07-25-12 Special Called Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of July 25, 2012 Page 2 of 3 5. Comprehensive Plan Update A. Consider approval of draft Chapter 2 (Land Use & Development) and Future Land Use Plan. During the last meeting Commission requested staff to research if the school parks were included in the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) calculations. Commission Member Hoot asked staff if they have notified the PUD property owners regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update. Staff has not sent a Public Hearing notice as City Ordinance does not require an individual notices. The Public has been notified of the Comprehensive Plan Update. A Public Hearing is required when a property is considered for rezone. A Public notice will be delivered to the effected property owner and anyone within 200' if any changes to the underlying land uses are recommended. Stephen Barr, Director of Park & Recreation addressed the Commission. Mr. Barr stated the La Porte Independent School District did not sign a cooperative agreement with the City to include the Playgrounds as City Parks. The LPISD playgrounds are open to the public. Mr. Barr added, on Page 2.22, Table 2, the LPISD playgrounds are included in the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) calculations, but can be removed if Commission chooses to do so. Currently the City Parks meet the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) standards. Matt Bucchin of Kendig Keast passed out a handout to Commission which showed historical and projected population increase to be incorporated to the Comprehensive Plan Update. Commission deemed it as realistic population projections. Kendig Keast is confident they have made all the changes asked by Commission Members and are ready to submit for approval. Matt added that the City of La Porte is one of the rare cities that meet NRPA Standards. The Commission asked to leave the numbers out and put in 'continue' to expand. Information about residential vacant property is inserted as an appendix. Add; the school and city come to an agreement. Commission Members feel strongly about acquiring more land for more parks. Later, Matt Bucchin passed out an updated Future Land Use Map for discussion. The Commission agreed with all revisions to the Future Land Use Map. B. Conduct prioritization exercise for Implementation Plan (Chapter 6). Commission Members participated in a prioritization exercise. The results will be incorporated to the final report and will show where the Commission wants to start with the Comprehensive Plan. Absent Commission Members will also be asked to participate in the above exercise. Chairman Hal Lawler called for 15 minutes break to participate in the exercise at 7:49pm. Chairman Hal Lawler reconvened at 8:04pm. The consultant will clean up all the chapters and present a final draft. A Public Hearing will be held at the September 20, 2012, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.