HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-04 Main Street Committee Meeting•
• Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of the Main Street Committee
April 19, 2004
1. CALL TO ORDER.
The meeting was called to order by Bobby Schlenk, Vice Chairperson.
2. ROLL CALL
Member of the Committee Present: Nick Finan, Paul Berner, Gloria Lair, Pat Muston,
Doug Martin, Vicki Campise, and Bobby Schlenk
3. CONSIDER APPROVAL OR OTHER ACTION OF THE APRIL 5 MAIN STREET
COMMITTEE MINUTES
Pat Muston motioned to approve the minutes and Vicki Campise seconded the motion. The
Committee approved the minutes of the Apri15 Main Street Committee meeting.
4. DISCUSS OUTLINE FOR PROCESSS ON DEVELOPING MAIN STREET DISTRICT
The committee discussed the notes from the last meeting. The committee decided to delay
sketching a detailed plan until another public hearing is held.
5. DISCUSS VISION FOR MAIN STREET
The committee recapped items brought forward in the last meeting. The committee discussed
items that maybe included in zoning as well as items that must be overcome.
6. DISCUSS CURRENT ORDINANCE REGULATIONS: GENERAL COMMERCIAL AND
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
The committee requested Nick meet with Public Works to discuss the alleys and drainage.
The committee also requested a copy of the sign ordinance.
The Vice-Chairperson, Bobby Schlenk, allowed those in attendance to speak on Main Street
issues.
The Pazkers spoke on the following:
• There is not enough pazking if more business spaces aze occupied.
• The circle at 5-points should be brought back.
• The truck pazking on Broadway/Main Street should be eliminated.
•~ The trees need to be trimmed.
Brenda Brown inquired on how this is going to impact residential zones. She requested a
letter be sent to all residential homes in the area to inform them of the impact revitalizing
Main Street could have.
Pastor Jobe stated the tenants need to be informed.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be May 3 at 2:00 p.m.
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Meeting Notes
April 19, 2004
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Main Street Committee Meeting Notes
April 19, 2004
Vision
Do we want architectural guidelines? (maybe a portion of the District with an overlay)
Landscape - no longer require.
What should be maximum height? (Fire suppression capabilities)
Requirements should only apply to future new construction.
Lot coverage - 65-80°~; not 40°~.
Allow balconies.
Conditional requirements - e.g. if warehousing, cover windows in attractive manner.
Storage okay, but no personaUlease storage; i.e. mini-warehouse storage. Outside storage in
conjunction with business, but not lease outside storage.
Re-think residential activity being allowed in District.
Overcoming
Sidewalks on side streets -one block deep at a minimum.
Keeping Main Street clean -street sweeper.
Garbage maintenance/pick-up.
Marked crosswalks
Traffic light at 2nd St. with fire emergency signal and crosswalk.
Alleys - n~rade for drainage.
Main Street Historical District sign moved up on freeway for more visibility.
Public transportation -trolley
Alley -streetlights
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City of La Porte
Code of Ordinances
Chapter 106, Article. VI I
Signs
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§ 106-840 LA PORTE CODE
(2) Auditorium, convention hall., exhibition hall, sports arena or stadium.Ten thousand to
100,000 square feet of floor area, one loading berth; for each additiona1100,000 square
feet of floor area or fraction thereof, one additional loading berth.
(3) Public or semi-public recreational buildings, community centers, private and public
educational institutions, religious institutions, hospital, clinics, professional and com-
mercial offcces. One off-street loading and service entrances shall be provided, sized to
meet the needs of the facility.
(4) Nursing homes and similar group housing serving in excess of 16 persons. One
off-street loading space, sized to meet the needs of the facility.
Secs. 106-841-106-870. Reserved.
ARTICLE VII. SIGNS*
Sec. 106-871. General provisions.
