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Montgomery council approves reduced lot setbacks for The Villages development amid density concerns
Summary
The Montgomery City Council voted to grant variances reducing front- and side-yard setbacks for The Villages of Montgomery development, after staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval and council members debated traffic, fire-code impacts and neighborhood density.
The Montgomery City Council approved variances that reduce required front-yard setbacks from 25 feet to 10 feet and side-yard setbacks from 10 feet to 5 feet for portions of The Villages of Montgomery development on May 27.
City planning staff told the council the variances do not approve final site plans or a development agreement but are needed for the developer to proceed with detailed planning. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the request at its May 6 meeting and recommended approval unanimously, staff said.
Council discussion centered on density and public-safety infrastructure. A meeting speaker identified in the record as a resident warned the change would increase housing density and traffic, and urged council members to vote against the variance. A council member said the product brought by the developer is a higher-end housing type the city previously endorsed.
Staff explained the development’s proposed street cross-sections: 28-foot local streets and a boulevard consisting of two 30-foot travel sections with green space between. Staff also said the applicant has not requested a variance for green-space requirements and will be required to demonstrate compliance with green-space calculations during the planning review.
Council members asked about fire-safety approvals for narrower side yards. Staff said Texas code and the city’s requirements require fire-rated construction or masonry fire walls where buildings are closer than typical setbacks; the city’s code official confirmed a five-foot minimum side-yard configuration is permitted with appropriate fire walls.
A motion to accept the variances passed. The council did not adopt final plats or a development agreement at the meeting; staff emphasized the variance decisions do not replace subsequent permitting, flood-plain review or utility approvals required before building permits can be issued.
The council’s action allows the developer to continue the planning process that will return for additional council review and permitting steps.
