Council discusses expanding open‑structure (carport) overlay; staff to pursue neighborhood‑level approach and faster remedies for existing unpermitted carports

City planning staff updated the San Angelo City Council on a request to expand the city’s open‑structure overlay (section 3.12 of the zoning ordinance) to additional neighborhoods, and council members and residents discussed tradeoffs between allowing front‑yard carports and protecting neighborhood character. No formal vote was taken; council requested additional neighborhood engagement and faster case‑by‑case remedies for existing unpermitted structures.

City planner Aaron said the overlay was adopted in February 2005 to allow certain open structures (porches, carports) in front setbacks under design rules that once included drawings but were removed before adoption. He warned that a state law taking effect after April 2019 limits local governments’ ability to require specific materials when those materials are covered by standard building codes. “It essentially says after April 2019, citizens are limited in requiring specific materials if they're already adopted in a standard…