Ord. 2000-T-35 2021-08-23Ordinance No. 2000T-35
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, for the
purpose of amending to the Unified Development Code of the City of
Pearland, Texas, Ordinance No. 2000T, Amendments to Chapter 2, Section
2.7.3.7, Special Exception for Nonconformities, of the Unified Development
Code, to allow non -masonry screening options from residential zoning or
uses by special exceptions to be granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment;
containing a savings clause, a severability clause, and an effective date and
other provisions related to the subject.
WHEREAS, on the 19th day of July, 2021, a Public Hearing was held before the
Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Pearland, Texas, notice being given by
publication in the official newspaper of the City, the affidavit of publication being
attached hereto and made a part hereof for all purposes as Exhibit "A", said call and
notice being in strict conformity with provisions of Section 1.2.2.2 of Ordinance No.
2000T; and
WHEREAS, on the 20th day of July, 2021, the Planning and Zoning
Commission of the City submitted its report and recommendation to the City Council,
whereby the Commission recommended approval of the amendments, said
recommendation attached hereto and made a part hereof for all purposes as Exhibit "B";
now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That certain provisions of the Unified Development Code are hereby
amended as shown in Exhibit "C" attached hereto and made a part hereof for all
purposes.
Section 2. Savings. All rights and remedies which have accrued in favor of the
City under this Ordinance and amendments thereto shall be and are preserved for the
benefit of the City.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase
or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid, unconstitutional or otherwise
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a
separate, distinct, and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions thereof.
Section 4. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith
are hereby repealed but only to the extent of such conflict.
Section 5. Codification. It is the intent of the City Council of the City of
Pearland, Texas, that the provisions of this Ordinance shall be codified in the City's
official Unified Development Code as provided hereinabove.
Section 6. Publication and Effective Date. The City Secretary shall cause this
Ordinance, or its caption and penalty, to be published in the official newspaper of the
City of Pearland, upon passage of such Ordinance. The Ordinance shall become
effective immediately upon final passage.
2021.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED on First Reading this 9th day of August
EVIN COLE
MAYOR
Page 2 of 6
Ord. No. 2000T-35
ATTST:
TRMC, CMC
CITY SECRETARY
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED on Second and Final Reading this 23rd
day of August 2021.
EVIN COLE
MAYOR
YSTAL ROAN, TRMC, CMC
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DARRIN M. CO ER
CITY ATTORNEY
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Ord. No. 2000T-35
Exhibit A
Legal Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS OF
THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND TEXAS
Notice is hereby given that the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of
Pearland. in Brazoria, Harris and Fort Bend Counties, Texas, will hold a public
hearing on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 6 30 p m . at City Hall, 3519 Liberty Dr..
Pearland, Texas 77581; and lhat the City Council of the City of Pearand will hold
a hearing and Ordinance adoption consideration on Monday, August 9, 2021, at
6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 3519 Liberty Dr., Pearland. Texas 77581, by
telephone/video conference and in -person with social distancing protocols and
restrictions in order to advance the public health goal of limiting face-to-face
meetings to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). for the following
cases:
1. Unified Development Code Amendments (2000-T-35): A request by the
City of Pearland, applicant. for approval of proposed amendments to the Unified
Development Code, Ordinance No. 2000T, in accordance with Section 1.1,4.1
of the Unified Development Code, to include -
a. Amendments to Chapter 2. Section 2.7 3.7, Special Exception for
Nonconformities, of the Unified Development Code, to allow non -
masonry screening options from residential zoning or uses by spe-
cial exceptions to be granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
2. Thoroughfare Plan Amendments: A request by the City of Pearland. appli-
cant. for approval of proposed amendments to the Thoroughfare Plan of the
City's Comprehensive Plan, in accordance with Texas Local Government Code
Section 211.004. to promote health, safety. general welfare. and provide for ade-
quate facilities for transportation.
