BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER TEXT AMENDMENTS
The Brenham City Council will meet tomorrow (Thursday) to hold public hearings and vote on a set of amendments to city code.
The amendments pertain to the placement of detached accessory structures on corner lots, the requirement that the property owner’s primary residence be either the single-family dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and alleys in townhome developments. The changes were previously discussed by the council during a workshop on July 11th and were recommended for approval by the Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission at its August 26th meeting.
The first city-initiated amendment request proposes that the regulation for detached accessory structures in residential districts states that they must be located behind the closest point to the front property line of the primary structure on both the subject property and adjacent properties, while also having a side- and rear-yard setback of no less than five feet. This is so accessory structures are not closer to the roadway than the main structure.
The proposed amendment to ADU standards says that if the subject property’s primary use is a single-family dwelling in an R-1 single-family residential zoning district, the property owner’s primary residence must be either the single-family dwelling or the ADU. This ensures that the property owner is living on the property in the case that either the main home or the ADU is rented out.
The city’s suggested revision for alleys is to, instead of prohibiting them in new subdivisions, encourage them in townhome developments. The change is intended to accommodate rear garage and parking access, allowing for guest parking along the curb. It would also allow utilities to be placed without being under driveways, or transformers being placed in narrow side yards.
Councilmembers will then perform the second reading to adopt the new fiscal year’s budget of $107,593,765 and levy the property tax rate at $0.4584 per $100 valuation. The first reading occurred on September 5th.
Also, the council will hold the first reading of an annexation ordinance for a combined 6.5 acres of land, including two tracts around Dixie Road totaling 4 acres near the Vintage Farms subdivision, as well as three tracts around Old Masonic Road adding up to 2.5 acres next to the Scenic Estates subdivision. No comments were received during either of the two public hearings on the annexation.
In other business, the council will:
- Act on an amendment to the professional services agreement with Burditt Consultants for the Jackson Street Park improvement project. It will also vote on the purchase of playground equipment for the park.
- Consider a resolution relating to a request for financial assistance from TxDOT to replace the Brenham Municipal Airport’s Automated Weather Observing System.
- Potentially accept a bid for the Industrial Boulevard pumping station replacement project.
- Hold executive session to consult with the city attorney regarding the Brenham Police Department.
The council will meet tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.
City planning department continues to wreck the single family neighborhood by making multi family high density neighborhoods meant for families. This further aborts Brenham small town environment. Then at the same meeting the mayor increases my property tax on my home. Kudos; You destroy my small town neighborhood and are charging me more money to keep paying this inferior planning department.
Unfortunately the majority of people in Brenham are busy and are complacent about major impact neighborhood changes. Years ago we depended on trust worthy elected officials to make prudent decisions. Tax payers need to wake up before it is way too late. Elected officials need to stop being sheep and think about their I’ll fated decisions.