HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-1985 Regular Meeting~.
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AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE LA PORTS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 1985, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY
HALL, 604 WEST FAIRMONT PARKWAY, LA PORTS, TEXAS, BEGINNIPJG AT
7:00 P.M...
1. CALL TO ORDER ,
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I " ~: 2. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND
11 REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MAY 2, 1985
~I - ~(• 3. CONSIDER REQUEST OF MARGARET COIdNER FOR DUPLEX ZONING
C~ -f~ CONSIDER REQUEST OF SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION COPIPANY
`' TO REZONE A 121.41 ACRE TRACT OF LAND LOCATED IN LA PORTS -
B. Speake
5. CONSIDER APPROVING THOROUGHFARE PLAN - B. Speake ~~`~ ~d~
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~1~ ~~ 6. CONSIDER PROPOSED CITY UTILITY MASTER PLAfJ - B. Speake
7. ADJOURNh1EtJT
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• MINUTES
OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE LA PORTS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MAY 16, 1985
1. The meeting was called to Order by Chairman Doug Latimer at
7:00 P.M.
Members of the Commission Present: Chairman Doug Latimer,
Members Bobby Blackwell, Lola Phillips, Bruce Hammack,
Charlie Doug Boyle
Members of the Commission Absent: Members Janet Graves,
Karl Johnston
City Staff Present: Assistant City Attorney John Armstrong,
City Engineer Bob Speake, Director of Community Development
John Joerns, Inspector Mark Lewis, Engineering Secretary
Tina Anger and Executive Secretary Gwen Jackson
Others Present: Ms. Adair Sullivan, Ms. Margaret Conner,
• Ms. Barbara Neal of the Bayshore Sun, Mr. William Osborn of
Southern Pacific Railroad and several interested Citizens.
2. Chairman Latimer read the first item on the Agenda
which was to Consider Approval of the Minutes of the
Public Hearing and Regular Meeting held on May 2, 1985. He
asked if anyone had any corrections.
No one did.
Chairman Latimer asked for a motion to approve the minutes
of the Regular Meeting held on May 2, 1985.
Bobby Blackwell mad e_ the_ n~ot~._on to aDOrove the minutes.
Second by Bruce Hammack. The motion carried, 5 ayes and 0
nays.
Ayes: Latimer, Blackwell, Boyle, Phillips and Hammack
Nays: None
3. Chairman Latimer then moved to Item 3 on the Agenda to
Consider the Request of Margaret Conner for Duplex Zoning.
Due to the fact that Ms. Conner was not present at this
time, Chairman Latimer moved to the next item of business
on the Agenda and said we would come back to this later.
• •
Minutes, Regular Meeting
La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission
May 16, 1985 - Page 2
4. Chairman Latimer asked that the Commission Consider the
request of Southern Pacific Transportation Company to
Rezone a 121.41 Acre tract of land located in La Porte.
He asked the person representing Southern Pacific to come
forward, give his name and proceed.
William Osborn, Council for Southern Pacific came forth and
told the Commission what Southern Pacific was requesting.
Mr. Osborn stated that Southern Pacific has pending two
positions seeking zoning change for two tracts of land
owned by the Company in the City of La Porte. Southern
Pacific is proposing development programs which it
considers to be responsive to the Company's need as well as
consistent with the general desires of the City of La Porte
and suitable for areas in which property is located.
On behalf of Southern Pacific, Mr. Osborn gave historical
review which would help put the two petitions and programs
in proper perspective.
i In the late 1960's, steps were initiated to improve rail
service to the area of La Porte for industries. To provide
the service, a study indicated that Intersection of Highway
225 and Company's mainline to Galveston is where it should
be expanded. Based on the study, the Company purchased 32
acres in 1969-70 for the Company's existing Spring Yard
which has been in continuous operation since 1975. Since
1975, the area around La Porte has continued to expand.
Among the industries in this area are about 21 plants.
These customers use about 3,300 railcars.. Southern
Pacific's existing facilities are centrally located to
these 21 industries and expansion of facilities should
necessarily be in this vicinity.
Since 1981, Southern Pacific has owned approximately 200
acres adjacent to east side of Strang Yard. The Company's
petitions for zoning changes cover this acreage.
Mr. Osborn stated that it had become more difficult for the
Industry served by the Railroads to store their cars within
their plant areas due to space restrictions and that it is
also difficult for Southern Pacific to find tracks which it
owns on which to store these cars. At the request of these
Industries, and to provide efficient rail service from the
Company to these Industries, Southern Pacific needs a
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• Minutes, Regular Meeting
La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission
May lb, 1985, Page 3
14-track storage yard to store cars owned by these
Industries in the La Porte area. Presently, there are
approximately 830 loaded cars being stored, some as far
away as Eagle Lake, Texas because of the shortage of tracks
in these areas. The distant storage, Eagle Lake is about
83 railroad miles from La Porte. This distance requires
about four days to turn a car around for Industries.
Southern Pacific with the planned storage yard will be able
to provide industries its cars within several hours instead
of several days. The Storage Yard plan will be of
sufficient size to provide storage for about 720 cars.
Because of the growth of the La Porte area, and
particularly the plastic pellet industry as well as the
surrounding growth of the Morgan's Point area, and the
service needs of all nearby industry, Southern Pacific
feels construction of the yard is indispensable to meet its
service obligations to the La Porte area. It is the basic
supplier of rail service to the area. The planned location
of this yard is centrally located to the major industries
in and around the La Porte area and also at the historical
• intersection of the east, west, north, south rail and
highway system. At the time, it is the only feasible
location for this vital essential facility for the railroad
service.
