HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-13 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning CommissionPlanning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of April 18, 2013
Commissioners Present: Richard Warren, Helen LaCour, Phillip Hoot, Les Bird, Danny Earp, Lou Ann
Martin, Mark Follis, and Hal Lawler
Commissioners Absent: Doretta Finch
City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager Traci Leach, Planning Director Tim Tietjens, City
Engineer Julian Garza, City Planner Masood Malik, Assistant City Attorney Clark
Askins, and Shannon Green
1. Call to order.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Hal Lawler at 6:02 p.m.
2. Roll Call of Members.
Commissioners Warren, Lacour, Bird, Earp, Martin, Follis, and Lawler were present for roll call.
Commissioner Hoot was present at 6:06 p.m.
3. Consider approval of March 21, 2013, meeting minutes.
Motion by Commissioner Earp to approve the March 21, 2013, meeting minutes. Second by
Commissioner Warren. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners Warren, LaCour, Hoot, Bird, Earp, Martin, and Hal Lawler
Nays: None
Abstain: Commissioner Follis
4. Discussion or other action regarding recommended options for amendments to Dust Free Surface
regulations.
City Planner Masood Malik presented the staff report. Upon receiving the Planning and Zoning
Commission's recommendation to approve amendments to dust -free surface regulations, City Council
conducted a public hearing on April 8, 2013. Upon conclusion of the public hearing, Council took
action to remand the item to the Commission for further review on exemptions for pre-existing and
non -conforming parking lots.
In speaking with several Council Members, Commissioner Hoot believes it would be acceptable to
Council if the Commission were to postpone further review on the subject until the overall Zoning
Ordinance is reviewed.
Commissioner Follis spoke about the main issue being the need to define what asphalt is.
Planning Director Tim Tietjens asked for input on how the Commission wanted to proceed with
Council's request. The Commission agreed to postpone further review until members have had an
Planning and Zoning Commission
M l notes of April 18, 2013
Page 2 of 3
opportunity for discussions with their respective Council Members. The Commission, by consensus,
directed staff to allow chip seal as an acceptable paving surface, until such time it can be further
reviewed with the update of the Zoning Ordinance.
Motion by Commissioner Martin to table action on recommending options for dust free surface
regulations until the next regular meeting. Second by Commissioner Frills. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners Follis, Warren, LaCcur, Hoot, Bird, Earp, Martin, and Hal Lawler
Nays: None
S. Receive an update on the Planning and Zoning Commission Subcommittee's review of Chapter 106
"Zoning" of the City's Code of Ordinances.
Mr. Malik provided an update on the subcommittee's progress in reviewing the Zoning Ordinance.
Commissioner Folks, Subcommittee Chairman, suggested allowing a few local business owners to
attend subcommittee meetings to share their expertise on the subject matter at hand. There was
discussion on a possible perception the subcommittee would be soliciting input from a few local
professionals without other local professionals being afforded the same opportunity to offer input.
The Commission generally agreed it would be okay for the subcommittee to do so when needed.
6. Administrative Reports
Mr. Tietjens reported that with the retirement of Chief Building Official Debbie Wilmore, Julian Garza
has been appointed Interim Building Official .
7. Commission Comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific factual
information or existing policy.
o Commissioner Warren offered thanks and support to the subcommittee for their work.
o Commissioner LaCour thanked the subcommittee for their time and effort.
o Commissioner Hoot congratulated Mr. Garza on his interim appointment.
o Commissioner Martin thanked the subcommittee fortheir work. To date, 28 homes, priced
from $195,000-$250,000 have been sold in the Lakes at Fairmont Greens Subdivision and there
may be a possible buyer for the Retreat at Bay Forest.
o Commissioner Follis stated he was impressed with the D.R. Horton homes in the Lakes at
Fairmont Greens Subdivision.
o Chairman Lawler thanked staff and the subcommittee for their work.
S. Adjourn
Motion by Commissioner Warren to adjourn. Second by Commissioner LaCour. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners Follis, Warren, LaCour, Hoot, Bird, Earp, Martin, and Hal Lawler
Nays: None
Chairman Lawler adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
Nan ping and Zoning Commission
'.. Minutes of April 18, 2013
Page 3 of 3
Respe Ily submitted,
Peg Le
Secretary, Planning and Zoning /Commission 4�
Passed and Approved onyn_� r�l�(�IgL_ 0", 2013.
Hal Lawler
Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission