HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-21Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning CommissionHAL LAWLER
Chairman
DONNA O'CONNER.
Commissioner At Large A
JOE MOCK
Commissioner At Large 8
NOLAN ALLEN
Commissioner District 1
RICHARD WARREN
Commissioner District 2
Vice Chairman
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF - PORTE ' PLANNING ` o D ZONING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER Y
, 2021
JAMES WALTER
Commissioner District 3
MARK FOLLIS
Commissioner District 4
LOU ANN MARTIN
Commissioner District 5
CHRISTINA TSCHAPPAT
Commissioner District
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of La. Porte met in a regular meeting on Thursday, November
18, 2021, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m., with the
following in attendance:
Commissioners present: Chairman Hal Lawler; Commissioners Nolan Allen; Christina Tschappat; Richard Warren;
Mark Follis; Donna O'Conner; James Walter; and Joe Mock.
Commissioners absent: Commissioner Lou Ann. Martin.
City Staff present: Ian Clowes, City Planner; Teresa Evans, Planning and Development Director; Chase Stewart„
Planning Technician; and Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney.
CALL TO ORDER -- Chairman Lawler called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS: — Commissioner Martin was absent (she could not get her camera working in order
to attend via zoom.)
3. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES:
a. Approve the minutes of the meeting held on October 21, 2021.
Commissioner Mock moved to approve the meeting minutes; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
4. ZONE CHANGE REQUEST #21-92000004: Open a public hearing on Zone Change Request #21- 92000004, a
request by Ammar J M Ghanim, applicant, on behalf of Angel Gonzalez, owner, for approval of a zone change from
Main Street Overlay (MSO) to Main Street (MS), on a 0.344-acre (15,000 square feet) tract of land located at the
300 Block of East Main St., legally described as Lots 23-25 and E'/ of Lot 26, Block 196, Town of La Porte, Harris
County, Texas.
City Planner Ian Clowes presented the Zone Change request and provided background information re ardin
the proposed development.
Applicant Ammar Ghanim preserited additional information explaining that they purchased the proper!y proper!with
Cans of building two 2 single family residences on the site. After purchasing the property, they were informed
that single family is not permitted in the current zoning desi nation. hence the request for the zone change.
The Commission had a number of questions regarding the design of the homes and access to the property,
Commissioner Allen moved to recommend approval of Zone Change Request #21-92000004 as resented:
the motion was adopted, 8-0.
Page 1 of 3
November 18, 2021 - P&Z Commission Meeting Minutes
6. SCUP REQUEST #21-91000007: Open a public hearing on SCUP Request #21-91000007, a request by Tom
Kruger of Able Grid Energy, applicant, on behalf of Odia Fairmont, LLC owner, for approval of a SCUP to allow for
a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) use in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district, on a 43.7-
acre tract of land located on Spencer Hwy. East of Bay Area Blvd., legally described as 43.7 acres out of Tracts
2A, 3, 4. 4A, & Tract 23D, Bayport U/R Sec. 1, Abstract 625 R. Pearsall Survey, Harris County, Texas.
City Planner [an Clowes presented the SCUP request and provided background information regarding the
proposed development.
Applicant Tom Kruger gave an extensive presentation on the background of Abel Grid and provided details
regarding the proposed La Porte proiect.
Resident Jesse Villalobos - 11801 N. Ave. B, spoke in opposition to the proposed request. He had concern
regarding the overall safety of the proiect and how -potential fires would be dealt with.
The Commissioners had a number of guestions and concerns regarding the safety of the 12roposed project. The
applicant attempted to answer as best he could but could not provide many details regarding fire safety.
La Porte Assistant Fire Chief David Gifford was asked to speak regarding how the City would respond to a
possible fire at a facility of this jyRe. He explained that if a fire of this nature were to occur in La Porte, they
most likely would let it burn out. He had concerns as to whether the Cily had enough staff on hand to handle a
fire of this nature. When asked if he would be comfortable with a facility of this tyge in La Porte, he stated no.
7. ADJOURN PUBLIC HEARING: 8:02 PM.
Commissioner Follis moved to recommend denial of SCUP Request #21-91000007 as presented: the motion
was adopted, 7-1, Commissioner Tschappat was the dissenting vote.
8. DISCSSUION ITEM:
a. Discussion on proposed extension of the High Frequency Truck Route.
• West D St.
• West M St.
• Canada Rd.
Staff discussed how they have had a number of reguests to extend the High Frequency, Truck Route
(HFTR) for these specific segments of roadway.
The Commission stated that they favored the extension of the HFTR on W. D St. and W. M St. but not for
Canada Rd.
b. Discussion regarding status of the Commission -initiated zone changes.
Staff updated the Commission on the current status of the Commission -initiated zone changes. Staff
plans to begin public hearings in early 2022.
C. Hotel redevelopment.
Staff discussed the Possibility -of the existina La Quinta inn site being redevelol2ed for a new hotel and
commercial Pad sites. The proposal would require approval of a SCUP. The Commissioners responded
to this roposal with positive feedback.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
a. Next Meeting — December 16, 2021
Page 2 of 3
November 18, 2021 - P&Z Commission Meeting Minutes
ADJOURN: Without obiection, the meeting adjourned at 8:34 PK
Hal Lawler, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman
la h Clowes, City Planner
Page 3 of 3
November 18, 2021 - P&Z Commission Meeting Minutes