Before reviewing several substantial benefits, Mr. Osborn
wanted to take a minute to outline the Company's petitions
and the proposed developed program.
At this point, Mr. Osborn gave the Commission a copy of a
map. He then explained that Southern Pacific has pending,
two zoning petitions filed under the existing zoning
ordinance. The one covering an area of approximately 121
acres, the second covering approximately 97 acres and he
indicated that the map shows this existing yard, the 121
parcel and the location of the planned storage yard, the 97
acre tract and highway 146 on the east side. The Company
proposes an industrial zone for the 121-acre tract so that
it can be used for the planned railroad storage yard for
the storage of railroad cars and related facilities
supporting the Company's installations. Mr. Osborn went on
to say that the general development program for this
particular piece of property involves the location of the
storage yard, with drainage and other utility installations
as appropriate to serve not only the 121-acre tract, but
also the area to the east and the west of the storage.
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Minutes, Regular Meeting
La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission
May 16, 1985, Page 4
The 97-acre tract is proposed to development not by the
Southern Pacific but by other firms for offices,
rail-served warehouses, service centers and other
commercial facilities permitted under the zoning ordinances
for the City of La Porte. Mr. Osborn said he would like to
emphasize that the Company intends to restrict this
property from uses for storage or repair of those units,
containers or for transit truck stop facilities. Whether
those are permitted under the zoning ordinance or not, the
Company intends to restrict those from the property. The
97 acres, and the rezoning that is requested will permit an
orderly development over that property over a period of
time for desirable usage. The General Development Plan for
this acreage contemplates utilities and streets,
rights-of-way, along with the Company imposed deed
restrictions. Precise street location and utility
corridors may not be possible at this time, but development
of that track and the process we're going through here will
depend upon availability of the central services such as
streets and utilities, and compatabilities of those with
surrounding areas. As indicated in conjunction with the
rezoning and development of the 97 acres, the Company will
. propose deed restrictions to control architectural and use
of this property. Just briefly, those that would prohibit
control certain uses as indicated, among other uses such as
factories, foundries, junk yards, etc. Also to control
construction restrictions on this property through use of
deed restrictions so as to require masonry, glass or metal
constructions, no wood frame buildings; the buildings will
have to have exterior walls and at least the front exterior
walls would have to be faced brick or architecturally
finished material. The restrictions would also require
setbacks consistent with the cities zoning ordinances as
well as rail setbacks. They would also include access and
parking controls that would be consistent with the
Thoroughfare Plan for this area of the property.
Otherwise, it would be controlled through the cities permit
process and zoning of ordinances. Mr. Osborn went on to
say that the Company is not in the business of building
buildings, but the business of owning and operating
railroad and railroad-related facilities. Consequently,
the development of the 97 acres depends upon the business
activity and the attraction of industry to the City of La
Porte. As indicated, essential planning with the planning
and zoning commission and the rezoning of these two tracks
will involve the termination of thoroughfares and building
corridors to serve these tracks and surrounding areas in
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• Minutes, Regular Meeting
La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission
May 16, 1985, Page 5
furtherance of anticipating to develop them in a manner
suitable with this particular area of La Porte.
Mr. Osborn pointed out some of the benefits from zoning
changes:
A. It would increase adequate rail service for future
industries.
B. Encourage growth
C. Allow office warehousing distribution facilities in a
planned manner as opposed to a hodge-podge of mixed
commercial, residential or heavy industrial uses
presently allowed under existing zoning.
D. Increase employment and payroll.
E. Attract Industries through adequate rail service.
F. Provide more safety
G. Reduce Congestion and switching by car storage.
H. Development between planned storage yard and Highway
146, congestion will be better controlled.
• Mr. Osborn also pointed out that there is a lake on the 121
acres and Southern Pacific will be draining and filling
this lake. He pointed out that some of the most
significant points are that (1) drainage improvements will
benefit the entire property upstream and downstream, and
(2) Southern Pacific would appreciate immediate action on
their petition in the best interest of the City of La
Porte.
Mr. Osborn requested that Southern Pacific's petition go
before the City Staff and Council.
Chairman Latimer asked if Mr. Osborn was requesting two
petitions or one?
Mr. Osborn stated that the 121 acres was the key here.
John Armstrong said that the Commission would treat this as
one request even though there are two petitions.
Bob Speake told how the whole acreage plan would tie into
the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Chairman Latimer asked if any member had anything to say.
He then said they would schedule a workshop at the end of
the month or for the first of June.
•
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• Minutes, Regular Meeting
La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission
May 16, 1985, Page 6
Mr. Blackwell asked Engineering if they could remind him as
to why Southern Pacific wanted to put tracks on 14th street
instead of where the rail yard is now.
Mr Osborn explained that it is because of the lake
situation. He went on to say that if the tracks are placed
over the lake, there will be problems causing the tracks to
sag due to the fact that the land is marshy and soggy.
Also allows us to come longer with perspect to depth of
tracks with fewer tracks, but as many cars with less
switching. If closer to existing facility, the tracks
would have to be shortened substantially.
Chairman Latimer explained that the object of the meeting
is to understand exactly what Southern Pacific Railroad is
requesting.
At this point, Chairman Latimer requested six more maps
from Mr. Osborn.
• Chairman Latimer stated that the Commission has another
regular meeting on June 6, 1985 and also a public hearing.
