Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM April 2018 | Page 6

Steve Paterson
President & CEO
League City Regional Chamber
Why A Master Plan?
The reason I chose League City to settle down in and put my roots down
was that great schools, plenty of green space and parks, and that good
neighbor, small town charm it exudes. The mature oak lined streets and
neighborhoods and small town, small business atmosphere that is
overwhelmingly welcoming.
However, as we all know we have experienced significant growth over the
past ten years. Now a city of over 100,000 residents and adding almost
1,000 new homes last year and over 150 new businesses, we are coming
in close range of losing a lot of that charm. Therefore, the chamber of
commerce embarked on a plan to have a master plan for the city going
forward, which would address issues of rapid growth, land use, economic
development and infrastructure. Forming a memo of understanding with
the City of League City to form a partnership to explore these issues was a
significant step in this direction.
To maintain our small town welcoming charm, it would be necessary to
put control of further development in our control, and not that of the
developers. Developing a master plan, which spells out best use of
existing land development through implementation of impact fees and
appropriate zoning and zoning sub-type will be a critical part of the
equation. This will lead to an economic development plan and model,
which can be proactive in seeking the types of development that will
provide products, services, jobs and a tax base, which will provide the
revenues to meet the needs of our current expansion and the
sustainability in the future of city services, infrastructure maintenance and
replacement. A master plan will also allow for amenities such as green
space for parks and facilities that enable the citizens to enjoy their
community to the fullest each day going forward.
If we allow development to proceed unfettered as it has in the past, we
will lack the infra structure to have an effective mobility plan, water supply
and sufficient city services with out raising significantly the amount of
advalorum taxes in the future and further burdening the residents of the
city.
As it has been pointed out in many of the city workshops on economic
development that nationally residential units often referred to as roof tops
when contribution taxes to the city on a dollar for dollar basis the cost to
the city for services is a $1.40 in expense. Where as in commercial
development on a dollar for dollar basis of tax the cost to the city for
services is .60 cents. The current ratio for League City is 85% residential
15% commercial and business tax. To have balanced a proactive approach
to developing a community moving the tax base to a more balanced ratio,
using a master plan will be the sensible tool implement in closing these
ratios. This is so our city fathers can proceed in a way to make sure we
ensure that small town feel as we continue to expand and provide for a
sustainable future so generations ahead may enjoy what we do today.
2018 Board of Directors
Chairwoman, Rebecca Lilley
Memorial Hermann
Treasurer, Bix Rathburn
RPC Consulting
Secretary, Gloria Greene
EliteCare 24 Hour ER
Past Chairman, Ray Soto
Soto Financial & Insurance
2019 Incoming Chairman, Bill Provenzano
Hometown Bank of League City
Elga Boeker
Houston Methodist St. John Hospital
James Brockway
Brockway Realty / Commercial
Dr. Laura Dupont
CCISD
Matthew Mathias
Clear Lake Regional Medical Center
Dr. Warren Nichols
College of the Mainland
Kalpesh Patel
Hampton Inn & Suites/Candlewood Suites
Chris Premont
Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai Genesis
Dan Seal
BAHEP
Debbie Simmons
Anchor Point
Becky Trout-Unbehagen
UTMB Health
Rolando Villareal
Hilltop Securities
Peter Wuenschel
CIS - Bay Area
John Baumgartner
Ex-Officio, City of League City
Amanda Fenwick
Ex-Officio, City of Clear Lake Shores
Lisa Howard
Ex-Officio, HOT Tax Board
Peggy Zahler
Ex-Officio, HOA Alliance of League City