03-19-1998 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Staff Report Pecan Crossing, Section III April 16,1998 Preliminary -.Plat Pecan Crossing is a residential subdivision located on the north side of Fairmont Parkway, approximately 1,800 feet west of Underwood Road. A General Plan of the subdivision was approved by the Commission on February 17, 1994. (See Map Exhibit A). Section III, which is being considered for preliminary plat approval at this time, is a forty-six (46) lot section of the overall subdivision. Referring to Appendix D of Development Ordinance No. 1444, Staff has reviewed the Preliminary Plat (See Map Exhibit B) and found it to be deficient in areas. A checklist detailing the items reviewed is attached and follows this report. An additional consideration is maintenance access to the subdivision's detention pond. The original submittal for the Preliminary Plat of Section I included a reserve dedicated to use as a private subdivision recreational area. This area was subsequently reconfigured as two lots for additional homesites. This eliminated the original maintenance access path to Spring Gully and the detention pond. This access is important for two reasons: Unless an additional easement is dedicated by a subsequent section plat, the Spring Gully drainage right-of-way will provide the only access to the subdivision's detention pond. In the future, the Spring Gully right-of-way may be included in a proposed system of pedestrian paths that will connect various recreational facilities. While these issues do not necessarily need resolution in conjunction with the Section III approval, they will ultimately need to be addressed. Staff feels this is an appropriate time to address this matter. Staffs recommendation is to obtain a fifteen foot (15') right-of-way designated for access and maintenance of the detention pond and the fifteen foot (15') public drainage easement. This could be done as part of Section IV and in alignment with the Choctaw Drive street right-of-way. Finally, staff would note that Section 5.02 of the Development Ordinance empowers the Commission to require pedestrian sidewalks when it feels their inclusion will serve the public interest. Staff would recommend the inclusion of sidewalks within the Pecan Crossing Subdivision. Responsibility for construction of the walks should be specified by covenant. Development Ordinance, Section 4.03.B requires that "following review of the Preliminary Plat, the Commission shall ... take one of the following actions." 1. Approve the Preliminary Plat as filed; 2. Conditionally approve the Preliminary Plat as filed, provided, the reasons are stated in writing and a copy of the statement is signed by the Chairman of the Planning Commission. 3. Disapprove the Preliminary Plat as filed, provided, the reasons for such disapproval are stated in writing and a copy of the statement is signed by the Chairman of the Planning Commission.