02-17-2005 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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• • Staff Report March 17, 2005 Main Street District Zoning Ordinance Amendment Background: • Last year, City Council passed a moratorium on new construction within an area identified as the Main Street District. • The purpose of the Main Street District was to prevent any decay of the existing uniqueness of the area, preserve the district and to aid in its vitality. • The Main Street District Committee reviewed the current zoning regulations and suggested possible changes or modifications. • The Main Street District area needed regulations that had more flexibility than any of the zoning classifications allowed. The end result was amixed-use zone. In addition, single-family detached shall be permitted. • The interior of this district, however, had some unique characteristics that needed some additional considerations, so an overlay district was created where residential activities were allowed above the first floor. • The Planning and Zoning Commission, during their September 16, 2004 meeting, held a public hearing to receive citizen comments for the creation of Main Street District classification and regulations. • City Council, at the November 24, 2004 meeting, approved an Ordinance for the Main Street District. Analysis: • The City received a request to lease and remodel an existing structure at 120 S. Broadway. It has a commercial facility along with a house in the rear. Currently, the property is zoned Main Street District (MS). • It was discovered that new wording to the zoning ordinance inadvertently excluded single-family detached from Main Street District. • The current Ordinance permits residential activities within the overlay portion only above the first floor. This is a misinterpretation of the concept or scope of the creation of Main Street District. The intent is to preserve the value and character of the original Main Street area of La Porte and keep single-family detached intact. Conclusion & Recommendation: Staff reviewed the current ordinance and found a correction is needed in this regard. Staff recommends that single family detached should be permitted in Main Street District as intended. Actions available to the Commission are as follows: • Conduct public hearing. • Recommend approval of the above amendment, • Recommend denial of the amendment • Continue the public hearing until next meeting.