07-20-06 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Port Crossing Final Plat Page 2 of4 The applicant is currently proceeding with the platting of the entire project. This is the first step towards the planning and development of a large scale project. The developer's intent is to develop the entire tract in accordance with the applicable Special Conditional Use Permit, General Plan, and Development Agreement approved by the City. The applicant/developer submitted a Preliminary Plat for Port Crossing, which was approved by the Commission on May 25, 2006. Analvsis: Section 4.03 and Appendix D of the City's Development Ordinance establish review criteria for major subdivisions. Staff also used criteria in the City's Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan to review this project. Land Use - The developer's intent is to develop the proposed reserves with underlying land uses as per the approved General Plan and the Development Agreement contemplating with some industrial components consistent with the City's Land Use Plan (subject to certain exceptions listed in the Development Agreement). The plat's significant features include: fifteen restricted reserves with underlying land uses (permitted in General Commercial (GC), Business Industrial (BI), Light Industrial (Ll), Heavy Industrial (HI);) open space and storm water detention areas, landscape buffers, roadway network, construction of Export Drive (60'ROW), Wharton Weems Boulevard (lOO'ROW) and widening of Powell Road to 100' ROW as the project proceeds. The Developer's Agreement defines the land uses that are acceptable within various reserves of this proposed development. In Reserve "I", Heavy Industrial (HI) uses are permitted with some limitations including rail activities. Trucking operations and shipping containers that are in transit or are being used to deliver material into or out of this development would be permitted. The further use of these reserves shall be reviewed with the formal site plan submittal. Landscaping/Open Space - The General Plan shows the relationship of landscape, open space and also demonstrates how the trail system, open space area, and the stormwater detention system are interrelated. The City may elect to accept these facilities depending on the final design of the said project. Buffering and beautification are also addressed in the General Plan. A 100' wide landscape buffer, building line, and utility easement are provided for Section 1 to be located along Powell Road. The final plat of this section was previously approved earlier by the City. A 50' landscaping buffer including building line and utility easements will be provided along Powell Road south of Section 1 up to McCabe Road. In addition, a 50' landscape buffer, building line, and utility easement are shown along State Highway 146 South. The hike and bike trail along detention basins and drainage channel shall be provided along with landscaping within building setback areas and easements throughout this development in compliance with the approved General Plan and as stated in the Development Agreement.