Council grants variance to steep-slope lot-size multiplier for 300 Sunrise Drive subdivision

The Wimberley City Council on Feb. 20 approved a variance from the city’s steep-slope lot-size multiplier (Section 4.06.004 of the Wimberley code of ordinances) for property at 300 Sunrise Drive, allowing the owners to subdivide an approximately 11-acre tract into three lots.

Planning staff explained the ordinance increases required minimum lot size where average slope exceeds thresholds; for the subject property the slope multiplier would have made minimum lot sizes impractically large and effectively precluded creating the proposed lots. The owners’ representative, John Thompson, said two existing homes and septic systems occupy portions of the tract and that Lot 3 would be the only undeveloped parcel. Thompson and the applicants proposed mitigation including a mapped building envelope near the road that would prohibit vertical construction in the steep ravine area, a prohibition on further resubdivision, and recorded covenants to preserve the undevelopable slope area.

Council members discussed septic and water service details; staff noted the lots are served by Wimberley Water Supply and existing septic systems for the two occupied homes. Council and the applicant also discussed that a future buyer of Lot 3 would face topographic constraints likely to limit a structure to roughly 1,200–1,500 square feet once septic, setbacks and slope are considered. The council asked for and received assurances that the proposal would lock density to three lots and include building-envelope limits.

After discussion, a council motion to approve the variance passed by unanimous voice vote. The approval included conditions discussed on the record (building envelope, no further resubdivision and standard city development controls at building-permit review).