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

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DRAFT FEBRUARY 7, 2012 density bonuses, adopting a by-right housing palette, among others, so that there is a sufficient and diverse housing supply (i.e., the rooftops needed to support retail expansion). Focus Area 5 – Continued commitment to placed-based economic development. Businesses that do not depend on or need the local and regional infrastructure established for the shipping and container industry (i.e., the ports, state highways, railways and rail yards) will choose to locate (or not choose to locate) in La Porte for a multitude of reasons. Years ago, these decisions were primarily related to location and costs of doing businesses. While these are still extremely important, the business environment in the st 21 Century has undergone drastic changes as the national economy is transitioning from being manufacturing-based to service-based. Traditionally, economic development was mostly focused on recruiting businesses to locate in your community. This approach depends heavily on large incentives, such as tax abatements, free land, and reduced costs Quality of Life Challenge for infrastructure. While these types of services certainly remain an important part of the overall business/industry attraction process, One challenge facing local most organizations stop at this point. Fortunately, these are only the governments in their endeavor to most basic tools in the economic development toolkit. accommodate future growth is ensuring an adequate quality of Nurturing and attracting talent is perhaps the most fundamental issue life for area residents and st for creating long-term sustainable economic vitality in the 21Century. businesses. Much of this is due to the changing needs of U.S. employers as the economy transitions from manufacturing to services. But this “talent” Public services such as health, goal implies more than workforce development and training. It also safety, and education, along with encompasses the idea of recruiting people. amenities such as cultural and recreational opportunities, scenic As denoted in Chapter 1, Demographic Snapshot, La Porte’s population natural areas and “community growth will not meet the expectations established by the H-GAC 2035 character” are becoming Forecast due to limited areas remaining for residential development, increasingly important factors in combined with a relatively low-density pattern of development that the economic competition among currently exists in the City today (and is expected to continue in the and within regions. future). Further, the Demographic Snapshot shows that the City’s younger cohorts (i.e., 40 to 44 years and younger) are decreasing, while Investments and public policies the older cohorts (i.e., 45 to 49 years and older) are increasing in size. aimed at improving quality of life appear to have the potential to This will result in an overall aging of La Porte’s population. To maintain yield economic benefits by a healthy and sustainable workforce, La Porte must focus on attracting maintaining or improving the and retaining younger workers. region’s desirability as a place to live and work. The quality of education can enhance a community’s ability to attract and retain a younger demographic, as well as talent, in general. The Source: 2009-2011 Comprehensive quality of schools plays a pivotal role in attracting families and Economic Development Strategy, Gulf Coast Economic Development District. employers to an area. The perception of low-quality schools can be a 5.20 Chapter 5