BRENHAM PLANNING AND ZONING TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THURSDAY
The Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission will meet tonight (Thursday) to potentially move a long-range planning document closer to completion.
The Commission will hold public hearing and vote on adoption of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan, entitled “Historic Past, Bold Future: Plan 2040”.
This will be the first time the document comes up for a vote since planning for it began last September, when the city set up an agreement with Kendig Keast Collaborative to develop and re-write the plan. Ever since then, it has been the subject of numerous public and workshop meetings.
City officials say the input process has drawn hundreds of responses from the public, through either public meetings or surveys. Officials say the most overwhelming piece of feedback provided during the planning process is the need for additional housing options, particularly for first-time home buyers.
The plan acts as a guide for the city’s future direction, needs, priorities, and action items. It addresses areas such as land use and development, growth capacity, economic outlook, parks and recreation, and transportation.
Pending approval, the Brenham City Council would address adoption of the plan next month.
Also at tonight's meeting, the Commission will consider a request to withdraw a portion of city ordinance prohibiting metal exteriors for residential uses. Earlier this year, Brenham City Councilmembers passed an ordinance barring the use of a metal façade on residential property in certain zoning districts.
However, House Bill 2439 was passed during the past legislative session, which prohibits Texas municipalities from enforcing ordinances that restrict the use of building material for residential or commercial construction.
Commissioners will also potentially approve preliminary and final plats of 49 acres of land in the Baker Katz development subdivision. The land, being used for Baker Katz’s shopping center project, is located at the intersection of Highway 290 East and South Chappell Hill Street. Developers are planning to split the land into two lots, one being 38.8 acres and the other being 9.1 acres.
The Commission meets this afternoon at 5:15 p.m., at City Hall.
Click here to view the draft Comprehensive Plan.