Commission approves Sterling Falls event venue; waives sidewalk requirement along drainage ditch

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site plan for Sterling Falls, a new event venue at 2600 South Friendswood Drive, and granted the applicant’s request to waive the sidewalk requirement along the property’s frontage adjacent to an open drainage ditch.

Aubrey, planning staff, described the project as an event venue that will include an indoor banquet hall and chapel, an outdoor chapel, and landscaped walled courtyards. Staff said the zoning ordinance allows the commission to waive sidewalk installation where unsafe conditions exist; staff described an 80-foot-wide drainage ditch owned by a drainage district and no sidewalk across a nearby bridge as reasons a sidewalk would be unsafe and lead “to nowhere.”

Commissioners raised standard concerns about drainage and buffering between the commercial parking area and adjacent residential lots. The submitted site plan notes a 50-foot drainage easement on one side and 30-foot drainage easements backing the residential properties; staff said the zoning ordinance’s screening requirement can be waived where a drainage canal separates commercial and residential uses.

Several commissioners recommended the applicant consider installing a fence along the south property line adjacent to residences to provide security and neighborly screening; staff said the facility will include a wall around the building court and that the parking area will not require the full 15-foot buffer in the location where the drainage ditch separates parcels.

A motion to approve the site plan including the waiver for no sidewalk along the ditch carried by voice vote. Staff notified neighbors and the applicant had exchanged contact information to address security and fencing concerns outside the formal review process.

The approval is for the site plan; construction permits and final inspections are required before occupancy.