11-17-11 Planning and Zoning - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT OCTOBER 17, 2011 To address future drainage problems, the plan discussed two common approaches: on -site detention and regional detention. While there are benefits and costs for each, consideration must be given to the fact that the City has a finite area remaining for both physical and economic development purposes. When regional detention is used, it creates multiple opportunities. First, it lessens the amount of land needed to be set aside on each individual site and maximizes the amount of land that is available for taxable purposes, e.g., residences and businesses. When there is plenty of land left to develop, this may not seem as important. However, when there is limited land left to develop, i.e., the limited infill areas remaining in La Porte, it becomes increasingly important. Indeed, many of the remaining infill lands may be undeveloped because they are constrained in one form or another, e.g., limited size, presence of floodplain, incompatibility with adjacent property, etc. So there may be mutual benefit to multiple property owners to pursue regional detention options. Second, regional detention provides opportunity for the joint purpose of detention and active and passive recreation. Coincidentally, the Citywide Drainage Study identifies regional detention locations (i.e., #'s 34, 36, 42, 43, and 44) that coincide with or abut areas of park need as identified in Map 2.5, Park System Plan. Coordinating regional detention efforts with park expansion efforts would be a good way to improve flood control and maximize the City's limited land and finite budgetary resources at the same time. Finally, although the Citywide Drainage Study did not specifically identify buy-outs of flood prone homes, it did recognize that some buy-out may be necessary in the future. Currently, HCFCD has been working in collaboration with willing home -owners to buy-out some of the most flood prone homes in the Brookglen Subdivision. However the City chooses to mitigate increased drainage stemming from future development, i.e., on -site, regional, or a combination of both, it is recommended that it be designed and constructed to combine functionality with the cross purpose of creating an attractive and sustainable public amenity that provides citizens with accessible opportunities for active and passive recreation, particularly trails. Key Planning Considerations Key planning considerations regarding the planning needs to improve flood control and drainage, include: 1) Implementing the recommendations of the Citywide Drainage Study so that it leads to actionable results. 2) Continuing to budget for capital projects that reduce the chance of flood damage. A COMMUNITY VISI N FOR LAPORTE, TEXAS -2 10 L.PDATL