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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2033 Amending the Comprehensive PlanCity of West University Place Harris County, Texas Ordinance No. 2033 AN ORDINANCE ON A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS; PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES AND NOTICES; CONTAINING FINDINGS AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. WHEREAS, the City Council and the Zoning and Planning Commission ( "Z &PC ") of the City of West University Place, Texas ( "City ") have held a joint public hearing on a proposal to amend the Code of Ordinances of the City; WHEREAS, the Z &PC has made a final report to the City Council with respect to such proposal, which report is attached as Exhibit A and made a part of this ordinance; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the report of the Z &PC as well as the City's Comprehensive Plan, and City Council formally approves and adopts the report of the Z &PC; and WHEREAS, all notices, hearings and procedures relating to amending the Zoning Ordinance, as may be required by law, the City Charter or the Zoning Ordinance, have been duly given, held and followed, and the City Council has jurisdiction to amend the Zoning Ordinance as provided herein; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE: Section 1. The City Council officially finds, determines, declares and adopts all of the matters set out in the preamble of this ordinance, and the Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance are hereby amended as recommended by the Z &PC, according to the Z &PC's final report in Exhibit A, which is attached and made a part of this ordinance for all purposes. Section 2. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict only. Section 3. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other part of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall ever be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, neither the remainder of this ordinance, nor the application of such word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other part of this ordinance to any other persons or circumstances, shall be affected thereby. Section 4. The City Council officially finds, determines and declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of each meeting at which this ordinance was discussed, considered or acted upon was given in the manner required by the Texas Open Meetings Act, as amended, and that each such meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during such discussion, consideration and action. The City Council ratifies, approves and confirms such notices and the contents and posting thereof. The City Council officially finds, determines and declares that sufficient notices of the joint public hearing were given, and the City Council ratifies, approves and confirms such notices, including the contents and the method in which they were given. Section 5. This ordinance shall become effective on the tenth day following its publication, as provided in the City Charter. CONSIDERED, PASSED, AND APPROVED on first reading on d" 20(1. CONSIDERE9 r, PASSED, AND APPROVED on second reading, AND SIGNED, on �ESt UN!(rf c to 4t signed: City Secretary Mayo v � m '--RetpmVnded: City Approved as to legal form: ity Attorney Exhibit A Zoning & Planning Commission City of West University Place, Texas 3800 University Boulevard West University Place, Texas 77005 April 24, 2017 Honorable Mayor & Members of the City Council City of West University Place 3808 University Boulevard Houston, Texas 77005 Subject: Final report on a proposal to amend the Code of Ordinances, by adopting a proposed Comprehensive Plan. To the Honorable Mayor & Members of City Council: The Zoning & Planning Commission of the City submits this report on the subject proposal for the assistance of the Council as well as other interested persons. Scope of Proposal. The purpose of this proposal is to amend the City's existing Comprehensive Plan. The recommended amended plan is attached to this report. In general, the intent is to update and augment the existing plan without major changes. Public Hearing. A public hearing with members of City Council was held on April 24, 2017 where members of the public were encouraged to make commentary regarding the proposals. Both the ZPC and City Council continued the public hearing until the next meeting. Recommendation. Based on the review given this proposal so far, the Commission: (i) finds that the proposal, if adopted, would be in the public interest and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, (ii) finds that the proposal reasonably addresses circumstances which have arisen since the last comprehensive revision of the zoning ordinance, (iii) makes its final recommendation favorable to the proposal, and (iv) recommends that City Council adopt the proposal. The Vote. The vote on approval of this report was as follows: Wilson, McEnany, Kuykendall, Cutrer, Tsai, Jensen and Higley voted "aye "; there were 0 "noes. Respectfully submitted: ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS $y. Presiding Offic f r the Commission APPENDIX D - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN As adopted by City of West University Place Ordinance No. 2033, passed on second and final reading May 22, 2017. Article I. - PURPOSE Section 1.01. - Introduction. The Comprehensive Plan, hereafter referred to as the "Plan," is designed to promote the general health, safety, and public welfare of the residents of West University Place. Its purpose is to guide the long -range development of the City and good government. The Plan is a policy document to be used as a framework for implementing community goals and