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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-30-1985 Regular Meeting1 t ~~ ,, r~ ~. AGENDA • REGULAR MEETING OF THE LA PORTS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TO BE HELD ON N1.AY 30, 1985, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL, 604 WEST FAIRMONT PARKWAY, LA PORTS, TEXAS, BEGINNING AT 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. COriSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MASTER UTILITY PLAN - B. SPEAKS 3. REVIEW OF BEAUTIFICATIOi1 & CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE & RECREATIOI`i - S. Sherwood and B. Speake 4. ADJOURNI.IENT . f~ ` • • • MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE LA PORTS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY :0, 1985 1. The meeting was called to Order by Chairman Andy Wilson at 7:02 P.M. Members of the Commission Present: Chairman Andy Wilson, Members Bobby Blackwell, Lola Phillips, Janet Graves, Bruce Hammack, Karl Johnston, Charlie Doug Boyle Members of the Commission Absent: None City Staff Present: Assistant City Attorney John Armstrong, City Engineer Bob Speake, Director Parks & Recreation Stan Sherwood, Executive Secretary Gwen Jackson and Engineering Secretary Tina Anger Others Present: Ms. Adair Sullivan, Ms. Barbara Neal of • the Bayshore Sun 2. Andy Wilson read the first item on the agenda which was to Consider Approval of the Master Utility Plan. City Engineer Bob Speake summarized the Master Utility Plan and answered questions from the commission. Commissioner Blackwell asked about the extension of Big Island Slough south of Fairmont Parkway. Mr. Speake agreed to contact Harris County Flood Control district to make sure that channel improvements in that area are being planned by Flood Control. Commissioner Hammack made a motion to approve the Master Utility Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Phillips. The motion carried with 7 ayes 0 nays. Ayes: Blackwell, Phillips, Hammack, Graves, Boyle, Wilson and Johnston Nays: None • 3. Chairman Wilson moved to Item 3 on the Agenda - Review of Beautification and Open Space & Recreation .~ • • ~.. Minutes, Regular Meeting • La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission May 30, 1985, Page 2 The staff presented the Beautification and Conservation and Open Space and Recreation plans for Commission consideration. Mr. Speake reminded the Commission of the schematic master plan concept approved by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, which included a number of activity areas linked together by the thoroughfare system and the trail system. Director of Parks and Recreation Stan Sherwood then presented an overview of the Beautification and Conservation Plan. Two conservation areas have been established in the plan; they are Little Cedar Bayou and Little Deer Creek, which are to be preserved as a natural setting for future generations to enjoy. Mr. Sherwood noted that the Beautification and Conservation Plan establishes a priority system for more intense landscaping treatment of selected areas of the City. He specifically mentioned boulevard medians, thoroughfare intersections, and activity areas. Director Sherwood noted that in the short-range at least, funds for the Beautification and Conservation plan must come from the City's operating • budget, as the Five-Year Capital Improvements Program recommended by the Citizens committee does not include funds to support these projects. Director Sherwood next presented an overview of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. He described in more detail the development of Little Cedar Bayou Regional Park, the two proposed community parks in northwest La Porte and Central La Porte, and the neighborhood park system. He noted that 80~ of the trail system linking City parks together is located within existing easements and right-of-ways. The remaining 20% will be acquired over the years through dedication of open space by developers or by acquisition. Director Sherwood outlined Propositions 6 and 7 of the proposed bond issue. PROPOSITION 6 - ($2,500,000) - For the development of Little Cedar Bayou Regional Park and northwest La Porte Community Park, which will include a 50-meter Olympic outdoor swimming pool, four lighted ballfields, one football/soccer field, six tennis courts, a 460-space parking lot, 30 picnic sites, 2.6 miles of walking trails, utility extensions for camping, a playground and a fishing pier. . ~ • • Minutes, Regular Meeting • La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission May 30, 1985, Page 3 PROPOSITION 7 - ($1,500,000) - For an 8,000 sq. ft. multi-use building, community use facility at the Little Cedar Bayou Regional Park which would include a gymnasium with a stage, a weight room, aerobics exercise room, two meeting rooms and some parks and recreation department offices. 