09-15-11 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of September 15, 2011 Page 2 of 3 Agrees with comments from others. Avoid angle parking, leave four lanes, utilize vacant lots to develop additional parking. Horace Leopard — 3202 Lazy Pine, Main Street property owner Parallel parking is unsafe, need to beautify Main Street Manly Boudreaux — 126 S. 16 Street Maintain traffic flow. Inquired if traffic is stopping and shopping or passing through. Sandra Baldwin — 301 W. Main Need businesses to locate on Main Street. Inquired if vacant lots could be used for parking. In response to Ms. Baldwin's question, Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osbourne noted there was a recent offer to donate tax delinquent property to the City; however Council opted not to accept the offer. Councilman Tommy Moser noted he had wanted Staff to look into lights at 2 and 8 Streets and was disappointed they weren't included in the study. He also noted that the property donation offer was not accepted by Council because the amount of taxes owed was too high in comparison to the number of parking spaces the property would net. Brett Heckendorn — Main Street business owner Focus on pedestrian safety, parking, and traffic calming. Add signal at 2 or 3 Street. Brenda Brown Opposed to location of new Fire Station No. 1; instead, consider developing parking at that location. The light at 4 Street is not utilized as much as one would be at 2 Street. Mary Morris — 207 San Jacinto Focus is on Main Street; questioned why San Jacinto Street was not included in the study. Norma Elliot — 11621 North D Does not own a business on Main Street. Favors angle parking and lowering speed limit. Don Hulen — 8 Street business owner Study was a waste of money. Public input concluded at 7:35 p.m, at which time Chairman Hal Lawler called for a break. The meeting reconvened at 7:57 p.m. Upon conclusion of the hearing, Staff agreed to work with the Legal Department to determine risk /liability with locating a light at 2 "d Street. 4. La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update A. Overview of Chapter 2, Land Use and Character City Planner Masood Malik provided background information on Chapter 1, Plan Context, which was reviewed by the Commission during the previous meeting, followed by a land use exercise. Matt Bucchin, of Kendig Keast, gave a power point presentation of Chapter 2 outlining focus area, goals, actions, and initiatives. Chapter 2 (Land Use & Character) is a consolidation of four previous plan chapters (Land Use, Parks and Recreation, Residential Development, Beautification and Conservation). Bret Keast, of Kendig Keast, led discussion on the Future Land Use Plan and Character, currently under review. Mr. Keast spoke on Character Districts, including rural, auto