This is Minor Amendment No. 11 for the Riverstone General Land Plan for the purpose of changing the land use of approximately 6 acres at the intersection of University Blvd and Cabrera Dr from Commercial/ Office to Urban Home Residential.
General Land Plans - In General
The Subdivision Regulations - Chapter 5 of the Development Code - establish the purpose and procedures for General Land Plans. Sec. 5-9 states that "The purpose of the General Land Plan is to guide the design of subdivisions and allow the Commission and City Council to review the proposed major thoroughfare and collector street patterns, land use, environmental issues, the property's relationship to adjoining subdivisions or properties, and conformance to the Comprehensive Plan. General Land Plans shall meet the intent of the City's adopted Comprehensive Plan, guiding documents, and other policy guidance."
The City classifies amendments to General Land Plans as either Major Amendments or Minor Amendments, depending on the scope of the changes being proposed. The amendment being proposed is considered a Minor Amendment as the proposed changes are not deemed to be significant to the overall Riverstone Development and do not involve major changes to circulation or land uses within the development.
Riverstone General Land Plan Amendment No. 11
The Riverstone General Land Plan was first approved in 2003 and has been amended ten times since. The most recent amendment was approved in November of 2016.The purpose of Riverstone General Land Plan Amendment No. 11 is to change approximately 6 acres at the intersection of University Blvd and Cabrera Dr from Commercial/ Office use to Urban Home Residential. The developer intends to develop the area with approximately 34 detached single-family Urban Homes that will be served by a private street. The Urban Homes will be located on lots between 30 and 55 feet wide and be up to 45 feet (3 stories) tall.
Urban Homes are not defined in the Subdivision Regulations and private streets in the ETJ may only be authorized through a development agreement. Therefore, standards for the development will be created through an amendment to the Riverstone Development Agreement which is currently being reviewed by staff. City Council will review and consider the standards, lot layout, and other elements in the amended Agreement alongside the General Land Plan Amendment No. 11, which will also be an attachment to the Development Agreement.
The proposed Amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan - Chapter 6 Land Use Plan, which designates the area as Neighborhood Activity Center (NAC). Urban Homes and other medium density single-family residential uses are deemed appropriate in NACs. It is also consistent with Goal 2, Creating Mixed-Use Activity Centers, and Goal 3, Encouraging Residential Options. The Urban Homes will provide an additional housing option that does not already exist in the Riverstone or south Sugar Land area.
Recommendation
Staff supports a recommendation of approval to City Council for the Riverstone General Land Plan Amendment No. 11.