02-19-2004 Regular Meeing and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Preserve at Taylor Bayou • March 24, 2004 Page 4 of 5 details, including the exact layout, trail materials used, other structures being built (e.g. decks, benches etc., if any) and estimated yearly maintenance costs to see if the acquisition is in line with the City's projected budget. The City would also require a detailed, formal dedication instrument to review before considering final acceptance of the concept. The City only recently received some of this material and is beginning its review of the guidelines for acceptance. There appears, at this point, to be no funding for development or maintenance. New Multi-Family Regulations -Recently the Commission and City Council adopted new multi-family development regulations. The regulations established new requirements for open space/recreation amenities, maintenance, spacing requirements between multi-family developments, a 180 unit maximum, 14 units per acre density, and ingress/egress. When developed in PUD zoning district, the Commission may follow the regulations of the district or allow for some flexibility and creativity. Therefore, strict adherence to the aforementioned requirements is not required. However, staff generally uses the applicable zoning district guidelines as the basis for reviewing development requests. In this case the project would not meet ^ The density standard of 14 units/Ac ^ The total number of units, 180 units maximum. ^ The spacing from another multi-family development (across McCabe Road, SCUP #03-002 density yet to be determined) Recommendation: Staff finds it difficult to recommend this SCUP #04-003 without reservations. ^ The apartment (multi-family) standards would not be met. This is a significant policy departure decision for Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. ^ Although the General Plan may be administratively complete there are several items from the previous letters that have not been addressed by the applicant. ^ There are a number of issues relating to the conservation area that staff is just now learning and is not fully comfortable with at this time. ^ If the Commission is inclined to approve the SCUP request we suggest a very thorough SCUP with conditions. A draft SCUP is attached as a beginning point. The following conditions are included. 1. The nature preserve "conservation easement" ownership and responsibility for its maintenance must be established. 2. The overall density of the project shall not exceed 14 dwelling units per acre. 3. The public shall have access to the Conservation Area using trails that are constructed and maintained by the applicant/developer.