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Commission defers amendment clarifying private-airstrip setback measurements after public comment
Summary
Williamson County staff asked the planning commission to defer a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would clarify how setback distances for private airstrips are measured; an applicant representative said the change would not expand permitted uses but would measure setbacks from residential structures rather than residential base zoning.
Williamson County planning staff asked the commission to defer proposed amendments to Articles 11 and 23 of the county zoning ordinance that would clarify how setbacks from runway ends and sides for private landing strips and heliports are measured. The commission agreed to defer the item to the October meeting after staff identified public comments that warrant further review.
Why it matters: The proposed change would clarify whether the 1,000-foot setback is measured from a residential structure or from areas zoned residential. That distinction affects where private-use landing strips and heliports could be sited in the county because residential structures can legally exist in multiple base zoning districts.
What staff said
Staff told commissioners that after publishing the notice for the text amendment the planning office received many comments and determined it was best to take a step back and revisit the wording. Staff asked the commission to defer the item; because the public hearing had already been advertised, the commission held the public-hearing portion of the meeting for the item and accepted a single three-minute public comment.
Public comment and applicant clarification
Jason Goddard, who identified himself as representing applicant Charles Cruz, said the amendment was intended only to clarify—not to expand—existing permitted uses for private landing strips. Goddard said private landing strips currently are permitted with a special-use permit in the RP-5, RD-5, agricultural and village categories, and that the ordinance requires a 1,000-foot setback from either end of a landing strip and a 200-foot side setback unless adjacent to residential zoning, when the side setback increases to 1,000 feet.
Goddard said the amendment would make clear that the 1,000-foot measurement should be taken from a residential structure or residential use, rather than from a residential base zoning designation. He said that approach ensures residential structures that are lawfully permitted in nonresidential zones would receive the same setback protection. Goddard told the commission he and his client support staff's proposed revision and requested the commission's future consideration.
Commission action
Following the public comment, staff requested — and commissioners moved to — defer the amendment until the October meeting. The commission voted in favor of the deferral by voice vote.
What’s next: Staff will revisit the amendment language and related public comments and bring a revised proposal back to the commission for consideration at a future meeting; staff said the amendment will not appear on the county commission’s September agenda and that the item will be deferred to October for further work.
