provide hazardous container documentation. Herb Weisend, 23106 Cross Bend~Dr., Katy; Texas, Civil Engineer for the project, spoke about the availability of utilities to the site. William (Bill) Hines, 218 N. Holmes, voiced concern over the possibility of decreased property values. He wants assurance from the Port they will honor their commitanents to the homeowners. Assistant City Attorney John Armstrong explained the public hearing process that must occur prior to City Council considering the Port's request. In addition, the City is contemplating entering into a Development Agreement with the Port whereby specific regulations for the development would be outlined in the Agreement and Special Conditional Use Permit. These documents would be open to the public for viewing. Virginia Lindsey signed up to speak in opposition, but did not speak.