[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076931,"mediaKeyId","2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105","parentId",2966472,"title","City planning staff wins $250,000 grant for comprehensive plan update; three‑year project planned","audioSeconds",57,"startMs",1481000,"endMs",1538000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105&start=1481&end=1538","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105/thumbnail_1481000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076931/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/City-planning-staff-wins-250000-grant-for-comprehensive-plan-update-threeyear-project-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076931-45a6de733ff149d3fa5d0fa144714264/orig.mp4?Expires=1775929461&Signature=TmfxMlxbS7pPZmcSvBEm1GQONah38QrMwWH1k0J6NYkyPtK8RJ6ouQgHYy4bG48YiE7G81jSyRnEc6mDjq7458GS8dYxtxWle88N1PCrEI4AvQq0tuXPn4Jpcv2Uj3E8WOUk7~0LQZEW4HFUVeaeUEdAVNnmp~pt1k4BjB5Tmcan7LjvTsPg-GbQHXmaOrASAl8FftWJqQosYwCvSFfIWiMXVqDCgQS~Dtba3FpYcYFVIz8Qn~8DAHYvy~iGgMOTFliKhMSh2lSFVZaAdOmyn-9pE7y2TixzfY~aXJ5W~UJzXeft9yGfBdz084-kmA1rsDiZ1sS9zMKPhz4RmeZfbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Friendswood TX","date","2025-04-11T21:03:41Z","article","City planning staff announced on April 10 that Friendswood was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Texas General Land Office’s Resilient Communities program to update the city’s comprehensive plan.

Aubrey Stessinger, planning staff, said the grant will fund a professional planning firm to perform an updated comprehensive plan over three years, including a population study, housing analysis and recommendations that align with hazard mitigation plans for Galveston and Harris counties because Friendswood participates in those plans. Stessinger said a kickoff meeting is scheduled for the month and that commissioners and the public will be involved through public meetings and subcommittee engagement.

The commission was told the project will run three years and that the planning subcommittee and commissioners will have opportunities to participate in the process. Stessinger described the grant as “a huge help for us” and said the firm will make recommendations on land use, housing and resilience consistent with county hazard mitigation requirements.

Staff also noted that the sign ordinance amendment related to temporary use advertising (allowing small bandit signs for temporary outdoor permit uses) will proceed to City Council for second reading on the same night the temporary outdoor uses item goes to Council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Friendswood staff told the Planning & Zoning Commission the city received a $250,000 General Land Office Resilient Communities grant to update the comprehensive plan; the three‑year project will include population and housing studies and must align with Galveston and Harris County hazard mitigation plans.","taxTitle","Friendswood City, Galveston County, Texas","taxId",55593,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076936,"Commission approves site plan amendment for 161 Development on South Friendswood Drive",288,885000,1173000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105&start=885&end=1173","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105/thumbnail_885000.jpg","/articles/6076936/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Commission-approves-site-plan-amendment-for-161-Development-on-South-Friendswood-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076936-4a793826738dfbe9e4a7f44637b67b95/orig.mp4?Expires=1775929461&Signature=fTHCjdIDuuWLEKOSAkVEuCMp4GuHmgVTxsXE3MxT~v4xwWcF33jkHqIFMKdCgNefLecNYO2kdICj7UdhDcrRZsBtRTaWtPnsMIKWxEMRUamJsjEfpjLmBCS~c8byR2Prtgd-gqRLLLEu5PFYSyarYRDoi9Aer0BFgR78rDScqbBC1xbAhW3EVVoFfdXV8u20OGcK7LQAbiQ6usurE051LBp45p6Sr8jW2Q-LBFRaE2r98qtYV~OGsLK3hSBkBYYeTr7bhoJVHJLTn38xdrbLW4zXu5dslFHQgYovfdjTnUjyoC5z7qnRznzE75t--sfJcGLzVwm06LzuJxbEKzN0Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning & Zoning Commission on April 10 approved a site plan amendment for property at 212 and 214 South Friendswood Drive, known in the materials as the 161 Development, to formalize recent and proposed improvements including benches for the downtown district, the future addition of an outdoor patio, six‑foot brick‑paved sidewalks along West Shadow Bend Avenue and new landscaping.

Aubrey Stessinger, planning staff, said the property is zoned downtown district and currently houses Ocean Sushi and Great Harvest Bakery. She said the owners corrected platting errors, have installed new light fixtures tied to the downtown improvement project, and will screen a dumpster and add perimeter trees where possible. The six‑foot brick sidewalk is proposed in addition to the required concrete sidewalk; TxDOT has already installed six‑foot sidewalks in front of the site, staff said.

Brett Bamford of Bamford Properties, the applicant, addressed the commission and said Aubrey’s summary covered the proposal and that he was present to answer questions. Commissioners expressed support for the patio elevation and overall site improvements. Commissioners and the applicant noted that the patio will be permitted separately and constructed by the property owner.

