09-16-2004 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing, and Workshop Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Planning and Zoning Commission • ~~ Minutes of September 16, 2004. Page 5 • LPFD has equipment that can .reach up ~to 100' in elevation. A rule of .thumb used by• the fire department when employing this 'equipment is 7 stories or 70 feet (10 feet per story) given that . positioning of the equipment when fighting a fire will not be ideal. = ~ :. ~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ ~. Fire protection regulations for this situation mandated a total sprinkler. system including the attic.' All ' . similar buildings attaining this height would require~this protection.. Other.motels in La Porte have only the occupied stories protected by a sprinkler system. (if so~ equipped). _~ Coordination with the fire .~ ~ .department shows that as long as the building has a sprinkler system, this reduces their concern. . ~ ~ .' ~~ Surveys of surrounding cities shows that.a majority.~do not~regulate a maximum height.. ~~ - ~ ~ ~ An amendment to the 45' rule does not affect Shipping Container stacking.. Containers are regulated to ' . 4-high regardless if the stack is under 45'.. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . ~ . ~ In regards to economic development, hotels/motels remain an important source of revenue to the City. - Bob Klassen,~ of Sunbelt Commercial Builders,~talked about a'prospective client he lost several years -ago due to the City's maximum height regulations. He mentioned the. City lost a facility valued at ~ . several million~~dollars due to this requirement. ~ He agrees. with bother Commission. Members that surrounding properties should be taken into consideration when imposing height regulations. ~ . . . Public Hearing closed at 7:45 P.M. by Vice-Chairperson Kaminski.. ~. ~ Motion by Paul Berner to direct Staff to. develop a~ recommendation for further consideration. Second by Kirby Linscomb.. The motion carried. ~ ~ .. . ~ ' Ayes:. ~ ~ ~ ~ Berner,.. Lipscomb, Barrera,~ Finch, Lawler, Morris,. and Kaminski • ~ .. ~ Nays: _ ~ None ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _ .. . .Abstain:. None . .. ~. (Staff will develop a: recommendation and prepare for another public hearing with the Commission.) ~~ . , .. '8.:STAFF REPORTS~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ .~ ~ .. ~ ~ ~ .' ~ .. . ~ .Mr. Sabo updated theCommission on .the following activities: .~ ~ . ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~.. Large ..l_ot ~ Residential Committee. meetings .underway.` .Commission Members Barrera, and . ~-. ~~ ~ ~ ~ Finch. attended the first meeting: Delicia.Turner was elected as Chairperson and Leroy Jones . ~ ~ ~ .. ~as Vice-Chairperson. ~~ ~ ~ ~ ..' .Request from City Council .for the Planning and Zoning Commission to begin reviewing areas for : ~ ~ • truck stops.. ~ . ~ ~ . . ' ~ : .. ... .. . ~.~ ~: ~ Review of 40%.maximum~ lot coverage requirement. ~ . .. . . ~: 9. ADJOURN;:.. ~.:~ = ~' ~ ~. ~~ ~ ~ ~ ... ~.. .. Vice-Chairperson Kaminski.declared the meeting adjourned at~7:55~ P.M..~ ~~ Sub ed by; ~ ~ :: ~ .. .. Secretary, anning, and Zoning Commission ~'. ~ ~.. ~ . ~ .. ~ . ~ ~ = ~ . . Approved on this ~ ~~ ~ day of ~~ ~, 2004. ~ ~' ~ ~ ~ ~ .' :.. •. :~: ~ - e, rn.~r~skc . $e~ty~flfat~ers cy{-}1 ' • ~ ~ ~ ~ . . ~lCe-Chairperson, Planning, and Zoning Commission :. ~~ . .~~ ~ ... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.