(a) All signs shall be erected, displayed and maintained in compliance with the require-
ments of this article and all other applicable state laws and city ordinances. If there is a conflict
between the regulations of this article and a state law,. city ordinance, or codes adopted by
ordinance, the most restrictive standard applies and controls. All signs not expressly allowed
by this chapter are prohibited. .
(b) No sign nor part of any sign may have lights which flash, move or rotate in such a
manner as to be confused with traffic control signals or emergency vehicle signals, or in a
manner that confuses, misleads or distracts traffic motorists. Beacons may not ba placed on
any sign or be made a part of any sign. Additionally, no sign that resembles an official traffic
control sign, signal or device or that bears the words stop, go slowly, caution, danger, detour,
or other wording for traffic control signs or devices may. be used within the city.
(c) All signs shall be properly and continuously maintained so as not to become a safety
hazard or detract from the appearance of adjoining properties.
(d) All areas immediately below and within a radius of 15 feet shall be properly maintained.
This includes maintenance of all vegetation to the standards set forth in section 34-126 et seq..
(e) With the exception of permitted temporary signs, no sign may be placed on or over a
public right-of-way, whether used or unused, a utility easement, or on utility poles.
(fl No sign shall be located in a sight triangle so as to obstruct traffic visibility at a level
between three feet and six feet as measured above adjacent road grade.
*Cross references-Alcoholic beverages, ch. 6; amusements, ch. 10; businesses, ch. 22;
streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 62; vehicles for hire, ch. 78; buildings and
building regulations, ch. 82; development regulations, cll. 86; entertainment, ch. 90; mobile
homes and mobile home parks, ch. 98.
5upp. No. 1 ~ CD106:102
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ZONING § 106-872
(g) Any sign in violation of any provisions of this chapter is subject to immediate removal
by the city.
(Ord. No. 1501-Z, § 6, 12-22-97)
Sec. 106-872. Portable si s. ~~~~ ~~
(a) Portable signs may be located in the high density residential (R-3), manufactured
housing (MH), commercial recreation (CR), neighborhood commercial (NC), general commer-
cial (GC), business industrial (BI), light industrial (LI), and heavy industrial (HI) zoning
districts.
(b) A portable sign may not stand on any premise for more than 30 consecutive days at a
time or for more than 60 days in any calendar year without a period of at least 20 intervening
days.
(c) Lighted portable signs shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the
requirements of the city's electrical code. Portable signs with red, yellow, amber, green, or blue
lights or with lights that flash, blink, or vary in intensity are prohibited.
(d) Portable signs must comply with the setback requirements -that would apply to
on-premises signs in the zoning district in which the portable sign is to'be located. Portable
signs may not be placed on public right-of--way and may not be placed in such a manner as to
create a hazard to traffic.
(e) A portable sign must be tied down or secured in a' manner prescribed .by the building
official to ensure the safe installation of said sign. '
(fl A portable sign, during the required intervening periods, must be completely removed
from public view. Removal of the lettering is not considered to be in compliance with this
section.
(g) All damaged portable signs must be removed within 48 hours of notification liy:the city
until such sign has been repaired.
(h) Portable signs shall be used for on-premises use only
(i) Nothing in this section shall apply to political advertising.
(j) Portable signs are to'be permitted through the building official of the city consistent with
the provisions of this chapter. Permitted portable signs shall have securely affixed and plainly
visible a sticker, in form prescribed by the city showing the date the permit was issued, and the
date the permit is to expire. Portable signs shall also contain on both faces the date of
expiration of the current permit.
(k) Portable signs located on premises in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter,
including the requirement that portable signs have attached a validly issued, current permit
from the city are subject to immediate removal by~ the city.
Supp. No. 1. CD106:103
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§ 106-872 LA PORTE CODE
(1) Portable signs removed by the city in accordance with this article shall be safely and
securely stored by the city. Portable signs removed and stored by the city may be redeemed by
their owner upon the payment of a storage fee established by the city council and listed in
appendix A. Signs not redeemed from storage may be sold by the city in accordance with laws
regulating. sale of abandoned property.
