Commission opens deeper review of Corridor Mixed Use zoning; parking and floodplain cited as major constraints

Summary

At a July 10 workshop the commission received a broad orientation on the Corridor Mixed Use (CMU) district from consultant Gary Mitchell (Camden Keys Collaborative). Staff and consultants flagged small, irregular parcels, off-street parking demands, and flood-plain/substantial-improvement rules as the principal barriers to redevelopment, and said a

The City of Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission on July 10 held an extended workshop on the Corridor Mixed Use (CMU) district (Chapter 24, Article 5, Section 24-536) to orient members to physical conditions along Bissonnet and Bellaire and to discuss potential ordinance amendments.

Gary Mitchell of Camden Keys Collaborative led the presentation and showed aerials, lot dimensions and HCAD parcel clips across the corridor, pointing out that CMU contains both large shopping-center properties and very small, triangular parcels created by Bissonnet's diagonal alignment. Mitchell said the district's mix of lot sizes and the proximity of commercial parcels to rear residential lots mean any change to height/setback, parking, or coverage standards will have varied impacts across the district.

Mitchell highlighted several regulatory issues likely to come up in drafting amendments: - Rear/backlot height-setback plane: CMU currently uses a 27-foot threshold at which the setback plane begins where commercial property abuts residential. Commissioners discussed whether to match the UVD change to a 17-foot…

Commission opens deeper review of Corridor Mixed Use zoning; parking and floodplain cited as major constraints

Summary

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