AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2021-47, on the second of two readings, amending various sections of the City’s development code, to among other things, address typographical and technical errors, and implement changes related to site permit requirements, detention, stormwater quality and stream protection, residential garage and pedestrian access requirements, building activation, the use of self-storage and outdoor storage, the Employment Center Zoning District, allowable uses in CD-2.5, ND-3.2, and the Land Use Matrix, providing a savings clause; providing for the repeal of any conflicting provisions; and providing an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: August 3, 2021
Department: Planning and Development Services
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: n/a
Account Number: n/a
Funds Available: n/a
Account Name: n/a
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: City Council provided initial authorization of these amendments at their May 4, 2021 City Council meeting. Public Hearing and 1st Reading on July 6, 2021.
City Council Strategic Initiative:
N/A
Comprehensive Plan Element (s):
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☐ Core Services
☒ Not Applicable
Master Plan:
Vision San Marcos - A River Runs Through Us
Background Information:
At prior City Council meetings, staff was provided direction to update standards related to residential garage and access requirements and the use of self-storage. During staff’s analysis of these topics, additional areas of the Development Code were identified as needing amendments. A redline of the Development Code reflecting the proposed changes along with a table with details on the reason for each change is included in the packet. A summary of revisions is as follows:
• City Engineering staff recommendations: Amendments related to site permits, detention, and stormwater quality and stream protection.
• Residential garage / access standards: Amendments related to residential garage parking, pedestrian access, front porches, and residential front door requirements.
• Use of self storage and outdoor storage: Amendments related to the use of self storage, outdoor storage, changes to the Land Use Matrix, and a renaming of the Employment Center zoning district.
• Allowable uses in CD-2.5 and ND-3.2: Amendment to the Land Use Matrix to include CD-2.5 and ND-3.2 zoning districts.
• Typographical errors: Amendments related to misspellings, the inclusion of missing text, and other miscellaneous errors related to typographical or technical errors.
Development Code Process Summary:
• City Council provided initial authorization to further consider the proposed amendments (Approved on May 4, 2021)
• Planning & Zoning Commission consideration (Planning Commission recommended approval with amendments on May 25, 2021)
• City Council holds a public hearing and first reading of ordinance (City Council approved with amendments on July 6, 2021)
• City Council holds second reading of ordinance (August 3, 2021)
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
At their May 25, 2021 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Development Code update with the following amendments. A full summary of the Planning Commission discussion and recommendations can be found in the packet:
At the July 6, 2021 City Council meeting, the Council recommended approval of the Development Code as follows:
• Include the P&Z amendment to revise Section 7.1.4.1.C.1.b. Semi-Flush, to increase the allowable percentage that garage doors can extend on the width of the house from 40% to 55%.
• Amend Section 5.1.3.2.B.1 to add “The use of Self Storage is defined in Section 5.1.7.7.” to the end of the section.
The Council also had a discussion regarding Section 5.1.7.7.B.2 regarding inoperable vehicles but not formal amendment was made.
Alternatives:
Section 2.4.1.3(D) The City Council shall hold a public hearing on the text amendment in accordance with Section 2.3.3.1. The City Council shall approve, approve as revised, deny, send the proposed text amendments back to an advisory body or the Responsible Official for additional consideration.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed Development Code text update with the following amendments:
• The inclusion of the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended amendment #2 regarding revising Section 7.1.4.1.C.1.b. Semi-Flush, to increase the allowable percentage that garage doors can extend on the width of the house from 40% to 55%.
• Amend Section 5.1.3.2.B.1 to add “The use of Self Storage is defined in Section 5.1.7.7.” to the end of the section.
• Amend Section 5.1.7.7.B.2 to state Inoperable vehicles shall be prohibited unless all fluids have been drained from the vehicle.