(m) Nothing in this article shall be construed as a waiver by the city on the penal
enforcement of this chapter. The remedies provided in this article shall be in addition to, and
not cumulative of, other remedies the city might have as allowed in this chapter and state law.
(Ord. No. 1501-Z, § 6, 12-22-97)
Sec. 106-878. Political signs.
Temporary political signs placed for the duration of an election campaign shall not be subject
tb the requirements of this chapter except that:
(1) No political sign shall be placed within a sight triangle or in a manner which will
otherwise create a traffic hazard.
(2) No political sign shall be placed on or over a public right-of-way, whether used or
unused, a utility easement or on utility poles.
(3) All portable signs used for political advertising shall be anchored in a manner which
will prevent their being blown about by a strong wind.
(4) All political signs shall be removed no later than ten days after the election for which
they were placed. In the case of run-off elections, political signs may remain in place no
longer than ten days following the run-ofl:
(Ord. No. 1501-Z, § 6, 12-22-97)
Sec. 106-874. On-premises signs.
(a) Freestanding on premises signs.
(1) General provisions.
a. These regulations shall apply to freestanding signs only.
b. Multiple reader panels mounted on a single base shall be considered to be a single
sign.
c. For the purposes of this section, a multitenant building shall be considered to be
a single establishment and shall be restricted to freestanding advertising signage
in accordance with the regulations governing such signs.
d. Separate buildings located on a single piece of property may be considered to be
separate business establishments with each building being eligible for freestand-
ing advertising in accordance with these regulations.
e. The number of on-premises freestanding nonadvertising signs intended to direct
traflc and not exceeding six square feet in size shall not be limited by this section.
Supp. No. 1 CD106:104
ZONING
~ 106-874
f. On-premises real estate signs are allowed and shall be exempt from all other
provisions of section 106-874.
(2) R-1, R-2, R-3, and MH districts.
a. One freestanding identification sign is permitted for townhouses, multifamily
developments, group care facilities, subdivisions, education and religious facili-
ties.
b. For a bed and breakfast facility one sign not exceeding three square feet in area
and nonilluminated shall .be allowed. This sign may be either mounted on the
building or located in a landscaped portion of the yard.
c. For a home occupation facility one sign not exceeding two square feet in area and
nonilluminated shall be allowed. This sign shall be mounted flat against the wall
of the principal building.-.
d. The size of the sign may not exceed 150 square feet.
e. There are no minimum yard setbacks.
£ The maximum height is 45 feet.
. (3) CR, NC, and GC districts.
a. One freestanding advertising sign shall be permitted for each side of a commer-
vial establishment which fronts on a developed right-of--way.
b. The following size limitations apply:
1. -Freestanding signs for single tenant buildings: 150 square feet.
2. Freestanding signs for single tenant buildings in a controlled access corri-
dor: 300 square feet.
3. .Freestanding signs for multitenant buildings: 350 square feet.
c. The following minimum yard setbacks apply:
1. When not adjacent to residentially zoned property, there are no minimum
setbacks.
2. When adjacent to residentially zoned property, there are minimum side and
. rear yard setbacks of~five feet. .
d. The following height limitations apply:
1. Freestanding signs: 45 feet.
e. Freestanding signs in a controlled access corridor: 65 feet.
(4) BI, LI, and HI districts.
. a. One freestanding advertising sign shall be permitted for each side of a commer-
vial establishment which fronts a developed right-of--way.
b. The following size limitations apply:
1. Freestanding signs for single tenant buildings: 150 square feet.
_ 2. Freestanding signs for single tenant buildings in controlled access corridors:
. 300 square feet.
Supp. No. 1 CD106:105
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§ 106-874 LA PORTE CODE
3. Freestanding signs for multi-tenant buildings: 350 square feet.
c. The following minimum yard setbacks apply:
1. When not adjacent to residentially zoned property, there are no minimum
setbacks.