We might also want to continue the review comprehensive
plan of Southern Pacific. He asked the Commission if they
wanted to place Southern Pacific on the Agenda for
reviewing.
Chairman Latimer asked how much time Southern Pacific would
need at that meeting and if they wanted to be on the Agenda
for June 6.
Mr. Osborn stated that Southern Pacific would need about an
hour and that they do want to be on the Agenda.
Chairman Latimer told the Commission and those present that
he had resigned as P & Z Chairman.
John Armstrong stated that Southern Pacific would want at
least 2 more workshops before going to a Public Hearing.
5. Chairman Latimer suggested the Commission go back to Item 3
on the Agenda to Consider the Request of Margaret Conner
for duplex zoning.
•
Minutes, Regular Meeting
La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission
• May 16, 1985, Page 7
•
Chairman Latimer asked Mrs. Margaret Conner to come forth.
Mrs. Conner came before the Commission and explained that
she wanted a rezoning in order to make her 6-room home into
a two bedroom duplex at 215 N. Holmes.
Chairman Latimer asked if anyone had any questions for Mrs.
Conner.
Bobby Blackwell asked Mrs. Conner if she lived there now,
but she replied that she did not. She explained that her
home had burned in November and they told her to start
construction just like a new house.
Mrs. Conner explained also, that she was moving to
California, but that she would live in 1/2 of the duplex
and rent out the other. Mrs. Conner then explained as to
what revisions would be made to the house.
Chairman Latimer suggested we set this up for a public
hearing.
Mr_Boyle made a motion we set this up for_a_~ab~,~c He~~igg
• ~o~ June 6. 1985.
Seconded by Mr. Bruce Hammack. The motion carried with 5
ayes and 0 nays.
Ayes: Charlie Doug Boyle, Bruce Hammack, Lola Phillips,
Bobby Blackwell, and Chairman Doug Latimer
Nays: None
Chairman Latimer said that Mrs. Conner would be set up for a
Public Hearing on June 6, 1985 and at that time a decision will
be made.
5. Chairman Latimer moved to Item 5 on the Agenda; to Consider
Approving the Thoroughfare Plan. He explained that this is
an important plan and he asked whether or not the
Commission wanted to vote on it or not.
City Engineer Bob Speake came forth and gave a review of
the Thoroughfare Plan. (For short synopsis, see P4emo
attached dated May 13, 1985.)
Chairman Latimer asked that John Armstrong come forth and
give a staff recommendation to the Thoroughfare Plan. He
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Minutes, Regular Meeting
La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission
• May 16, 1985, Page 8
explained that there would be few changes to the physical
requirements or geographical requirements contained in the
Comprehensive Plan and that he most definitely recommended
Staff Recommendation for the Thoroughfare Plan.
Chairman Latimer asked for a motion to approve Staff
Recommendation to the Thoroughfare Plan.
The motion was made by Bruce Hammack and Seconded by Lo a
Phillips to approve staff recommendation of the
T oroughfare Plan.
Ayes: Boyle, Hammack, Latimer, Phillips, Blackwell
Nays: None
After the motion passed, there was still further discussion
between Bobby Blackwell, the Commission and John Armstrong.
However, there were no changes.
Bob Speake suggested Commission move to next item of business.
6. Chairman Latimer moved to Item 6 on the Agenda to Consider
• Proposed City Utility Plan.
Bob Speake reviewed the three components of the Utility
Master Plan as follows:
a) Storm Water
b) Potable Water
c) Wastewater
For further information on the City Utility Plan, see attached
memo dated May 13, 1985.
7. There being no further business, the meeting was duly
adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Gwen Jackson
Executive Secretary
Passed & approved this the
day of
1985.
Doug Latimer, Chairman
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• Lockwood, Andrews
i & Newnam, Inc.
Engmeenng Artnnttture Planning Pro~e[I Manaoement
November 8, 1982
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Honorable Mayor, City Council
and Planning and Zoning Commission
City of La Porte
P. 0. Box 1115
La Porte, Texas 77571
Ladies and Gentlemen:
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We are pleased to submit our Final Report of the Community Impact Analysis
of the S.P.R.R. Expansion Proposal.
The report has been prepared in response to the scope of services outlined
in our agreement dated July 26, 1982, and includes comments received from the
City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition, we have
worked closely with city staff members throughout the study process to assure
study results reflect local needs, goals and concerns.
We trust you find the report satisfactory and of value to the community.
It is a pleasure to be of service to you and the citizens of La Porte.
Sincerely yours,
~~~,~.~
Daniel D. Clinton, P. E.
Vice President
DDC:cj
500 G!vwest 8wo • Housron ie,cas 770»2 • 713266 E500 • T1Yx c~, .yy~•5c~:~ ;;.,y r,~~„
~ ' ~ ~outhern ~oci~ic
Transportation Company
913 Franklin Ave., P. O. Box 1319, Houston, Texas 77251
L G. SIMPSON
GEN[RAL NANAG[R
K A MOORE November 30, 1984
ASS}. GENER.I WNAGER
349.2 S
City of La Porte
La Porte, Texas 77571
Planning and Zoning Commission
of La Porte, Texas
La Porte, Texas 77571
Re: Petition to Reclassify Zoning Classification of
121.41 Acres of Land Located in La Porte, Texas
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Petition dated April 20, 1982, of
the Southern Pacific Transportation Company (the "Company")
filed with the City of La Porte, Texas, to reclassify the zoning
classification of certain property owned by the Company and lo-
cated within the municipal boundaries of La Porte, which pro ert
contains 121.41 acres (more or less) of land and is described y
more particularly in the Company's Petition.
