03-17-1994 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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e ~ • Page 4 of 5 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting of Apri121, 199 Development Ordinance Variance Request Not only does the Development Ordinance require alleys to be at least 20 feet in width, Section S.O1.B requires a minimum paving width of 20 feet. This is to allow adequate turning radius for vehicles backing out of driveways. Even if the full 16 feet of alley width could be utilized for backing and turning, it would result in rather "close quarters". However, ~ as noted, alleys in this part of the city are also used as utility corridors. Utility poles aze normally located approximately one foot inside the alley. Water meter boxes aze also located in the alley. Gas meters are typically located at the reaz property line. (Entex's policy of setting these meters at property lines has changed. There aze however, literally hundreds of existing meters located either in or adjacent to alleys.) Based on the location of these utilities, the actual width available for paving would normally be 12 to 14 feet. This, • based on experience with other alleys, is inadequate. There aze several 16 foot alleys located in residential azeas that (prior to the 1985 adoption of the Development Ordinance) have been surfaced and aze used for driveway access. Problems are most common when both sides of the alley aze developed . with homesites. The most common problem results from vehicles backing into water meters, gas meters, utility poles and fences. A less common problem but one that has occurred is crushed or broken water mains. Taking advantage of La Porte's mild winter climate, many water mains aze run at a relatively shallow depth. Since freeze protection is not an issue it is not necessary for mains to be deeply buried. Another local condition is the "gumbo" soil found throughout the City. Unless the soil has been stabilized in some manner, it tends to swallow shell and gravel toppings. These are the materials that have typically been used to surface alleys. There have been instances in which lines have been crushed as a result of poorly maintained surfacing over a shallow line. This has most often happened following periods of heavy rain. n U