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Planning commission recommends updated Unified Development Ordinance to Board of Mayor and Aldermen
Summary
After a multi‑year rewrite, staff presented an updated Unified Development Ordinance that consolidates zoning districts, tightens development standards and adds special‑exception paths for data centers and concrete/asphalt plants; the commission voted to recommend the UDO for first reading.
The White House Planning Commission voted April 13 to recommend an updated Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, endorsing a rewrite staff said has been under preparation for several years.
Staff member summarized the goals: consolidate seldom‑used zoning districts, add missing definitions and development standards, and create clearer processes such as special exceptions for data centers and concrete/asphalt plants. “We strengthened holes, added some definitions…we're condensing our zonings,” the staff member said, describing the intended outcomes.
The ordinance retains a 53‑foot maximum building height — staff said that standard was adopted after the city acquired a taller ladder truck for the fire department and was intended to balance fire‑safety needs with economic development. “The reason we did that was… the fire department was asking for a ladder truck,” the staff member said, recounting the history that led to the height standard.
Commissioners thanked staff for the multi‑year effort and the level of review performed by planning staff and the consultant team. Staff noted the plan could go before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for a first reading this week with a second reading in May.
A motion to recommend the UDO to the board passed on a voice vote. Staff said that as implementation proceeds, small issues can be addressed through amendments and administrative processes.
The commission closed the agenda after the vote.
