Dickinson council approves first readings to rezone two parcels on Elm Drive and FM 517

The Dickinson City Council on Tuesday approved first readings of two ordinances to change the official zoning map for separate parcels on Elm Drive and at Gum Drive and FM 517 East.

The council voted to rezone a roughly 0.459-acre parcel at 3532 Elm Drive from AutoCentric Commercial to Urban Transition, and to rezone a roughly 1.336-acre parcel at the corner of Gum Drive and FM 517 East from AutoCentric Commercial to Neighborhood Conservation. Both measures passed on first reading after staff presentations and without public comment.

Planning staff told the council both requests had previously been before the council but were re-noticed after an initial posting issue. Staff said the Elm Drive applicant had expressed an intention to pursue residential development; planners advised the council that a zoning map amendment changes the allowable uses on the property to whatever is permitted in the new district rather than limiting the site to a single proposed project. The staff presentation noted the Urban Transition district permits denser residential options (for example duplexes or multiplexes) while Neighborhood Conservation is intended to preserve single-family residential patterns.

No applicant representative or members of the public spoke during the public hearings for either parcel. Planning and Zoning recommended approval of both map amendments and staff echoed that recommendation to council.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the parcels' prior designations under the Unified Development Code (UDC). A council member asked whether the Elm Drive property had been conventional residential before the UDC change; a staff member replied that it had been zoned residential previously and that some map labels changed with the UDC adoption. Council member Mark Townsend pressed for clarity about which areas of the city were affected by UDC changes; staff and other council members explained that while many map labels were adjusted citywide, single-family residences in Neighborhood Conservation remain conforming and would not be required to register as nonconforming.

Both rezoning motions were made, seconded and approved on voice vote with no recorded dissents. Because the ordinances passed on first reading, final adoption will require subsequent council action.

The two items were presented as first readings, and the council indicated the matters will return for final consideration at a later meeting once required procedures are complete.