The Company hereby requests immediate action by the City
of La Porte upon the Company's Petition for zoning reclassifi-
cation of such 121.41 acres of land. ,.
Matters pertaining to the Petition should be addressed-to
__ Mr. L. G. Simpson, General Manager, Southern Pacific Transpor-
tation Company, P. 0. Box 1319, 913 Franklin Avenue, Houston,
Texas 77251.
Your favorable and prompt action on the Company's Petition
to reclassify the zoning classification of the Company's 121.41-
acre tract of land and on the Company's previously submitted
application to close various areas of the land designated as
"streets" will be greatly appreciated.
r
Very truly you s,
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• P013TE13 8C GLEbiENTS
• ATTORNEYS
3500 REPUBLICBANK CENTER
• HOUSTON,TEXAS 77002
TELEPHONE 1713! 226-0600
TELECOPIER 1713) 224-4635
TELEX 775-348
WILLIAM S.OSBORN
PARTNER December 3, 1984
~ BY MESSENGER
Ms. Cherie Black
City Secretary
City of La Porte
604 West Fairmont
La Porte, Texas 77571
Re: Application for Closing and
Petitions to Reclassify Zoning Classification
Dear Ms. Black:
On behalf of Southern Pacific Transportation Company,
enclosed for filing with the City of La Porte are original
letters requesting immediate action on each of the following
pending matters:
' (i) the Application for Closing filed December 1, 1981 by
Southern Pacific Transportation Company;
(ii) the Petition to Reclassify Zoning Classification of
9`7.596 acres; and
(iii) the Petition to Reclassify Zoning Classification of
121.41 acres.
I would appreciate it if you would please date-stamp
each of the enclosed duplicate original letters and file one set
of the date-stamped original letters with the City of La Porte
in the appropriate manner to assure prompt attention.
Please return the other set of the date-stamped
original letters to me by regular mail.
~ Your assistance in this matter is gratefully
acknowledged. Should you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to call me.
Very my yours
~ ~
W lliam S Osborn
• SOU871:acs
Enclosures
cc: Mr. L. G. Simpson
I Mr. John Armstrong
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-• KNOX W. ASKINS, J. D., P. C.
ATTORNEY AT LAW
• 702 W. FAIRMONT PARKWAY
P. O. BOX 1218
JOHN D. ARMSTRONG, J.D. LA FORTE, TEXAS 77571-1218 TELEPHONE
ASSOCIATE 713 471-1886
January 4, 1985
Porter & Clements
Mr. Bill Osborn
Attorney at Law
3500 Republicbank Center
Houston, Texas 77002
Re: Application for Closing and Petitions to Re-Classify
Zoning Classification
Dear Bill:
Please reference your letter to Ms. Cherie Black, City Secretary of
the City of La Porte, and our subsequent phone conversations regarding
said letter, in which you request action by the City of .La Porte on
the application for closing filed December 1, 1981, by Southern
Pacific Transporation Company, as well as the petition to re-classify
the zoning classification of 97.596 acres and 121.41 acres within
the City of La Porte. It is our understanding from said applications
that the purpose of the Southern Pacific Railroad was and is to lay
track for a railroad storage yard, together with a rail served office
and warehouse complex adjacent to said storage yard.
Review of past action taken on your application by the City of La
Porte indicates that subsequent to extensive discussion and hearings
by the Planning and Zoning Commission o£•the City of La Porte on the
petition to re-classify zoning classifications, the Planning and
Zoning Commission of the City of La Porte, on December 2, 1982, voted
to deny the application of the Southertt'Pacific Railroad. Susequent
to said vote for denial, no further action was taken by the City of
La Porte or the Southern Pacific Railroad to further the zoning re
classification request, until your December 3, 1984 letter to Ms. Black.
You have requested that the City of La Porte provide you with a step-
by-step analysis of the steps that would need to be taken in order to
further and finalize action by the City of La Porte in order to re-
classify the above specified acreage and finalize the application for
closing as requested in your letter of December 3, 1984.
After carefully considering Vernon's Annotated Texas Civil Statutes,
Article lOlla et seq., as amended, together with Article 17, Section
17-100 et seq., of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of La Porte, and
applicable case law, it is my opinion that the City of La Porte and
_ the Southern Pacific Railroad will need to start from the beginning
on the above referenced zoning re-classification request filed by the
- ~I-
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~Mr. Bill Osborn
'Porter & Clements
1/4/85
Page 2
Southern Pacific Railroad. Since the Planning and Zoning Commission
of the City of La. Porte failed to make a final report to the City
Council of the City of La Porte after it initially voted to deny
Southern Pacific Railroad's application at its meeting on December 2,
1982, the City Council of the City of La Porte is incapable of
proceeding to consider the above referenced actions until such a re-
port is received from the commission.
I base this analysis on Vernon's Annotated Texas Civil Statutes,
Article lOllf (b), which provides that "... such commission (Planning
and Zoning Commission of the City of La Porte) shall make a pre-
liminary report and hold public hearing ..." on an application for
zoning re-classification "... before submitting its final report...",
and the City Council of the City of La Porte, a legislative body of
a home rule city ( see Vernon's Annotated Texas Civil Statutes, Article
lOllf (a)) "...shall not hold its public hearings or take action until
it has received the final report of such commission...". (Paraphrasing
added). Article 17, Section 17-104 of the Zoning Ordinance of the
City of La Porte is in comity with the above quoted state law provision.
In addition, in the case of Smart v. Lloyd, 370 S. W. 2d 245 (Ct.
