Title
Consider and take action on an ordinance revising Chapter 125 of the Code of Ordinance of the City of League City, to remove Appendixes B, C, D, and E (Director of Planning)
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, 8-0-0 on January 22, 2024.
City Council postponed the item, 5-2-0 on February 13, 2024.
Background:
Approval of this ordinance will amend Chapter 125 of the Code of Ordinances, removing Appendixes B, C, D, and E.
Project Timeline:
September 29, 2020- The Unified Development Code was adopted by City Council with Appendixes A through E.
December 12, 2023 - The City Council held a work session which discussed revenues and potential changes to Planning, Building, and Engineering fee schedules.
January 22, 2024 - The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of the request, 8-0-0.
February 13, 2024 - City Council held a public hearing and postponed the item to the February 27, 2024.
Project Summary:
When the Unified Development Code (UDC) was adopted in 2020, five appendixes were included as part of the adoptive Ordinance No. 2020-25.
Appendix A: Definitions
Appendix B: Development Handbook
Appendix C: Historic District Design Guidelines
Appendix D: Engineering Design and Construction Standards
Appendix E: Reference to Development Related Documents
The intention of including Appendices B thru E in the UDC was to consolidate all development requirements into a single document for ease of use, but to allow for these appendices to be living documents with Staff having the ability to update the documents either administratively or through Council Resolutions as needed from time to time.
As Staff was working to update the Planning Department's fee schedule, a conversation with the City Attorney took place. In the opinion of the City Attorney, Ordinance No. 2020-25 did not clearly separate the appendices from the UDC adoption and as a result, the planning fees, historic district guidelines and the Engineering Department's General Design and Construction Standards were erroneously linked to Ordinance No. 2020-25
This public hearing and related action item are intended to amend Ordinance 2020-25 to clearly separate Appendices B through E from the ordinance. Once separated, Staff intends to present to Council in March a resolution to update the Planning Department's fee schedule.
Should this amendment be approved, Appendices B thru E will be removed from Chapter 125 (Unified Development Code) and may be amended in the future by their previous processes. Any future amendments or changes to Appendix C (Historic District Design Guidelines) will be done via an ordinance (last updated by Ordinance #2020-20) and to Appendix D (Engineering Design and Construction Standards) will be done via resolution (last amended by Resolution #2018-29).
On January 22, 2024, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed ordinance amendments, 8-0-0.
Staff recommends approval of the proposed ordinance amendments.
Attachments:
1. Data Sheet
2. Proposed Ordinance
Origination:
Planning and Development
FUNDING
{X} NOT APPLICABLE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor #2, Financially Sustainable