03-17-11 Planning and Zoning Commission

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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of Marchl7, 2011 Page 4 of 5 Danny Earp asked staff to report the cost incurred by the city in the maintenance of the proposed truck routes, research the adequacy of width for trucks, and review the potential tax base if the truck route was designated. John Lawler, 911 Oak Leaf, currently a student at the University of Texas, cautioned the Commission on making decisions about truck routes that could adversely affect the quality of life for the citizens of La Porte. Linda Westergren, Sector 23 property owner, thanked John Lawler for his comments and noted that there are no residential properties located within Sector 23. c. Comprehensive Plan- Update Masood Malik, City Planner, gave staff's report. The La Porte 2020 Comprehensive Plan is an official public document that acts as a general guide for how the City should grow and operate over a 20 year interval. The first 5 -year update was performed in- house. The City is now 10 years into the 2020 Comprehensive Plan. During the pastl0 years there have been significant changes and other major activities have occurred. As communities face growth- related challenges, a need for professional planning services arises. The Houston - Galveston Area Council (H -GAC) has introduced PlanSource, a program designed to assist local governments in reducing costs and streamlining the procurement process. PlanSource is a cooperative purchasing program for planning services, i.e. comprehensive plan, land use, transportation, parks and recreations, economic development, feasibility studies and visioning. The City utilized H -GAC to locate a consultant or firm to accomplish this important Comprehensive Plan update. Staff met with the planning consultant, Kendig Keast Collaborative, and discussed goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan Update. The planning consultant has assembled the scope of study; salient features are as follows: • Citizen Involvement in the Planning Process • Existing Information Review • Structural Plan — Context, Land Use & Character, Downtown Master Plan, Parks & Recreation Master Plan, Infrastructure & Growth Capacity, Community Mobility, Economic Development, Implementation • Deliverables 7. Administrative Reports There were none. 8. Commission Comments David Janda asked Masood Malik to report on new business in La Porte. Mr. Malik reported "Carl's Jr." will be building at the SW corner of Spencer and Canada. David Janda thanked John Lawler for his input during the meeting. Richard Warren spoke about the need for Commissioners needing to stand by their decisions. A. Matters appearing on agenda B. Inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policy 9. Adjourn Motion by Dottie Kaminski to adjourn. Second by Richard Warren. Motion Carried.