06-19-08 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes

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#SCU08-004 P & Z (7/17/08) Page 2 of 4 The existing land uses of nearby properties to the north and south are primarily commercial/industrial. Zoning Classifications - Staff met with the current general manager to assist with the understanding of various zoning classifications, restrictions, and bring the facility into compliance while allowing operation of any pre- existing, non-conforming use. A zoning permit has been issued authorizing an employment service group in the General Commercial (GC) zoning district along Underwood Road. The applicant wants to expand business activities by utilizing the entire property to its fullest extent. Upon complaints from the neighboring residents for extended business operations, the company initiated steps to remove outside storage and business activities in the residential zoned property. The company also expressed the desire to be neighborhood compatible with painting the building located along the south property line, landscaping and screening along the south property line to control dust, noise, and other pollution. In addition, staff suggested additional setback requirements for the proposed laydown yard and other business activities to the rear and south property line adjacent to neighboring residential. The adjacent residences may cause several specific conditions to be examined for this site: · Activities within a typical lay down yard or an outside storage will have an adverse impact on the adjacent residential neighborhood (e.g. noise, dust and light). · Landscaping/screening could form a natural barrier between the existing business and the residential area to the south and east sides. Consideration must be given to a heavy landscaping screen and possibly additional setback for the proposed development to shield the business activities from the adjacent homes and the other residential acreage. Transportation - The property is located along Underwood Road, 100' wide right-of-way and near Battleground Road, a primary arterial runs north- south off State Highway 225. The transportation/traffic system should accommodate the traffic and existing properties should not be impacted by the proposed development. The existing roads are adequate to support the facility and the proposed development should not conflict with the Thoroughfare Plan. Topography - This area is relatively flat and stable and should not be an obstacle to this type of development.