Manvel City Council held a public hearing on two items involving updated state requirements and proposed zoning amendments during its April 27 joint meeting with the Planning, Development and Zoning Commission, or PDZC.
During the meeting, the city presented proposed zoning ordinance amendments meant to align with House Bill 24, passed during the 89th Texas Legislature, which updates requirements for zoning notices, public hearings and protest procedures, according to city documents.
The details
If the amendment is approved, zoning changes would not be able to take effect until after a public hearing, and also requires notice signs to be posted on affected properties or in a public right of way for city-initiated changes impacting multiple properties, according to city documents.
HB 24 modifies an existing formal protest process, which requires written objections from owners representing at least 20% of the affected land area or of land within 200 feet of the proposed zoning change. For changes that allow more residential development without adding new commercial or industrial uses, the 200-foot threshold rises to 60% of land, according to city documents.
If the threshold is met, approval requires either a supermajority vote of up to three-fourths City Council vote for the 20% requirement or a simple majority vote for the 60% requirement, according to city documents.
Following the joint meeting, PDZC voted to recommend approval of the amendment to City Council during its separate meeting.
Zooming in
The meeting also included a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Meridiana development, allowing detached single-family homes on 40-foot-wide lots in remaining areas currently designated for townhomes, and permit two-story homes on all patio home lots, according to city documents.
Current standards restrict townhome areas to attached housing with two to four units per structure, and do not allow detached homes, but the amendment would restore flexibility for the developer and better reflect current market demand, according to city documents.
PDZC voted to recommend approval of the Meridiana development amendment at its separate meeting.
What’s next
Following PDZC recommendations, Manvel City Council is scheduled to consider both items at 5 p.m. May 4 in Manvel City Hall, located at 20031 Hwy. 6, Manvel.
