Bryan Planning and Zoning Commission recommends rezoning of Traditions phases 38–40 for housing

The Bryan Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 7 voted to recommend approval of rezoning case RZ25-04, a request to change 26.65 acres in the Traditions subdivision (phases 38–40) from Planned Development Mixed Use to Planned Development Housing. The recommendation, made unanimously, will be forwarded to the Bryan City Council for final action.

Ben Johnson, staff planner, told the commission the proposal divides the site into three planning areas. "Planning area 1 is that area in yellow. The permitted uses for this area is going to be detached residential dwellings, townhomes, and twin homes," Johnson said, and he noted townhomes would conform to the city's townhouse standards in section 62-168. He said Planning Area 2 is intended for detached residential dwellings complying with RD-7 standards (7,000-square-foot minimum lots and 70-foot lot widths) and Planning Area 3 would allow uses from Area 1 and add multifamily dwellings subject to RD-5 and multifamily standards.

Johnson also told the commission that a preliminary plan had been submitted to the city's SDRC the day before and is undergoing its first review. Staff recommended approval, arguing the proposed PDH is consistent with recent development patterns in the area and with Blueprint 2040 and that the changes are primarily amendments to planning-area boundaries, permitted uses and sidewalk/trail language.

A commissioner asked whether townhomes would require conditional use permits under RD-5 standards. Johnson replied they would be "permitted by right in planning areas 1 and 3," adding that "that specific use would still have to go through a site plan review through SDRC." He said the townhouse and lot-width standards would apply on site plan review.

Joe Schultz of Schultz Engineering, speaking for the applicant, described Phase 40B as the location of an additional condominium building and emphasized on-site separation and buffers: "There was always going to be a fourth hidden Bridge condo building, and that's what would be there in 40 B," Schultz said, and he noted a heavily wooded, roughly 20-foot-deep gully and the Traditions' practice of keeping at least a 40-foot wooded area between backing lots.

After the public hearing was opened and no members of the public spoke, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of RZ25-04 to the Bryan City Council and to adopt the staff report as the commission's findings; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The commission chair declared the motion approved and adjourned the meeting at about 6:14 p.m.

The next step for RZ25-04 is consideration by the Bryan City Council, which will hold the final public hearing and make the ultimate decision on the rezoning request.