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Keller commission tightens home‑occupation rules, tweaks medical‑spa language and town‑center rules
Summary
After an hour of debate over enforcement and small‑business impact, the commission voted 5–2 to recommend an amendment to the UDC’s home‑occupation definition (with a 3‑month delayed effective date), changed the medical‑spa definition language to 'minimally invasive' with TMB oversight guidance, and approved two town‑center edits unanimously.
The Keller Planning & Zoning Commission on July 14 recommended changes to the Unified Development Code that revise definitions for medical spas and home occupations, and reorganize Town Center screening‑wall requirements. The commission took separate votes on three related items after a combined public hearing.
Miss Hensley, planning staff, said the medical‑spa definition will substitute the word "minimally invasive" for "noninvasive" and add that medical spas must follow the regulations of the Texas Medical Board (TMB). Commissioner Scott pressed for precise language to ensure physician (MD/DO) oversight for minimally invasive procedures; staff asked Scott to submit suggested wording for counsel to review.
The most contested change was to the home‑occupation definition. Staff proposed reorganizing scattered language into a bulleted list to make enforcement clearer and adding specific prohibitions: the occupation must be carried out by inhabitants of the dwelling; it must be secondary to dwelling use; there must be no substantial increase in on‑street parking or traffic; no outdoor assembly of employees, clients or equipment is allowed; and all parking for the home occupation must be off‑street. The city attorney suggested explicitly listing certain trades (HVAC, plumbing and other mechanical contracting businesses) as not considered home occupations; Commissioner Ross Brensinger and others argued that naming trades could unintentionally prohibit legitimate one‑person operations that do not change neighborhood character, while other commissioners said the goal is to prevent exterior storage, multiple trucks and employee staging.
After debate, Commissioner Lice moved to recommend approval of item e2 with a delayed effective date of three months to give undisclosed home businesses time to adapt; Commissioner Scott seconded the motion. The commission voted 5–2 to advance the amendment with that 3‑month delay. Miss Hensley said staff will work with the city attorney to refine language for council to clarify that the restriction targets operational activities (storage, employee assembly, onsite mechanical work) rather than purely clerical administration.
Separately, the commission voted unanimously (7–0) to approve items e3 and e4, which move certain animal‑service uses (kennel grooming only and veterinarian clinics) in Town Center from permitted by right to SUP review and reorganize screening‑wall standards into the fences‑and‑walls subsection. Staff noted existing animal‑service businesses would be treated as legal nonconforming and would receive notice of the proposed code change.
The commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to City Council for final action at its Aug. 4 meeting. Staff said it will incorporate commissioners’ suggested clarifications to the home‑occupation and medical‑spa language before Council consideration.