Civ. App., Texarkana, August 13, 1963), a remarkably similar fact
situation was presented to the Court, with the Court stating that
where a comprehensive zoning ordinance authorizes city government
to amend, supplement, or change zoning districts or regulations, but
states also, that any proposed amendment, supplement, or change
shall first be submitted to the City Planning and Zoning Commission
for its recommendation and report, and where, the City Planning and
Zoning Commission makes no recommendation disposing'of an application
to change zonning, the City Council is powerless to grant the change
requested.
Further, cursory review of the law in this matter indicates no con-
trary authority, even under basic principles of statutory construction.
Therefore, the path to be followed to obtain a determination on the
Southern Pacific Railroad zoning re-classification request should
parallel an initial application for a zoning re-classification request.
First, the Southern Pacific Railroad should be prepared to attend a
series of workshop meetings in which the re-zoning applications are
discussed, prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of
La Porte establishing a public hearing date or dates on the application.
Due to the crowded nature of Planning and Zoning Commission's docket
at this point in time, but assuming that the Planning and Zoning
Commission would undertake to conduct said workshop meetings at as
early a date as possible, a fair time estimate for completion of_ the
workshop meetin:~s would be by the end of April, 1985.
Next, the applications would need to proceed to public hearing,
would he held only after notice
provisions of Section 17-102 of
Porte. Essentially, and to be
is posted and mailed according
the Zoning ordinance ~~f the City
safe, notice of a Planning and
- :J
which
to the
o f T.a
7.oning
Mr. F3i11 Osborn
1/4/85
• Porter & Clements Page 3
Commission public hearing always involves sending written notice or•
proposed changes in classification to owners of real property, who
have rendered their property on the property tax rolls of the .City
of La Porte, which property lies within tcao hundred feet of the
property on which the change in classification is proposed at least
ten days before the date set for the public hearing. In addition,
publication will ordinarily be had in the Bayshore Sun, a nec~~spaper
where official notices may be posted and published in the City of La
Porte, as least 15 days prior to the date of the' public hearing.
Again, based upon the crowded condition of_ the Planning and Zoning
Commission's docket, and based upon the anticipated workshop schedule
on the request, I would believe that a reasonable time estimate for
completion of the public hearing or hearings would be the end of May,
1985.
Subsequent to the public hearing in front of the Planning and Zoning
Commission, a final and written report is prepared by the Commission,
sealed, and transmitted to the City Secretary of the City of La Porte,
who is duty bound to forward said report to the City Council of the
City of La Porte. The City Council ordinarily schedules a workshop
meeting on the zoning re-classification request, with tha express
purpose of said workshop meeting being to estahlish a public hearing
date for final consideration of the request. Again, notice of the
City Council's public hearing must be pu.bli.shed in the La Porte
T3ayshore Sun at least 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing.
An anticipated date for completion of the workshop and p~~blic hearing
by the City Council of the City of La Porte would be the end of ,7uly,•
1985.
w
A
A
i
I hope that this letter ans:vers your questions regarding the zoning
re=classifica't ion process. Insofar as the application for closing
of streets is concerned, that process would be entered into only
upon finalization of the zoning re-classification, if the reclassi-
fications are granted. Due to the complexity of the rail storage
yard and rail sorved warehouse complex, proposal, it is anticipated
that the Planning Commission, in its capacity as a Planning Com-
mission, would review the propriety of the various street closings
along with review of the zoning re-classification request, reporting
to the City Council as for the propriety of said street closings to-
gether with their report to City Council on the zoning re-classifi-
cation requests. Be advised, however, that the street closing requests
would be acted upon by City Council only after action upon the
zoning re-classification requests.
This scenario would allow the City of La Porte maximum control over
any development nn the subject tracks, particularly in tarns of
monitoring pro~~ress on impact ahatemer,t measures a >uggested hoth
by Southern Pacific Railroad and by Lockwood Andrews & Newman. Eiowever,
the street closings arc, a function manly of the City Council, and no
public hearinr~s are require~7 to close streer_s. Therefore, if we
arrive at the .str?Nt closing process, ~~hen streets would he rea~3y to
he closed, we woulcj consider the process very simple. •
-(J, -
' Mr. Bill Osborn 1/4/85
Porter & Clements Page 4
•
Please advise as to when the Southern Pacific is ready to proceed
with meetings before the Planning and Zoning Commission. I thank you
for your good work on this matter, and I am,
Very/~~r}~ly yours
JDA:aw
cc:. La Porte City Hall
604 4~est Fairmont Parkway
La Porte, Texas 77571
.Attn: Mr. John Joerns
Director of Community Development
Attn: Mr. Bob Speake
City Engineer
Attn: hlr. Jack Owen
City Manager
Planning and Zoning Commission
c/o La Porte City Hall
604 Test Fairmont Parkway
La Porte, Texas 77571
Attn: Mr. Doug Latimer
Mr. R. J. Blackwell
Mr. Bruce Hammack
Ms. Janet Graves
Ms. Lola Phillips
Mr. Karl Johnston
h1r. Charles Boyle
Attn: The Honorable "layor and
City Council of La Porte
Jo n D. Armstrong
As taut ity Attorn
Cit of La Porte
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913 Franklin Avenue • P.O. Box 1319 Houston, Texas 77001 (713) 223-6244
REAL ESTATE
G. R. JONNSTON February 1, 19 8 2
REGIONAL MA NAGtR
N. H. YAKL~N
ASSI3TA NT REGIONAL MANAGER
Mr. John Joerns
Engineering Department
City of LaPorte
LaPorte, Texas 77571
Dear bir. Joerns:
Reference is made to your letter dated January 21, 1982,
relating to the application by Southern Pacific Transportation
Company to LaPorte, Texas, to close approximately 23.2 acres of
land located in LaPorte, Texas, purportedly dedicated as street
right-of-ways.
