Friendswood City Council approves first reading of zoning ordinance changes

The city of Friendswood is one step closer to implementing zoning changes for garden home districts.

Friendswood City Council members unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance at the April 4 meeting. Council members will have to approve the second reading of the ordinance for it to take effect.

Four amendments to the zoning category were unanimously approved by the planning and zoning commission at their March 10 meeting. According to agenda documents, making these amendments has been one of the commission's top priorities.

The garden home districts have previously been classified as a multifamily development since its creation in 1992, creating an issue because garden home communities are typically detached single-family homes with specific characteristics, according to agenda documents. Multifamily developments are typically produced as apartments, whereas garden home communities are meant to have less property maintenance but more green space freedom compared to a typical apartment.

The main amendment to the zoning ordinance would be to remove any multifamily references to be able to clearly separate multifamily developments from garden home communities. It will also change the intent of a garden home community because of flooding and geographical limitations, as well as add design criteria for them. Finally, the last change would be to update the definition of how the communities are set up in terms of neighboring structures.

These amendments will help guide future communities when it comes to architectural requirements.

Examples of existing garden home communities include Friends Knoll, Friendswood Cove and The Reserve at West Ranch.

The final reading of the ordinance will be voted on at a future council meeting.