Galveston planning commission defers review of 351‑acre Discovery Sands PUD after flood, fire and environmental concerns

The City of Galveston Planning Commission on March 3 deferred action on a large Planned Unit Development proposal called Discovery Sands after hours of testimony from residents, local officials and environmental groups who urged delay until key studies are completed.

Theresa Evans of the Development Services team summarized the applicant’s request, saying the PUD would affect about 351 acres along FM 3005 and asks for wide-ranging changes to the Land Development Regulations: elimination of minimum lot area and setbacks, higher building heights (staff said R‑1/R‑2 heights currently read 50 feet, ResRec 120 feet), allowances for private streets, and the ability to increase certain signature elements to as much as 159 feet. The application would replace several city standards with PUD exhibits and add mixed‑use options, the staff presentation said. The fire marshal had formally objected to the submittal as initially filed because…