As you know, the "streets" in question have never been built,
and there are no plans for their construction since such construc-
tion would serve no purpose and would probably be impossible or
.impracticable in any event. .Despite the fact that considerable
question exists as to whether the "streets" are dedicated and
accepted streets, we have filed our application to hopefully
eliminate any question as to the matter. Removal of this question
as to ex~.stence of the streets is probably essential to any planned
development of the tract.
At present, we are contemplatin use f
g o a portion of the tract
for rail car storage facilities adjacent to our Strang Yard. We
have also discussed the possibility of u'~ilizing portions of the
tract for light industrial warehousing although it would be our
intention to discuss the plans for the same with the City of La
Porte before making them definitive in order to insure all nec-
essary actions are taken. We feel that removal of any question
relating to the "streets" would be a necessary predicate to under-
going the substantial expense involved in formulating a tract-wide
development plan and in presenting this to the City.
I hope that the information provided in this letter will
assist you in securing expeditious approval of the application.
Very truly yours,
SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION COti1PANY
,y..
C. R. Johnston
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~`~' ~' PHONE ( 7131 471.5020 •
{~:>;,,;',~} P. O. Box 1115 • LA FORTE. TExws 77571
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January 21, 1982
Mr. C. R. Johnston, District Manager
Southern Pacific Land Company
P. 0. Box 1319
Houston, Tx 77001
Dear Mr. Johnston,
The City has received the request from Southern Pacific
Railroad to close approximately 23.2 acres of dedicated street
right-of-way. Although the City staff has begun a review of
the request, it will be necessary to inspect Southern Pacific's
proposed development plans before a final recommendation can
be made. Obviously, the development of such a large tract of
land (including adjacent tracts owned by Southern Pacific)
will have a significant bearing on the staff's recommendation.
Please forward at your convenience any relevant information
such as individual site plans for a phase development, or an
overall plat of the proposed improvements. Th'e information
does not need to be actual building plans - just the prelimi-
nary concept of the overall development. . '
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Respect ul
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J
ohn oerns
Eng 'neering Dept.
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cc: Betty Waters
David Paulissen
Jerry Hodge
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Land Company
913 Franklin Avenue • P.O. Box 1319 Houston, Texas 77001 (713) 223-6244
REAL ESTATE
C. R. JOHNfTON
REGIONAL MANAG[R '
N. H. YAKLIN
A SlISTANT REOIO NAL MANAGER Apri 1 2 0, 19 8 2
City of LaPorte
LaPorte, Texas
and '
Planning and Zoning Commission
of LaPorte, Texas
LaPorte, Texas
Re: Petition to Reclassif
97.596 Acres of Land Locatedlin LalPorte, Texas of
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the ordinance of the City of LaPorte,
Texas ["LaPorte"], as amended, relating to the reclassification
of zoning classifications of property located within the
municipal boundaries of LaPorte.
Southern Pacific Transportation Com an
hereby files this Petition with the City of LaPorte1,C Texas ,to
reclassify the zoning classification of certain property owned
by the Company and located within the municipal boundaries of
LaPorte, which property contains 97.596 acres (more or less) of
land and is more particularly described on Exhibit A to this
Petition [the "Property"], by changing the zoning classifi-
cation for~.the Property from the zoning classification(s) pre-
sently in effect to a zoning classification of "District
I--Light Industrial with Special Use;'Permit", which zoning
classification will include uses permitted under "District C--
Apartment and Commercial District" and permit use for develop-
ment of offices, rail-served warehouses and rail-served service
centers and other facilities (other than use for storage and/or
repair of oceanic containers or for transient truck-stop
facilities) and uses permitted und'~r other applicable zoning
ordinances. It is requested that the City's reclassification
include the immediate grant of special use permits for uses of
the Property specifically for the anticipated development of
the Property for office, office/warehouse, warehouse, distri-
bution and service center buildings and related facilities
within the zoning reclassification.
In connection with reclassifying thE-zoning classification
of the Property, and as a condition to the zoning reclassifica-
tion of the Property, the Company will impose in connection
~ with any development of the Property protective covenants and
restrictions on such Property to control the use and architec-
• tural aspects of the development thereof. The proposed
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City of LaPo~
April 20, 1982
Page 2
Petition
97.596 Acres
protective covenants shall include the restrictions set forth
in Exhibit B to this Petition.
Drainage of the Property will be designed by a
qualified civil engineer and the written plans and specifica-
tions therefor shall be submitted for prior approval to the
Harris County Flood Control District or the City Engineer of
the City of LaPorte.
While reclassification of the zoning classification of the
Property may not in any event be required and is not required
for certain of the uses proposed by the Company, the Company
has submitted this Petition to allow LaPorte to consider the
sensible planned development of the Property. The Company
believes that the requested reclassification of the Property
will allow, among other developments, office, office/warehouse,
distribution and service center buildings (with rail-service
available) to be developed, as well as promote orderly growth
in LaPorte and the attendant increase in business and community
prosperity, employment and payrolls by permitting adequate rail
service to existing and future industries and businesses.
Given the location of the Property in relation to commercial
transport routes and the important role of the area, including
the LaPorte, Texas area, in local, national and international
trade, the requested reclassification would encourage the most
appropriate uses for the Property.
