Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Udc Amendments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edinburg to separate townhome zoning, shrink some setbacks and define permanent food‑truck parks; ordinance due in two weeks
Summary
City planning staff proposed UDC amendments to create a distinct townhome/urban residential district, reduce rear setbacks for duplexes/fourplexes from 15 to 10 feet, and explicitly allow permanent food‑truck parks in specified districts; staff will bring a formal ordinance to council in two weeks and will consider outreach changes to the 300‑foot notice radius.
City planning staff unveiled proposed changes to Edinburg’s Unified Development Code (UDC) at the May 16 council meeting that would separate townhomes and urban residential uses from the multifamily zoning category, adjust dimensional standards, and create standards for permanent food‑truck parks.
The Planning and Zoning director (presenting) said the previous consolidation of multiple residential districts into a single multifamily category discouraged developers from proposing townhomes because rezoning to multifamily could allow apartments in the future. "One of the trends we’re seeing is that more and more developers want to do townhomes in the City of Edinburg, so we are taking townhomes and urban residential away from the current zoning," the director said.
Proposed dimensional standards described by staff include an urban residential lot type of roughly 4,000 square feet with a minimum lot width of 40 feet, a 10‑foot front setback and an 18‑foot garage setback. For townhomes, staff proposed a 2,500 square‑foot minimum lot area and a 25‑foot minimum lot width; side setbacks of six feet (or zero with fire‑rated construction), a 10‑foot rear setback, and corner‑side standards were also described. To reduce the need for variances, staff recommended shrinking the rear setback for duplexes and fourplexes from 15 feet to 10 feet.
The director also proposed explicit UDC language to allow permanent food‑truck parks in several districts — downtown, general business, urban university, commercial neighborhood, light industrial and general industrial — while clarifying that permanent parks must meet restroom and facility agreements and permit requirements. Staff distinguished these permanent parks from temporary/catering trucks that operate mobile service on a short‑term basis.
Residents and councilors pressed staff on public notice and outreach. Several speakers suggested expanding notification beyond the current 300‑foot radius for rezoning (for example, notifying adjoining neighborhoods or adding property signage) and posting draft changes online. "We can do that — we posted as part of our..." a council member said; staff and legal committed to reviewing outreach options and to presenting the ordinance at the next meeting.
Staff said the formal ordinance amending the UDC will be presented to the council for consideration in two weeks. The council asked staff to post the proposed changes online and to consider additional signage or broader notice to adjoining neighborhoods as part of the outreach plan.
