02-17-11 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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10. Develop a strategic approach for the development, redevelopment, and enhancement of downtown, including recommendations for achieving community planning objectives, e.g. livable center. 11. Utilize the City's current Parks Master Plan to document, and update as needed, the inventory of existing and planned future City parks and public open spaces. 12. Evaluate the area and facility recommendations of the Parks Master Plan relative to the land use and growth plan to maintain service levels with the future and possibly reallocated population. 13. Quantify parkland acreage needs, incorporating data and information available through the Parks Master Plan, and identify any geographic deficiencies by conducting a service area analysis and then proposing an updated system plan, as needed. 14. Evaluate current ordinance provisions and outline strategies for enhancing development outcomes via revised development standards and other mechanisms and incentives, as needed. 15. Outline aesthetic improvement and design enhancement guidelines for implementation, with a particular focus on improving development outcomes along, as well as the overall appearance of, the City's major transportation corridors. Optional Subtask 3.2a, Downtown Master Plan By definition, a comprehensive plan is a macro - level, "big picture" body of work. It is not designed to provide a high degree of "ground- level" detail; especially when it comes to a downtown — or another special district or corridor - that may need a special planning treatment. For this reason, a more focused area plan is often developed in conjunction with the comprehensive plan to provide more customized, highly specific strategies above and beyond those provided by the comprehensive plan. The special area plan contains a much higher level of design and strategy detail — often at the block or site level, and often focusing on restoration, special protections or redevelopment - and a much more directed and nuanced approach toward implementation. On an Additional Services basis, KKC would coordinate with City staff and /or another group or committee to focus more planning attention on downtown within the framework of the Comprehensive Plan Update. This effort would allow for a more intensive examination of existing conditions and future needs and opportunities. It would be presented in a highly visual and descriptive format using a variety of graphics and summary text. It would also include a separate and highly detailed implementation track with clearly spells out actions, timeframes, and potential funding strategies. This focused effort typically considers: — The community wide context in which the area has developed or evolved, and the external influences that will affect future growth or investment. — Current and future market conditions that may affect future reinvestment activity and specific ways that they can be harnessed or reversed. — Unique environmental conditions such as important natural features, viewsheds, brownfields, as well as property ownership (title) issues that may need to be worked through or around. — Unique architecture, or local building traditions, that need to be protected /reflected in new development. — Key linkages between this area and other activity centers and important districts and corridors. — Development compatibility and land use transition concerns within this area. — Mobility and traffic /bike /pedestrian safety issues directly related to the development form and pattern in the area. — Urban design considerations and guidelines, highlighting specific actions the City must take to change the area's image and aesthetics in the near term. Exhibit "A" - Scope of Services (02/25/11) Page 4 of 8