Workshop back up only - 3/20/08 Planning and Zoning Commission

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Staff Report March 20, 2008 Height Restrictions Workshop Backe:round: The Planning and Zoning Commission requested staff to schedule a workshop to discuss the possibility of adding height restrictions to the commercial uses of properties which abut residential neighborhoods along Fairmont Parkway. The current discussion was precipitated by the recent discussion of rezoning tracts or parcels of land from General Commercial (GC) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC) along Fairmont Parkway, at the workshop meeting on January 17,2008. The concerns over the location of Quality Inn Hotel under construction along Fairmont Parkway at Driftwood prompted the Planning and Zoning Commission and Staff to review the ordinance requirements pertaining to hotels/motels located in General Commercial (GC) zoning districts when adjacent to residential zones within the City. City Council, at the July 23, 2007, meeting, approved an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Section 106-441, Table A, Commercial Uses, by making Hotels and Motels located within General Commercial zoning districts a "Conditional Use" when adjacent to residential zoned districts. Current research has not confirmed the exact reason for establishing 45 feet maximum height for buildings within the City. Discussion of fire protection and the general blocking of view were sighted as possible reasons. Given the economic challenges to development posed by in-fill lots and the reduced dimensions of available land, commercial developers were seeking relief from the height requirement to make their project more economically feasible. Viewing economic development as a priority, City Council approved an ordinance in which Commercial/Industrial maximum height requirements were removed. Existine: ReQuirements: Under Sections 106-443, Table B, Commercial Area Requirements, the maximum allowable height for structures is not applicable. Analvsis: As per current ordinances and guidance provided by the Comprehensive Plan, when a commercial property is adjacent to residential zoned districts, screeninglbuffering and landscaping are required. Building setbacks are Front 20', Rear 20', and Sides 10' adjacent to residential uses. A 20' rear setback area requires screening from view of adjoining residential buildings in compliance with Section 106-444(a) of the Code of Ordinances. Landscaping/screening should create an opaque fence with plant height reaching at least eight feet within two years from the time of planting trees/shrubs in the rear setback or landscape easement.