08-22-13 Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting

Browse Search

Staff Report August 22, 2013 Fire Station No.1(Parking) Special Exception Request #13-94000001 Requested by: City of La Porte c/o Reagan McPhail — Public Improvements Coordinator Requested for: A reduced driveway distance from an intersection Location: 124 South 2nd Street (Block 39; Lots 17-21; Town of La Porte) Zoning: Main Street District (MSD) Background: The City of La Porte has recently completed building a new Fire Station No. 1 along with administrative offices at 125 South 3rd Street. An old building of Fire Station No.l was located along West `A' and South 2nd Street, which has been demolished to construct a parking lot. Parking lot will serve personnel and patrons of the Fire Department. In addition, it will be served as a visitor parking during the Main Street events. The subject site consists of five regular lots with 25'xl25'size equal 15,625 square feet (0.36 acre) of area at the intersection West `A' Street and South 2nd Street. Proposed parking layout shows diagonal parking with two driveways along South 2nd Street. South driveway is proposed to be located at 22 feet from an intersection of West `A' Street and South 2nd Street in lieu of the 40-foot minimum distance requirement from intersections. Intent of this proposed layout is to align the driveways with the bays of the fire station and to maximize the number of parking spaces. The City is committed to provide the best possible services to its citizen. To move forward with this public improvements project, the City is requesting special exceptions to allow a driveway to be located 22 feet from the intersection of West `A' Street and South 2nd Street in lieu of the 40-foot minimum distance from intersection. Analysis: The Code of Ordinances defines a special exception as a specified enumerated deviation from zoning regulations. The Board is empowered to grant a special exception when it finds the following: ❖ Granting the exception will not adversely affect the value, or use of neighboring property. ❖ Granting the exception will not be contrary to the best public interest.