03-24-11 Special Called Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

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Staff Report April 28, 2011 Fire Station No.1 Special Exception Request #11- 94000001 Requested by: City of La Porte c/o Reagan McPhail — Public Improvements Coordinator Requested for: Yard setbacks and other requirement for the Main Street District Location: 125 South 3 Street (Block 39; Lots 11 -16; Town of La Porte) Zoning: Main Street District (MSD) Background: The City of La Porte has plans to build a new Fire Station No. 1, along with administrative offices at 125 South 3 Street. Currently, Fire Station No.1 is located along West `A' and South 2 Street. Current growth trends and first responder's approach require advanced equipment and better personnel accommodation at these facilities. In addition, this is an old building and require much needed space for the Fire Department personnel The proposed layout plan shows no setback for a 2 -story administrative building along front, side yard adjacent to West `A' Street, and rear yard abutting 16' wide public alley to the east (See Exhibit). In developing a corner lot, zoning regulations require a minimum ten -foot (10') setback on the side that adjoins a public right -of -way (West `A' Street) and 20' rear yard setback for the Main Street District. The Main Street Overlay and District were created to attract mixed use developments. Minimum yard setbacks for the Main Street District are; Front *, Rear 20', Side 5'. In addition, all yards adjacent to public right -of- way must be a minimum of ten feet. It is likely that existing buildings and lots available for development may not meet these regulations, as most of the buildings in the downtown area are considered to be zero lot line or have no setbacks. * denotes front yard setback as the average of the existing structures on that side of the street on the same side or the setback of the closest structure on an adjacent lot. In this case, front setback is proposed to be zero as other structures are considered zero lot line on the same side of the street. It is considered to be consistent with the existing structures and will look aesthetically pleasing. In order to build a two story administrative office building, 0 side setback is shown instead of 10' side yard setback when adjacent to public right -of -way (West 'A' Street). In staff's opinion, a 10' side yard setback may not be necessary for the proposed building, which will be similar to other structures on the same side of the street. The proposed