Title
Discussion regarding 200-foot public notification boundary for zoning requests.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Councilman Roger Neal
BACKGROUND:
Section 211 "Municipal Zoning Authority" of the Texas Local Government Code (TLGC) outlines notification procedures for requests requiring consideration of the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) or Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). The same requirements are adopted in Article 6 of the Farmers Branch Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO).
For requests considered by ZBA, written notification is mailed to all owners of property within 200 feet of a site on which a variance is requested. Notification is also published in the Dallas Morning News. Both notifications occur at least 10 days prior to the scheduled ZBA hearing date.
For P&Z, the following measures are taken to notify the public of upcoming zoning requests requiring a public hearing (zoning amendments, text amendments, specific use permits, and certain detailed site plans requiring special exceptions) at least 10 days prior to the meeting:
* Written notification mailed to all owners of property within 200 feet of the site.
* Written notification mailed to Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD and Dallas ISD.
* Zoning notification signs posted visibly along each street frontage.
* Case descriptions posted online on the City's "Be Informed" and Planning webpages.
* Notice published in the Dallas Morning News (at least 15 days prior to the associated City Council meeting).
The full meeting agenda and packet, including the staff report, location maps, and site drawings, are published at least 72 hours before each hearing to allow for public review and comment.
DISCUSSION:
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council regarding whether the 200-foot notification boundary should be increased for zoning requests in the Farmers Branch. While larger notification boundaries have the potential to increase public awareness and engagement in the zoning process, the follow...
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