08-02-11 Planning and Zoning - Laserfiche WebLink

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Quality of Life Improvements. Luring the public participation efforts, discussion routinely turned to the recent quality of life improvements, e.g., expansion of the . trail system, the new spray -ground -playground at Brookglen Park, improvements to the three civic and recreation centers, the opening of Pecan Park, completion of the Gateway Project, and reinvestment in the Main Street area, to name a few. It was clear that these quality of life improvements had positively excited all facets of La Porte; with residents and business owners being equally enthusiastic. This plan will address what quality of life improvements are needed and where, and how they fit into - the overall prioritization list for implementation. b m Addressing Mobility Issues. There are numerous challenges $ • -. that La Porte must face regarding its mobility system. The most significant is haw to accommodate increased truck traffic stemming from the expansion of the Panama Canal, while being responsive to residents' quality of life concerns regarding the same. Equally as significant, is the transition of j State Highway (S.H.) 146 into a six -lane, limited access segment of the Grand Parkway; a 170 mile third loop around the Houston metropolitan region. On a smaller scale, this sr plan will address such issues as signal timing, an increased demand for more walkable streets (via sidewalks and the City-wide trail system), and how the regional circulator system fits into the overall mobility system for La Porte. b £ yr< fr Future Direction -- Main Street. Like the Sylvan Beach area, Main Street and the downtown area, have a great ability to ;r tttafi k change the fabric of the community and are an important part of the City's economic development efforts. As part of the City's investment, they worked in partnership with the La Porte Economic Development Corporation and recently completed the Gateway Project, the Five Points Town Plaza,�� and other infrastructure improvements. As a result of this f, Ytf investment, Main Street is on the cusp of attracting new businesses. To stitch these improvements together in a well- + $ a - coordinated manner and to compliment them with an a - overall economic and redevelopment strategy; a downtown master plan is warranted. This plan would expand upon the general guidance of this plan to spell out the specific improvements, funding needs and sources, and organization to accomplish its own vision. A (_'0 • N,1[lNl Y VIS10 FOR [A [10R] F- FFXAS - 2010 UN)ATE E