12-07-09 Regular Meeting and Workshop of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Preliminary research results on Lot Coverage Ratios by city. Prepared by Jim Larson Sources: Municode, municipal websites, municipal staff. Dallas EI Lago Bellaire Bryan Deer Park Dickinson Friendswood. LaMarque League City McKinney Mesquite Angleton 45% 55% 60% 75% None 6000sf + None 5000sf 65% 40 - 50 % uses open space calculation 75% None: Referred to a table of maximum impervious surface for each individual lot that was <derived from hydrologic and hydraulic data for the plat. 45% 50% None; individual interpretation by staff on infilllots or lots not in platted subdivisions. I found lot coverage ratios in Texas cities ranging from 30% to none. A lot of cities had no formal recognition of lot or building coverage in Municode. Possibly based upon subjective and/or objective decisions by staff? Many city's definitions gave no explanation as to the whether the lot coverage ratios were for drainage purposes, aesthetic purposes or other reasons. Many commercial areas are still allowed maximum lot coverage and no parking lot restrictions mandating plants, trees or pervious surfaces to help absorb water. PUD: Also: Some excerpts from surveys containing data depicting some future trends in housing. A survey commissioned by the AARP reveals some fresh information on the future housing habits of the Baby Boomers. December 3, 2008 HousingZone One in four baby boom generation households (26%) expects to move from their current home in the future, with the maiority looking for a single-level home that is more comfortable or convenient, according to a new survey prepared for AARP. Many of those who expect to move said they will be looking for a better house, a better climate or a home that is closer to family and friends. More than half of those boomers (aqe 45-64) planning to move expect to look for a home that's all on one level (59%). About half said they will look for a newer home (50%) or a smaller home (49%). The poll conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for AARP * was released to coincide with the announcement of the 2008 Livable Communities Awards from AARP and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) honoring innovative thinking in the field of home and community design. Older boomers are significantlv more likely than younger boomers to think that they will move into a single level home (68% vs. 54% of those planning to move). but age is not the only factor that affects expectations. Boomer men are more likely than women to believe they will move into a newer home (61 % vs. 42%) or move into a home in a warmer or better climate (41% vs. 25%) Boomer women are more likely than men to think they will move into a smaller home (54% v. 41 %). "While boomers will reflect the patterns of earlier generations and mostly age in place/, said Elinor Ginzler, Senior Vice President of AARP, "the sheer number of boomers will increase demand for a whole variety of