HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 2021-20ORDINANCE NO. 202I-20
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, AMENDING APPENDIX C
ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 7.Q.2 "REGULATION
MATRIX - COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS AND REGULATION
MATRIX - RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS" IN ORDER TO
CLARIFY REFERENCE NOTES AND AMENDING SECTION
7.Q.3 "AREA AND HEIGHT EXCEPTIONS" TO ADD AN
EXCEPTION FOR BUILDING HEIGHT; PROVIDING A
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $2000, OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT
HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY.
X )C 'IC 7C 7t 7C �C X X �C
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Friendswood is continually reviewing the
provisions of the City Code of Ordinances, specifically including Appendix C of the Friendswood City
Code, ("Zoning") relating to land use and other circumstances; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds it necessary to clarify multiple reference notes in the
Residential Regulation Matrix and the Commercial Regulation Matrix; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds it necessary to amend the building height exceptions for
certain commercial districts including Community Shopping Center (CSC), Neighborhood
Commercial (NC), Light Industrial (LI), Industrial (I), Business Park (BP), and Office Park District
(OPD); and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Friendswood has conducted
a public hearing, received input from staff and has issued its final report recommending the amendments
referenced hereafter; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council have conducted public
hearings in the time and manner required by law; and
WHEREAS, City Council has determined that all public notices have been posted and
published, all required hearings on this matter have been held, and that this Ordinance complies with the
applicable provisions of the City Charter, City Code and all other applicable laws; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS:
Section L That the facts and matters set forth in the preamble of this Ordinance are hereby
found to be true and correct. .
Section 2. That the City of Friendswood Code of Ordinances, Appendix C, "Zoning",
"Section 7.Q.2. Regulation Matrix - Commercial Districts and Regulation Matrix - Residential
Districts" and "Section 7.Q.3. Area and Height Exceptions" are hereby amended as indicated in
Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part hereof for all purposes.
Section 3. That this Ordinance is hereby incorporated and made a part of the
Friendswood City Code of Ordinances. Violation of this Ordinance is subject to the penalty
provisions contained in such Code under Section 1-14 "General penalty for violations of Code;
continuing violations", and as otherwise provided by law. Any person who shall willfully,
intentionally, or with criminal negligence violate any provision of this Ordinance shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in an amount not to exceed
$2,000.00. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Section 4. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict or inconsistent with this
Ordinance are hereby expressly repealed.
Section 5. That 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 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. .
Section 6. That the City Secretary shall give notice of the enactment of this Ordinance
by promptly publishing it or its descriptive caption and penalty after final passage in the official
newspaper of the City; the Ordinance to take effect upon publication.
Ord. No. 2021-20 2
PASSED AND APPROVED on first reading this 2nd day of August, 2021.
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
MAR�Y6RY FISUHER,Attorney
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on second and final reading this 13th day of
September, 2021.
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
MARY Y FISC ER, City Attorney
Ord. No. 2021-20 3
EXHIBIT "A"
Section 7. Schedule of district regulations.
Q. District area and height regulations.
No lot, parcel, premises or tract of land shall be created and no building permit shall be issued for any request that does not meet the appropriate
minimum lot area, width, depth, yard and height regulations as set forth in the following tables.
See regulation matrix.
REGULATION MATRIX - COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
CiFeled let«_~_ (l tt_... ;„ paFent4_se& Rfefer to paragraphs in section 7-Q.3. for area and height exceptions.
Zoni
ng
Distr
ict
Lot
Area
Minim
um
Square
Feet
Lot
Widt
h
Mini
mum
Feet
Lot
Depth
Minim
um
Feet
Yards —Minimum
Feet
Height
Maxim
um
Feet
max.4
Landsc
ape
Require
ments
Excep
tion
Notes
Maximu
m
Lot
Coverag
e
Front
Rear
fa}
Side
Interior
Exterior
When
Abutting
Property
in a
Resident
ial
District
or
Garden
Home
District
When
Abutting
Property
in a
Nonresi
dential
District
When
Backin
g
Up to
an
Abutti
ng
Side
Yard
When
Backing
Up to
an
Abuttin
g
Rear
Yard
stories
CSC
15,000
100
150
30
15
25
10
25
10
40
Yes
30%
NC
12,000
100
120
30
15 D
25
10
25
10
40
Yes
D, H
30% H
LNC
10,000
100
100
30
15 D
25
10
25
10
40
Yes
D, I
30%-;-ee
DD
15,000
E
0
0
0
0 6
15-F
15
0
0
0
70
(m+}ia j p-44
Yes
E, F,
G
60%
OPD
10,000
100
100
30
15
25
10
25
10
40
Yes
H
30%
BP
10,000
100
100
30
25
25
2510 J
25
254-0-J
40
Yes
J
40%
LI
15,000
100
100
30 A
25
25
10
25
10
40
Yes
A
50%
I
20,000
1 100
100
30 B
1 25 C
40 C
10
25 C
10 C
40
Yes
B, C
60%
A. When LI district is across the street from a residential district, front yard shall be a minimum of 40 feet #em st 1A�.
