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Council reviews proposed UDC changes including hemp‑retail limits, data‑center rules and political‑sign clarifications
Summary
City staff briefed council on proposed Unified Development Code amendments: a conditioned retail‑hemp land‑use with separation requirements from schools and religious institutions; a data‑center land‑use permitted only by special‑use permit with technical studies; narrowing permitted zones for religious institutions; and clarified political‑sign rules for public polling locations. Staff will send proposals to Planning & Zoning for review and public hearings this summer.
Fair Oaks Ranch — The City Council on June 4 spent significant time in a workshop reviewing proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) that would add or refine land‑use categories for retail hemp, data centers, religious institutions and political signage.
City planner Jessica Lucio said the proposed retail‑hemp land‑use would be added to differentiate hemp retail from general retail and be permitted conditionally in logistics and mixed‑use village zones, with distance separations proposed (staff discussed 500 feet from schools, daycares and religious institutions and 300–500 feet from other sensitive uses as options). The proposed definition of “hemp” in the draft code follows Texas Agricultural Code Section 121.001 and notes delta‑9 THC concentration limits.
Lucio also proposed a data–center land‑use category permitted through a special‑use permit in logistics zones requiring studies and documentation addressing screening, noise, chillers and generator impacts, electricity and water usage, and applicable state regulations (she referenced Texas Senate Bill 6 and ERCOT thresholds for very large loads). Council members raised questions about water use, siting, and small/edge facilities such as high‑power residential mining or small modular facilities.
On religious institutions, staff recommended limiting the permitted zones to community‑facility and logistics zones — a cleanup to align code with existing church locations. Deputy City Secretary Amanda Valdez presented proposed changes to political‑sign regulation for public property/polling locations, including allowing signs beginning the day before the voting period, requiring removal the day after voting ends (staff will hold signs for seven days), a 10x10 tent limit (one per candidate/measure per site) and size limits (existing language references 36 square feet and an 8‑foot height). Council members asked staff to consider smaller sign sizes and to deliver the package to Planning & Zoning for further review and recommendation.
Lucio told council the amendments will go to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a workshop on July 9, public hearing on Aug. 13, and then return to the council for public hearings and readings in September. Council directed staff to refine distance options, consider existing license distinctions for retailers, and consult legal as needed on differential separations and nonconforming businesses.
Speakers quoted: Jessica Lucio; Amanda Valdez.
What’s next: staff will take the council’s direction to P&Z for formal review and public hearings before returning to council for ordinance readings.
