PRESENTER: Presenter
Dana Moses, Planner
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SUBJECT: Title
ORD25-373 Public hearing and recommendation to City Council regarding an amendment to Chapter 144 Zoning, Subsection 2.1, to align public notices, protests, and sign requirements with new state statute
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DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Community Planning
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: ALL
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Case No: ORD25-373
Staff Contact:
Dana Moses
(830) 221-4054 | dmoses@newbraunfels.gov
House Bill 24 was enacted and signed into law during the 2025 Texas Legislative Session and became effective on September 1, 2025. This new statute revised rezoning notice, protest, voting threshold, and sign requirements for municipalities state-wide. The City of New Braunfels Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 144) must, therefore, be updated to be in compliance with the Texas Local Government Code.
ISSUE:
The City’s current Zoning Ordinance references older provisions of the Texas Local Government Code. While state statute always supersedes local ordinances, failure to update local ordinances accordingly can lead to confusion and could affect the perceived validity of future zoning actions.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REFERENCE:
The proposed ordinance amendment is consistent with the following actions from Envision New Braunfels:
• Action 1.11: Update policies and codes to achieve development patterns that implement the goals of this plan
• Action 3.6: Proactively provide a regulatory environment that remains business and resident-friendly.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Costs for the new signs are being evaluated to determine if fee modifications will be required.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval.
RESOURCE LINKS:
HB 24: <https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB24>
New Braunfels Chapter 144 Zoning:
<https://library.municode.com/tx/new_braunfels/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH144ZO_ARTIIZOPRAD_S144-2.1CHZOAM>