BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL HOLDS OFF ACTION ON ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
There may not have been any action taken, but there was certainly spirited debate at today’s (Thursday) Brenham City Council meeting, regarding allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Councilmembers decided to hold off on a vote amending an ordinance to allow for ADUs. ADUs are secondary living quarters, like garage apartments or guest houses, which can be attached or detached from the main housing unit.
The amendment request was initiated in August of 2018 by Mary Thornhill of 311 East Main Street, who is wanting to build an ADU on her property. She asked the city to look into allowing garage apartments, and submitted a text amendment which defined ADUs and allowed their use in residential districts.
Assistant Development Services Director Stephanie Doland said these could provide a greater variety of housing options in the community, as well as providing additional use to an already developed property. She noted that this type of housing is popular with young families and college students. She also said this could provide some homeowners with rental income.
Doland iterated that if someone wanted to build an ADU, they would need to bring it before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the city council. In addition, as the amendment is currently written, ADUs would have to be located in the rear yard of a property, no higher than the main housing unit, constructed in the style of the main unit, and require the property owner to live onsite.
Councilwoman Susan Cantey expressed concern, saying she saw plenty of chances for overreach. She said this amendment would need very heavy restrictions if it is put into place, saying it seems like “it’s an accident waiting for a place to happen”. She said the city is taking the chance on residents building units and creating “a bunch of Airbnb’s in Brenham”.
Councilman Clint Kolby approved the idea, saying the city needs to “promote affordable housing in the community”. He also said he was in favor of having design standards to keep the architectural styles alike.
Meanwhile, Councilman Keith Herring asked, with the requirement to have the property owner living onsite, what would happen if something happened to the property owner. He echoed Cantey’s concerns, saying occupant support and parking could become an issue.
Herring also wondered if the amendment could be changed to call for a limit to the number of occupants, based on square footage of the unit. City Attorney Carey Bovey responded that the city could do something along those lines, but it would be difficult to enforce.
When the item came to a vote, the council agreed to table it for a future meeting. Herring said the city will “need to fine-tune” the amendment.
Also in session, city councilmembers approved:
- Accepting a $1,487,910 bid from Solid Bridge Construction LLC, of Huntsville, for repairs to erosion near the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The city will pay for the project, then be reimbursed for 75 percent of the work by FEMA.
- Rezoning a 51-acre tract of land west of the intersections of South Market Street, Cantey Street, and Highway 290 East. According to developer Paul Leventis, the property will be used for commercial and residential uses, including a multi-family complex, restaurants, and hotels. Leventis told the council he expects the project to take around five to seven years. Despite opposition from several residents at last week’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request.
- A professional services agreement with Strand Associates, for work on extending sewer services to several tracts of land near the intersection of Chappell Hill Street and the Highway 290 South frontage road. Assistant City Manager Lowell Ogle said this work will serve more than just the Baker Katz retail development planned for the area.
- Approved amendments to the city’s animal and fowl ordinance, and human resources policy.
- Accepting a $156,400 bid from Four Season Development Co., for the first phase of improvements at Henderson Park. The work will include a new barbeque pit area, improvements to the kitchen and restrooms, handicapped accessible sidewalks and parking, and a new playground.
- A memo of understanding between the city and Simon Theater, for management of the Barnhill Center at the Simon Theater. Finance Director Carolyn Miller said this new agreement is “much more streamlined”, and allows the city to establish rental rates for events held there. The city will receive concession revenues and rental fees, but will be responsible for building repairs and maintenance.
- Acceptance of infrastructure improvements in the Vintage Farms subdivision.
- Abandoning property of a 12-foot wide alley bounded by West First Street and Brenham Wholesale Grocery Co.
- Purchase of a trackhoe for the sanitation department, for $103,850.
- A resolution authorizing the city’s participation in the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of the Treasury asset forfeiture and equitable sharing programs.
- The 2018 audit of the Washington County Appraisal District by Seidel, Schroeder and Company.
The council also met in executive session, to speak with the city attorney regarding Brenham Police Department matters, personnel, and associated issues.
