2003-03-24 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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FUTURE The La Porte 2020 Comprehensive Plan is a 20-year master plan adopted by the City Council to guide policy decisions relating to the physical and economic development of the community. In general, the plan indicates how the community desires to develop and redevelop over the course of the next twenty years. The comprehensive plan is a physical plan, it is long-range, comprehensive, and states the goals, objectives and policies of the local government. The comprehensive plan provides clear direction through specific statements of action to achieve the desired results envisioned by citizens and the leadership of the community. The essential objectives of the comprehensive plan are as follows: ■ It is a plan to guide the future physical development and redevelopment of the community; ■ The time frame is long, extending over a twenty-year horizon; ■ It encompasses a large geographic area including the corporate limits and ETJ of the community; ■ It is general in nature, allowing some issues to be resolved and many decisions to be made; ■ It articulates ideas in a framework of goals and objectives, policies and actions, and plans and projects; ■ It is intended foremost, to serve as a continuing guide to decision -making, to provide a common direction, and to provide stability as issues are addressed and future decisions are made. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Neighborhoods are one of La Porte's greatest assets as they form a foundation for a sound quality of life. The City is made up of several distinct neighborhood areas, each with somewhat different physical characteristics such as the age of housing, street configuration, and the sizes of structures and lots. Much of the City's overall image and identity is due to the unique character of its neighborhoods, and these distinguishing features should therefore be preserved. Neighborhoods that are safe, well maintained and have character will maintain property values and thus maintain a sound neighborhood environment and a stable residential tax base. The attractive appearance and environmental quality of existing and future low -density residential neighborhoods should be protected and improvements made where necessary to maintain the value of properties and enhance the quality of life. It is important as the city continues to develop that the integrity of these neighborhoods is preserved and the value and enjoyment of property is maintained and enhanced. Goals for residential development: ■ Consider programs to revitalize and rehabilitate existing housing where needed. ■ Meet the future housing needs by providing for a variety of housing options. ■ Encourage the rehabilitation or replacement of substandard housing. ■ Promote a standard of home ownership encouraging well -maintained residential properties. ■ Preserve the -integrity of existing neighborhoods and created livable and safe neighborhood environments. ■ Protect the attractive appearance and environmental quality of existing neighborhoods and make necessary improvements to maintain the value of properties and enhance the quality of life. BEAUTIFICATION AND CONSERVATION Citizens have expressed great interest for enhancing the visual appearance of La Porte and the redevelopment and reinvestment in Downtown, along major corridors, and in nonresidential areas. Through public involvement it is apparent that citizens visualize attractive shopping centers, livable neighborhoods, landscaped roadways, pleasant places to walk, and an enhanced quality of life. They want successful shopping areas that appeal to shoppers. They see the opportunities in the downtown to create a destination that combines a lively entertainment district in a historically significant area, retail stores interspersed with restaurants and professional offices and a blend of residential units as well. Goals for Beautification: ■ Improve the community character to make it a more desirable place to live,. work, and visit. ■ Improve .the aesthetic visual environment through enhancement of site design, signage, roadways, parking areas, open space, and landscaping. 4