Title
Approving an ordinance on second reading with the caption reading: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE XV LAND USAGE, CHAPTER 155 SITE DEVELOPMENT CODE, SUBCHAPTER B CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, AMENDING SUBSECTIONS 155.1202 SITE ACCESS AND CIRCULATION (E)(3), 155.1206 LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING (C)(1)(F), 155.1207 (D)(3)(D), 155.1305 SIGNS (O)(2)(J) BY REASSIGNING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD TO THE ADMINISTRATOR; AMENDING SUBSECTION 155.1306 PUBLIC ART BY REASSIGNING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION; AMENDING SUBSECTIONS 155.1501 REVIEW BODIES, 155.1502 GENERAL REVIEW PROVISIONS, 155.1504 MAJOR PERMIT REVIEW, 155.1505 CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL, AND 155.1507 MODIFICATIONS TO APPROVED PERMITS BY REESTABLISHING GENERAL PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES FOR PLAN APPROVAL; AND AMENDING SUBSECTION 155.1601 DEFINED TERMS, PRELIMINARY ARCHITECTURAL PLAN; REPLACING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; CONTAINING A SAVINGS CLAUSE AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Summary
This item is staff initiated in order to comply with City Council’s direction to dissolve the Architectural Review Board (ARB). The ARB was first established in 2004 by Ordinance No. 735-04-01-27 after the approval of the Downtown Master Plan. At the time of adoption, the ARB was to administer Subchapter B of Chapter 155 Site Development Code, applicable to the Central Business District. The ordinance made a previously administrative process of site development in the Downtown subject to final review by the ARB. Later, the ARB was given an additional duty to include hearing and deciding on variances concerning building articulation, exterior building wall standards and roof treatment for non residential structures city-wide established in Chapter 157. Currently, any action taken by the ARB is final and may not be appealed to another board. In October 2010, the City Council held its annual worksession with the ARB. Staff recommended the consolidation of the ARB’s duties with another board or commission. This recommendation was based on several factors, including:
• Development in the Downtown area slowed in the last couple of years.
• There are few unimproved sites in the Downtown for which development can occur.
• Recruitment of board members has been challenging in the past.
Staff anticipates further code amendments to Chapter 155, Subchapter B regarding processes and zoning regulations. With these amendments, Subchapter B would ultimately reside within Chapter 157, the Unified Development Code, Subchapter 5. Establishment of Overlays and Special Districts.
Prior City Council Action
The City Council conducted a public hearing on this item on January 25, 2011, and action was approved on first reading.
Deadline for City Council Action
The City Council is required to take action on the ordinance within 60 days of the public hearing held on January 25, 2011, or it is deemed denied.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval, and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the code amendments (5-0) on January 3, 2011.
Drafter
Erin Sellers, Planner II