planning and zoning communication · • new rso zones must be created from existing residential...

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMUNICATION

DATE:

09/12/2019 Item 5. A

SUBJECT:

Discussion with possible action regarding the revision of the City of Laredo Land Development Code, Chapter 24, Article IV and V, for the purpose of creating a Specific Use Zoning Overlay Zone “RSO Zone”, and any matter incident thereto.

INITIATED BY: City of Laredo Planning Department Staff

STAFF SOURCE: James Kirby Snideman, AICP Planning Director

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: On September 3rd, 2019, the City Council directed Planning Staff to explore and develop the creation of a Specific Use Overlay Zone (RSO Zone) that could serve as an option/alternative to a city-wide modification of the front and rear setbacks for residential zones. BACKGROUND: On September 5th, 2019, the Planning and Zoning Commission, tabled the item, and requested staff to coordinate a workshop to fully evaluate and discuss the proposed zoning overlay.

FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: N/A

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends APPROVAL

Revision of the City of Laredo Land Development Code, Chapter 24, Article IV and V, for the purpose of creating a Specific Use Zoning Overlay Zone "RSO Zone"

Provisions of the RSO Zone

• Rear yard setback decreased to 5 feet • Side setbacks already allowed to 5 feet • Front yard setback decreased to 10 feet • RSO Zone would overlay on top of existing residential zones and decrease the setbacks

to the standards in the RSO Zone • To apply an overlay zone, the standard zone change process would apply;

o Application for a zone change o Property owners inside the proposed RSO Zone and within 200 ft notified by mail o City staff would review and provide a recommendation o Presented at Planning Commission for a recommendation to City Council o City Council would approve or deny the zone change

• At the Planning Commission and City Council hearings, applicant would be required to demonstrate that greater than 50% of property owners are in favor of applying the RSO Zone by signature and address; City staff time and resources cannot be used to gather signatures

• RSO Zone cannot be used for new development; the PUD Zone already exists for new development desiring 5 foot setbacks

• New RSO Zones must be created from existing residential developments (lots with homes constructed) no smaller than 100 lots in number

• Expansion of an RSO Zone must be no smaller than 50 lots in number adjacent to an existing RSO Zone

• Staff may make recommendations based on how the decreased setbacks will impact the following: stormwater, utilities, on and off-street parking, traffic circulation, floodplain issues, easements, building and fire code requirements

LAREDO CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT

• Explanation of Setbacks

• Review of Comprehensive Plan

• ReCode Laredo

• The Impact of the Changing Setbacks

• Option 1: City Wide Change

• Option 2: Reduced Setback Overlay (RSO) Zone

OVERVIEW

PROPERTY SETBACKS

• Distance typically taken from property line

restricting where structures can be located

• Put in place for the following reasons:

– Privacy

– Safety

– Environmental / Greenspace

• Larger setbacks have become the default

for newer development (particularly

residential)



COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: VIVA LAREDO

• Comp plan calls for targeted changes to

setback requirements in certain locations,

not city-wide

• Comp plan also calls for denser, more

sustainable development & creative

solutions

– Allows property owners more freedom and

flexibility

– Staff recommends proceeding methodically, so

changes are long lasting

– The Planning Department will be re-evaulating

the existing land development code over next

~18 months = ReCode Laredo


Changing Setbacks may Impact:• Density requirements / occupancy limitations

• Stormwater requirements

• Utility requirements

• Parking regulations

• Zoning regulations

• Visibility triangle requirements

• Height limitations


Changing Setbacks may Impact:• Floodplain requirements

• Right-Of-Way widths and requirements

• Easement locations

• Building / Fire code requirements

– Structures within 10 feet require higher fire rated

materials / fire suppression equipment


OPTION 1City-Wide Setback Change:

• Benefits:• Changes all residential zones at once

• Change will be fast

• Challenges:• No public involvement

• No thorough analysis of impact

• Risk of being “arbitrary and capricious” in our land use decisions


OPTION 2Reduced Setback Overlay (RSO) Zone

• Benefits:• Allows for public notice and

involvement

• Allows for smaller scale to study impact

• Will instruct the ReCode Laredo process

• Challenges:• Will take additional time to implement


Next Steps• Changes to the Land Development Code require

16 Days Public Notice

• October 2019 Council Meeting (tentatively)

– Option 1: City-Wide Change on October 7th

Council Meeting

or

– Option 2: Reduced Setback Overlay (RSO)

Zone• RSO Zone can then be applied in the future following the

normal process for a zone change.


Recommendation

• Staff requests that you send a positive recommendation

to the City Council regarding the revision of the City of

Laredo Land Development Code, Chapter 24, Article IV

and V, for the purpose of creating a Specific Use Zoning

Overlay District to be entitled Reduced Setback Overlay

Zone (RSO Zone).

THANK YOU.


planning and zoning communication · • new rso zones must be created from existing residential...

Documents