Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dickinson planning commission approves three zoning-map amendments after notice corrections
Summary
The Dickinson Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 16 approved three requests to change zoning designations — two after staff corrected on-site notice errors — including a request affecting 3532 Elm Drive and a separate rezoning at Gum Drive and FM 517 East.
The Dickinson Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 16 approved three zoning-map amendments, including two items the commission reheard after staff said required on-site notice information was missing.
Staff told the commission the first application, for a parcel listed as 3532 Elm Drive (parcel 163404), was returned to the commission because an on-site public-notice sign went missing before a council hearing and a second sign lacked the meeting time and date. “The sign went missing. . . the specific time and date of the meetings was not posted on this sign,” a staff member said. Staff said the city has since replaced signs, is photographing postings on the day of meetings and filed a notarized affidavit attesting that required notice has been provided.
The commission reopened the public hearing on the Elm Drive property and then moved to make a recommendation to change the official zoning map from AutoCentric Commercial to Urban Transition for an area described in the record as approximately 0.459 acres. The application’s representative originally told staff the intent was to build a duplex on the site, though staff said other uses allowed under the Urban Transition district would be permitted if the zoning change is approved.
A second item involving the same address and parcel number was presented immediately afterward as a separate agenda entry and described in staff materials as approximately 4.459 acres; staff again said the on-site notice signs are now in place and recommended approval. Commissioners discussed that the matter had been debated at the previous meeting and was being reheard only to correct the technical notice error. A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; the chair called for the ayes and the motion carried.
A third rezoning request, for parcel 375913 at the corner of Gum Drive and FM 517 East (legally described as parts of Lots 1 and 3 and all of 4 and 5 of Tropical Gardens), asked to change zoning from AutoCentric Commercial to Neighborhood Conservation for about 1.336 acres. Staff and the planning commission said the on-site notice for this item had been verified; staff recommended approval and the applicant was present but did not speak. Commissioners asked about flooding and mitigation; one commissioner noted the property “sits up pretty high” and is not in a flood zone and that the proposed houses would be raised on stilts. The commission recommended approval and the motion carried.
Votes at a glance
- Agenda item 6A — 3532 Elm Drive (parcel 163404), approx. 0.459 acres: Recommendation to change zoning from AutoCentric Commercial to Urban Transition — motion made and seconded; chair called for ayes; motion carried (no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript).
- Agenda item 6B — 3532 Elm Drive (parcel 163404), described in staff materials as approx. 4.459 acres: Recommendation to change zoning from AutoCentric Commercial to Urban Transition — motion made and seconded; chair called for ayes; motion carried (no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript).
- Agenda item 6C — corner of Gum Drive and FM 517 East (parcel 375913), approx. 1.336 acres: Recommendation to change zoning from AutoCentric Commercial to Neighborhood Conservation — motion made and seconded; chair called for ayes; motion carried (no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript).
Why it matters: Planning and zoning map changes alter what types and densities of development are permitted and can affect neighborhood character, flood-mitigation requirements and short-term development timetables. Commissioners emphasized the rehearings were procedural: staff said the items had been recommended previously but were returned to the commission so all statutory notice requirements were verifiably met.
The meeting also included a brief scheduling note: the council liaison said he will recommend a joint meeting between the council and the planning commission on Oct. 14 to begin discussions on changes to the unified development code.