objectives and a guide for decisions involving capital improvements, zoning and subdivision matters, neighborhood safety, community appearance, regulatory issues and other matters of similar importance. Unless otherwise specified by the City Charter, the relationship between this Plan and the City's various development regulations is defined by separate ordinance. That ordinance, which is coded in Chapter 1 of the City's Code of Ordinances, also provides standards for determining the consistency required between this Plan and development regulations and establishes procedures for adopting and amending a comprehensive plan. Section 1.02. - Mission Statement. Inasmuch as the City is almost completely developed and most of its land area is devoted to single - family residential uses, the Plan's goal is to maintain and encourage the traditional single - family residential character of West University Place as a friendly, safe, economically stable and attractive community. It is also intended to minimize any adverse effects of non - residential development and uses. Maintaining a strong sense of neighborhood and community are fundamental priorities, as is preserving the mature tree canopy that is a signature element of the community's character and image. Crime prevention and residential security should remain a prime focus of municipal government. To the extent it can, the City should also safeguard the community against external factors that can affect residents' quality of life, such as intensive development and redevelopment in adjacent jurisdictions, major street and infrastructure projects by other public agencies, and lingering blight removal and revitalization needs in the vicinity of West University Place. Article II. - HISTORICAL West University was created from an area of swamp land west of Rice University off Old Spanish Trail. In 1912, the governor of Tennessee, Ben Hooper, bought 750 acres for a community of country homes outside the City of Houston. The area was advertised as an exclusive neighborhood, but it was not initially popular. Most of the first residents were families who moved to Houston so the men could work at Rice University as professors. Many publications advertised West University Place as an attractive cozy neighborhood. Development began in the early 1920's. The area was described by many as a virtual treeless prairie. In the Second Addition of West University Place, the builder tried to make the area seem more prestigious by naming the streets after colleges and universities. Many of the original homes were two -story structures, small cottages, and bungalows. A rural -like atmosphere derived from numerous fruit, flower and vegetable gardens. West University Place was incorporated in 1924 with approximately 40 families. Incorporation brought higher taxes, a city hall, fire station, street improvements with curbs and gutters, and organized police and fire protection. As a Home Rule Charter city, the municipality has a Council- Manager form of government. Since the 1980's, West University Place has experienced significant private urban development. Many of the original bungalows and cottages have been replaced with large two -story custom -built homes. Article III. - DEMOGRAPHICS Section 3.01. - Population Trends. Proposed Amendments Recommended by ZPC to City Council (04.25.17) Page 1 of 5 (a) The population of West University Place was greatest in the 1950's when the count peaked a bit over 17,000. A low of 12,010 was reached in the 1980's. The last census count in 2010 showed 14,787 residents and 5,548 housing units. Demographic Indicators for West University Place (2000 -2015) Median Age 19 Age 65 Year Population Age or Less or More 2015 15,400 42.4 30.9% 11.0% (estimated) 2000 14,211 39.3 31.2% 7.6% SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Texas State Data Center, Houston-Galveston Area Council. (b) This Plan recognizes that, as a largely built -out community, West University Place will not show any significant gains in population or housing units in the years ahead. In fact, there could be fewer single - family homes in the future if more buyers choose to purchase and consolidate adjacent lots for additional space and yard area. Census 2010 reported 5,548 housing units in the city, and as of October 2016, the City showed approximately 5,500 active residential water accounts. As part of its regional growth forecast through 2040, the Houston - Galveston Area Council (H -GAC), the regional planning agency for the Houston metropolitan area, projects that West University Place will have 15,588 residents in 2020, relative to a 2015 estimate of 15,400 residents as indicated in the Existing City Report for this Plan. For the later decades, H -GAC projects that West University Place will just surpass the 16,000 mark in 2030 (16,012), as part of the ongoing growth trajectory of the entire Houston area, but will then fall back to nearly 15,000 by 2040 (15,034). If the housing quantity in the city varies little, as expected, then a key indicator to watch will be persons per household to account for the relatively minor fluctuations in total population. Related factors behind such variations can Include ebbs and flows in the rate of family formation, family sizes, turnover in two- person senior households and one - person widower households over time, and the extent of young adults and/or seniors living for a time with other family. Article IV. - LAND USE Section 4.01. - Single Family Residential. (a) As the community's first generation single - family detached garage residences become a smaller share of the housing stock, the City should encourage the preservation, maintenance and, where possible, the enhancement of such homes through targeted