The commission moved, seconded and approved the site plan amendment; the transcript records the motion passed but does not include a roll‑call tally. The file notes potential shared parking with an adjacent future development and that some perimeter trees cannot be placed because of existing site constraints. Staff said additional trees will be placed along the Shadow Bend side to screen mechanical equipment and the sprinkler/fire closet.","The commission approved a site plan amendment for 212–214 S. Friendswood Drive (the 161 Development) to add benches, a future patio area, six‑foot brick sidewalks on West Shadow Bend Avenue and new landscaping; Ocean Sushi will seek a separate permit for an outdoor patio.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076941,"Commission recommends more flexibility in perimeter landscaping rules for site plans",157,728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105&start=728&end=885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105/thumbnail_728000.jpg","/articles/6076941/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Commission-recommends-more-flexibility-in-perimeter-landscaping-rules-for-site-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076941-d98c6a435fbe93c77615364b7095a8c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775929461&Signature=STAH1itUBzWxH8Bl-iJJwWVqrl8gIqGPMC5zCMI5IyzUjznd5CZ8Xd~vV7LsVm0JRJYaYf2~i-vCtTpjvgj4U6pisf5XrhTjvJu23t6vSktHRsSfNqPUA3Pj~Hp8UNEcrRYoRNiY1PU~1Isio77TC3mTVPnWfySitefZs2EM50qFeMF8p-S3~xku2t7hZB54nQfkiPajtkMR64jk65-Wi39LcSC~~hYGDAD-K4NsnH5ByQYSx-8bhhUG2cv4NCV86kuF9bEPRQLr8IrabnpAXq3~io-J9AdKhB45JhXQTYNiisS1mQxa7~ybG-sD9D99T9ozLyfuSc8g84r-lzbXAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Friendswood Planning & Zoning Commission on April 10 voted to recommend that City Council approve amendments to Appendix C, Zoning Section 8.2 (Perimeter Landscaping and Screening) to allow the commission greater discretion when approving site plans.

Aubrey Stessinger, planning staff, told commissioners the draft mostly rearranges existing wording and removes certain landscaping requirements for commercial uses that have been approved by a specific use permit, giving staff and the commission more flexibility. She noted that with fewer than about 2,000 acres left for development in the city, staff is seeing more infill sites next to existing residential neighborhoods and that flexibility “will be helpful.”

There were no public comments on the item. Commissioners said the subcommittee reviewed scenarios and the changes were developed to allow site‑specific considerations. The commission moved, seconded and approved the recommendation to Council; the transcript records the motion passed but does not show a roll‑call tally.

If Council adopts the amendments, applicants for site plans may receive adjustments to perimeter landscaping and screening requirements when the commission finds site conditions or adjacent zoning warrant flexibility. Staff said the change is intended to make landscaping requirements practicable on constrained or infill parcels.","The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend City Council amend Appendix C (Zoning) Section 8.2 to give commissioners more latitude in applying perimeter landscaping and screening requirements, and to remove some landscaping requirements where a specific use permit is present.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076946,"Friendswood commission backs code changes to allow longer, limited outdoor retail events",660,61000,721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105&start=61&end=721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966472-a20d104dc50168f0303707380a21c105/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6076946/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Friendswood-commission-backs-code-changes-to-allow-longer-limited-outdoor-retail-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076946-3957769dde4c3cd354a1b8275c6ec23d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775929461&Signature=de3jjvFbkgb3Ro1zCKc78ooQPC-13d75CZgFcEcM2knS4WWG0Wcrzvs3QltVPpaQ0-SABPKnqRoRUkm0jxnY4A~VRzHMas456g3FyW7ALYLr9w0~KVh48FbnqOfcrYs0~dAHhmefEl4ibYcWoHt7KihjKxNRk15yVGGevAlqwA5JP9Ur3XtdDdsvQt4wJDKJmbWDc7GD0YAmickLVze8WkzlfVkWE~loNykpxy0QnWxuiWV1mVznKBJJ3D22r9NzkjxD7-8o9lzJnadBaTRFFL3h04bNoMr9uO6ry6gzDECXf8o90eoO50imhW2MJ1IzAcaqiHT3SSL~iN0bibmCXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Friendswood Planning & Zoning Commission on April 10 recommended that the City Council approve amendments to Appendix C, Zoning, Section 8, Subsection M, to update rules for temporary outdoor sales, including a new 30-day permit, limits on event counts per lot, and a 10 p.m. curfew for outdoor activities.

The change would consolidate outdoor sales and special‑event provisions into the zoning code and add a 30‑day permit aimed at businesses that run month‑long seasonal sales such as pumpkin patches. Aubrey Stessinger, planning staff, said the draft clarifies that “all outdoor activities must cease operations by 10PM.” The draft also limits the number of events per lot rather than per business and requires landlord signatures for events on multi‑tenant properties, staff said.

The recommended limits in the adopted draft are three 30‑day events per lot and six four‑day events per lot in a calendar year (the commission discussed but did not change a proposed cap of six multi‑day events). Jacob Finnan, who identified himself as the owner of the Scoop Shop at 2718 Hazel Street, told commissioners: “I... like the 30 day permit for I'm with the scoop shop, for things like our pumpkin patch and stuff like that. It's very good.” Commissioners also discussed concerns about multiple businesses in a single lot using up the allotment and asked staff to monitor the rule’s effect.

Commissioners agreed to keep the per‑lot approach for now and to revisit the limits at a year‑end retreat after a six‑month monitoring period. Staff explained the landlord‑signature requirement is intended to prevent one property owner from allowing excessive events that would affect co‑tenants.

The Planning & Zoning Commission moved to approve (recommend to Council) action items A1 and A2, which cover the public‑hearing record and the recommendation on the ordinance amendments. The motion was approved by the commission; the transcript records the motion and that “Motion passes,” but does not list a roll‑call vote tally.

If approved by the City Council, the amendments will change how temporary outdoor retail and special events are permitted and enforced in Friendswood, including the new 30‑day option and the per‑lot limit and signature requirement. Staff said they will bring feedback from the monitoring period back to the commission at the end‑of‑year retreat.","The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended City Council approve changes to the Friendswood City Code to expand temporary outdoor sales permits (including a new 30-day option), set a 10 p.m. end time, and limit events per lot; commissioners said they will monitor effects and revisit the rules after six months.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City planning staff wins $250,000 grant for comprehensive plan update; three‑year project planned

Commission approves site plan amendment for 161 Development on South Friendswood Drive

Commission recommends more flexibility in perimeter landscaping rules for site plans

Friendswood commission backs code changes to allow longer, limited outdoor retail events