2. When adjacent to residentially zoned property, there are minimum side and
rear setbacks of five feet.
d. The following height limitations apply:
1. FSreestanding signs: 45 feet.
2. Freestanding signs in controlled access corridors: 65 feet.
(b) Attached on premises signs.
(1) General provisions.
a. One attached sign per building wall may be displayed for each occupant or use on
the premises.
b. These regulations do not apply to building addresses or supplemental signs for
the purpose of identifying the apartment buildings or units.
(2) R-1, R-2, and MH districts.
a. The size of the sign may not exceed three square feet.
b. No portion of the sign may have a luminous greater than 200 footcandles and may `~
not move, flash, rotate or change illumination.
(3) R-3, CR, NC, GC, BI, LI, and HI districts.
a. The cumulative size of the signs may not exceed 15 percent of the wall area.
b. If located closer than 5u feet to an R-1, R-2, or MH district, the sign may not flash
and must be designed so that it does not shine or reflect light into adjacent
residences. ~ .
c. One attached canopy sign may be displayed...Sucti sign shall not exceed 30 percent
of the canopy area. Such sign must be contained within the physical limits of the
canopy and shall not extend above or below the canopy.
(Ord. No. 1501-Z, § 6, 12-22-97)
Sec. 106-875. Off-premises signs.
(a) Off-premises freestanding advertising signs maybe erected in the BI, LI, and HI zoning
districts.
(b) Off-premises freestanding public service signs may. be erected in the GC, BI, LI, and HI
zoning districts.
(c) All off-premises e~igns shall be constructed with a single steel support pole.
Supp. No. 1 CD106:106
ZONING
n
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§ 106-877
(d) The following size limitations shall apply to all off-premises freestanding signs:
(1) ~ In controlled access corridors, the size limitations shall be set by the Texas Highway
Beautification Act.
(2) On all other streets, the maximum size shall be 300 square feet and may not have more
than two sign faces.
(e) An off-premises sign must be located at least 50 feet from an existing freestanding
on-premises sign.
(fl Off-premises signs, when illuminated, must be constructed with upward shielded
directional illumination.
(g) The following height limitations shall apply:
(1) Off-premises public service signs: 18 feet.
(2) Off-premises advertising signs: 45 feet.
(h) All off-premises freestanding advertising signs shall be spaced in intervals of not less
than 1,000 feet.
(Ord. No. 1501-Z, § 6, 12-22-97)
Sec. 106-876. Subdivision marketing signs.
(a) For the purpose of marketing a recorded subdivision, one on-premises freestanding sign
of not more than 150 square feet for each mad abutting the respective subdivision shall be
permitted, provided that such sign shall not be placed within any required yard nor within 25
feet of any property line abutting a street or road right-of-way, and further provided that such
sign shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
(b) For the purpose of marketing a recorded subdivision, one off-premises sign of not more
than 150 square feet may be permitted for each recorded subdivision in any zoning district.
Such sign shall not be placed within 25 feet of any property line and shall not exceed 20 feet
in height. The permit for such sign shall expire, unless renewed, two years after the date of
issuance of such permit, and provided that each request for permit shall be accompanied by a
license and permit fee posted by the respective sign hanger in the amount of $300.00 for the
purpose of ensuring proper location, maintenance, and removal of the respective sign.
(Ord. No. 1501-Z, § 6, 12-22-97)
Sec. 106-877. Zlemporary signs.
(a) Subject to the provision of this section, temporary signs are prohibited except in the
following instances:
(1) Temporary signs shall be a maximum of 18 inches by 24 inches in size and constructed
of all-weather corrugated plastic sheeting with a wooden stake or greater .as support.
(2) Temporary signs may only be placed between the hours of 5:00 p.m. on Friday and 7:00
p.m. on the following Sunday. .
Stipp. No. 1 CD106:107
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§ 106-877 LA PORTE CODE
(3) temporary signs shall be free of balloons, banners, or streamers.
