04-17-2003 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Port of Houston Authority 5/15/03 P&Z Meeting Page 2 of 4 The development in a PUD zoning district requires that an application for a general plan or site plan shall be filed and processed simultaneously with the Special Conditional Use Permit. Upon approval of the plan and SCUP, the Port would be authorized to submit a Major Development Site Plan. Analysis: In addition to performance standards, there are a number of development standards that are specified by the Zoning Ordinance. These standards are applicable to all P.U.D. developments. Section 106-659 of the Code of Ordinances establishes the following criteria for review of the development projects within a P.U.D. zoning district: Land Use — The City's Comprehensive Plan shows this area developing with industrial uses. The existing land uses of nearby properties are primarily industrial (the Port Authority's main facility); however, there are single-family residences south of the undeveloped "E" Street right-of-way. In general, high intensity uses should be adjacent to each other. When higher uses abut residential uses buffering must occur to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of neighborhoods.. As a part of the Port's site plan, they will incorporate a berm, landscaping, and a masonry wall to protect the adjacent residential from the activities of the proposed pre -check facility. In addition, the undeveloped wooded "E Street" right-of-way will remain in tact. Transportation — Being located along Barbour's Cut Boulevard, a primary arterial road and major truck route, provides more than adequate accessibility for circulation of truck traffic. There should be very limited impact on traffic flow within the vicinity even after full implementation ofthe proposed project. The two private drives and truck parking areas will be designed and constructed in conformance with City Standards. Since trucking movement is the primary function of the facility, access management and circulation should be the top priority while designing the project. Driveways connecting directly onto the roadway should be minimized to avoid traffic congestion and other delays caused by turning movements for the eighteen -wheelers entering and exiting the facility. In addition, the pre -check facility will lessen the amount of time trucks spend idling on Barbour's Cut Blvd. This results in fewer NOx being released in the air.