02-19-09 Regular Meeting,Public Hearing,and Workshop Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

Browse Search

Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 19, 2009 Page 2 of6 N/A 5. Consider recommendation to City Council regarding Special Conditional Use Permit #SCU09-001. N/A 6. Open public hearing to receive citizen input on a proposed amendment to Chapter 106 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances to adopt Main Street Design Guidelines and Resources, and implement Main Street Design Assistance Review Team for issuance of Main Street Design Certificates for structures within the Main Street Architectural Design Area. A. Staff Presentation Tim Tietjens, Planning Director, addressed the Commission. Mr. Tietjens explained the Main Street Design Concept is a collaborative effort. The city started working with Main Street Association in 2005. City Council directed staff to assist business owners. The Design Certificate Program protects property investment by allowing similar designs with building character. There is a matching funds program available to business owners who want to improve their buildings. The Planning and Zoning Commission previously in a workshop recommended the following: . The Architectural position be changed to an ex-officio. . Move towards a city approval process. . Have the City Manager or a Designee approve the recommendations by DAR.T. . The appeal process will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Main Street Coordinator, Debra Dye, addressed the Commission and Citizens. The Main Street Advisory Board and Design Committee have been working on this for several months. The Design Committee started out looking at what other communities have done with their design packets and how they have made it work. Also, they looked at professional firms and how they have compiled their information. Through intensive work, especially by a couple of design committee members, they came up with a draft. They then asked staff to take over from that point to tweak the package to work through the city's system. Some of the important components were to be streamlined to prevent any extra work and timing issues. There are several components to the design package. Starting with the Main Street Enhancement Grant. The La Porte Development Corporation has funded $200,000.00 towards the enhancement grant. The grant will be a reimbursement grant starting from a $2,500.00 to 25,000.00 dollar match within a three (3) year span of time. This grant is specific toward any beautification effort made to the exterior of the building if only dealing with the aesthetics of the building. This can be awnings, landscaping, painting, and are broadening the spectrum to include public art or anything that can help bring downtown together, beautify and enhance it. A design certificate is a component of an enhancement grant. But, it will be necessary for any aesthetic changes to the property in the defined area. The design certificate will be utilized for projects such as renovation, new structure, add-on's, landscaping, etc.. The design certificate will be a prerequisite to obtaining a permit. However, the permit process can begin simultaneously with the design certificate. The main street design guidelines and resources give general guidance to appropriate architectural styles and aesthetics for downtown. This can range from the late 1800's to the 1950's as outlined in the guidelines. The main street design guidelines and packet are available for review on the city website under the "Main Street" section.