HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 2008-13 (Title: An ordinance amending the subdivision regulations of the City to grant authority to
the Planning & Zoning Commission to approve block lengths that exceed the maximum
length for streets, if certain conditions are met.)
ORDINANCE NO. 2008-13
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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS; APPENDIX B "SUBDIVISIONS",
AND BEING AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING RULES AND
REGULATIONS GOVERNING PLATS AND THE SUBDIVISION OF
LAND, BY ADDING NEW SUBSECTIONS (11)(3), (11)(4) AND (11)(5) TO
SECTION HI, PROVIDING DISCRETION TO THE PLANNING &
ZONING COMMISSION TO APPROVE BLOCK LENGTHS FOR
STREETS THAT . EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED BLOCK
LENGTH, IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET; PROVIDING A
PENALTY OF AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,000 FOR EACH DAY
OF VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION HEREOF; AND PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
STATE OF TEXAS:
Section 1. City of Friendswood, Texas, Ordinance No. 2000-01, as amended;
originally adopted the 17th day of December, 2000, same being Appendix B "Subdivisions" of
the Friendswood City Code, same also being an ordinance providing rules and regulations
governing plats and the subdivision of land, is hereby amended as set forth below. Words being
deleting are indicated by brackets, as follows: "[deleted]." Words being added are indicated by
underline, as follows: "underline."
Section 2. Appendix B, "Subdivisions," Section III(h) is hereby amended by adding
new subsections (3), (4) and (5) to read and provide as follows:
"Section III. General requirements and design criteria.
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I Blocks.
1. The lengths, widths, and shape of blocks shall be determined with due regard to:
(a) Provision of adequate building sites suitable to the special needs of the type of use
contemplated.
(b) Requirements as to lot sizes and dimensions.
(c) Need for convenient access, circulation, control and safety of street traffic.
(d) Limitations and opportunities of topography.
2. Block lengths (measured along the block-face from intersection to intersection between the
nearest two streets, or from center of the cul-de-sac radius to the nearest street intersection).
(a) Minimum block length shall be not less than 300 feet, except for cul-de-sacs which
shall have no minimum length.
(b) Maximum block length for residential, 1,200 feet. (see Subsection g. for cul-de-
sacs
(c) Maximum block length along a major thoroughfare, 1,600 feet, except under special
conditions and upon approval of the commission.
3. The commission may approve the creation of blocks which exceed the maximum length ,
if the subdivider can establish that lots fronting thereon will not, as a result of the length of
such street, be deprived of a level of public services which would otherwise be afforded to
lots on blocks that do not exceed the maximum length. In considering any such application,
the commission shall consider measures which would ensure:
(a) Adequate water pressure for potable water needs and firefighting'
capabilities;
(b) The ability of the city to timely provide emergency services; and
(c) That a traffic hazard and/or traffic congestion is not created due to
density or number of lots.
(d) Alignment of any street with a block length greater than 1,200 feet
does not promote excess speed on the street.
In achieving these measures, the commission may require the use of medians, larger lot!
dimensions, or other alternative solutions deemed appropriate by the commission as may
be necessary to satisfy the intent of this paragraph. Each application for an extended block
length shall be considered on an individual case-by-case basis, and depending on the
particular circumstances surrounding the property in question.
4._ The proposed street right-of-way and pavement width shall comply with the
requirements of the current design criteria.
5. Temporary turnarounds are to be used where curb and gutter is not installed at the end
of a street more than 400 feet long that will be extended in the future, and should be noted
thus: "Crosshatched area in temporary easement for turnaround until street is extended
(direction) in a recorded plat."
Ord 2008-13 2
Section 3. Any person who shall violate any provision of this Ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined in an amount not to exceed
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$2,000.00. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Section 4. In the event any clause phrase,provision, sentence, or part of this Ordinance
or the application of the same to any person or circumstances shall for any reason be adjudged
invalid or held unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall not affect, impair, or
invalidate this Ordinance as a whole or any part or provision hereof other than the part declared to
be invalid or unconstitutional; and the City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, declares
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that it would have passed each and every part of the same notwithstanding the omission of any
such part thus declared to be invalid or unconstitutional,whether there be one or more parts.
PASSED AND APPROVED on first reading this 19th day of May, 2008.
PASSED,APPROVED, and ADOPTED on second and final reading this 2nd day of
June,2008.
Da d J. H. Smith
Mayor
ATTEST
"I a .
s� A. FRIEp08
oe McKenzie, C City
S v Oo
City Secretary
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OF
Ord 2008-13 3