BRENHAM PLANNING & ZONING REVIEWS PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR DATA CENTERS, CAR WASHES
set of proposed code amendments to the Planning
and Zoning Commission on Monday for review and
discussion.
The Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday went through a series of proposed text amendments to the city’s code of ordinances.
While no action was taken during the workshop session, commissioners received information and gave their thoughts on planned changes for multifamily developments, bufferyard standards, car washes and data centers.
The amendments presented for discussion would:
- Clarify minimum area lot requirements for multifamily developments in the R-2 Mixed Family Residential District and the Downtown Business/Residential Overlay District. Specifically, the minimum site area for multifamily development would be 6,000 square feet or 2,000 square feet of lot area per multifamily dwelling unit, whichever is greater. In the Downtown Business/Residential Overlay District, the minimum site area for duplexes would be 5,000 square feet and the minimum area for multifamily development must be at least 6,000 square feet or 1,000 square feet of lot area per multifamily dwelling unit, whichever is greater.
- Adjust landscape/bufferyard regulations by adding use categories and associated bufferyard requirements for townhome developments greater than two acres, office uses that are two stories or less, nonresidential uses both greater and less than an acre, and automobile-related services.
- Enact water-saving regulations for car washes via an update to plumbing code, requiring new car washes or existing car washes that undergo a large renovation to utilize water recycling systems.
- Define data centers in the zoning ordinance and list them as a specific use in the industrial zoning district – meaning proposed data centers would undergo a property-specific analysis and two public hearings – and prohibit the use of any water-based cooling technology, unless the water source is approved by the city and is not City of Brenham potable water.
When sharing their thoughts on the proposed amendments, Vice Chair Dr. Deanna Alfred asked if zoning could be looked at specifically for car washes, given the increasing number of them in the city. Commissioner Cyndee Smith said she wanted to make sure the new bufferyard requirements would not become cost-prohibitive for developers. Commissioner Chris Cangelosi said city staff was on the right track with the changes for data centers.
The proposed amendments for car washes and data centers will go before the city council for a workshop discussion next week, while the multifamily development and bufferyard regulations will be discussed later.
In regular session, commissioners recommended approval of a rezoning request for 11.4 acres of land around Oak Tree Crossing Drive, moving from B-1 Local Business Mixed Use to R-1 Single-Family Residential Use. The rezoning request came about via a petition from property owners in the Timber Oaks subdivision, who are seeking to protect the area’s residential use. Blinn College has been planning to build a sports complex on vacant property to the south of the Timber Oaks neighborhood.
The commission also approved a replat of 5.281 acres of vacant land on the east side of South Blue Bell Road and the west end of Oak Alley Boulevard. The property owner, Eigentum Capital, LLC, seeks to develop the third phase of the Oak Alley subdivision. Commissioners did receive comments from residents who were concerned about the amount of available parking.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Monday's meeting.