DEPARTMENT: Development Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Michael Shannon
COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPACTED: 1
SUMMARY:
Councilmember Roberto C. Treviño requests that City Council, through resolution, direct City Staff to initiate the creation of a Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Zoning Overlay District for Monte Vista Terrace and to initiate plan amendments and rezoning cases as needed for consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and for appropriate zoning to existing property uses. The proposed resolution would authorize City Staff to take appropriate steps to bring forward to the Planning Commission and Zoning Commission for a recommendation and to City Council for final action, an ordinance establishing Monte Vista Terrace NCD-10 Zoning Overlay and amending the land use and zoning on properties encompassed by San Pedro Avenue, Howard Street, Olmos Drive, McCullough Avenue and West Hildebrand Avenue along Vassar Street, Melrose Place, North Main Avenue, East and West Norwood Court and East and West Ridgewood Court (see attached map).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On December 20, 2018, Councilmember Treviño received a petition of 51.5% of the residents of Monte Vista Terrace supporting the creation a Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD).
Per the Unified Development Code, Section 35-335, Neighborhood Conservation Districts are created within the City of San Antonio for unique and distinctive residential neighborhoods which contribute significantly to the overall character and identity of the city. The NCD seeks to preserve and protect the architectural or cultural significance of a part of the city. The public policy of the city directs council to preserve, protect, enhance, and perpetuate the value of residential neighborhoods through the establishment of neighborhood conservation districts.
This resolution seeks to create Monte Vista Terrace NCD-10 and to rezone the property and change the land use as necessary.
ISSUE:
To be designated as a neighborhood conservation district, the area must meet the following criteria:
(1) Contain a minimum of one (1) blockface (all the lots on one (1) side of a block);
(2) At least seventy-five (75) percent of the land area in the proposed district was improved at least twenty-five (25) years ago, and is presently improved; and
(3) Possess one (1) or more of the following distinctive features that create a cohesive identifiable setting, character or association:
A. Scale, size, type of construction, or distinctive building materials;
B. Spatial relationships between buildings;
C. Lot layouts, setbacks, street layouts, alleys or sidewalks;
D. Special natural or streetscape characteristics, such as creek beds, parks, greenbelts, gardens or street landscaping;
E. Land use patterns, including mixed or unique uses or activities; or
F. Abuts or links designated historic landmarks and/or districts.
This resolution is the next step beyond the initial City Council Request (CCR), required to begin the process to create the NCD requirements, area review and design guidelines. The City’s zoning authority requires by ordinance that each NCD is designated and identifies the boundaries of the area. The ordinance is to include applicable designation criteria and design standards for that district, and be consistent with any existing neighborhood and/or community plans.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This area encompasses approximately 46.7 acres of land. The typical plan amendment and zoning related fee for acreage of this size is $21,684.
If this resolution is approved by Council, the cost of these processes will be absorbed by the Development Services Department. This includes staff hours for research, analysis and community meetings and any plan amendment or zoning case fees that are incurred.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution as this direction will provide an opportunity to create the NCD and apply appropriate land use and zoning to noted subject properties.