Friendswood City Council approves rezoning for planned unit development

City Council members did not follow the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission, which met on June 10. The planning and zoning commission voted unanimously against the rezoning.

Despite the negative recommendation, however, commissioners from the planning and zoning committee were “extremely supportive” of the project, according to the committee’s memo sent to Mayor Mike Foreman and City Council.

The reason for the negative recommendation was because the proposed building exceeded a 40-foot height limit set by the city, according to the memo. In that same memo, the commissioners also listed the following positives for the rezoning.

• The proposed PUD reduces the permitted uses allowed, not allowing spaces for retail or restaurants.
• The proposed PUD better ensures additional amenities, such as trees, a walking path, park benches and other things are added to the retention pond.
• The proposed office building would have a much lower traffic affect than many of the other potential uses of the property.
• The PUD would be presented to Friendswood City Council one month earlier than the commercial building height ordinance changes being developed.

“I look at it as getting a brand new park," Council Member Robert Griffon said. "This developer is giving us a brand-spanking new park."

The lone person to vote against the development was Council Member John Scott.