The Bastrop Building Block, or B3, Code will be replaced.
Long story short
During a March 24 meeting, Bastrop City Council approved the adoption of the Bastrop Development Code that will guide land use and future needs through “objective standards and consistent procedures.”
“This approach aligns with City Council’s stated purpose to ‘create a fiscally sustainable community through land-use standards that are authentically Bastrop and geographically sensitive,’” Brittany Epling, a senior planner with the city of Bastrop, said.
Some background
Bastrop adopted the B3 Code in November 2019.
“While B3 intended to advance important goals, implementation revealed challenges, including ambiguous language, inconsistent interpretation and administrative complexity,” Epling said.
She outlined several additional key challenge areas, including:
- Building form and setbacks
- Drainage
- Flooding
- Parking standards
- Stormwater impacts
“Collectively, these issues reduced predictability for applicants and staff and highlighted the need for clearer tools to protect community character, natural resources, and the public health, safety and welfare,” Epling said.
Zooming in
The Bastrop Development Code, unlike the B3 Code, is a Euclidean-based zoning ordinance, which features clearly named zoning districts, a consolidated table of permitted uses, and straightforward dimensional and developmental standards.
“This has been a long process and plays a big role in how Bastrop grows moving forward,” Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris said.
The outlook
A second reading of the Bastrop Development Code will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 14 during a Bastrop City Council meeting at City Hall, 1311 Chestnut St., Bastrop.
