02-20-2003 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Zone Change Request #R 03-001 P & Z (3/20/03) Page 2 of 2 Parks and Recreation — Recreation facilities include three City parks located in the Creekmont, Glen Meadows, and Fairmont Park Central Section 2 subdivisions. While facility availability seems adequate, accessing these parks may prove challenging as all require travel on major thoroughfares i.e. Myrtle Creek Drive and Spencer Highway. In addition, future development plans should address pedestrian connectivity. The City's pedestrian plan incorporates Big Island Slough and Valley Brook Drive as components of the trail system that would connect the subject tracts to the Glen Meadows subdivision and park. Utilities — The infrastructure was not analyzed in detail to ensure that sufficient capacity exists. This analysis will occur when subdivision plats are submitted. In addition, the developer must provide any structures or improvements necessary to serve firture development. Storm water drainage and detention is also an issue that will be carefully reviewed as a project develops. Staff recommends on -site detention for any future development. Residential Development — One of the Comprehensive Plan's goals is to promote attractive low -density residential neighborhoods. This could be achieved by applying neighborhood protection standards like screening, increased setbacks, and added open space. In addition, increased residential lot widths and increased building setbacks of adjacent nonresidential land uses along Spencer Highway could also minimize adverse impacts to the residential property. Additional conditions should be discussed during the platting process. Conclusion: Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission approve this rezone request, which represents the highest and best use of the property. Granting the requested change would not be contrary to the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Actions available to the Commission are listed below: • recommend approval of the zone change as requested; • recommend denial of the zone change as requested; or • recommend approval of a modified version of the zone change.