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

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Planning & Zoning Common • Truck stops Zoning Ordinance Amendment Page 2 of 4 On the other hand, a convenience store and/or service station is a place which sells a limited variety of food and other grocery items, snacks, gasoline along with diesel, and automotive accessories, or other convenience items. Existing Requirements: Zoning -Under Section 106-441, Table A, Commercial Uses, truck stops are not permitted in commercial zoning districts. The interpretation of the classification is that service stations (SIC Code#554) are permitted uses, i.e. automobile service stations, filling stations, gasoline but excluding truck stops. Under Section 106-521, Table A, Industrial Uses, there are a variety of activities relating to trucking operations or requiring large trucks for business purposes (i.e. general contractors, heavy construction, highway transportation terminal and service facilities, etc.) Truck stops, however, specifically are not mentioned and considered to be an unlisted use as per Code of Ordinances. An unlisted use, such as truck stops require a Special Conditional Use Permit (SCUP) from the City. Building Setbacks - Section 106-522, Table B, Industrial area requirements stipulates predominantly 50' front, 40' rear, and 30' sides setback for Business Industrial zoning districts. In addition, when BI zoning districts are adjacent to residential zoning districts, same setbacks are applicable to the sites and no construction of any kind is permitted within said setback areas. Landscaping /Screening - For the facilities having parking areas adjacent to residential zones and abutting public rights-of--way, screening is required. A planting strip of four feet wide with evergreen plants that are minimum height of four feet and within two years grow up to six feet in height is required. In addition, landscape plans with trees, shrubs, and ground cover, are required to be submitted and approved by the enforcement officer. Recommended Requirements: Zoning -Truck stops should 'be permitted in the Business Industrial (BI) zoning district subject to restrictive measures such as the limitation of smoke, dust, odor, lighting and glare and strictly along an approved/established truck routes. Currently, there are vacant parcels of land within Business Industrial (BI) zoning districts along Barbour's Cut Boulevard and State Highway.146.