B. When I district is across the street from a residential district, front yard setback shall be a minimum of 50 feet fFem StFeet R ^ `"'
C. When industrial district abuts side and/or rear residential district, setback shall be a minimum of 90 feet.
D. When rear yard of an NC or LNC district abuts a presidential district, rear yard setback shall be a minimum of -125 feet.
E. Lots within the downtown district (DD) in existence prior to the creation of the DD shall be deemed as lawfully existing and shall be allowed
to develop under DD regulations. Further, tracts of any size in existence prior to the creation of the DD may be combined into larger tracts
and developed, even if the aggregate size is less than 15,000 square feet. Further, no lot classified as within the DD zone may be subdivided
to less than the minimum size of 15,000 square feet.
F. When DD rear yard abuts a residential district (residential district or garden home district), rear yard setback shall be a minimum of 15 feet.
G When nn FeaF aFd ..buts a neR side tial diStFiCt aFd shall be a minimum of zeFO feet. Reserved.
H. In NC and OPD, building site coverage, consisting of all buildings, structures and all paved surfaces, shall not exceed 90 percent of the total lot
area, per subsections G.5 and H.8 of this section.
I. In LNC, building site coverage, consisting of all buildings, structures and all paved surfaces, shall not exceed 80 percent of the total lot area,
per subsection G-1.6 of this section.
J. When side yard of a BP district abuts another BP district, side yard setback shall be a minimum of 10 feet. In BP, no structure shall be
located within 25 feet of an exterior BP boundary. An exterior BP boundary is one that abuts a zone other than BP, per subsection 0.1 of this
section.
K. Height maximum includes belfries, chimneys, cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, fire towers, storage towers, monuments, ornamental
towers and spires, stage towers and scenery lofts, tanks, and water towers.
L. Setbacks shall be measured from the edge of the street ROW. If streets or drives are private, setbacks shall be measured from the edge of
the drainage, utility, or access easement, whichever is greater.
REGULATION MATRIX —RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
CiFded IetteFS "etteFS in PaFentheses) F Refer to paragraphs in section 7-Q.3. for area and height exceptions.
Units
Lot
Lot
Yards —Minimum Feet
Height
RaFWAg
Zero
Maximu
per
Area
Width
Maximu
ReqUiFe
Lot
m
Acre
Minimum
m
ment
Lines
Lot
Square
Feet
U-R#
Y or
Coverage
Feet
(b and-e�
N
Front
Rear
Side
{a}
Interi
Exterior
or {c4
(Corner Lot)
Backing Up
Backing
to an
Up to an
Abutting
Abutting
Side Yard
Rear
Yard
SFR Single-
2.7
11,600
90 A
25 B
25
10 F
25 A
20 C
40
-K
No
35%
Family
Residential
SFR Single-
2.7
15,600
120 A
25 B
25
10
25 B
20 C
40
9
No
35%
Family
Residential
SFR-E Single-
0.5
87,120
150 A
75
25
25
35
35
40
-K
No
20%
Family —
Residential
Estate
MFR-L
6 G
7,260 G
45 G
25 B
25
10E,1
25 B
20 C
40
9
No
50%
Multifamily
—Low
MFR-M
9
—
—
25 B
0
10 E, I
25 B
20 C
40
K
No
50%
Multifamily
—Medium
MFR-H
12
—
—
25 B
0
10 E, I
25 B
20 C
40
K
No
50%
Multifamily
—Highest
MHR Mobile
10
—
—
25 B
25
101
30
259
20
K
No
50%
Home
A-1
—
—
—
25 B
25
101
25 B
20 C
40
K
No
10%
MFR-GHD
6
6,000
60
20 B,
20
504),
5 B, H
4 C, H
40
K
Yes
50%
Garden
H
J
D
Home
District
A. Lots of less than 120 feet wide require curbs. Lots 120 feet wide or greater may use open ditches.
B. 35 feet on thoroughfares.
C. 25 feet on thoroughfares.
D. ZeF8 setbaek on side only, mlnimmm five fe9t SepaFati8A between buildi Reserved.
E. Ten -foot minimum separation between buildings.
F. Lots currently in existence with less than 90 feet of width that have structures already built upon them may continue with the same existing
setback feFadditiens provided they are not less than a minimum of five feet.
