Residents urge simpler permitting, fee waivers after tornado; city manager says UDC amendments will go to P&Z

During public comment, several Dickinson residents urged the council and staff to make the post-disaster permitting process simpler and less costly after an F1 tornado damaged homes in December.

Crystal Gonzales, who said her home at 3708 Misty Cove Court suffered significant damage on Dec. 28 and that repairs continue, told the council she has paid close to $1,000 in permit fees and still lacks final permits. Gonzales requested that the city extend prior fee waivers to any residents rebuilding after a natural disaster and asked for clearer, step-by-step online guidance explaining how to proceed after a storm.

Resident Garland Copeland also told the council the Unified Development Code (UDC) is creating permitting difficulties and said the UDC should be reviewed and possibly repealed and reworked. Several residents said the process is confusing and that staff guidance was necessary to find forms and complete temporary living permit applications.

City Manager Rich Gap acknowledged permitting frustrations and told the council that the UDC will be sent back to the Planning & Zoning Commission with recommendations rather than convening a separate committee; he said many residents submitted to serve on a committee and he did not want to leave anyone out. Gap also briefed the council on the Hughes Road drainage project (now about 17% complete) and said the project remains on schedule and under budget; the manager noted the city is prioritizing the section in front of Hughes Road Elementary.

Council members who spoke in the meeting thanked emergency and public works staff for response after the tornado and for weekend work to remove hazards, and several encouraged homeowners to seek staff assistance to find the necessary permits. No formal action on a fee-waiver policy was adopted at the meeting; Gonzales's request was entered into the record for council and staff consideration.