BRENHAM PLANNING AND ZONING BEGINS TALKS ON RV PARKS
Brenham Planning and Zoning Commissioners began discussion Monday on the possibility of allowing recreational vehicle (RV) parks inside city limits.
The Commission met in workshop to discuss allowing the development and operation of RV parks in the R-3 (Manufactured Home Residential) and B-1 (Local Business/Residential Mixed Use) zoning districts.
City Project Planner Shauna Laauwe, who began working with the city on September 9th, said the topic of discussion first came up about a year ago, when Brenham resident Paul Kendall approached the city about developing an RV park in the 1700 block of North Park Street, near Hohlt Park. Laauwe said, according to Kendall, the unnamed developer looking to come to Brenham was a “national RV park company”.
Laauwe said there could be many benefits from having RV parks in Brenham.
Proposed location of RV Park:
Laauwe said the development standards of RV parks could not only provide extra revenue for the city, but would ensure that parks are built to the city’s standards and are compatible with nearby land uses. According to Laauwe, staff recommend encouraging RV parks “on the periphery of city limits”.
Laauwe said, after looking at best practices and standards of surrounding cities, staff are recommending a development site in Brenham be a minimum of three acres, with a maximum of 20 pad sites per acre. Recommendations also set a 90 day maximum for residency, and stated that at least eight percent of the total park area would be designated for recreational use. Laauwe noted that each site would require its own specific use permit.
The item was relegated to workshop discussion, so no action was taken. However, commissioners recommended that staff perform further research and make revisions, bringing back discussion at a later date.
Development Services Director Stephanie Doland said there is not a specific timeline to get this ordinance into place, but noted that the applicant has been “very patient” as the city has done its research. She said research will continue to be done in order to put a good ordinance into place.