HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 19585: PUBLIC HEARING AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO CLARIFY THAT TOWNHOME DEVELOPMENTS, Z16-09 P.R.NO.19585
10/24/2016 PEB
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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO
CONSIDER AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO
CLARIFY THAT TOWNHOME DEVELOPMENTS ARE
ALLOWED IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
Z16-09
WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur wishes to amend the Zoning Ordinance to clarify that
Townhome developments are allowed in the City of Port Arthur; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code, a public
hearing must precede any changes to the zoning ordinance; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR:
THAT the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
THAT the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed this case on Oct. 17, 2016.
THAT a public hearing to consider whether to amend the zoning ordinance by clarifying
that Townhome developments are allowed in the City of Port Arthur shall be held on Dec. 27,
2016 at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, Fifth Floor, City Hall, 444 Fourth Street.
THAT notice of the public hearing shall be published at least fifteen days prior in the
official newspaper of the City before going to the City Council.
THAT a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City
Council.
READ,ADOPTED AND APPROVED this day of November,A.D. 2016, at a
Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur,Texas,by the following vote:
AYES: MAYOR
COUNCILMEMBERS:
P.R.NO.19585
10/24/2016 PEB
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NOES:
Derrick Ford Freeman, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard, TRMC, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Valecia"V1'Tizeno, City Attorney I U
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
Brian McDougal, City Manager
Ronald "Ron" Burton, Director of Development Services
Draft "A"
BOJORQUEZ
12325 Hymeadow Drive Phone: (512)250-0411
Suite 2-100 LAW FIRM, Pac Fax: (512)250-0749
Austin,Texas 78750 TexasMunicipalLawyers.com
Confidential/Privileged Attorney-Client Communication
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM: Anjali Naini, Consulting City Planner
DATE: September 9, 2016
RE: Proposed Townhouse Zoning Category
I. INTRODUCTION
The City of Port Arthur's Zoning Ordinance does not specifically include regulations for
townhomes/townhouses ("townhome"). The Zoning Ordinance does already allow and regulate
single-family attached units, which is interpreted to include townhomes. However,the City
would like the Zoning Ordinance to be clarified and specifically include townhome regulations,
and has prepared a draft zoning amendment to include townhomes.
This memo examines the proposed zoning amendment, and provides recommendations on how
to address townhomes.
II. Analysis & Recommendation'
This section of the memo follows the order of Exhibit"A" attached to the draft zoning
amendment and provides an analysis and recommendation for each of the items in Exhibit"A."
It is generally recommended to combine Single-Family Residence Attached with Townhome,
instead of creating a separate item for Townhome. To further simplify, it is recommended to just
use the word"Townhome" instead of"Townhome/Townhouse" since they have the same
meaning.
1) This section of Exhibit"A" addresses adding Townhome/Townhouse to the Single-Family
Residence Attached item in the Land Use Chart in Section 7-100 of the Zoning Ordinance.
It is recommended to keep this suggested change so the item will read"Single-Family Residence
Attached/Townhome."
1 Black font indicates existing language in the Zoning Ordinance,while red font indicates language from the zoning
amendment and/or the planning consultant's recommendations.Language that is crossed out indicates language that
is recommended to be deleted.
City of Port Arthur
Townhome/Townhouse Memo Page 1 of 3
Draft "A"
2) This section of Exhibit"A" describes in which zoning districts Townhome regulations should
be added. After comparing the proposed regulations to the existing regulations for Single-Family
Residence Attached, it appears that the proposed Townhome regulations are identical to those of
Single-Family Attached in each district listed, except for Section 11-200: Two-Family District.
To avoid duplicating the existing regulations, it is recommended to include Townhome in the
same row as Single-Family Attached instead of adding a new row for Townhome, as follows:
Lot Width Front Side
Area(sq. ft.) (ft) Yard Yard Rear Yard(ft.) Coverage
(ft.) (ft.)
Single-family attached/townhome 2,000 18 20 5 10 40%
In Section 11-200: Two-Family District, the existing Single-Family Attached regulations are
recommended to be revised as follows:
Lot Width Front Side
Area(sq. ft.) (ft) Yard Yard Rear Yard (ft.) Coverage
(ft.) (ft.)
Single-family attached/townhome 2,000 18 20 5 10 40%
3) This section of Exhibit "A" addresses amending the Single-Family Attached definition to
include Townhomes.
To clarify the definitions of Single-Family Attached and Townhome, it is recommended to
amend Section 26: Definitions as detailed below.
(103) Single-family residence, attached/townhome. A dwelling designed and constructed for
occupancy by one family and which is joined to another dwelling at one or more sides by a party
wall or abutting separate wall and which is designed for occupancy by one family. A one-family
dwelling unit in a row of at least three such units in which each unit has its own front and rear
access to the outside, no unit is located over another unit, each unit is separated from any other
unit by one of more vertical common fire-resistant walls, and each unit is on a single lot of land
intended for sale or lease. This use includes industrialized housing built for said occupancy in
compliance with the requirements and standards of Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 5221f-1.
4) This item in Exhibit"A" adds a new Special Condition to Section 22-100 in the Zoning
Ordinance to require a Traffic Impact Study for new subdivided residential and multi-unit
commercial developments.
It is recommended to add a provision to waive the Traffic Impact Study for small residential
subdivisions meeting the requirements of a minor plat, at the City Manager or City Engineer's
discretion.
City of Port Arthur
Townhome/Townhouse Memo Page 2 of 3
Draft "A"
III.Conclusion
To simplify the proposed zoning amendment and to avoid confusion in the Zoning Ordinance, it
is recommended to consolidate the existing Single-Family Attached dwelling type and
regulations to include Townhomes. Because the intent of the townhome regulations mirrors the
existing regulations for Single-Family Attached, it is not necessary to add Townhomes as a
separate dwelling type.
City of Port Arthur
Townhome/Townhouse Memo Page 3 of 3