Commission approves multiple zoning-ordinance amendments including BOA membership change to seven

The City of Anna Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 3, 2025, to approve a package of amendments to Article 9.04 of the City of Anna zoning ordinance, with one explicit amendment to change Board of Adjustment membership to seven members instead of five.

Planning Manager Lauren Mecchi presented the proposed changes, which she said respond to state-law changes and local staff findings since the zoning ordinance was last adopted in August 2023. Key changes presented included removing a repetitive line tying each zoning district to the comprehensive plan (to avoid repeatedly amending the ordinance when the comp plan changes); excluding Powell Parkway from a 1,200-foot single-family separation rule that had been intended for larger highways; adjustments to downtown build-to and frontage requirements; restoring and consolidating stacking-space requirements for drive-through businesses into the parking section; clarifying landscape and tree-preservation rules (including a defined enhanced landscape area and what qualifies as a preserved tree); changes to sign-dimension rules and posting timing to satisfy state notice requirements; and a proposed change to the Board of Adjustment to expand membership from five to seven and remove the two-alternate structure.

Commissioners questioned how the charter-review items pending for voter consideration in November might interact with BOA term language; staff said the charter would supersede local ordinance changes where applicable and that the commission could note term-rotation language in its motion. Commissioner Martin made a motion to approve the amendments with the exception that section 3 of 9.04.0.074 be updated to reflect seven BOA members; Commissioner Volmer seconded. Roll call votes were unanimous in favor.

The commission’s recommendation forwards the amendments (with the BOA membership correction) for adoption steps required under city process.