PUBLIC HEARING 6:00 P.M.:  Receive and hear all persons desiring to be heard on the proposed rezoning from Interim Standard Single Family Residential (R-1-I) to Permanent Zero Lot Line Single Family Residential (R-1Z) for approximately 61 acres of land platted and developed as patio homes also known as zero lot line homes, in the Greatwood Community located 1) west of Greatwood Parkway and Scenic Place, 2) south of Riverbrook and 3) north of Winding Brook.

FIRST CONSIDERATION:  Consideration of and action on CITY OF SUGAR LAND ORDINANCE NO. 2148: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR A CHANGE OF ZONING FROM INTERIM STANDARD SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1-I) DISTRICT TO PERMANENT ZERO LOT LINE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1Z) DISTRICT FOR APPROXIMATELY 61 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED (1) WEST OF GREATWOOD PARKWAY AND SCENIC PLACE, (2) SOUTH OF RIVERBROOK, AND (3) NORTH OF WINDING BROOK IN THE GREATWOOD COMMUNITY.

Hold Public Hearing and approve First Reading Ordinance No. 2148 for the permanent zoning of three areas in Greatwood for Zero Lot Line Single Family Residential (R-1Z) zoning totaling approximately 61 acres.

This is a City-Initiated rezoning proposal for areas platted and developed as patio homes also known as zero lot line homes located 1) west of Greatwood Parkway and Scenic Place, 2) south of Riverbrook and 3) north of Winding Brook from Interim Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1-I) to permanent Zero Lot Line Single-Family Residential (R-1Z) in the Greatwood community (see vicinity map).

Properties within the Greatwood MUDs were annexed in December 2017 and received Interim Standard Single-Family (R-1-I) zoning at the time of annexation. Permanent zoning is required post-annexation; therefore, the City has initiated the permanent rezoning process for the Greatwood areas. In addition to the notice of this Public Hearing meeting, a letter further explaining the zoning change was sent to the residential property owners and to property owners within 200 feet of the residential properties within Greatwood. Staff has not received any additional inquiries following the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation.

The proposed zoning category for each property is recommended to closely match the existing uses that have been developed as zero lot line homes or patio homes in Greatwood over time. Staff has conducted fieldwork and site visits of these areas to better understand the current land uses and this information has gone into the Planning Department recommendations for specific zoning categories. The residential zoning category of R-1Z zoning is an appropriate zoning district for the Greatwood patio homes based on the development pattern.

This permanent R-1Z zoning proposal is only for the residential areas currently zoned R-1-I that were developed in the zero lot line style. With regard to the remainder of the residential single-family areas in Greatwood currently zoned R-1-I, staff anticipates the permanent zoning process to take place in a future phase; therefore, the residential areas developed as standard single-family homes are not included in this permanent zoning request.

The Commission held a public hearing on October 9, 2018, at which no members of the public spoke. The Commission believed the proposed zoning district for the Greatwood patio homes was reasonable based on the existing development pattern and in character with the surrounding neighborhoods. On October 26, 2018, the Commission unanimously recommended approval to the Mayor and City Council with no changes to the Staff’s recommendation of approval. 

Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council hold a Public Hearing and approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2148 for the permanent zoning of three areas in Greatwood for Zero Lot Line Single Family Residential (R-1Z) zoning totaling approximately 61 acres.