01-19-12 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of January 19, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Ayes: Richard Warren, Helen LaCour. Phillip Hoot, and Lou Ann Martin. Nays: Hal Lawler Abstain: None Masood Malik, City Planner suggested staff return with a draft SCUP at the February 16, 2012, Planning & Zoning Meeting. Commission Member Hoot asked the applicant what their timeline was to move forward. The applicant, Billy Coleman informed Commission he submitted the application 6 days before the November 17, 2011, Planning & Zoning meeting, and due to the holiday there was no December meeting. It was also suggested that in addition to the item being placed on the February City Council meeting , it be place on the February Planning & Zoning Meeting incase Council referred it to Planning & Zoning Commission again. After further discussion, Commission members by consensus, directed staff to forward Special Conditional Use Permit 11-91000007 to City Council for approval with conditions generated by staff. Chairman Hal Lawler requested staff to call a mandatory workshop to further educate Commission Members on the importance of ethics and the basis for decision making. Commission Member Follis responded by saying he was not required to excuse himself from voting on the matter, but rather he chose to refrain from discussion because he personally knows the applicant. Due to the fact staff recommended denial of the SCUP, a draft SCUP was not prepared by staff. Commission Member Hoot requested that in the future, staff be prepared with options in the event the Commission does not vote in accordance with staffs recommendations. 6. Open Workshop to discuss proposed regulations on group care facilities (a/k/a group homes, community homes, residential personal care homes, living centers and assisted living centers) housing three (3) persons or less. Chairman Hal Lawler opened the public hearing at 6:08 pm. B. Staff Presentation Debbie Wilmore, Chief Building Official, provided the Commission with staffs report by recapping the October 20, 2011, and November 17, 2011 workshop information and discussions Ms. Wilmore also reminded the Commission that currently under State and Federal laws, group homes are considered "protected" and cannot be excluded in residential zones. Existing city regulations prohibit "group homes" so these regulations need to be updated to prevent conflict with State and Federal laws. The Commission has the opportunity to recommend conditions or criteria as part of the ordinance update. Commission members had no changes and asked staff to bring back as a Public Hearing to the February 16, 2012 Planning & Zoning Meeting. 7. La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update A. Overview of Chapter 4, Community Mobility & Draft Thoroughfare Plan