(b) Location of temporary signs:
(1) Tbmporary signs shall not be placed in a manner that will interfere with a site triangle
or otherwise create a traffic hazard.
(2) 'lbmporary signs may not be located within five feet of the edge of any pavement.
(3) 'llemporary signs may only be placed at the following locations within the city, with a
maximum of two temporary signs permitted at any one time at any specified
intersection:
SH 146 at Fairmont (northeast, southwest and southeast corners)
SH 146 at Wharton Weems (northeast and southeast corners)
SH 146 at McCabe (northeast comer and feeder and southeast corner of noFthbound
SH 146 and McCabe)
SH 225 at Underwood (southwest corner of Underwood eastbound lane and southeast
corner of Underwood eastbound lane of SH 225)
SH 225 at Sens (northwest and northeast comers SH 225 and southwest corner of SH
225 on westbound feeder on Sens)
Spencer at Sens (northwest and northeast corners SH 225 and southwest corner of SH
225 on westbound feeder on Sens)
Spencer at Sens (northwest and southeast corners)
Spencer at Valleybrook (southeast corner)
Spencer at Driftwood (southeast corner) Spencer at Luella (southeast~corner)
Fairmont at Luella (northwest corner Luella, eastbound lane W. Fairmont)
Fairmont at Driftwood (northwest corner westbound on Fairmont)
S.~ Broadway at Fairmont (northwest and southwest corners)
S. Broadway at Wharton Weems (northwest. and southwest comers)
N. "L" at Underwood (northeast and southeast comers)
Bay Area Blvd. at Fairmont (northwest corner of Bay Area Blvd. and eastbound lane
on W. Fairmont and southeast corner of Bay Area Blvd. eastbound lane on W.
Fairmont)
(c) Zlemporary sign permits:
(1) No temporary sign may be erected within the city limits of the City of La Porte without
a permit first having been obtained from the building official.
(2) Application for temporary sign permits shall be made upon forms provided by the
building official, and shall contain and be accompanied by information sufficient to
identify the location of the proposed sign, consistent with the location criteria
established in subsection (bX2) above.
Supp. No. 1 CD106:108
ZONING
106-878
(3) No person shall be issued a temporary sign permit under this section until such person
has filed with the city secretary a bond or insurance policy, or both, in the amount of
$200.00 per sign approved, in form approved by the city attorney, such bond or policy
to be ~ conditioned on the placement of temporary signs in accordance with the
provisions of this article, the other ordinances of the City of La Porte, and further
providing for the indemnification of the city for any and all damages or liability that
may accrue to or against the city by reason of the placement, maintenance, alteration,
repair or removal, or defects in any temporary sign erected by or under the direction
of such applicant, and further providing for the indemnification of any person who
shall, while on public property or public right-of--way of the City of La Porte, incur
damages for which the person erecting any such temporary sign is legally liable by
reason of his act or omission in regard to~ erection of such temporary signage.
(4) No permit issued under this ordinance shall be transferable.
(d) Number of temporary sign permits: No permittee for a temporary sign may obtain a
permit for placement of more than two temporary signs at any one particular location specified
in section 106-877(b) above with a maximum of ten temporary signs per permittee, and a
maximum of two temporary signs per permittee per location.
(e) Further limitations on permit: No permittee may obtain permits for location of
temporary signs for more than four consecutive weeks. Upon the expiration of four consecutive
weeks of permits for a particular permittee, no permit shall be issued by the city for any
temporary signs for 30 days following said four consecutive week period.
(f) Revocation of permit: Upon learning of any violation of this article or the ordinances of
the City of La Porte by any temporary sign permit holder, the building official shall give notice
of said violation to the responsible permit holder.l~vo or more violations of this article, or other
ordinances of the City of La Porte shall result in denial of future temporary sign permits to the
responsible permittee by the City of La Porte.
(Ord. No. 1501-Z,~ § 6; 12-22-97)
Sec. 106-878. Permits.
