09-25-06 Regular Called Meeting of La Porte Development Corporation

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III. STUDY APPROACH The Consultant team, with the help of the City staff, has amassed and inventoried available documents which identify and chronicle the physical evolution of the City's design. Plans, both current and historical, and previously -executed research associated with the study include: • current City of La Porte Zoning Ordinance 1501; • the Goals Report of the La Porte Visions Committee, August 1989; • the Turner, Collie & Braden Comprehensive Plan, dated April 27,1984; • the La Porte Development Ordinance, dated July 3,1985; • recent aerial photography covering the entire study area; • climatological and wind data; and • current and historical ownership maps. This information was supplemented with on -site photographic reconnaissance by the Consultant team and a visual survey of the study area. Utilizing these sources, the Consultant has assembled the information in the form of base maps which consolidate the data and highlight opportunities therein. This material is summarized in the following documents: a photo key map, a land parcel analysis, an opportunities and constraints map, an illustrative detail plan and a zoning conflicts map. Additionally, these plans are supplemented with sections illustrating the specific opportunities contained in the plan recommendations. A. Photo Key Map (see Attachment) The site area was inventoried, with special attention being given the areas of Deer Creek, Little Cedar Bayou, East Main Street, Fairmont Parkway and Sylvan Beach Park. The accompanying photographic panoramas are documented in the photo key map by number. These photos are intended to provided reference and support for observations and recommendations made by the Consultant team. B. Land Parcel Analysis Utilizing the aerial photography, land ownership maps and the city base map, the team looked for significant opportunities for development /redevelopment or for stimulation of development within the waterfront district. Five areas of significant opportunity emerged, with some having identifiable sub -areas: Outside the study area, adjoining Highway 146, are approximately 150 acres of vacant land, immediately west of the Bay Forest Golf Course. 2. An extensive area of underdeveloped and non -developed parcels lies north of Little Cedar Bayou Park, south of Fairmont Parkway and generally west of Park Avenue. This area is generally well -vegetated and accessible to the waterfront. Current uses which affect the potential of this property includes the City sewage treatment plant and .8.