4. It was noted by Chairman Wilson that Southern Pacific Railroad Company has deferred public presentation of their proposed development proposal for expansion of their facilities adjacent to Strang Yard until the meeting of June 20th. 5. Since there will not be a quorum of Commissioners for the June 6th meeting, it was agreed by the Commission that the Agenda items scheduled for that evening will be moved to June 20. 6. There being no further business, the meeting was duly adjourned at 7:50 P.M. • Respectfully submitted: Gwen Jackson Executive Secretary Passed and approved this the day of 1985 Chairman, Andy Wilson • r . ~' STATE OF TEXAS 1~ COUNTY OF HARRIS • CITY OF LA PORTS MEETING NOTICE ~~~ ^~ ,~u \' ~ NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE LA PORTS PLANNING AND ZONING • COMMISSION WILL MEET IN A REGULAR MEETING, AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE 30TH DAY OF MAY, 1985, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL, 604 WEST FAIRMONT PARKWAY, LA PORTS, TEXAS. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I POSTED THIS NOTICE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD LOCATED AT A PLACE CONVENIENT TO THE PUBLIC IN THE CITY HALL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTS AT 5:00 P.M. ON THE 24TH DAY OF MAY, 1985, AND THAT SUCH NOTICE WAS POSTED FOR AT LEAST THE THREE DAYS PRECEDING THE DAY OF THE MEETING, THAT SUCH NOTICE WAS POSTED BEFORE THE MEETING WAS CONVENED OR CALLED TO ORDER, AND THAT SAID MEETING WAS CALLED BECAUSE OF AN EMERGENCY OF URGENT PUBLIC NECESSITY. WITNESS MY .HAND AND THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTS, TEXAS, THIS THE 24TH DAY OF MAY, 1985. CITY OF LA PORTS ;, /~ ~, ~,.. CHERIE BLACK CITY SECRETARY • } 1I 11 u CITY OF LA PORTE MEMORANDUM T0: Planning 1 oning Commission FROM: John Joe ',~ Director of Community Development Stan Sherw off, Director of Parks & Recreation DATE: May 22, 1985 SUBJECT: Proposed Open Space and Pedestrian System and Beautification and Conservation Plans At your May 30, 1985 meeting, staff will present for your consideration the above referenced components of the Comprehensive Plan. The two components may be found in the following references: OPEN SPACE AND PEDESTRIAN SYSTEM 1. Volume '1: Section 1.5 (Pages 1-43 thru 1-49) and Exhibit 13. 2. Volume 3: Section 4.3.12 (Pages 4-29 thru 4-34), Exhibit 34, .and Appendix 4 (Pages 4-1 thru 4-6) BEAUTIFICATION AND CONSERVATION 1. Volume 1: Section 1.8 (Pages 1-62 thru 1-68) and Exhibit 15. 2. Volume 3: Sections 4.3.9 thru 4.3.11 (Pages 4-23 thru 4-24), and Exhibit 32. • .. ~ Page Two • Planning & Zoning Commission Following is a synopsis of each plan: OPEN SPACE AND PEDESTRIAN SYSTEM Table 1 outlines the parkland and recreational facilities serving our citizenry in the Comprehensive Plan. The City will grow from 48 developed acres of parks now to 240 acres at maturity. Note that this will be less than half the national standard, but that the total does not include future mini-parks and compensating open space dedicated by residential developers via the Development Ordinance. The plan provides for adequate recreational facilities in all areas, except golf. The plan features a city-wide P,egional Park (on Little Cedar Bayou), a Pdorthwest La Porte Community Park in Lomax, a Central La Porte Conrrnunity Park (north of Fairmont Parkway at the pipeline corridor), and ten neighborhood parks. The City park system will be linked together via an improved trail system (mostly within existing right of way corridors) for walkers, joggers, and bicyclers. • City management of Sylvan Beach remains a possibility. If the County were to agree to this, eventual development of Sylvan Beach into a beach and water sports center would provide our citizenry with a r. special recreational opportunity. The consultants identified recreation as the most underdeveloped commercial market in the City and the one having the greatest future potential. Sylvan Beach could serve as a magnet for such a market. The consultants strongly urged the City to promote the revitalization of Sylvan Beach by developing a master waterfront plan and constructing a 500-slip municipal marina complex, as recommended in the Capital Improvements Plan. • • ~ • TABLE 1 • OPEN SPACE AND RECREA TIONAL FACILITIES POPULATION PER UNIT+ ~ City of La Porte UNIT STANDARD 1985 1990 20 (25,000) (33,000) (102,0 ARKS 1-7 Ac. Mini Parks 2,500 2,777 Not Specif (9) 7-25 Ac. Neighborhood Parks 5,000 25,000 3,300 10,2 (1) (10) (10 25-50 Ac. Community Parks 15,000 NA 33,000 51,0 (0) (1) (2 50-250 Ac. Regional Parks 50,000 NA 33,000 102,Oc TOTAL PARKLAND Acres 200 521 273 4~ (~+8) (121) (2 • Football/Soccer Fields 10,000 12,500 8,250 9,2• (2) (4) (1 Baseball/Softball Fields 2,500 2,778 2,539 2,4~ (9) (13) (4' Tennis Courts 2,000 1,563 1,737 2,3" (16) (19) (~: Handball/Racquetball Courts 20,000 20,000 33,000 17,0c Basketball Courts 5,000 2,500 2,539 3,7', (10) (13) (2i Swimming Pools 20,000 5,000 6,600 11 3= (5) (5) (9; 9-Hole Golf Courses 25,000 NA