08-26-2004 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

Browse Search

Zoning Board of Adjustment • • Minutes of August 26, 2004 Page 4 Chairperson Grant swore in Neil Patel, of 902 Hwy. 146 S. Mr. Patel commented that motel occupancy rates are down in La Porte because the market is saturated. The addition of another motel is not feasible. Mr. Kiibler provided the Commission with a document titled "Exhibit A", which shows the number of available motel rooms and occupancy rates for La Porte. He asked that it be entered into the record. (See attached.) Chairperson Grant swore Mike Desai, with the Best Western on SH 146. Mr. Desai commented that occupancy rates are declining and there are already too many available motel rooms in LaPorte. Raul Desai reminded everyone that the issue is not about occupancy rates or permission to build a hotel. The issue is about permission to exceed height requirements. Mr. Desai commented that Mr. Kiibler's client, Jagdish Patel, owns the Comfort Inn and has plans to build a Hampton Inn. Hotels are not doing badly. Hotels that provide the proper amenities are doing well. Entrepreneurial spirit should not be limited. Chairperson Grant swore in Kathy Montreal, General Manager of Comfort Suites at 902 S. 8~'. She commented that their occupancy rate has been declining. Chairperson Grant swore in Dimple Patel, owner and manager of Comfort Suites at 1501 Center St, Deer Park. Mr. Patel commented that the central reservation system for Comfort Suites indicates the Comfort Suites in La Porte was booked solid on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, of this week. Chairperson Grant swore in Tom Hathcock, of Grisham Tolar Properties at 4650 Center St., Deer Park. Mr. Hathcock spoke during the opposition segment but is in favor of the request. Business is not down in La Porte. His business gets calls at least .twice a month from industries trying to locate here. With no others wishing to speak, Chairperson Grant closed the meeting to audience participation. The Board discussed the merits of the case. Motion by Charles Schoppe to approve Variance Request #V04-009 to allow afour--story hotel to be built at 908 S. 8~' Street at a height of 60 feet, exceeding the maximum allowable height of 45 feet. Second by George Maltsberger. The motion failed. Ayes: Schoppe, Malt.sberger and Grant Nays: Norwine Abstain: There was discussion with the Attorney as to the result of the vote. Mr. Askins affirmed that it took the vote of four members to decide in favor of the applicant. 7. DISCUSS FINDINGS OF FACTS AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW REGARDING VARIANCE REQUEST #V04-005 BY REFRIGERATED CONTAINER SALES, INC. It was the general consensus of the Board that this item did not require further discussion. None of the members had issue with the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law regarding Variance Request #V04-005 by Refrigerated Container Sales, Inc. 8. STAFF REPORTS Mr. Sabo reported the following: