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statements of action to achieve the desired results envisioned by citizens and the leadership ofthe community. |nthat context, this plan intends tuanswer the following questions: * What are the adequate levels ofpublic facilities necessary to meet the demands offuture in -fill development and redevelopment; w What should the future development pattern look like inorder to reflect the values nfthe community; * How can we bast utilize some ofour City'sgreatest physical myse1u' |.e., parks and trails, Main Street, Sylvan Beach, and the bayfrmnt; * How can we improve the image and visual appearance of the community; and m How can we unify and mobilize our residents and leaders around a common vision and future direction? Why is Planning and this Update Important to La Porte? Planning is the process of establishing goals and objectives, and determining the means by which these ends may be achieved. It enables the City tomanage future growth and development actively auopposed to reacting to (re)development or infrastructure improvement proposals on case -by -case basis without adequate and necessary consideration ofconmmunity'w|de issues. The comprehensive plan is a form of "local" planning, and it provides an opportunity for the City's elected and appointed officials to step back from pressing, day-to-day issues and clarify their ideas as to the kind ufcommunity they are trying to create and maintain. Through the plan development process, they can look broadly at programs for neighborhoods, housing, economic development, and provision ofpublic infrastructure and facilities and how these efforts may relate to one another. The La Porte 2030 Comprehensive Plan represents a "big picture" of the City, one that can be related to the trends and interests of the broader metropolitan region, as well as the State of Texms. Planning koften the most direct and efficient way toinvolve members of the public in determining the future of their community. The process of plan preparation provides an opportunity for two-way communication between citizens and local government officials as to their vision of the community and the details of how that vision is to be achieved. The plan results in a series of goals and policies that ideally, will assist the City in administering development regulations; determining the location, sequencing, and financing of public improvements; and, in guiding reinvestment and redevelopment efforts. The plan also provides o means ofcoordinating the 6O3MNAQN|TYVISION FOR L{ PURTF.TEX8 ZUlUUPDAJE