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Council hires Friese & Nichols to diagnose development-code conflicts; adds Chapter 11 to scope
Summary
The council authorized Friese & Nichols to perform a diagnostic review of city development codes, adding Chapter 11 (future land use/subdivision topics) to the scope; the firm will prepare recommendations and will meet developer stakeholders at staff/subcommittee direction.
The Lago Vista City Council approved a contract with Friese & Nichols to perform a diagnostic review of the city’s development ordinances and to identify chapters that conflict, overlap, or need modernization. Council also added Chapter 11 (future land use and related provisions) to the consultant’s scope at the council’s direction.
Staff and Building and Standards Commission (BSC) chair Frank Robbins said the commission has flagged multiple ordinance chapters that need updating, including drainage, multi-family regulations and enforcement provisions. Robbins told the council that the BSC has seen delays in staff-driven ordinance updates and wants a clear diagnostic that staff, the commission and council can use to prioritize rewrites.
Councilmembers emphasized careful scope control: the consultant should identify problems and offer recommended approaches but not substitute for detailed policy decisions reserved for council and advisory commissions. Council directed staff to ensure Friese & Nichols limit developer interviews to a list of stakeholders approved by the city manager and/or the development subcommittee so outside interviews do not unduly shape recommended policy changes.
Ending: Friese & Nichols will return a diagnostic report and suggested chapter list; staff will route recommendations through Planning & Zoning and the Building & Standards Commission before council ordinance drafting and public hearings.
