CITY OF BRENHAM STAFF SEEK PROJECT DIRECTION FROM PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

  

The Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission held discussion with city staff regarding the Commission’s plan of work for 2020 at its meeting Monday.

Commissioners met with Development Services Director Stephanie Doland and Project Planner Shauna Laauwe, who asked the Commission to give them direction on what projects to research and pursue in the remaining calendar year and in the next year.

Some of the projects mentioned by name were continuing work on the previously proposed historic preservation ordinance, which was last discussed in February before the COVID-19 pandemic; a corridor market study for Market Street; and bufferyard standards.

Doland said the purpose of this discussion was to get feedback from the Commission on what projects it deems to be most important.

 

Elaborating on the Market Street study, Doland said it would be performed ahead of the planned changes to the cloverleaf interchange on Highway 290.  She said the study would address the expected increase in traffic on Market Street due to the amount of construction at the cloverleaf likely redirecting travelers from the normal way into downtown via Main Street.  She said if the city were to receive CARES Act funding, it could more immediately perform the study, which would cover topics such as medians, sidewalks, landscaping, and possible land acquisition.

Discussion at Monday’s meeting was very general, with no priorities established or clear direction given to city staff.  Doland and Laauwe said they will put together more resources and come back to the Commission with follow-up discussion at a future meeting.

During staff reports, Doland announced the city recently received an award from the Central Texas section of the American Planning Association for its work on the Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted last September.  Doland said there will be an awards banquet held later this year, likely in September, but more details are still being figured out.

It was also announced that Commissioner Leroy Jefferson has submitted his resignation from the Commission due to health issues.  Staff said they have received a few recommendations for a replacement to his position on the Commission.

Also in session Monday, commissioners approved:

• A replat request for two lots totaling a little over two acres of land on East Rosedale Drive and Gun and Rod Road in Brenham.
• A request for a specific use permit for an accessory dwelling unit in a mixed residential zoning district in the Woodlawn Heights Addition in Brenham.