Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Staff Report <br /> <br />October 19, 2006 <br /> <br />EXTERIOR BUILDING DESIGN STANDARDS <br /> <br />Back2round: <br /> <br />City Council has expressed an interest in developing exterior building design standards <br />by amending Chapter 106 (Zoning) of the Code of Ordinances. The purpose is to <br />enhance the overall impression of the City, to have quality developments along major <br />thoroughfares, and eventually attract new sustainable businesses to La Porte. Recent <br />developments have generated preliminary discussion on possible controls on architectural <br />standards or fa<;ade on buildings fronting the major corridors or thoroughfares throughout <br />the City. These discussions centered on the Main Street District as a way to facilitate <br />interest in redevelopment of the Downtown area. Issues arose over the proliferation of <br />metal buildings along the City's major thoroughfares, which may detract from upscale <br />development and negatively impact prospective commercial/industrial developments. <br /> <br />On September 21, 2006, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a workshop <br />regarding Exterior Building Design Standards. Staff prepared a power point presentation <br />for ready reference and seeks further guidance from the Commission on the exterior <br />building design standards for all commercial/industrial buildings in both General <br />Commercial and Business Industrial zoning districts along major thoroughfares in the <br />City of La Porte. <br /> <br />Existin2 Reauirements: <br /> <br />Currently, there are no requirements associated with the construction of a commercial <br />development whose use is "permitted by right" within General Commercial and Business <br />Industrial zoning districts. Available provisions are that the building must meet current <br />building codes, but the City has no tools to enforce exterior building design standards for <br />all commercial buildings within the said zoning districts along major thoroughfares in the <br />City. <br /> <br />SU22ested Reauirements: <br /> <br />Based on further review and analysis, the proposed exterior building design standards <br />regulations are as follows: <br /> <br />· Minimum exterior wall standards shall be one hundred percent (100%) masonry or <br />glass. Front and side walls, which may be seen from any public thoroughfare, <br />excluding doors, windows, and window walls, shall be constructed of brick, stone, <br />masonry, or pre-cast concrete panels. <br /> <br />.'1){HIBrr A <br />