Manvel City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance at its March 2 meeting that would update development regulations for the Valencia development, a 457-acre master-planned community located east of State Hwy. 288 and north of Hwy. 6.
The proposed amendment would modify development requirements, including fencing standards, temporary signage allowances and residential rear yard setbacks, according to city documents.
The details
Under the proposed amendment, fencing requirements would be updated as follows:
- Street-facing fences: Wood fences must include a rot board at the bottom and a decorative top cap for lots visible from public roads.
- Fences between homes: Standard 6-foot tall, three-rail wood fences separating residential lots; rot boards are not required.
- Lakefront fences: Wrought iron fences are allowed for lots backing up to lakes.
- Fences along major roads: Concrete or masonry fences are permitted to provide durability.
Additionally, the amendment would reduce the minimum rear yard setback for future residential lots from 15 feet to 10 feet, allowing new homes to be built closer to the back property line and providing flexibility in home design, according to city documents.
The amendment would also allow six additional temporary community signs for marketing purposes, increasing the total number from the previously approved 10 signs.
Diving in deeper
Council member Keith Bonner expressed concerns at the meeting about changing the rot board requirement from all wood fences to only street-facing fences.
The 2023 ordinance required rot boards on all wooden fences with the intent to prevent accelerated deterioration of fences and to avoid placing a premature maintenance burden on homeowners, according to city documents.
“The amendment goes against why we decided to do the ordinance in 2023,” Bonner said at the meeting. “It’s a detriment to the homeowner later down the line to not have the rot board. This is another example of picking at ordinances due to building costs.”
Following the discussion, the city approved the first reading of the amendment, allowing staff to revise the language and incorporate the discussed changes before bringing it back for final approval.
What’s next
Manvel City Council is scheduled to consider the second reading and final approval of the amendment during its meeting at 5 p.m. March 16 at Manvel City Hall, located at 20031 Hwy. 6, Manvel.
