From
Chris Hartmann
Title
Development-related state legislation.
Presenter
David P. Jones, AICP, Chief City Planner
Recommended Action
None
Analysis
The 86th session of the Texas Legislature was defined by several bills which have direct implications to cities. Two such bills are intented to limit the time cities have to review development applications, and limit the restrictions or requirements cities can impose related to building materials. Both bills, HB 3167 and HB 2439, go into effect on September 1st, providing very little time for cities to analyze and respond to their impacts. This summary session is intended to familiarize the Committee with the key features of these bills and how they will impact city processes related to development.
HB 3167
Requires "municipal authority responsible for approving plats" (the Planning Commission) to approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove a plan or plat within 30 days of filing. If the governing body (City Council) is also required to approve the plan or plat, they must do so within 30 days of Planning Commission action.
If a plan or plat is approved with conditions or disapproved, each condition or reason for disapproval must be provided in writing to the applicant. No deadline can be imposed for resubmittal, and the approving authority must approve or disapprove the resubmittal no later than the 15th day after the resubmittal is given to the approval authority. If the approval authority does not approve or disapprove within 15 days, the resubmittal is considered approved.
Impacts:
There are several potential impacts to existing city processes. Like most cities, Grand Prairie reviews plans and plats at the staff level through its Development Review Committee prior to submitting the application to Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council for final approval. P&Z and Council rely heavily on staff's assessment and base their decisions regarding plans and plats on the assurance that they have...
Click here for full text