The Cibolo City Council unanimously approved Wednesday night a package of Unified Development Code amendments that relax planning, platting and parking rules for qualifying parcels in the city’s Old Town district.

City planner Spencer (presenter) told council the amendments are intended to codify long-standing local practice and to ease redevelopment of small, historic lots downtown by permitting alternative parking surfaces, allowing administrative approvals for small parking areas and exempting certain pre‑1965 lots from full subdivision platting and lot-by-lot drainage studies when no new public improvements are required.

Spencer said the exemption is limited to lots whose boundaries were established before the city’s 1965 incorporation, that have public access and existing utilities. “With an area-wide drainage approach, we can reduce the burden of lot-by-lot engineering and rely instead on a plan to address regional drainage for Old Town,” he said.

Councilmember Joel Hicks asked for safeguards to ensure any change did not shift drainage problems onto neighboring properties. Spencer responded that an exemption does not apply when cumulative structure area increases by 30 percent or more; in that case a full plat and drainage study would be required.

Councilwoman Katie Cunningham said the changes correct a mismatch between the UDC text and what is actually happening on the ground and noted Old Town development has historically used a different set of practical standards. “This is a good step to allow small business owners to renovate without jumping through hoops intended for larger developments,” she said.

The planning commission recommended approval with several technical edits; council adopted the ordinance (agenda 11C) with a motion by Councilwoman Cunningham and a second by Councilwoman Roberts. Councilman Hicks abstained; the motion carried 5–0 (one abstention).

The ordinance also clarifies that alternative parking materials and administrative approvals will be subject to a dust-control requirement and other maintenance obligations to protect sidewalks and public ways.

Why it matters: Old Town lots are compact and pre-date many modern development standards; the changes aim to reduce regulatory friction for small businesses while retaining engineering review when buildings or impervious area expand.

What’s next: Staff will prepare the code language for codification and provide updated checklists to planning, building and permitting staff.

Votes at a glance
- UDC amendments for Old Town platting, drainage, and parking (Agenda 11C): approved (motion by Councilwoman Cunningham; second by Councilwoman Roberts). Tally: 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention (Hicks).

Limitations: Exemptions do not apply when structure area increases more than 30% or when public improvements are being dedicated; dust-control and ongoing maintenance requirements remain enforceable.