(a) Any person desiring to erect or place a freestanding, attached or portable sign on any
property shall first apply to the building official for a permit. With the exception of temporary
sign permits as specified above, permits are not required fox signs less than five square feet in
area. Permits are not required for signs less than five square feet in area.
(b) Any person applying to erect or place a freestanding sign on any property shall submit
to the building official the following information:.
(1) A survey of the property which indicates the proposed sign location.
(2) An engineered design for signs greater than eight feet in height.
(3) ~ A design of the sign and its support member for signs less than eight feet in height.
U
Supp. No. 1 CD106:109
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§ 106-878 LA PORTE CODE
(c) Permit fees shall be established by the city council and listed in appendix A.
(Ord..No. 1501-Z, § 6, 12-22-97)
Sec. 106-879. Enforcement.
Any violation of this article shall be subject to the penalties provided in section 106-6.
(Ord. No. 1501-Z, § 6, 12-22-97)
Secs. 106-880-106-889. Reserved.
ARTICLE VIII. TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWERS AND FACILITIES
Sec. 106-890. Definitions.
[The following words, terms and phrases, as used in this article, shall have the meanings
respectively ascribed to them in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:]
Antenna support structure means any building or structure other than a tower which can be
used for location of telecommunications facilities.
Applicant means any person that applies for a tower development permit.
Application means the process by which the owner of a parcel of land within the city submits
a request to develop, construct, build, modify, or erect a tower upon such parcel of land.
Application includes all written documentation, verbal statements, and representations, in
whatever form or forum, made by an applicant to the city concerning such a request.
Engineer means any engineer licensed by the State of Texas.
Owner means any person with.fee title or a long-term (exceeding ten years) leasehold to any
parcel of land within the city who, desires to develop, or construct, build, modify, or erect a
tower upon such parcel of land.
Person is any natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company; or other
legal entity, private or public, whether for profit ~or not for profit. .
Site plan review committee means a committee composed of staff members of the city,
responsible for reviewing and recommending plans submitted pursuant to this article,
including individuals designated by the director of planning (usually being the chief building
official and the city engineer), the fire marshal, and the director of public works. The building
official is responsible for chairing meetings of the site plan review committee, and making
reports of the results of said meetings. Duly designated representatives of the members of the
site plan review committee may serve in the stead of the aforementioned members of the
committee.
Stealth means any tower or telecommunications facility which is designed to enhance
compatibility with adjacent land uses, including, but not limited to, architecturally screened
Supp. No. 1 CD106:110
C7
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Draft Letter to Main .Street Owners/Tenants and
Nearby Property Owners
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DRAFT
April 27, 2004
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is a follow-up to our letter of March 26, 2004, explaining the Main Street District
process.
There has been a public hearing conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Over 15
individuals spoke at the meeting providing input.
The Committee assigned to study the District has met several times and has started a visioning
process.
Overall, the Committee is looking at the' current General Commercial regulations. This area is in
a General Commercial zoning district. General Commercial zoning districts prohibit residential
activity. (If you currently have residential activity, it 'is considered non-conforming, meaning it
cannot be enlarged; and if it ceases for six months to have residential activity, only General
Commercial activities are allowed. on that property.) The Committee may recommend removing
current regulations, modifying, or adding regulations. While the Committee has made
comments on public improvements (streets, public parking areas, drainage, etc.); the essence
of work is on the regulations to guide the District. ~ The Committee has no authority over the
public improvements.
No decisions have been made on any aspect. The Committee will continue to meet the first and
third Thursday of each month at 2:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers at 604 W. Fairmont
Pkwy. It is anticipated it will continue to meet~several more times. The Planning and Zoning
Commission will hear any recommendations from the Committee and will host at least one more
public hearing. The City Council would be the authority to act on any recommendation(s) from
the Committee or Planning and Zoning Commission. The City Council will also hold a public
hearing.
Attached is a copy of the General Commercial negulations.
Please contact my office at 281-471-5020, Ext. 257 if you have any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Finan
Interim Planning Director
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