In acting favorably upon this Petition to reclassify the
zoning classification of the Property and upon the Company's
;pending Application to close various areas of land designated
as "streets", an orderly and better use of the Property will be
permitted, consistent with the trend;- in this area of LaPorte
toward increased commercial and industrial usage.
Any matters or questions pertaining to this Petition
should be addressed to:
Mr. C. R. Johnston e
Regional Manager-Real Estate
Southern Pacific Transportation Company
P. 0. Box 1319
913 Franklin Avenue
Houston, Texas 77001
Your favorable and prompt consideration of this Petition
to reclassify tale zoning classification of the Property and of
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' City of LaPor
. April 20, 1982
'. Page 3 Petition
97.596 Acres
the Company's previously
areas of land designated submitted Application to close various
as "
t
"
ciated. s
reets
will be greatly appre-
Very truly yours,
SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION
COi'~iPANY
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C. R. Johnston,
Regional~Manager-Real Estate
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Exhibit A to Petition
for Zoning Reclassification
[97.596 Acres)
Legal Description of the Property
Attached as Exhibit A are a plat of survey and related metes
and bounds description of the 97.596 acres of land (more or
less) referred to as the "Property" in the Petition dated
April 20, 1982 of Southern Pacific Transportation Company for
zoning reclassification of such 97.596-acre tract of land.
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26, 27 ~ 28 BLOCK 983
I .: 4/6/83 SCALE: 1" = 2G FEET
I B. NELSON, REGISTERED PUBLIC SURVEYOR, NO. 1703, a0 HERE:BY
~::<I'IFY THAT THE PLAT SHOWN HEREON ACCURATELY DESCRIBES AN ON THE
~ !1ND SURVEY MADE UNDER MY DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION ON THE NORTH
• ifALF OF LOT TWENTY-FIVE (25) AND ALL OF LOTS TWENTY-SIX ([6),
~TY-SEVEN (27), AND TWENTY-EIGHT (28), BLOCK NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY-
: :?E (983) OF TFIE TOWN OF LAPORTE, ACCORDING TO MAP OR PLAT THEREOF
R :ORDER IN VOLUME 1 AT PAGE 27 OP THE MAP RECORDS OF fiARRIS COUNTY,
KAS.
A ENCROACHMENTS ARE SHOWN AS FOUND ON THE GROUND AND ALL IMPROVE-
" 'T~ ARE SHOWN THEREON.
tiU .: 41610
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HASER: R~BERT S. RATLIFF cvy~sid~ cf C~
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B. tiELSON ~+ ~'•. '
-:G. PUBLIC SURVEYOR _ ~•'
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03/19/85
Margaret Conner
215 N. Holmes
La Porte, Texas 77571
Re: Duplex Zoning Blk. 983
Dear Ms. Conner,
The City has received your letter regarding the location of a duplex
in an "R-2" residential zone. To place a duplex in a residential zone
requires much the same procedure as a rezoning. You have met the
minimum square footage of 850 square feet per dwelling unit. .Listed
below are the steps needed to complete the duplex zoning process. The
• first step is the letter of request that you have already submitted.
1. Submit duplex request to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
2. The City Secretary wi ll set a meeting for the Planning and
Zoning Commission to con sider the request.
3. Planning and Zoning will hear the request and at this point
will set a date for public Mearing. At the time of the
public hearing by P & Z, they will request that City Council
hold a public hearing-on the matter.
4. A pulic hearing will be held by the City Council on the
duplex request. A writt en recommendation from the Planning
and Zoning Commission will be presented to Council after
their public hearing.
5. City Council will either approve or deny the duplex request.
- If approved, an ordin ance will be passed to allow a duplex
and a certified copy of . the ordinance will be sent to the.
property owner.
This process is some what complicated and time consuming. If,
however, you don't understand the process or if I or any of the City
staff may be of further service please contact us.
Respectfully,
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D. A. Paulissen
ec: Bob Speake
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• CITY ENGINEER PORTION OF 5/2/85 PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
City Engineer Speake next briefed the Commission on the proposed
Thoroughfare and Safety Plan components of the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Speake restated the objectives of the Thoroughfare Plan
approved by the Steering Committee (found on Page 1-13 of Volume
1) and explained how the proposed Thoroughfare Plan satisfies
those objectives. Mr. Speake noted the one change to that plan
recommended by the staff, which was to upgrade North L street to a
secondary arterial instead of North H. Staff believes this to be
a better route than that recommended by the Consultants.
Mr. Speake stated that the Safety Plan includes provision for
emergency shelters as well as evacuation routes. The staff will
cover the shelter aspect of that plan the night the staff briefing
on the Community Facilities Plan is presented. Mr. Speake
explained the evacuation route system and stated that, at present,
route capacity allows the city to be evacuated in four or five
hours. When the city has matured, that time may triple. Mr.
Speake emphasized the importance of city participation in a
regional evacuation plan.
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FROM:
DATE:
SUBJ ECT:
CITY OF L FORTE
PHONE 1713) 471-5020 • P. O. BOX 1115 • LA FORTE. TEXAS 77571
Planning and Zoning Commission
John Joerns
Director of Community Development ~^OtV
J~~v J~~vs
May 13, 1985
Proposed City Utility Master Plan
At your May 16 meeting,~Staff will brief you on the proposed
Utility Master Plan, which consists of three component parts: (1)
Stormwater Drainage Plan, (2) Potable Water System, and (3)
Wastewater Collection and Treatment Plan.