NA NA 18-Hole Golf Courses 50,000 NA NA NA • + Total units in pare ntheses ~' National Recreation and Park Association guidelines • •~ Page Four Planning & Zoning Commission • BEAUTIFICATION AND CONSERVATION This important plan seeks to establish a unifying visual identity for La Porte, one that lets anyone traveling into or within the City know they are in La Porte. Entrances to the City by road or by water will be marked with lighted, custom-designed signs treated with irrigated landscaping. Thoroughfare medians and intersections will be marked with attractive, standardized signage and planted with trees and grass and/or irrigated landscaping treatment. Activity areas in and around public facilities and City parks will be intensely landscaped and perhaps display creative works such as architectural structures and sculpture. Conservation projects are planned for the north bank of Little Cedar Bayou and for Little Deer Creek, to preserve these rare natural settings for future generations to enjoy. If implemented, the Beautification and Conservation Plan will • provide concrete evidence of our citizenry's expressed desire for the city to mature as an attractive urban community. It should encourage developers and private citizens to do their part to enhance this image. • C~ ~ Page 2 • neighborhood park system. He noted that 80~ of the trail system linking City Parks together is located within existing easements and right-of-ways. The remaining 20% will be -. Y t acquired over the years through dedication. of Open. Space by ,~ -. -- developer:or by acquisition.'x Director Sherwood outlined Proposition~;6 and 7yprop~osed bond issue. Proposition 6 - $2,500,000 --for the development of Little Cedar Bayou Regional Park and northwest La Porte Community Park . ~~ ~ , ~ :, -~~ .~_ ~ c ~.~;~ ~. --------- -- Proposition 7 -.,$1,500,000 --For an 8,000 sq. ft. multi-use building, community use facility at the Little Cedar Bayou Regional Park which would include a gymnasium with a stage, a weight room, aerobics exercise room, two meeting rooms and ; some parks and recreation department off-ices., a 50-meter lolympic outdoor swimming pool, four lighted ballfields, one ---'~ • football/soccer field, six tennis courts, a 460-space parking ~~lot, 30 picnic sites, 2.6 miles of walking trails, utility ; ;`extensions,. for camping, a playground and a fishing pier. was -------- ------------------- `'-~~~~-~'~~D ~n~~~Ar,r It is-noted by Chairman Wilson that Southern Pacific has requested--that -their- public presentation of their proposed F-x Pa+N-~torv of developmentti proposal for t-he-development of their facilities ~ ill--~be-deferr-ed until June 20. Since there will not be a quorum of Commissioners for the June 6th meeting, the Agenda items scheduled for that evening will be moved to June 20. • ~ ~ ~~ `~ i ~lYs: R °;~C'~`--~1 •First-Utility Plan City Engineer Bob Speake summarized the Master Utility Plan and answered questions from the Commission. Commissioner Blackwell ask,~about the extension of Big Island Sltouth of Fairmont Parkway. Mr. Speake agreed to contact Harris County Flood Control District to make sure that channel improvements in that area are being planned by Flood Control. Commissioner Hammack made a motion which was seconded by Commissioner Phillips to approve Master Utility Plan. Motion Passed. -"~~ I ^ ~- . .~ =~'~i~~ The staff next presented Beautification and Conservation. and Open Space and Recreation plans for Commission. .consideration. -,.- _. Mr. Speake reminded ,.Commission of the Schematic Master Plan concept approved by the Comprehensive Plan steering committee, which was-a series-of activity areas linked together by the~Thoroughfare system and the trail system. • Director of Parks and Recreation Stan Sherwood then presented "''1'Xi9's~~ is __,~~/~,_;~. ~,Ei ~ri,.l ~. ::"/°1 --:1''1 »!'•^/;:~14N ~.. ~V~ an overview of the -two--p~~ans . first-, two conservation areas have `been established in the plan. They are Little Cedar Bayou and Little Deer Creek which are to be preserved as a natural setting for future generations to enjoy. -~12• S~~~o~~He noted that the Beautification and Conservation Plan identifies -ar-~as-of the- Git~ for more intense landscaping treatment:-er-=+- o~ ~F~.cr~-~ ~.a,~~.~, ~c ,fit <t~`; ~34vLtvcru~ a,F..r~~n~,~s ~ R~,~ He specifically mentioned,~thoroughfare intersections inactivity areas .T ~ nl ~~ S~Q1r cZ.An/G~ aT L~A~.r1 C Director Sherwood noted that~~funds for+~B autification and Conservation plan must come from the City's operating budget; as tfie'capital_._improvements~program recommended by the Citizens L ~~ =° committee would not include funds to support these projects. ~~C~E' _ Director Sherwood next presented an overview of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. He described in more detail the development of Little Cedar Bayou Regional Park, the two proposed County ~-~M~ti,`JNti~ Parks in northwest La Porter and central La Porte, and the