08-28-2003 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

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106-659 (b) (4) — Arrangement of Uses The owner has the utmost interest in preserving both the privacy and property values of the surrounding residential uses. There is currently no construction on three sides of the subject property. The west side is buffered by Taylor Bayou, and the owner understands that there will be no construction directly on the opposite side of the bayou as it is designated to be a natural preservation area by owner Forest Holdings LTD, LLP. The property directly to the north and across McCabe Road is currently vacant wooded land. The owner is aware that the opposite side of this property borders the Bay Forrest Golf Course, and as such expects that the City of La Porte have a vested interest in assuring that only suitable construction occurs there. The property bordering the subject property to the east is currently wooded and vacant with the exception of 'a small house located on the far northeast corner of the property, approximately 450 feet from subject property. Owner is currently negotiating to purchase this property from current owner with the intention of developing into an upscale, but small, gated community in the future. The only current residential area bordering the subject property is the subdivision of Shady Oaks directly to the south. There are three homes and a community pool that share a boundary line with subject property. Owner has taken great care in assuring that the location of structures on subject property does not allow them to be visible from any of the aforementioned, nor that the aforementioned are visible from subject property structures. This is to be assured by the preservation of undergrowth for at least 30 feet of depth around the entire property border. Any holes in undergrowth shall be filled by the planting of Wax Myrtles (evergreen and fast growing). Additionally, the driveway entrance is designed to not allow for a view of any structures on the property from the front gate. 106-659 (b) (5) — Drainage and Utility . Drainage and utility system plans are adequate based on a single residence on the property. 106-659 (b) (6) — Public Interest and Land Conservation The owner purchased the property based to a large degree on its beautiful and heavily wooded natural state. Conserving this beauty is the primary factor in all plans and designs for the property. Owner is personally going to oversee'the construction process to insure that no trees are cut that are not absolutely necessary. In fact, the placement of the structures on the property was carefully determined to protect certain trees that the owner would not allow to be removed. The owner feels that the proposed construction on the subject property is in the public interest, as it will increase property values of the surrounding area and will take a current. eye sore (some dumping has occurred on subject property on existing culvert and is generally unattractive) and turn it into an attractive road front (via the stone and wrought iron fencing). 106-659 (b) (7) — Ordinance 1444. It is the owner's understanding that 1444 applies to residential developments of scale, and is, for all practical purposes, not applicable to this request.