The Lago Vista Planning & Zoning Commission on Oct. 23 voted to ask staff and the city attorney to review the municipal definition of an “aggrieved person” and to draft recommended changes and a process for handling procedural complaints tied to zoning, subdivision and administrative actions.

Under current city code, the definition used for certain zoning appeals limits an aggrieved person's standing to property owners within a 200‑foot radius of the subject property. Commissioners discussed whether that geographic limit unduly narrows the set of residents who can raise procedural objections — for example, residents who notice a procedural defect but live outside 200 feet or those who are utility account holders or other local stakeholders.

Several commissioners and the council liaison cautioned that any expansion must respect state law and avoid enabling frivolous or duplicative appeals. Staff warned that wider notice or citywide standing could create significant administrative burdens (for example, broader notice requirements or more appeals), and the commission asked legal counsel to advise on how to structure any change without inviting unnecessary litigation or overturning council actions that are final.

Motion and vote: The commission approved a referral asking staff to work with the city attorney to draft proposed revisions to the aggrieved person definition (including options for utility‑account holders, city residents and other stakeholders) and to propose a process for administrative complaints. The motion passed with unanimous support among commissioners present.

Next steps: Staff and the city attorney will prepare draft language and legal guidance, including any state‑law constraints and recommended processes for review and appeal, and will return the draft to the commission for consideration.