01-28-19 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: January 28, 2019 Requested By: Teresa Evans, Director Department: Planning and Development Report: Resolution: Ordinance: X Exhibits: Ordinance Deed Appraisal Summary Area Map Appropriations Source of Funds: N/A Account Number: N A Amount Budgeted: N/A Amount Requested: N/A Budgeted Item: N/A SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The City has received a request from Mr. Mark Domingue, President and Owner of Chem Spray, Inc., to purchase a vacant lot near the applicant's property located at 111 N 17t" Street. The lot to be purchased is legally described as Lot 16, Block 715, Town of La Porte. The total area of the city owned parcel equals approximately 1,525 square feet. The applicant seeks to purchase this property and add it to his other properties to increase the overall square footage of land for his existing business. The applicant will follow up with a request to the City to close and purchase the adjacent 16' alley, which currently separates Lot 16 from the other lots. The purchase and consolidation of the city owned lot and right of way will allow for an expansion of Mr. Dominque's current business operations. LGC 272.001(b)(1) authorizes the sale of land without notice and bidding, at fair market value per an appraisal, for "narrow strips of land, or land that because of its shape, lack of access to public roads, or small area cannot be used independently under its current zoning or under applicable subdivision or other development control ordinances". Staff have determined that Lot 16, being approximately 1,525 square feet (25' x 61'), measuring 25 feet wide by 61 feet deep, and zoned Business Industrial (BI), is not developable in its current, standalone state. The minimum setback, driveway and parking requirements for a BI zoned property do not allow for the construction of a commercial building on the available square footage. The driveway setbacks alone require a minimum lot width of40 feet. Therefore, combining the city owned lot with adjacent properties is the onlyfeasible way to utilize Lot 16 for development. In accordance with Sections 62-32 of the City's Code of Ordinances, the City has obtained an appraisal of Lot 16 in order to establish fair market value. The appraisal report has established a value of $2.75 per square foot, for a total lot value of $4,193.75.