07-25-12 Special Called Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

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REVISED DRAFT JUNE 14APRIL 9, 2012 Why should is Community Character be Important The Future Land Use Plan is not a zoning map, nor should it be used as such. The toConsidered in La Porte? detailed pattern and location of land uses on a parcel-specific basis cannot be accurately The community character approach offers many benefits including: predicted for 20 years into the future. Small the ability to determine and realize the intended area land use decisions should appropriately character of future development; be made at the scale of neighborhood, sub- an increased assurance as to quality development area, and development project planning, outcomes; which are to be considered in subsequent improved compatibility within and between districts; zoning and rezoning actions by the City. attraction of highly-skilled workers and high-tech These decisions should be based upon businesses; consideration of the Future Land Use Plan potential premium to the value of housing; and should be consistent with the increased design flexibility to protect natural resources generalized land uses shown in the plan. and valued open space; fewer zoning map amendments and thus, streamlined approval; increased certainty in the development process; Character-nning ability to better plan for infrastructure needs; One of the ways to improve community mixed use projects on a by-right basis; and - buffering that is commensurate with the level of impact approach to zoning and land development, on adjacent and abutting properties. which offers many benefits (see inset on Source: Kendig Keast Collaborative. next page) when compared to a existing ordinance. As such, this Comprehensive Plan update recommends the City consider in the future to transition to a character-based approach to planning. The remainder of this chapter provides guidance for if and when that transition might be undertaken. Community character goes beyond typical categorization of the functional use of land such as residential, commercial, and industrial to account, as A character-based approach focuses on the development intensity, which encompasses the density and layout of residential development; the scale and form of non-residential development; and the amount of building and pavement coverage (i.e., impervious coverage) relative to the extent of open space and natural vegetation or landscaping. This applies both on individual development sites and across entire areas. It is this combination of basic land use and the characteristics of such use that more accurately determines the real compatibility and quality of development, as opposed to land use alone. For instance, both Main Street and Fairmont Parkway have restaurants (i.e., the same use); however, when patronizing a restaurant along Main Street, one encounters a more pedestrian-friendly environment with sidewalks, 2.32 Chapter 2