3. Zone Change Application No. ZONE 21-00010: A request by Eric Langan,
applicant. on behalf of RCI Holdings Inc., owner, for approval of a zone change
Irom the Business Park-288 (BP-288) District to the General Commercial (GC)
District, on approximately 11.25 acres of land. to wit:
Legal Description: A tract or parcel of land containing 11.250 acres or 490,034
square feet, being the same called 11.250-acre tract described in a deed to
International Bank of Commerce, as recorded under Harris County Clerk's File
(H.C.C.F.) No. 20120249527, situated in the D. White Survey. Abstract No. 881.
Harris County, Texas.
General Location: Southeast Corner of Sam Houston Tollway and State
Highway 288
4. Zone Change Application No. ZONE 21-00011: A request by Tricia
Cardoso, applicant, on behalf of Thomas Skanah. owner, for approval of a zone
change from the General Business (GB) District and Office Processional (OP)
District to the General Commercial (GC) District, on approximately 3.3655 acres
of land: to wit:
Legal Description: A tract of land containing 3.3655 acres (146,602 square
feet). being out of Lot 23 of the Allison -Richey Gulf Coast Home Company
Subdivision of Section 8, H.T. & B.R.R. Company Survey, Abstract No. 504,
Brazoria County, Texas, according lathe plat recorded in Volume 2, Page 23 of
the Plat Records of Brazoria County, Texas.
General Location: 6743 Broadway Street, Pearland, TX.
AI said hearing, all interested parties shall have the right and opportunity to
appear and be heard on the subject. For additional information, please contact
the Planning Department at 281.652.1765.
Mohamed A. Bireima, AICP
Senior Planner
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Ord. No. 2000T-35
Exhibit B
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation Letter
Planning & Zoning Commission
Recommendation Letter
July 20, 2020
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
3519 Liberty Drive
Re: Recommendation on Amendments to the Unified Development Code — 2000-T-35
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members:
At their regular meetings on July 19, 2021, the Planning and Zoning Commission
considered the following:
A request by the City of Pearland for proposed amendments to the Unified
Development Code, Ordinance No. 2000T, to include the following:
1. Amendments to Chapter 2, Section 2.7.3.7, Special Exception for
Nonconformities, of the Unified Development Code, to allow non -masonry
screening options from residential zoning or uses by special exceptions to be
granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Residents, Darnell Dow and Chad Wixon briefly spoke to the commission about this
request stating their support of the proposal. There was no further discussion from Staff,
P&Z Commission or Public input.
Chairperson Fuertes read into the record the items on Consideration and Possible
Action — Unified Development Code Amendments (2000-T-35). Commissioner Cade
made a motion to recommend approval to City Council, Commissioner Boswell
seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
Page 5 of 6
Ord. No. 2000T-35
Sincerely,
Martin Griggs, AICP, CNU-A
Planning Manager
On behalf of the Planning and Zoning Commission
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Ord. No. 2000T-35
Exhibit C — Amended UDC Section
Section 2.7.3.7 Special Exceptions for Nonconformities
(a) Exceptions Criteria. Upon written request of the property owner, the Zoning Board
of Adjustment (ZBA) may grant special exceptions to the provisions of this code,
limited to and in accordance with the following:
(1) Expansion of a nonconforming use within an existing structure provided that, in
the case of a nonconforming residential use, such expansion does not increase
the number of dwelling units to more than the number existing when the use first
became nonconforming.
(2) Expansion of the gross floor area of a nonconforming structure or a conforming
structure on property that is conforming, provided that such expansion does not
decrease any existing setback.
Re -construction of a nonconforming structure that has been totally destroyed, or
resumption of a nonconforming use previously abandoned, only upon finding that
the failure to grant the special exception deprives the property owner of
substantially all use or economic value of the land.
(4) Construction of a new structure on the same property where a nonconformity
already exists, whether it is a nonconformity in an existing structure or of the
property itself, provided the new structure assumes the existing nonconforming
status and no nonconforming use is expanded into the structure.
