La Porte City Council on Monday voted unanimously to approve an update to the Northside Neighborhood Plan.
The plan was originally adopted in 2000. In 2011, the city allocated funds and contracted with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to assist the city in updating the plan.
“The purpose of the neighborhood plan update is to guide the residents and stakeholders of the Northside community and the city in collective decision-making on future economic development, physical development, and social issues and opportunities within the Northside Neighborhood,” Planning Director Tim Tietjens said.
The plan update recommendations were presented to residents at neighborhood meetings and received support by the residents and those who participated in the meetings.
Recommendations in the updated plan include:
- Historic Preservation – La Porte’s first African - American School
- Housing – Housing programs for affordable single-family development
- Community Attraction – Splash pad evaluation/development
- Drainage – Maintenance of ditches and culverts
- Landscaping – Clear underbrush and debris from vacant lots
- Sidewalks – Connect San Jacinto trail to North E Street Linear Park
- Parks – Incorporate park space leading up to Tyler & 5th Street
- Youth Programs – Encourage the establishment of a child safety/D.A.R.E. Summer Camp in joint cooperation with Police and Parks & Recreation Departments
- Transportation – Construct bus shelter and better advertise buses by developing a brand transit logo, well-advertised route map
- Workforce Training Program – utilize the three track training program offered by Harris County for target area non-profit organizations
The city council voted unanimously to authorize the La Porte Development Corporation to issue a letter committing to an economic development grant of $1 million for “Project Nebula”.
The city’s Battleground Industrial District is being considered as one of three potential sites on a short list for the project, which is described as a “large industrial project”.
“The project, which consists of two different plants, is estimated to bring a capital investment of $950 million and 90 direct jobs,” Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne said. “The company expects that they will be up and running by the end of 2015, so the City of La Porte will begin to see revenues in 2016.”
The project would also require an industrial district agreement, with La Porte estimated to receive $1,358,845 in industrial district fees paid by the company in the first four years of its operation, and $4,259,195, for years five through 10.
The grant would be contingent upon both plants being located in the Battleground Industrial District, and that the grant distribution would be negotiated based on a construction schedule agreed to by both the company and the city.
The city council voted unanimously to award a $122,728 contract, including contingency, to Traf-Tex, Inc. for the installation of a traffic signal on Main Street at Second Street.
The city council voted unanimously to appoint Mike Cooksley to fill an unexpired term on the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors. Cooksley will fill the unexpired term of Bob Pizzitola, who resigned his position. The term expires on August 31.
The city council took no action regarding the appointment of members to the Citizens’ Charter Review Advisory Commission.
The city council took no action, but directed staff on further revisions to the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding vehicles for hire and auto wrecker permits. The item will be brought back to council as an amendment to the ordinance.
The city council took no action regarding the sale of property located at 908 and 912 West Main Street. The item was discussed during executive session.
The city council took no action regarding a report from executive search firm Strategic Governmental Resources regarding the recruitment of a city manager. The item was discussed during the closed session.
All other items were approved by unanimous vote. Council Member Jay Martin was absent. Agenda
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