06-19-08 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes

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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of June 19, 2008 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Patel answered questions from the audience related to lighting, privacy windows, and entrances to the hotel. C. OPPONENTS Kathy Strader, 1512 Poplar Cove for 32 years. Ms. Strader stated the location of the proposed hotel would have a negative impact on her home. According to Ms. Strader, there are 581 existing hotel rooms in La Porte with another 220 rooms being built. She noted that streets in the neighborhood already flood and this development will worsen the problem. Georgia Malone, 1411 Hwy. 146-S for two years. Ms. Malone stated that the proposed location is not conducive for development of a hotel, citing the lack of direct access to a major thoroughfare and taking into consideration the condition of 8th Street. She also expressed concern about the building height and child safety, as there are children and teens that walk and ride bikes in the area. Barbara Norwine, 202 S. Lobit, collected 20 signatures in opposition. Ms. Norwine does not believe the hotel would be good for the area. She expressed concern for the safety of children at the park and wave pool. Margaret Anderson, 909 Garden Walk for 31 years. Ms. Anderson submitted a list of 21 signatures from persons opposing the hotel development. Ms. Anderson listed reasons the hotel would change the privacy, security, and character of the existing neighborhood: transient traffic, 8th Street can't handle additional traffic, additional traffic problematic without light at 8th and Fairmont, residents' concerns regarding Little Cedar Bayou, and decreased property values. If the Planning & Zoning Commission decides to recommend Council approval of the hotel, Ms. Anderson requested the following restrictions be applied: move the north parking lot to the south, build a fence and greenbelt outside the fence on the south side of the property, install frosted windows on the south side of the hotel. Patricia Clark, 3817 Ashwood Circle. Ms. Clark has a home behind the hotel being built on Fairmont Pkwy. She requested the Commission take into account the lives that will be affected if this hotel is approved. Wanda Pomonis, 1410 Cypress Cove since December 2003. Ms. Pomonis and her children would no longer feel safe to walk in the area if the hotel is built. She mentioned drainage problems on her street and suggested a park be built as an alternative to the hotel. Brad Bran, 1406 Cypress Cove, spoke about problems with excess lighting, noise, trash, flooding, and "ladies of the night" if the hotel is approved. He also cited the poor condition of 8th St and the need for a traffic light at 8th and Fairmont. Phillip Hoot, 927 Seabreeze. Mr. Hoot stated that the hotel's design is property friendly, but not neighborhood friendly. Mr. Hoot believes there are too many hotels in town already. He spoke about how drainage works. 4. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Chairperson Muston closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m. With approval from Chairperson Muston, Planning Director Tim Tietjens responded to questions from the audience regarding Little Cedar Bayou drainage, truck routes/parking, and proposed building elevation. Suggestions offered as additional requirements included: