BRENHAM PLANNING AND ZONING RECOMMENDS LIGHTER RESTRICTIONS ON METAL HOUSING
Brenham’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted in favor Monday of putting restrictions on metal housing, albeit fewer than originally proposed.
Commissioners recommended that the city’s previously proposed values for how much metal would be allowed for home exteriors be amended, to be less restrictive.
The initial ordinance amendment called for a minimum 75 percent non-metal exterior on a wall facing the right-of-way, and 50 percent for walls not facing the right-of-way.
After discussion, Commissioner Leroy Jefferson proposed that the percentage for walls facing the right-of-way be dropped to 50 percent, and walls not facing the right-of-way to 25 percent.
The motion was passed, with Commissioner Lynette Sheffield abstaining. These restrictions only apply to the R-1 (Residential Single Family), R-2 (Mixed Residential), and B-1 (Local Business/Residential Mixed Use) districts; the R-3 (Manufactured Home Residential) district is unaffected. In this case, non-metal is described as brick, stone, stucco, wood, vinyl, or fiber-cement siding.
Commissioners also recommended doing away with a part of the amendment that called for 50 percent non-metal exteriors on accessory buildings over 160 square foot in area – on property less than an acre in size.
The recommendations came after lengthy discussion, in which several citizens came forward to present their concerns about either the amendment or the metal housing itself.
Barbara Ross stated her disapproval of the metal housing, saying the neighborhood containing the housing along Old Mill Creek Road “is very run down”. However, she also said “a lot of Brenham is getting run down”, saying the city doesn’t enforce proper ordinances and restrictions. She said the city can build all the shopping centers it wants, but it’s not going to entice people to come live in Brenham if the place is run down.
Joni Johnson-Daniel echoed the concerns of Ross, saying the city is struggling to keep its current infrastructure up, but wants to build new development. She said she planned for years to retire in Brenham, putting thousands of dollars worth of renovations into her home which is near some of the recently built metal homes, which she referred to as "metal shacks". However, due to the state of her neighborhood, she said she's now looking to sell her home.
Samantha Medve, the owner of many of the metal buildings recently built in Brenham, spoke on their cost benefits for tenants. She also said that several neighboring cities, such as Burton and Huntsville, don’t have these kinds of building restrictions. She said there’s a reason commercial builders use metal, which is good enough for taxpayers, and asked why it couldn’t be good enough for people using their own private money.
Commissioner Sheffield said the city should consider planned development for these kinds of houses, as the main reason this is being discussed in session is because the current metal housing doesn’t fit in its area. Commissioner Nancy Low added to that, saying the metal isn’t the issue, but rather, the way it looks.
Low also said the city needs to keep advances in architecture in mind as it updates its comprehensive plan, saying things could change a lot over the next 15 to 20 years.
Assistant Development Services Director Stephanie Doland said amendment is written to allow for new kinds of materials that may be developed in the future. She added that if there is a metal building product meant to look like something other than metal, it wouldn’t count against the allowed metal percentage if it were used.
Doland stated the issue of affordable housing has come up often over the comprehensive plan process, and that starts with development. She also said that city ordinance is meant to allow for “healthy and orderly” development. Commissioner Jefferson replied if the city wants to grow, then it needs affordable housing.
The Commission’s recommendation will be taken before Brenham City Councilmembers on March 21st, for public hearing.
Also at the meeting, the Commission approved a request to rezone about 2.54 acres of land at 2412 South Market Street for commercial research and technology use.
Those cost benefits the builder of these rent house barns speaks of, benefit the landlord, her. The units she builds are rentals for profit. With no driveways or garages, no landscaping. I live in this area and am seriously considering selling, leaving, AND will expect a reduction in valu by the appraisers office. I pay very high city property tax and get zero protection of my property values due to their negligence.
Yet another example of government intrusion. So, what’s next? Government approved paint colors??? People give up their freedoms so incredibly fast it just amazes me. That’s why I live in the county!