G. Developer must elect either units per acre or lot area. Two-family residential units --on two lots are required when lot area is elected.
Example: a duplex requires two 45-foot-wide lots.
H. FFent yaFd and exteFieF 5ide y Ssetbacks shall be measured from the edge of the street ROW. If streets or drives are private, setbacks
shall be measured fromef the edge of the drainage, utility or access easement (of StFeets aFe ppiyate) whichever is greater.
25 feet when abutting land zoned single-family residential (SFR) district.
Ten feet when abutting land zoned anything other than MLD�To (garden home district (MFR-GHD14.
3. Area and height exceptions.
a. Height maximum in community shopping center (CSC), neighborhood commercial (NC), office park district (OPD), light industrial (LI),
industrial (1), and business park (BP) districts may exceed 40 feet in height, but in no event greater than 70 feet in height, when the building
setback from the nearest property line is equal to or greater than the building height. FUFtheF the building OF StFUCtWe shall F" undeF an
. - — . , !* ne that *5 n9t gFeateF than 45.0 degFees at the pFepeFty line fFeFA a heFizeRtal line established at the Fninimum habitable flee
elevatien, PFevided, howeyeF, ne building OF StFU6WFe en PFepeFty adjaeent te a FesidenWl zene shall haye a height that exceeds SO feet.
Buildings or structures that exceed 40 feet in height shall have a minimum distance to the nearest single family residential (SFR) zoning of
at least two and a half (2.5) times the overall building height. Distance shall be measured from the nearest point of the building to the
single family residential (SFRI property line.
b. Exceptions for community shopping center (CSC), neighborhood commercial (NC), office park district (OPD), light industrial (LI), industrial (1),
and business park (BP) districts:
1. On buildings or structures located in these districts, finials, crosses, and other religious symbols shall not extend more than ten feet
above the building or extend more than ten feet above the allowable building height; and
2. Finials, crosses and other religious symbols shall not be accessible and shall not be illuminated above the roofline.
C. Exceptions for the downtown district (DD):
1. On buildings or structures located in the downtown district (DD), finials, crosses and other religious symbols shall not extend more than
18 feet above the building or extend more than 18 feet above the allowable building height; and
2. Finials, crosses, and other religious symbols shall not be accessible and shall not be illuminated above the roofline.
d. Communications towers height criteria:
1. Height limitations of communication towers. The maximum communication tower height, including antennae, lightning rods and
accessories, in residential districts shall not exceed 40 feet and in non-residential districts shall not exceed 200 feet, unless otherwise
approved by city council.
2. Height limitations for communication towers placed on existing buildings. Communication towers and antennae, which are located on
top of buildings or structures shall not be more than 30 percent of the structure height above the structure.
3. This section applies to telecommunication towers, ham radio and television antennas, microwave relay, radio and television
transmission towers.
e. Buildings or structures located in a planned unit development (PUD): Buildings and structures located in a planned unit development (PUD)
shall be exempt from the height limitations contained herein. Height limitations for buildings or structures located within a PUD application
will be as established in the ordinance authorizing and approving the PUD.
f. Accessory buildings or structures in residential districts: Unattached accessory buildings or structures less than 25 feet in height, as measured
from the adjacent grade to the highest point of any portion of such building or structure, may be located in required rear or side yards within
residential districts, provided they are set back not less than five feet from any interior side lot line, 20 feet from any side lot line adjacent to
a side street, and ten feet from any rear lot line.
g. Interior side yards shall not be required for abutting properties in the same zoning district if both properties are developed as a unit under a
common development plan.
h. When individual attached townhouses or condominiums are to be sold separately, there shall be no minimum lot area requirements,
provided that the total land area of the project, including the land on which the units are located and the land held in common ownership by
the unit owners, is equal to the total minimum land area required per dwelling unit or lot in the district in which the project is located.
i. Minimum front yard setbacks for lots with predominant frontage on the curved radius of a cul-de-sac shall be 15 feet.
j. Stairs in certain situations. In residential zoning districts that have minimum front yard requirements, uncovered stairways associated with a
residential use may project into the required front yard but shall remain a minimum of ten feet from the front property line, if:
A building is being elevated or reconstructed on an existing foundation to meet or exceed current city floodplain standards; and
2. The stairway projection into the required front yard is limited to the minimum area required to meet elevation standards; and the
stairway, at its widest point, shall not exceed ten feet.
k. Elementary and secondary schools shall be exempt from the height limitations contained herein. Height limitations for elementary and
secondary schools will be established in the ordinance authorizing and approving a Specific Use Permit (SUP).