HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-11 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning CommissionPlanning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of November 17, 2011
Members Present: Hal Lawler, Danny Earp, Richard Warren, Mark Follis, Doretta Finch, and Helen
LaCour.
Members Absent: Phillip Hoot, Les Bird, and Lou Ann Martin
City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager, Traci Leach; Planning Director, Tim Tietjens; City
Planner, Masood Malik; City Attorney, Knox Askins; Planning Assistant, Shannon
Green; Chief Building Official, Debbie Wilmore;
1. Call to order
Meeting called to order by Chairman Hal Lawler at 6:05p.m.
2. Elect a Vice -Chairperson
Motion by Helen LaCour to elect Danny Earp as Vice -Chairman of the Planning & Zoning
Commission. Second by Doretta Finch. Motion carried.
Ayes:
Hal Lawler, Danny Earp, Richard Warren, Mark Follis, Doretta Finch, and Helen
LaCour.
Nays:
None
Abstain:
None
3. Consider approval of October 20, 2011, meeting minutes.
Motion by Richard Warren to approve the minutes of October 20, 2011. Second by Mark Follis.
Motion carried.
Ayes:
Hal Lawler, Danny Earp, Richard Warren, Mark Follis, Doretta Finch, and Helen
LaCour.
Nays:
None
Abstain:
None
4. Open a Public Hearing to receive public input on Special Conditional Use Permit #11-
91000006, amending Special Conditional Use Permit #SCU03-001 for the Port of Houston
Authority's Truck Pre -Check Facility located at 600 E. Barbour's Cut Boulevard. The Port
of Houston Authority seeks amendments to existing Special Conditional Use Permit
#SCU03-001 for completion of said project within the Planned Unit Development (PUD)
district.
Masood Malik, City Planner, informed the Commission the applicant requested staff to withdraw
the Public Hearing request.
The Commission withdrew the item.
5. Close Public Hearing.
No public hearing was held.
6. Consider recommendation to City Council regarding Special Conditional Use Permit
Request #11-91000006 (amending Special Conditional Use Permit #SCU03-001).
The item was withdrawn.
7. Open a Public Hearing to receive public input regarding proposed regulations on Group
Care Facilities (a/k/a group homes, community homes, residential personal care homes,
living centers and assisted living centers).
Chairman Hal Lawler opened the public hearing at 6:08 pm.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of November 17, 2011
Page 2 of 3
A. Staff Presentation
Debbie Wilmore, Chief Building Official, provided the Commission with staff's report by
recapping the October 20, 2011 workshop information and discussions. In addition, as
directed by the Commission, staff completed their review of the listed establishments
under SIC Code #8361 and incorporated their comments in the packet.
Ms. Wilmore also reminded the Commission that currently under State and Federal laws,
group homes are considered "protected" and cannot be excluded in residential zones.
Existing city regulations prohibit "group homes" so these regulations need to be updated
to prevent conflict with State and Federal laws. The Commission has the opportunity to
recommend conditions or criteria as part of the ordinance update.
Doretta Finch asked staff to change 106-1. Definitions to read "Mentally Handicapped"
instead of "Mentally Retarded".
B. Proponents
1. La Porte property owner, Jessie San Miguel, spoke against Group Care Facilities
in residential zones.
C. Opponents
1. Charlotte Boudreaux of 605 S 4t" Street, spoke against Group Care Facilities
being permitted in residential zones.
2. Monica Boudreaux of 605 S 4t" Street, spoke against Group Care Facilities being
permitted in residential zones.
3. Mike Shannahan of 200 S Virginia, spoke against Group Care Facilities being
permitted in residential zones. Mr. Shannahan asked the Commission to table
the item until due diligence is made.
4. Chuck Rosa of 812 S Virginia, spoke in favor of Group Care Facilities in
residential zones. Mr. Rosa was in favor of no sign in the residential zones, but
was against city staff having authority to govern inspection of the Facilities.
5. Jane Rosa of 812 S Virginia, spoke in favor of Group Care Facilities in residential
zones.
D. Proponents Rebuttal
There were none.
Chairman Hal Lawler closed the public hearing at 7:28pm
8. Consider Recommendation to City Council regarding amendments to Chapter 106 "Zoning"
of the Code of Ordinances, for the purpose of enacting regulations on Group Care
Facilities.
Motion by Helen LaCour to table proposed regulations on Group Care Facilities (a/k/a group
homes, community homes, residential personal care homes, living centers and assisted living
centers) until January 19, 2012, Planning and Zoning Meeting. Second by Mark Follis. Motion
carried.
Ayes: Hal Lawler, Danny Earp, Richard Warren, Mark Follis, Doretta Finch, and Helen
LaCour.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Chairman Hal Lawler called for 10 min break at 8:00pm.
Chairman Hal Lawler called the meeting back in session at 8:12pm.
9. La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of November 17, 2011
Page 3 of 3
The Commission held a round table discussion and reviewed the draft Future Land Use Plan.
Bret Keast, of Kendig Keast, explained the Future Land Use Plan based on formed based codes
and character districts, including rural, auto urban residential, suburban village, auto urban
commercial, urban downtown, business park, auto urban industrial, and public/institutional.
Commissioners asked several questions and asked to view an overlay of existing and future land
uses. Corrections were noted. Commission members suggested organizing a subcommittee to
review the Future Land Use Plan thoroughly and make recommendations.
City Planner Masood Malik provided background information on Chapter 2, Land Use and
Character, which was reviewed by the Commission during the previous meeting, followed by a
land use exercise. On October 24, City Council received a Comprehensive Plan update and
briefing by the consultant. Chapter 3, Infrastructure & Growth Capacity, delivered October 19,
2011, was distributed to other City Departments for review. Police, Fire & EMS, Public Works,
and Engineering Division provided comments, which were reported to the consultant for changes
shown in strike out and underline.
Matt Bucchin, of Kendig Keast, gave a power point presentation of Chapter 3 outlining focus area,
goals, actions, and initiatives. Chapter 3 (Infrastructure & Growth Capacity including Public
Safety) is a consolidation of three previous plan chapters (Utilities Infrastructure, Community
Facilities & Services, and Public Safety).
10. Administrative Reports
There were no Administrative Reports.
il. Commission Comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding
specific factual information of existing policy.
There were no Commission Comments.
12. Adjourn
Motion to adjourn by Richard Warren. Second by Helen LaCour. The motion carried. The
meeting adjourned at 9:41.m.
Ayes: Hal Lawler, Danny Earp, Richard Warren, Mark Follis, Doretta Finch, and Helen
LaCour.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Su itted by,
annon Green
Planning Assistant
Approved on this _9 day of JCc 2012,
Hal Lawler
Chairman Planning and Zoning Commission