ordinance provisions that provide reasonable relief from typical zoning standards without compromising protection of adjacent residential properties. (b) The City should continuously monitor the density, placement, quality and nature of any new residences, replacement residences and additions to insure consistency and compatibility to existing development. The City should preserve existing mature trees and pervious land surfaces on lots as prescribed by the City's development regulations. (c) Single- family residential districts must be protected from commercial and non - single family uses. Buffering, visual screening and noise control should be required between residential districts and both non single - family residential and commercial land use. (d) Ingress and egress to higher intensity land uses should be designed so that non -local traffic will be discouraged from passing directly through single - family residential districts. (e) No areas zoned and developed as single - family residential development should be rezoned for any other use or type of redevelopment. Section 4.02. - Non Single - Family Residential. Proposed Amendments Recommended by ZPC to City Council (04.25.17) Page 2 of 5 (a) Non single - family residential development, in the form of medium to higher density cluster development, may only be permitted on the periphery of the City or in areas properly zoned. (b) The general orientation of non single - family residential land use should recognize the sensitive relationship to its abutting residential district. (c) All uses adjacent to single - family residential districts must be properly buffered, screened and regulated as to parking, height, density and noise control. Section 4.03. - Parks and Open Space. The City parks and recreation areas generally contribute to the health, safety, property values and well -being of the residents. The City should continue to adhere to its then current Parks and Open Space Master Plan along with an ongoing maintenance plan that serves the needs of the residents. The City should evaluate future opportunities to acquire additional land within the city limits as it becomes available. Among the priority considerations for the Traffic portion of this Plan should be safety enhancements for children and adults who cross major streets to go to and from City parks. Section 4.04. - Zoning Ordinance. (a) The City's zoning ordinance shall serve as the regulatory resource for the development of all land use and other general physical development considerations. By careful and consistent application of the zoning ordinance, the City shall seek to preserve and enhance property values while preserving the traditional single - family residential character of the community and quality of life for its residents. (b) The existing zoning ordinance should be periodically reviewed and amended as necessary. (c) Zoning ordinances shall be complementary to the building code standards. (d) Unless otherwise specified in the City Charter, the relationship between this Plan and the City's various development regulations, including the zoning ordinance, is defined by separate ordinance. See Section 1.01, above. Article V. - PERIPHERAL DEVELOPMENT Section 5.01. - General. (a) The City should encourage the maintenance and upgrading of existing structures and ensure high quality, compatible development and redevelopment in peripheral areas of the City as elaborated in item (b), below. The periphery of the City not located on major thoroughfares (as well as Bissonnet Ave. within the City) is zoned for single - family use and should remain as such. (b) The peripheral area zoned for non single - family, commercial use should not be expanded. Commercial uses which are compatible with close proximity to single - family residential neighborhoods and are appropriately buffered, screened and regulated as to parking, height, density and noise control may be allowed. Signs and lighting should be restricted to prevent visual pollution. Zoning procedures, such as planned development districts, should be considered as a tool to encourage redevelopment. Factors relevant to a peripheral property should include: major thoroughfare traffic characteristics, historic use, adjacent residential properties, size, ingress and egress, the nature of the existing development on the major thoroughfare, and all other factors that might negatively impact single - family residential uses. (c) The City should consider ways to encourage and support the redevelopment of peripheral areas. It should also coordinate with the Cities of Houston and Southside Place regarding the major thoroughfares within those jurisdictions. Section 5.02. - Signs. Proposed Amendments Recommended by ZPC to City Council (04.25.17) Page 3 of 5 (a) The City's boundaries should continue to be clearly identified with distinctive street signs to visually distinguish the City of West University Place from the cities of Houston, Bellaire, and Southside Place. (b) All signs should be strictly regulated to prevent visual pollution Article VI. - TRAFFIC Section 6.01. - General. West University Place experiences local traffic, congestion and personal safety issues that stem, in part, from its position as an enclave City amid the increasingly populous and intensively developed central area of Houston. The City should continue to encourage the separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the existing roadway system and safe walking and biking practices. Since new roadways are unlikely, the City should monitor, assess and make recommendations relating to traffic flow including pedestrian, bicycle and related safety issues, especially in Town Center around West University Elementary, as well as other key streets and