The following documents make up the Utility piaster Plan:
,~TORMWATER DRAINAGE
1.' Volume 1": Section 1.4.1 (Pages 1-31 through 1-34) and
Exhibit 10.
2. Volume 3: Sections 4.3.7 and 4.3.8 (Pages 4-21 through 4-23)
and Exhibits 29 and 38.
3. Master Drainage Plan, by O'Malley and Clay, Ine., Consulting
Engineers, 1982.
POTABLE WATER
4. Volume 1: Section 1.4.2 (Pages 1-34 through 1-39) and
Exhibit 11.
5. Volume 3: Section 4.3.13 (Pages 4-34 through 4-36) and
Exhibits 24 through 28 and 37.
6. Feasibility Study for Long-Range Potable Water Supply, by
Turner Collie and Braden, Inc., Consulting Engineers, 1983.
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Page Two
May 13, 1985
RE: Proposed City Utility Master Plan
WASTEWATER
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7. Volume 1: Section 1.4.3 (Pages 1-39 through 1-42) and
Exhibit 12.
8. Volume 3: Section 4.3.13 (Pages 4-34 through 4-36) and
Exhibit 36.
9. Comprehensive Wastewater Collection and Treatment Plan, by
Turner Collie and Braden, Inc., Consulting Engineers, 1983.
A synopsis of each plan follows:
~TQRMWATER DRAINAGE
Stormwater which falls~in the City drains eastward into Galveston
Bay or southward into the Armand Bayou and Taylor Lake watersheds
through a series of open channels managed by Harris County Flood
Control District (HCFCD). The Master Stormwater Drainage Plan
provides the vehicle by which the City can coordinate improvements
to those channels with HCFCD and administer a City-wide stormwater
management program.
In drafting the plan, the consultants identified the following
storm drainage problem arcs in the City and proposed the following
solutions:
P$Q~ EM
A. Shallow flooding in .
Lomax
SOLUTION
1. New channel. to divert
western half of Lomax
watershed to Big Island
Slough. (City)
2. Concrete line Big Island
Slough in Fairmont Park.
(City).
3. Improve channel crossing at
SPRR yard on North "L".
(SPRR)
4. Improve drainage structures
beneath Strang Yard and SH
146. (SPRR)
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Page Three
May 13, 1985
RE: Proposed City Utility Master Plan
B. 100-year flooding of Little .
Cedar Bayou.
1. Upstream improvements to
Little Cedar Bayou. (City)
C. 100-year flooding in College
View/Spenwick.
D. Poor drainage in South. .
La Porte.
1. Divert (half of) stormwater
to new HCFCD Channel B109.
(HCFCD)
1. Realign channel A104-07
2. Channel improvements to
A104-12 and A104-12-01
3. Improve drainage structure
beneath SH 146.
Problems A, B, C are proposed for improvements during the first
five years of the recommended Capital Improvements Program. The
agency expected to fund the project is shown in parentheses.
POTABLE WATER
The annexations of Fairmont Park, Lomax, Spenwick, and College
View, in the past fifteen years, brought into the City large land
areas having separate water systems. The Master Plan formalizes
an ongoing program directed at a single, inter-connected city-wide
storage and distribution network. It also provides for future
main extensions to serve anticipated future development, for
additional pumping and elevated storage capacity to accommodate
expected growth, and for fire lines serving Spenwick.
The La Porte Area Water Authority (LPAWA) is preparing for the day
when the Harris-Gelveston Coastal Subsidence District will no
longer allow ground water to be withdrawn in sufficient quantities
to support our needs. The target year for conversion to surface
water is 1990. The study (reference 6) commissioned by the
authority has explored several possibilities:
In fact, the LPAWA has instructed their consultants to investigate
still another potential source of treated water under their
current Engineering Services Agreement, thereby continuing its
search for the most economical means of converting to surface
water by 1990.
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hiay 13, 1985
RE: Proposed City Utility Master Plan
WASTE4JATER
The problem of integrating annexed areas having different
infrastructures into the City also extends to sanitary sewage.
The Master Wastewater Collection and Treatment Plan addresses that
issue in great detail.
Much of the City's existing collection system suffers from ground
water infiltration into leaking joints, cracked lines, and poorly
sealed manholes. Public Works has had an active program to cure
this problem. Relief sewers are also proposed in the plan, mainly
in the old town site area.
The City has many sma15. lift stations, (especially in Lomax) and
the plan calls for the abandonment of 12 and the replacement of 2
of the City's 34 st_~tions. One new lift station is to be
constructed. A centralized monitor and control system is proposed
for the pump station network.
The Fairmont Park area suffers from a trunk sewer main which is
seriously overloaded during peak wet weather flows. The plan
addresses this problem, as well as the discontinuity between the
annexed areas with a large trunk sewer which will eventually
parallel Big Island Slough and Fairmont Parkway from northwest
Lomax to the City Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). •This new trunk
sewer will Permit the City to abandon the small College View STP,
which no longer meets state standards, and divert those flows to
the City STP. The plan also provides for a reasonable network to
serve future development of now vacant lands linked to the new
Fairmont Parkway Trunk Sewer.
The City STP is now running at near capacity and sometimes exceeds
State Discharge Permit Limits during wet weather. The plan calls
for an immediate expansion from 2.8 million gallons per day (MGD)
to 4.2 MGD, which will serve the City's needs through 1994.
Future expansions will raise the plant's capacity to 7.0 MGD and
to 10 MGD when the City is mature.
JJ/tla
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