08-19-2004 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing, and Workshop Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

Browse Search

0' • All 'of the meetings were open to the public. Several business -owners and' residents attended throughout the process. Several letters were'sent to property owners within the. district as the process was developing to inform them of the work underway and provide. updates. The committee held a public hearing, which was well. attended. The input throughout the process was considered and the results of our recommendation may not be totally. accepted by all of the owners, but for the most partour committee feels is in line with what many business owners feel is needed to preserve and help.Main Street become- stronger - Attached is a summary of the differences between the current commercial - district . regulations and the proposed: new regulations. ' .The, main difference is the mixed use of • the district.. Within the Main Street District residential activities would be ' allowed to coincide with commercial activities.. The overlay portion would limit .the residential activity to the second story or above only. There would be a'prohibition of mini storage warehousing and laundry plants within the district and special conditional use permitted activities - would still be required 'as in commercial and residential districts. Some examples are churches, special clubs or civic organizations, hospitals, clinics, etc.'. Another consideration is. the allowance for zero setback in the front. to- create a more pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The district needed. to. limit parking in front of the businesses along' -Main' Street to create a sense of access for pedestrians. In order for rebuild -existing structures, and' keep •with':Afi6:=curreiit -appearance, the.-:lot..74. 4;� - coverage wizli structures had to be increased from 40 •peicent ao 60 or '80percent. - The " size of the -district would not have.an adverse effect'on the existih e, since most _;�pFz-;r- f::therexistingproperty-alreadyhasmostofthelaunder.impervious-:coverage:,;.,:•9. =notable .changes were the signage .requirements,' sidewalks, and- the .number. of - - �';"''parkirig�`spaces' .=Ari increase of 10% would be allowed 'for wall si No sidewalks' gam.,. would be required: Parking would ' be decreased to require only employee parking: for new buildings only. The Main Street Committee. is ' working: with. -Debra Dye, the Downtown Revitalization Coordinator, to continue. to- investigate height limitations and architectural integrity. for new buildings. in the - area. These. will be presented in the future . under A separate amendment. The attached recommendations also include a list of items not typically found"' a zoning ordinance or regulated in- a standard ordinance. The. following would require the City's assistance and participation of local business and property owners: Drainage in the area needs to be addressed :both in the 'streets and alleys. ■ . - The ability to hang signage over the sidewalks (currently State ROW):. .. Traffic Control devices such as. traffic signals along Main'Street; especially at.rd or P Street for the fire department, and marked crosswalks. ■- Sidewalks on side streets, to connect. to " Main Street- to aid . with parking and pedestrian movement.