05-28-09 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

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Staff Report Reauested by: Reauested for: Location: Zonine:: Backe:round: June 25, 2009 Variance Request #V 09-002 Lisa Walker TR 425D, La Porte Outlots, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. 10815 North 'L' Street Large Lot Residential (LL) Applicant is requesting a variance to grant permission to keep domestic livestock at the property which is less than one acre in area prohibited by the City ordinances. The applicant stated that request is associated with social, behavioral skills and therapeutic needs of a mentally challenged child residing at this house. Zoning Ordinance, Section 106-742, Subsection (a) identifies domestic livestock (cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, goats, chickens, and geese) as a "permitted accessory use" on lots in excess of 43,560 square feet (I-acre). It also requires livestock to be restrained no closer than 25 feet from property that is not devoted to the keeping of domestic livestock and in concentration as follows: . Two cows per acre. . Two horses per acre. . Two hogs per acre. . Two sheep or goats per acre. The subject property is approximately 0.69 acre (less than 1 acre). The City's Code of Ordinances permits domestic livestock on large lot residential (greater than 1 acre). The City Officials informed the applicant of the requirements of the current ordinance. The applicant stated that she would comply with the ordinance, but she wanted to keep the domestic livestock and certain animals to help social interaction of her mentally and emotionally challenged child. The applicant has submitted letters of recommendation from the officials of the Mental Health & Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County in this regard (see copies attached). On June 18,2007, City Council directed staff to conduct a review of the existing provisions of Section 106-742, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 106 (Zoning) regarding the number of animals permitted per acre. Currently two grazing animals are allowed per acre and an owner must have two acres if three animals are present.