La Porte Planning Commission reviews proposed zoning change for housing project

The La Porte Plan Commission convened on July 8, 2025, to discuss a significant zoning change proposal aimed at addressing local housing needs. The meeting featured a range of comments from community members and officials regarding the implications of the proposed project.

The session began with concerns raised about the lighting plan associated with the project, specifically the absence of walking paths. A member of the commission expressed doubts about the developer's experience, noting discrepancies between the company's website and the project visuals presented during the meeting. This prompted a call for transparency and more detailed information regarding the project's scale and potential impacts on the surrounding area.

Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, spoke in favor of the project, highlighting the ongoing collaboration with the developers over the past several months. He emphasized the importance of the zoning change in addressing housing challenges in La Porte and reassured attendees that the city council would consider public feedback during their review process. Cook noted that while concerns about the project were valid, the proposed zoning would ultimately benefit the neighborhood more than alternative developments, such as a truck stop, which could be established without public input.

Jose Rosario, a local property owner, voiced his support for the zoning change but stressed the need for greater transparency regarding the project's details and its potential impact on the community. He urged the commission to ensure that property owners are adequately informed about significant developments in their area.

The commission members reiterated that their current role was limited to voting on the zoning change itself, not the specifics of the project design or engineering details. They acknowledged the importance of considering the broader implications of land use in the area, particularly in light of existing residential and industrial developments.

As the meeting concluded, the commission members prepared to make a recommendation to the city council, emphasizing that this was just the first step in a multi-phase process. The discussions highlighted the community's desire for careful consideration of future developments and the need for ongoing dialogue between residents and city officials.