Cedar Park mulling higher masonry standards

The proposed changes that prompted the most discussion had to do with higher requirements for homes. City staff proposed the requirement be raised across the board to 75 percent for single-family residences. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended keeping the standard at 50 percent, except when the home faces two or more streets. In that case, the requirement would be 75 percent.

"If new material comes out that the planning department considers to be applicable, exceptions could be made," Howard said.

There is language written into the amendments that would allow planning staff the ability to approve new building materials or other innovations if a builder had plans for something different. Howard said the homes being built in Cedar Park are already meeting the 75 percent standard and that the amendment is supported by the market.

"The market seems to be asking for that 75 percent standard anyway.," Councilman Don Tracy said.

Savio said the city should not be dictating masonry requirements to begin with and that it should be left up to homeowners and builders. He pointed out that Austin does not have a masonry requirement.

"I never believed that Austin would be less restrictive than Cedar Park on anything," Savio said.

Another part of the amendment affecting future residential development was a requirement for two different types of masonry to be used.

"I'm not particularly in favor of the two kinds of masonry. I'm struggling with that," Mayor Bob Lemon said.

Councilman Mitch Fuller said the council should consider the amendments' potential impact on ad valorem taxes the city would collect in the future.

"Anything we build, we have to maximize the (ad valorem tax) that is generated from it, and that includes single family," he said.

The council will hold a second reading and potentially vote on the issue at a future meeting.