Council moves forward on unified development code; mayor to appoint ad hoc subcommittee

Lago Vista — Council directed staff to begin work on implementing a unified development code after the recently completed code diagnostic and agreed that the mayor should appoint an ad hoc subcommittee to advise the process.

Staff described the UDC as a chapter-by-chapter rewrite intended to remove conflicts, fix cross-references and ensure legislative compliance. Paul Roberts (via emailed comments read into the record) urged guardrails: a short written charter limiting scope creep; a two-track approach separating policy-neutral cleanup from policy options; and transparent documentation such as red-line registries that explain "what changed, why and who requested it." Council and staff agreed transparency would be central to the process, including use of discussion boards and public notices for chapters that create nonconformities.

Councilmembers asked that staff lead the effort and that the subcommittee be a nimble, staff-led working group including two members each from Planning & Zoning and Building & Standards, their chairs, and council liaisons. Council also stressed that any substantive changes to land-use policy must be returned to council for formal deliberation and vote.

Staff estimated a goal of producing draft materials by November (with an internal target around January reported) but flagged that the timeline will depend on the comp-plan schedule, required legal review and public-notice obligations. The council directed staff to come back with a formal subcommittee appointment to ratify at the next meeting.