In granting special exceptions under this Section 2.7.3.7, the ZBA shall avoid
doing so merely to allow a convenience or convey an advantage to the applicant
but instead shall endeavor to reduce the nonconforming nature of the
nonconforming use whenever possible and so may impose such criteria as are
necessary to bring the property into further compliance with this code, protect
adjacent property owners, and to ensure the public health, safety and general
welfare, including specifying the period during which the nonconforming use may
continue to operate or exist before having to conform to the standards of this
Code.
(3)
(5)
(b) The ZBA may grant special exceptions for the following:
(1) To interpret the provisions of this chapter in a way so as to carry out the intent
and purpose of this chapter, adjust districts where the street layout actually on
the ground varies from the street layout as shown on the maps.
(2) To reduce the parking and loading requirements in an amount not exceeding
thirty-three percent (33%) of the normal requirement in any of the districts
whenever the character or use of the building makes unnecessary the full
provision of parking or loading facilities, as contrasted with merely granting an
advantage or a convenience, as in the following situations:
a. Housing specifically designed and intended for use by the elderly, disabled,
or other occupants typically having a lower expectation of automobile
ownership;
b. Adaptive reuse or restoration of a historically or architecturally significant
structure;
(3)
Exhibit C - Amended UDC Section
c. Expansion of a nonprofit, public or social service use on an existing site;
and
d. Conversion of a nonconforming use to what would otherwise be a
conforming use, except for the parking and loading requirements.
To allow off -site parking where all or part of the minimum number of parking
spaces required in Chapter 4, Article 2, Division 1 (Parking) of this UDC are
located within three hundred feet (300') on a lot or tract of land that is legally
separate from the property containing the principal use served by the parking
area, provided that:
a. Both lots or tracts are under the same ownership; or
b. It can be established that two or more uses, applying jointly and
concurrently for the special exception, will be sharing a parking area that
may be on property that is not under the same ownership as one or more
of the uses to be served by the parking, where the shared parking area has
a capacity of at least the minimum number of spaces for the use having the
greatest minimum requirement, where all uses have their primary need for
parking during offsetting periods so that the parking area will be utilized by
only one principal use at a time, and where the arrangement is documented
through a long-term lease or other written agreement.
(4) To allow the reconstruction of a nonconforming building which has been
damaged to the extent of more than fifty percent (50°/0) of its replacement cost.
To allow a change to another nonconforming use. If no structural alterations are
made, any nonconforming use of a structure or structure and premises in
combination may, as a special exception, be changed to another nonconforming
use, provided the Zoning Board of Adjustment finds that the proposed
nonconforming use is not more nonconforming in the district than the previously
existing nonconforming use.
(6) To allow the City to issue a building permit for expansion of a preexisting
nonconforming use that is not in compliance with the Future Land Use Plan Map
and/or zoning district when the Zoning Board of Adjustment determines that this
special exception will not adversely impact water, wastewater, drainage, and
street transportation systems, and is in accord with all City codes and applicable
Comprehensive Plan policies, including those pertaining specifically to land use
compatibility.
(7)To allow for the reasonable reduction, to the minimal amount possible, of
requirements related to the following improvements to allow for compliance with
the City's adopted requirements for development (and their spirit and intent), but
also to allow for the use and enjoyment of property within Pearland (also see
Article 1, Division 3 of Chapter 4 for triggers related to these improvements):
a. Landscaping - As required within the applicable zoning district (Chapter
2) and/or in Chapter 4, Article 2, Division 2;
b. Screening/fencing - As required within the applicable zoning district
(Chapter 2) and/or in Chapter 4, Article 3, Division 4;
(5)
Exhibit C - Amended UDC Section
c. Fagade requirements - As required within the applicable zoning district
(Chapter 2) and/or in Chapter 2, Article 6, Division 2.
(8) To allow for a reasonable amount of time for a nonconforming use to be brought
to a lesser -nonconforming status or to a conforming status by allowing an
applicant to make improvements to an existing, developed property or building
over a period of time, instead of requiring such improvements to be made
immediately, or prior to a Certificate of Occupancy.
(9) To allow a non -conforming buffer on a developed property that existed prior to
the adoption of the masonry screening wall requirements to install an
alternative screening fence provided that the proposed screening fence is
100% opaque.