09-15-2005 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Staff Report Navarro Subdivision Property Owner: 200 Garfield, LLC. c/o Mario Navarro Location: 200 Garfield Blvd. October 20, 2005 Legal Description: A 1.8280 acres of land, being lots 1-6, 11-16 and the adjoining 16' public alley between the said lots in Block 18, Sylvan Beach First Subdivision, recorded in Volume 3, Page 72, Map Records of Harris County, Johnson Hunter Survey, Abstract 35, La Porte, Hams County, Texas. Present Zoning: High Density Residential (R-3) Land Use: Mid to High Density Residential Bachround: Applicant is platting 1.8280 acres of land into 1 Block, 2 lots, and 1 Restricted Reserve for a common use in the City of La Porte. The project site was known as the Flamingo Bay Apartments. The multi- family apartment complex located at 200 Garfield just off S. Broadway, was constructed in the mid-60s. Over the years, these apartments have been operated under the names of Kings Bay, Queens Bay, Flamingo Bay, and most recently Little Cedar Bayou Manor. This apartment complex was occupied until July, 1997, at which time utility service was discontinued due to non-payment. The subject property is zoned R-3, Multi-Family residential, which is a zoning classification apropos for apartments. Flamingo Bay consists of nine separate buildings. Five of these buildings significantly encroach on front, side and/or rear yard setbacks required by the zoning ordinance. It resided on 1.83 acres of land, and had 57 dwelling units, a ratio of 31 dwelling units per acre. Currently, the zoning ordinance requires maximum ratio of 14 du/a. The complex had 19 off-street parking spaces, well short of 135 required by the ordinance. Numerous problems occurred between nearby residents and former tenants of Flamingo Bay in the past. Overwhelming testimony from La Porte citizens and nearby residents of the property opposed the apartments renovation due to non-compliance with the zoning ordinance. Clear evidence in the record shows that Flamingo Bay Apartments have been abandoned for a period in excess of 180 consecutive days. The City's Zoning Board of Adjustment heard the case and concluded that the complex had been abandoned as a matter of law, consistent with the zoning ordinance provisions relative to abandonment of non-conforming ~' E~