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Council approves variances for La Siena subdivision, requires speed bumps on long stretches
Summary
Edinburg voted to approve setback and block-length variances for the Sapphire at La Siena master-planned subdivision; council conditioned longer block lengths on developer-installed speed bumps subject to engineering approval and approved mirrored variances for phase 3.
Edinburg, Texas — The City Council approved a package of variances requested by the developer of the Sapphire at La Siena subdivision after discussion about safety and community design, and the body required traffic-calming measures as a condition for longer block lengths.
Developers told council the three-phase project is master planned with pedestrian trails and amenity areas and that previous phases used similar layouts. Marlon Garza, representing the developer, said the winding street design and internal amenity areas justified longer block lengths and that traffic calming and speed bumps were planned to protect pedestrian connections.
Planning staff noted that the Unified Development Code caps block length at 1,000 feet to discourage long, straight ‘‘drag-strip’’ streets and recommended caution about setting a new precedent. The fire marshal and utilities director both said they could work with the proposed designs: the fire chief said response distances were within acceptable radii for their stations, and the utilities director said tighter right-of-way conditions were workable though not ideal for staging repairs.
Council approved the first variance (reduced rear setbacks) and separately approved the increased block-length variance on the condition that the developer install speed bumps approved by the engineering department. Council then approved the same paired variances for Phase 3 with the same speed-bump condition.
What happens next: Engineering will review speed-bump plans and the developer will include required plat notes for approved variances before plat recordation. Councilors asked staff to consider whether UDC language should be revised to reduce the need for repetitive variances in similar master-planned developments.
Quotes from the meeting included the developer arguing for aesthetics and functionality: "We're not trying to abuse what the block length is meant to be. We're trying to really give, 1, aesthetically, 2, our lot fits," and council members stressing resident outreach and safety concerns.
