BRENHAM PLANNING AND ZONING HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ABOUT ZONE CHANGE TO DOWNTOWN

  

The City of Brenham Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a public hearing and discussion on a potential zone change to the downtown area during their meeting today (Monday).

The city says they were approached by multiple individuals from the community who expressed interest in redeveloping the Southside of downtown B-3 Central Historical Business District. The area in consideration includes S. Austin Street, W. First Street, S. Market Street, S. Baylor Street, S. Park Street, and S. Church Street.

The city is now considering a request to change the zoning from a Commercial, Research and Technology Use (B-2) District and Industrial District (I) to a proposed Neighborhood Business District (B-4) with an overlay to include some residential uses.

In the proposed B-4 district, restaurants, retail, arts and crafts, amusement and entertainment, bakeries, distillery and brewery, musical instruments assembly and manufacture design, production sales, and offices would be allowed. However, a number of businesses would not be allowed including: automobile parts sales, banks, bowling alleys, motels and hotels (not including bed and breakfasts) mortuaries, and pet shops.

"Any business that is currently in the new proposed district is grandfathered" says Erik Smith, Development Services Director. "The City will not take any action towards anyone that is existing nonconforming. If the business goes out of business they can still sell it to a nonconforming business of the same use for a one year period and still be considered grandfathered.  They can also ask for an additional six month extension from the Board of Adjustments.  If this time period expires the new use would have to be compliant."

"We actually included distillery and brewery as a new use to accommodate BVB and any future breweries/distilleries" continued Smith.  "The restrictions in the new ordinance will be for new construction and uses or for when a nonconforming use ceases to exist unless under the provisions above.  We do have the ordinance and boundary map on our website.  The proposed allowed uses are listed in the ordinance."

The city says this zone change would help alleviate a number of potential variance and special exception requests for applicants wanting to revitalize property. It would also create parking requirements that fit the district and create a fund to earmark money for future satellite parking to serve the area.

Staff previously invited all of the property owners to a Town Hall style meeting to review the proposed changes.

The Planning and Zoning Committee will meet at 5:15 p.m. tonight at City Hall.