04-25-12 Special Called Planning and Zoning

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REVISED DRAFT MARCH 23, 2012 La Porte, like many communities, is increasingly challenged by limited fiscal resources. While the City has benefitted economically over the years because of its growth, now the City needs tomust focus more on maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement of aging infrastructure and to fix problem areas, e.g., poor drainage, inefficient and redundant infrastructure, etc. In addition, as detailed in Chapter 2, >ĂŶĚhƐĞĂŶĚ ŚĂƌĂĐƚĞƌ, the City needs tomust now provide additional attention and resources to promote new public and private sector development and redevelopment/revitalization in already existing areas. One of the ways to accomplish this is through public investment in infrastructure and services. 2.2 Focus Areas, Goals, Actions and Initiatives Throughout the planning process a number of issues were identified regarding storm drainage, flood control, and other public infrastructure, and there was a general consensus about maintaining high quality public safety services. These discussions formed the basis of the following focus areas, along with an analysis of existing conditions and review of current programs, plans, and ordinances. Each focus area contains contextual information, key planning considerations, goals, (and their rationales), and advisable implementation actions and initiatives. The areas of focus are as follows: Focus Area 1 Improved Flood Control and Drainage; Focus Area 2 Adequate, Efficient, and Resilient Public Utilities; Drainage Collection Focus Area 3 Maintaining and Improving Public Safety Services; and Focus Area 4 Need for Increased Sustainability. Focus Area 1 Improved Flood Control and Drainage Storm Drainage Summary The City lies within three major watersheds; Armand Bayou, Clear Creek, flat with an average elevation of 24 feet above sea level, and there is Open, roadside ditches in Old approximately three miles of coastline along Galveston Bay. Town La Porte Drainage collection in the built environment is through a combination of methods. In the older areas, e.g., Old Town La Porte, collection is primarily through open, roadside ditches. In the more recently developed areas, e.g., Spencer Landing, collection is primarily through underground storm sewers. (see inset) While there are identified drainage problems across the City, the older areas have greater drainage and flooding problems. As displayed in Map 3.1, ^ƚŽƌŵƌĂŝŶĂŐĞ^ǇƐƚĞŵ, the City conveys its Storm sewers in Spencer storm drainage through approximately 35 miles of Harris County Flood Landing Control District (HCFCD) drainage channels, which Source: Kendig Keast Collaborative 1 primary mechanism for surface drainage. These primary drainage 1 La Porte Citywide Drainage Study by Klotz Associates, Inc., January 2009. 3.2 Chapter 3