03-17-16 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

Browse Search

Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of March 17,2016 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Follis reiterated his point that if they waver on the recently adapted facade guidelines, it will open up room for more deviations. While the applicant attempted to negotiate for a percentage lower than 20%, Commissioner Follis said that it needed to reach the required amount of brick or stone. The applicant asked when the design guidelines were put into the Code of Ordinances because it did not come up in their pre-purchase research of the property. He was then told that due to an oversight it was never put into the Code of Ordinances. Commissioner Warren commented that the Commission's denial in the last meeting was not about trying to get slightly more brick or stone, but was instead about getting all 20%. He said that the Commission works hard to make La Porte beautiful and that means getting 20% brick or stone on the building. Motion by Commissioner Warren to deny a waiver to the city's Design Guidelines (Exterior Facade Materials) as outlined in Section 106-928 of the Code of Ordinance for the proposed warehouse distribution facility at 1801 S. 16th Street (southeast corner of S. 16th Street and Export Drive). Second by Commissioner Follis. Motion carried. Ayes: Follis,Warren, Barrera, LaCour, Stockham Nays: 6. Continue a public hearing from and opened during the February 18, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission to receive input on proposed modifications to Ordinance No. 1444, more commonly known as the City of La Porte Development Ordinance, regulating review process for subdivisions, site plans and other development-related requirements and codifying the regulations as part of Chapter 86 of the City of La Porte Code of Ordinances. Chairman Lawler opened the public hearing at 6:19 a. Staff Presentation City Planner said that there has not been a large scale review of the Development Ordinance since 1985. The review was done with the help of a committee containing Commissioners Warren, Follis, Barrera and Martin. In general the Development Ordinance was reorganized so it could be codified within the City's code of ordinances.Amongst other more minor changes, City Planner Ensey said that the Pre-Application Development Meeting has taken the place of the "Sketch Plan" in this new development ordinance. City Planner Ensey also argued that the City's fee schedule should be moved to Appendix A so it can be adjusted easier. Also for legal purposes City Planner Ensey suggested changing the term from variances to waivers when discussing deviation requests to this new section. Commissioner Barrera asked if they had moved forward with the idea to require a pre- building topographic survey and an as-built topographic survey,because his work schedule