PRESENTER: Presenter
Christopher J. Looney, AICP, Planning and Development Services Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance to revise sections of the Code of Ordinances regarding the approval and/or appeals authority in: Chapter 144, Zoning, Section 5.1, Parking, loading, stacking and vehicular circulation, Section 5.22, Nonresidential and Multi-family Design Standards, Section 5.23, Temporary vending operations, and, Section 5.24, Temporary mobile storage units; Chapter 118, Subdivision Platting, Section 118-11, Waiver, Section 118-44, Blocks, and, Section 118-49, Sidewalks; and, amendments to Appendix D, Fee Schedule, Section A schedule of development fees.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Case #: ORD21-369
Staff Contact: Maddison O’Kelley
(830) 221-4056 mokelley@nbtexas.org
City Council held a public hearing on November 23, 2021, and unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance (6-0-0).
At their July 12, 2021 regular meeting, City Council asked staff to research and identify streamlining opportunities where local development-related ordinances require City Council or Planning Commission consideration for a final decision.
ISSUE:
It has been noted that some of these processes do not necessarily rise to a level requiring City Council scrutiny and, with appropriate criteria, could be addressed and finalized at an administrative or board/commission level. The intent of the proposed amendments is to enhance customer service and reduce cycle times for customers and developers by re-evaluating the decision-making hierarchy and which board, commission or Council should decide appeals or waivers.
Staff has examined the currently adopted ordinances and thus far has identified the following processes for amendment:
Zoning Ordinance
• Revise appeal process for Temporary Mobile Storage Units, Off-site Parking Plans, Multi-family and Non-residential design standards, and Temporary Vendor Permits.
Subdivision Platting Ordinance
• Revise approval and appeal process for Alternative Pedestrian Plans, block length waivers and sidewalk waivers
Fee Schedule
• Reduce sidewalk waiver fee to reflect reduced costs associated with the reduced public hearing notification requirements and reduced administrative steps.
This initiative addresses the following action items from Envision New Braunfels:
• Action 3.6: Pro actively provide a regulatory environment that remains business and resident friendly.
• Action 7.4: Strengthen sidewalk requirements in the City’s codes.
• Action 7.7: Ensure that local development codes which require sidewalks, trails, lanes or paths include healthy living, safety, and vehicular congestion relief as an intent.
• Action 7.9: Enact/enforce maximum block size limitations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Committee Recommendation:
Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 2, 2021 and unanimously recommended approval of the proposed amendments (8-0-0, with Commissioner Tubb absent).
Staff Recommendation:
Approval. Based on the research conducted approval of the proposed revisions to processes for various appeal and waiver requests will reduce cycle time for customers and improve customer service.
Attachments:
1. Draft Ordinance
2. Excerpt of Minutes of the November 2, 2021 Planning Commission Regular Meeting