04-11-11 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: April 11, 2011 Appropriation: Requested By: Tim Tietiens Source of Funds: N/A Department: Planning Account Number: N/A Report: Resolution: Ordinance: X Amount Budgeted: N/A Exhibits: Ordinance Amount Requested: N/A Aerial Map Budgeted Item: N/A SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The Planning & Zoning Commission, during their March 17, 2011, meeting, held a public hearing to receive citizen comments regarding Special Conditional Use Permit Request #11- 91000003. The applicant, La Porte Real Property, LLC., seeks a permit to develop a proposed empty container /chassis yard at 901 North Broadway using the old Harris County Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill No.3, which has been closed for approximately 30 years. The applicant purchased the 47.709 acre site in 2007 with the intent of using the site for the stated purpose. This property is located one block north of Barbour's Cut Boulevard between North Broadway and North 8 Street. It is bounded by undeveloped and heavily wooded `J' Street to the north, and `H' Street right -of -way to the south, which is intended to accommodate a future railroad spur. On March 14, 2011, Council approved rezoning of the subject site from Light Industrial (LI) and Heavy Industrial (HI) to Planned Unit Development (PUD). This SCUP is a result of that rezoning. The redevelopment plan would first upgrade the landfill cap and create a supplemental proposed stabilized surface capable of accommodating vehicles and empty containers. Broadway is currently the only access to the site; however, a second ingress /egress point will be constructed accessing "J" Street for a more direct connection to SH146. Detention ponds will be provided along with a planting plan which includes Benthamii Eucalyptus trees to create a continuous visual screen from SH 146. A majority of the Planning and Zoning Commission is additionally recommending a stacking limitation of shipping containers two high. Also, the applicant was asked to submit an annual report regarding the site maintenance activities to supplement the existing one million dollar maintenance bond that was required through the 2007 conveyance documents. The proposed project represents a significant impact to economic development within the City of La Porte. Redevelopment and acquisition costs exceed three million dollars, and should contribute approximately $36K in annual revenues for the City (exclusive of County and LPISD revenues). A building permit would be issued once the Special Conditional Use Permit is approved by the City followed by a major development site plan for the project. As required by Ordinance, notices of the public hearing were mailed to thirteen property owners within 200' of the subject site. No response was received from the mailout. The Planning and Zoning Commission, by unanimous vote, recommends City Council approve Special Conditional Use Permit #11-91000003. It is the opinion of staff that the proposed development is entirely appropriate for the community not only for the heavy industrial nature of that sector, but also due to its proximity to the Bayport Container Port, thereby reducing the need for other potential container yards in the community, and the length of resulting truck trips otherwise. The landfill would become 47 acres of productive land use instead of unusable land and it would also generate revenue. Staff Recommends approving the project with conditions Council considers appropriate.