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Planning commission recommends Bastrop Development Code, agrees to revisit new occupancy limits
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend repeal of the B3 code and adoption of the new Bastrop Development Code (BDC) while requesting staff and legal return with further review of proposed occupancy limits in Section 14.02.005 before City Council consideration.
The Bastrop Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend that City Council repeal the existing B3 form‑based code and adopt the Bastrop Development Code (BDC), forwarding the ordinance and its accompanying zoning map and subdivision regulation changes for a first reading on March 24, 2026. Commissioners said the new code consolidates permitted‑use tables, overlay districts, parking and landscaping standards, and floodplain protections intended to protect downtown and clarify development rules.
The vote followed a two‑hour presentation by planning staff and an extended public hearing in which residents and community groups raised questions about a newly drafted section (14.02.005) that would limit occupants in dwelling units. The city attorney told commissioners the provision was added after legal review because attempting to define “family” raises constitutional risks; he said an occupant‑load approach is a more defensible municipal tool. As the attorney put it: "When you don't have those things defined ... there is nothing to stop 20 boys, 18 to 23 year old, from ... having all 20 of those boys live in the house as a single family unit." (City attorney, speaker 20)
Commissioners directed staff and legal counsel to research alternatives to the draft occupancy language and asked that Section 14.02.005 be brought back for the commission's review at its next meeting. Sylvia (staff) characterized the code as aimed at protecting historic Bastrop while directing growth to peripheral areas: "This is a code that truly protects historic Bastrop." (Sylvia, speaker 19)
The commission's motion to recommend the BDC to council passed with a majority during roll call; commissioners also recorded a formal request that staff return with alternative occupant‑limit options and examples from peer cities before council consideration. The recommendation package forwarded to council included the code text, the proposed zoning map to translate place types into conventional zoning districts, and proposed subdivision regulation amendments.
