The city of Pflugerville is one step closer toward updated downtown code amendments for its downtown district overlay, following council action Oct. 13. If approved, the changes would apply to the geographic area referred to as the downtown district overlay, which stretches from FM 685 to West Pecan Street and divides the region into several neighborhoods and subdistricts.

Pflugerville City Council approved the amendments on first ordinance reading Oct. 13, with a second and final public hearing scheduled for Oct. 27. The initial public hearing followed two discussions held between city leadership and downtown residents July 15 and Aug. 19, where several residents voiced concerns regarding the potential for commercial businesses to inhibit traditionally residential spaces.

The proposed code amendments would not rezone any property, said Emily Barron, Pflugerville's planning and development services director. If approved, the changes would apply only to future property development and redevelopment and aim to define strategic areas for development, Barron said.

During a Sept. 8 council discussion, Barron said the following changes had been applied to the code amendments following residents' feedback:

• clarified uses permitted within transitional compatibility zone, which now prohibit the use of a bar or tavern, body art studios, brewpubs and wine bars, or lounges;
• increased clarification on parking within transitional compatibility zones, which prioritize new parking;
• added definitions and detailed graphics defining "across the street" and "across the alley," with regard to parking; and
• building height clarifications in transitional compatibility zones to coincide with single-family residential dwellings.

Within the downtown core region—running from approximately E. Pecan Street and FM 685 on the east to W. Pecan Street and Meadow Lane in the west—a transitional compatibility zone is outlined. The zone aims to create "a smoother transition between non-residential and residential uses with context-sensitive development standards," according to city documents.

Denoted in the transitional compatibility zone are requirements and restrictions on building setbacks, maximum lot sizes, building height, landscaping and architectural standards to mirror those of the surrounding community, per documents.

For land use and zoning considerations, the district overlay "restricts or places additional conditions" on land uses that would have been permitted in the base zoning districts, per documents.

Barron said an example of this is, while an automotive repair shop is permitted under a GB1—or general business—land zoning, it would be prohibited under the downtown district overlay if proposed as future development or redevelopment.

Pflugerville City Council will host its second and final public hearing on the proposed amendments Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.