Planning commission approves PUD for Continental Homes development with added sidewalks and trails

The Fredericksburg Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of a planned unit development, Z-2501, for Continental Homes of Texas LP, to rezone about 70 acres addressed at 256 Pico Road from R-5 (patio home residential) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD).

The measure matters because the PUD sets the development standards for a new single-family neighborhood — including lot sizes, pedestrian connections, parking and limits on short-term rentals — and will move next to City Council for final approval.

Staff and the applicant told the commission the PUD mixes two lot types intended to produce both smaller R-1A-style lots and larger 6,000-square-foot lots that could accommodate duplexes, guest houses or accessory dwelling units. Shelby, the city planner who presented the staff review, said the submission describes about 40 larger lots “closer to an R-2” in size and about 97 lots “more like an R-1A.” Shelby also highlighted development commitments written into the PUD: “They’re calling out 5 foot wide sidewalks to be provided … and an 8 foot wide all weather trail,” and a requirement of four off-street parking spaces per lot and a street-tree per lot.

The developer’s representative, Devin Klein, told commissioners the builder expects the product will appeal to younger families working in the Fredericksburg area: “We’re very excited about the opportunity, potentially bringing another really nice community to Fredericksburg,” he said.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing raised traffic and drainage concerns. John Graham, a trustee at Heritage School, asked about home prices and the effect of additional traffic near the school. Charles Schroeder, a nearby property owner, described existing drainage problems in the area and urged the city to ensure new detention and stormwater controls do not increase runoff onto adjacent properties.

City engineering staff and the developer said future plat and construction-plan reviews will address drainage, stormwater detention and TxDOT/City access requirements. Evan Williamson, assistant city engineer and interim director of development services, told the commission the project “will have to comply with the city's stormwater control ordinance” and must detain increased peak flows rather than increase them.

Commission discussion focused on pedestrian connectivity and parking for accessory dwelling units. Commissioners asked whether the four on‑lot parking spaces the PUD requires would cover ADU and duplex parking, and staff answered that the four spaces are intended to cover the range of proposed residential products and that an ADU would require one parking space in that total. The PUD document also explicitly forbids short-term rental uses.

Polly (commissioner) moved to recommend approval of Z-2501 with two changes requested by commissioners: (1) add a new sidewalk “punch through” between Lots 205 and 206 (and similarly between Lots 195 and 196) to improve northern connectivity, and (2) relocate the proposed sidewalk at the Windcrest entrance from Lot 254 to between Lots 245 and 246 to separate pedestrian access from a high‑traffic vehicle entrance. A second was made and the motion carried unanimously.

The commission’s approval is a zoning recommendation; the PUD and implementing plats will return to the city for final action. Staff advised that specific technical issues — including final drainage design, construction plans, and TxDOT or city access approvals — will be resolved during preliminary and final plat and civil construction-plan review.

Votes at a glance Z-2501 (Continental Homes PUD) — Recommendation to approve PUD and include two added sidewalks; motion carried (unanimous recommendation to City Council).