Bellaire City Council heard a proposal about the creation of a new zoning district at an April 20 meeting. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
City officials approved an amendment to its code of ordinances May 18 to replace the Urban Village District (UV-D) with the new Bellaire Makers District.
The district is intended to produce a "destination" development with potential restaurants, outdoor gathering spaces and other amenities desired by Bellaire residents, according to the agenda item.
The overview
The Planning and Zoning Committee originally proposed the new district to City Council in April, describing it as a unique area on the edge of Bellaire's city limits that would encourage reinvestment and create a green area that is less auto-oriented, according to previous reporting.
The proposal also limits what types of businesses can and cannot operate within the zone. For example, drive-thru restaurants, manufacturing, commercial surface parking lots, tattoo shops and mini-storage facilities will not be allowed to operate within the district.
Zooming in
Bellaire Makers District will replace the UV-D, which formerly served as a designated mixed-use zone in the city. The district spans Bellaire Boulevard to Spruce Street and South Rice Avenue to Ferris Street.
The Bellaire Makers District will replace the Urban Village District. (Courtesy city of Bellaire)
"I fully support the [Planning and Zoning] proposal," council member Catherine Lewis said. "It opens up the area to new types of businesses without putting the old ones out of business."
The zone is currently anchored by H-E-B and sports smaller storefronts such as Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Jimmy John's, Petbar Boutique and the site of the future Trader Joe's.
One more thing
Council members made a few amendments to the proposed ordinance during the May 18 meeting that mostly included cleaning up the language and clarifying that residential use will not be permitted in the new district.
