01-21-16 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of January 21,2016 Page 3 of 6 Motion by Commissioner Barrera to recommend approval to City Council of an amendment to the Future Land Use Plan component of the La Porte Comprehensive Plan by amending the land use designation for a 0.575 acre tract of land located at the southeast corner of N. 1st Street and the unimproved E Street right-of-way also known as Lots 1-8, Block 108,Town of La Porte Subdivision from "Commercial" use to"Low-Density Residential" use. Second by Commissioner LaCour. Motion carried. Ayes: LaCour,Warren,Barrera, Follis,Stockham,and Lawler Nays: 8. Open a public hearing to receive input on an application for Zone Change Request#15-92000004, a request by Warwick Homes Inc.and the City of La Porte to rezone an approximately 3.9 acre tract of land located on Fairmont Parkway east of Willmont Road further described as Reserve B and C, Willmont Commercial Park Amended Subdivision (owned by Warwick Homes) and Tract 33 Treat Plant Site,Abstract 482,Williams Jones Survey(owned by the City of La Porte)from Neighborhood Commercial (NC)to General Commercial(GC). a. Staff Presentation City Planner Eric Ensey presented the staff report for agenda items 8-11 concurrently. The proposal was a zone change request for a 3.9 acre tract on Fairmont Parkway between Big Island Slough and Willmont Road. This was brought forward by Warwick Homes in an effort to make the land more marketable. The proposed zone change would be in line with other General Commercial zoned tracts along Fairmont Parkway. Written notice mailed to owners of real property within 200 feet of the site within 10 days of the hearing and in this case. The City received six responses from the mail-out,five were opposed and one was in support. b. Applicant Presentation Applicant Tom Cauthen (4620 N Braeswood Houston,TX) purchased the subject property from the City of La Porte. Mr. Cauthen worked with the City to rezone the property to Neighborhood Commercial.There was discussion on drainage,intended use and traffic circulation. Mr.Cauthen claimed that it will not sell as Neighborhood Commercial zoned property. Commissioner Barrera asked what he intends to build on it and Mr.Cauthen did not know, it just depends on who buys it. It won't be a retail center. Commissioner Stockham discussed access to the site. Commissioner Stockham questioned if the City's lift station was landlocked.Staff confirmed that it does have an access point. Commissioner Warren discussed about Mr.Cauthen's inability to sell the property. Director of Planning and Development Tim Tietjens said that the City has been partnering with Harris County to work on the lights and add some turning lanes to make those intersections more like the Willmont intersection.