intersections across the community. Section 6.02. - Maintenance. Street and road maintenance and repair should have constant high priority. Repairs should be done efficiently, with a minimum of discomfort and inconvenience to residents, and coordinated with management of infrastructure projects. Article VII. - PUBLIC UTILITIES & FACILITIES Section 7.01. - General. As an enclave City, West University Place has only partial control of its storm water management, which ultimately depends on the downstream capacity of drainage channels and receiving waters managed by other public agencies. Within the city limits, the City should closely monitor drainage matters to encourage the efficient evacuation of storm water so as not to affect neighboring lots. No new development should be allowed within the City unless the required public utilities needed to support such proposed development are in place. The City is encouraged to explore innovative ways to conceal, as in the case of personal wireless service facilities, satellite communication appliances, and solar arrays, and to have disused wires removed from utility poles and relocate utilities underground where feasible so as to minimize impact upon City streetscape and public ways. In all aspects of its capital projects and maintenance programs, the City should consider "green infrastructure" design methods and Low Impact Development practices where appropriate and cost effective. Section 7.02. - Lighting. The City completed the Streetlight Project in 2009 which installed approximately 2,000 streetlights throughout the City with a focus on providing safer vehicular and pedestrian movement. Maintenance of this investment and possible enhancements to the lighting remains a focus going forward. Section 7.03. - Sidewalks. The City completed the Sidewalk Master Plan which installed sidewalks throughout the community to create a more pedestrian - friendly environment. Maintenance of this investment remains the focus going forward. Section 7.04. - Facilities The City should continue to utilize and maintain its municipal land and facilities in accordance with its then current Facilities Master Plan to ensure efficient operations and flexibility for future adjustments or expansion. Proposed Amendments Recommended by ZPC to City Council (04.25.17) Page 4 of 5 Article VIII. -TOWN CENTER Section 8.01. - General. Approximately a 25 -acre area which includes West University Elementary, the City's administration building and related facilities, West University Baptist Church, Harris County Library Branch, West University Methodist Church and the retail area on Edloe constitute the Town Center. Most interaction between residents occurs in this area through municipal functions, educational activities, shopping, religious activities /programs and youth sports. Much of the small town atmosphere so prized by residents of the City derives from the interactions in the Town Center. The Town Center is a mixed use area, containing government, education, religious, recreation and retail uses. The Town Center and its existing uses should be preserved and enhanced, especially the valued green space and athletic fields around West University Elementary given their importance to community interaction and Town Center aesthetics. Expansion should be allowed only where appropriate so as to preserve a positive impact on the residential area, based upon an individual consideration of the particular expansion. As part of enhancing Town Center as a community focal point, opportunities for more public art installations within Town Center should be pursued as appropriate. Section 8.02. -Town Center Commercial District. (a) It is expected that businesses in the Town Center Commercial (TCC) zoning district will continue to provide services to the local market for the foreseeable future. Property owners will be able to continue operation under the Prior Nonconforming Use Exception, subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of the zoning ordinance, or may redevelop in accordance with the latest zoning regulations. The City should monitor land uses, business operations, and parking patterns in the TCC and periodically evaluate the positive and /or negative impacts of the TCC on residential property values in the City in order to determine whether further amendments to the zoning regulations applicable to the TCC are warranted. (b) The City should make usual and necessary capital improvements to support incremental or complete redevelopment in the TCC. Article IX. - LOCAL PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS & PLACES OF WORSHIP Section 9.01. - General. Residents of the City support and enjoy many local public institutions and places of worship. Official City policies should recognize their value and benefits. Needed upgrades to aging buildings should be encouraged while avoiding residential encroachment and adverse effects on nearby homes. Section 9.02. -West University Elementary. Due to its size and location in the Town Center, and its popularity with residents and as a draw for prospective residents, the City should encourage the enhancement of West University Elementary in both its physical facilities and quality of educational experience. The City should exercise all possible efforts to encourage H.I.S.D. to maximize resource allocation to West University Elementary. Article X. - RECYCLING & ENERGY As a community that prides itself on aggressive recycling and energy conservation program efforts, the City should continue to encourage and facilitate the systematic collection of renewable materials. The City should establish policies to implement environmental measures. Proposed Amendments Recommended by ZPC to City Council (04.25.17) Page 5 of 5