11-20-08 Regular Meeting,Public Hearing and Workshop of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Staff Report December 18, 2008 Zone Change Request #R 08-004 ReQuested by: Decker McKim on behalf of Preston Copeland (owner) ReQuested for: Lots 25 thru 32, Block 101, Town of La Porte Location: 500 Block of North ih Street Present Zonin!!:: Medium Density Residential (R-2) ReQuested Zonin!!:: General Commercial (GC) Baclmround: The subject property is 0.57 acre of land, described as lots 25 thru 32, block 101, Town of La Porte, Johnson Hunter Survey, Abstract No.5, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. The tract is abutting City of La Porte property, where four single-family dwellings will be built as part of the HOME grant program. North 7th Street, the main entrance to the property, has recently been improved up to North E Street, a public right-of-way (unimproved). North 'E' Street will serve as a landscapelbuffer and linear park site for the Northside Neighborhood. The applicant has recently built four metal buildings to the west of the alley along North 8th Street. The buildings will be used primarily for General Contractor's offices and storage. The applicant seeks a rezone from Medium Density Residential (R-2) to General Commercial (GC) to allow additional construction and/or parking for adjacent commercial establishments. Analvsis: In considering this request, Staff reviewed the following Comprehensive Plan elements: Land Use, Thoroughfare System, Parks and Recreation, Utility Infrastructure, and Redevelopment. The specific issues considered are as follows: Land Use -- Review of the City's Land Use Plan shows the subject tracts developing as Mid to High Density Residential and public uses. Currently, the adjacent properties are a mixture of single-family residential and a commercial use. The proposed rezone may not be appropriate with these uses nor, after rezone, would activity within the site be limited. In addition, it will negatively impact on the proposed development of four single-family homes along North 7th Street. Conformance of a zoning request with the Land Use Plan is one consideration among several criteria to be considered in approvmg or denying a rezoning application. Other criteria may include: