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

Browse Search

Board of Adjustment April 24, 2008 #V08-002 Page 2 Analvsis: Ordinance 1501-F5 pertaining to Exterior Building Design Standards in TIRZ No.1 was approved on September 11, 2006. Later, the developer submitted development site plan for building #3 to be located at 1500 S. 16th Street and site plan for yard only to be located at 1801 West 'M' Street, on November 14,2007. Later stages of the site plan review and prior to approval, a major issue surfaced involving architectural standards for proposed building to be located on the subject tract. The proposed building was found with no compliance with architectural standards applicable to the subject property being in the TIRZ #1. Subsequently, the plans were approved with a note that: "Project is located within the City's TIRZ No.1 and shall conform to the minimum exterior building design standards 100% masonry and/or glass products". Citing Section 1 06-680, this variance request by the developer seeks to address the following issues: · To allow no 100% masonry and/or glass etc. fayade on the sides or back of the buildings · To allow brick fayade to be placed on the front of the buildings below the canopy. The subject tract for proposed development is located in the area between Fairmont Parkway and newly developed Port Crossing Business Park within TIRZ#1. The property is located in the light industrial zone along major arterial with 100' right-of-way. The site is accessible both from State Highway 146 through Wharton Weems Boulevard, Export Drive, and Fairmont Parkway. The property is adjoined by Port Crossing and other light industrial facilities along S. 16th Street. The applicant requests that the Board recognize these hardships (undefined). On the variance application (copy attached), the applicant stated that the requirement of 100% masonry products on front and sides will drive the rental price beyond the prospective tenants reach and prospective tenants may relocate to other city. Section 106-192, in the Code of Ordinances, defines a variance as deviation from the literal provisions of the chapter which is granted by the Board when strict conformity to the chapter would cause an unnecessary hardship because of the circumstances unique to the property on which the variance is granted Except as otherwise prohibited, the board is empowered to authorize a variance from a requirement when the board finds that all of the following conditions have been met. .:. That the granting of the variance will not be contrary to the best public interest.