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