01-24-2002 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

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a Zoning Board of Adjustmart • , Minutes of January 24, 2002 Page 4 meetings with the applicant revealed the project was to occupy all of Blocks 1121,1122, and 1160. However the site plan that was later submitted utilizes Blocks 1121,1122, and only 4 lots' out of Block 1160. The parking problems could have been overcome by utilizing the entirety of all three blocks. A. PROPONENTS Chairperson Grant swore in Al Fairfield, 11123 Katy Freeway, real estate developer in the Houston area for 43 years. Mr. Fairfield stated the original concept for development included all three blocks. The State Housing Department has declined tax credits for the project for the last three years. Mr. Fairfield met with the Housing Department to find out what type of project they were interested in. The current plan is the result. The State Housing Department requires the land use to remain unchanged far 40 years. Mr. Fairfield's attorney has worked with the City's attorney to include a section in the deed restrictions, which limits the use to seniar housing for a period of 114 years. Mr. Fairfield described the project and explained the reduction of parking spaces is necessary to maintain a recreation area and green space. The remaining lots in Block 1160 were sold to his son, Steve Fairfield, with the money from the sale to be used to help fund the project. Steve Fairfield would like to bind 12-14 affordable homes on the land he purchased. The Board was provided copies of an e-mail from Mark McSwain to Steve Fairfield regarding "parking to unit" ratios similar to Churchill Place Apartments, along with a copy of the site plan. Chairperson Grant swore in Rae Fairfield, 11123 Katy Freeway, Houston. Mrs. Fairfield described parking far existing projects similar to this one. She compared this project to "The BedfordA located on FM 518 outside of Friendswood. Chairperson Grant swore in Stephen Fairfield, 903 Solo, Houston. Mr. Fairfield noted that one parlnng space per unit is a typical seniar's ratio and cited other developments that have provided less parking space than what is being proposed for this project. . Mr. Fairfield will make sure Mr. Armstrong receives a copy of Exhibit A to the declarations/covenants, which desc~es the 114-year land use restriction. In the event the Board were to grant an exception and impose a condition that the property be used solely far seiziar housing far 114 years, Mr. Armstrong asked Mr. Fairfield if he was willing to not hold the City accountable if he proposed a change in the use, even if the development had already been constricted. Mr. Fairfield confirmed that was an acceptable statement to him. According to Mrs. Fairfield, the State will require an audit be performed every year far 40 years that reports the number of senior residents. A visual audit will also be performed once every 3 years.