02-16-12 Regular, Public Hearing and Workshop Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

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DRAFT FEBRUARY 7, 2012 16 Porte were $1,844 in 2007, which is significantly lower than the neighboring cities of Deer Park ($4,220), Texas City ($4,561), and Baytown ($7,024), and Harris County as a whole ($5,938). This indicates that the City could potentially capture a higher level of spending by residents. Although most retail developers have sophisticated approaches for site selection, and are primarily driven by demographics, it is beneficial to build relationships with these businesses. As mentioned in the La Porte Economic Development Strategic Plan, continue attending the International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the ICSC Texas Conference and Deal Making Event could provide increased opportunities to market La Porte’s assets to those that have the ability to bring future retail shopping opportunities to the City. Providing incentives to attract retail is already being done. Providing incentives for retail has its advantages and disadvantages; and accordingly, only certain cities choose to do it. Though retail provides an improved quality of life, increased tax revenues, and improves the property tax base on and/or near the operation, sales collected at these locations are often sent to a headquarters based elsewhere (and in some cases, out of state) and rarely are re-invested to expand the operation or provide above-average wages to local residents. To this extent, most retail, but not all, cause local dollars to flow out of the local economy. Given the lack of retail opportunities in La Porte, however, it is important to pursue additional opportunities for attracting retail and commercial service businesses to the City. This should include the continuation of the “up to 50 percent” ad valorem tax abatement for new construction of retail/commercial office/regional entertainment businesses. Outside of marketing, incentives, and other procedural streamlining measures, the City’s best economic development action may be “community development.” The age-old axiom, “retail follows rooftops,” is also common sense. Sellers need buyers and will tend to set up shop where they are concentrated. Since La Porte’s market area is constrained on one side by the bay, and since there is limited area left for residential development, the City must be smart and strategic with regard to its zoning and development decisions so that there remains a sufficient area for higher quality (and in some cases, higher density) residential development. Key Planning Considerations Key planning considerations for continuing the focus on expanding retail and other commercial service business include: 16 City of La Porte Economic Development Strategic Plan. Confirmed by the U.S. Census Bureau as the most recent year comparable numbers were available. 5.18 Chapter 5