02-28-08 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

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Staff Report April 24, 2008 Variance Request #V08-002 ReQuested by: ReQuested for: Le!!al Description: Location: Zonm!!: Backl!round: Mr. Alton Ogden, Jr. (Oakland Land & Development, LLC.) Ordinance 1501-F5, Exterior Building Design Standards in TIRZ No.1 8.608 acres of land described as TRS 2 & 3, TR A (abandoned 17th Street) TR 4A, TR 5A, TR C (abandoned 17th Street) and West N Street right-of- way closed and abandoned by Ordinance #2006-2890, Johnson Hunter Survey, Abstract No. 35, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. 1400 & 1500 Blocks of South 16th Street (powell Road) Light Industrial (LI) The 2020 La Porte Comprehensive Plan shows a consensus by the citizens that all existing and future commercial/industrial developments are attractive, highly utilized, and without negative influence on adjacent properties and roadways. Subsequently, City Council has approved two amendments to Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances creating architectural and exterior building design standards in order to enhance the overall impression of the City and to promote quality developments within the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 and along major thoroughfares, in an effort to attract new sustainable businesses to La Porte. Staff, with guidance from the Planning and Zoning Commission, reviewed proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 106). After a public hearing at the August 17, 2006 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission, by a unanimous vote, recommended amendments related to Architectural Building Standards for TIRZ No. 1 to be included in the Code of Ordinances. City Council, at the September 11, 2006 meeting approved an ordinance amending Chapter 106 which adds to exterior building design standards in TIRZ No.1. Major developments lie within TIRZ #1, which includes Port Crossing, Lakes at Fairmont Greens, and Preserve at Taylor Bayou. A provision for Exterior Building Designs has been introduced per Section 106-680 of the Code of Ordinances (copy attached). Any building readily visible from a major thoroughfare or directly abutting a residential development on any side shall be 100% masonry and/or glass products with minimum landscaping of 10%. Development of non-conforming existing structures will be required to be in compliance with these architectural standards. The developer has proposed few office/warehouse buildings within the above project area along S. 16th Street. Building #1 located at 1400 S. 16th Street was approved on April 25, 2005. Building #2 located at 1410 S. 16th Street was approved on July 10, 2006 (see photos).