16-S-27 - Amending the UDC Several sections of 21ORDINANCE NO. 16 -S -27
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ,
TEXAS AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, UNIFIED
DEVELOPMENT CODE (UDC) SECTION 21.9.5 EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
AND DESIGN STANARDS, SECTION 21.9.7 LANDSCAPING, SECTION 21.9.8
SCREENING AND FENCING, SECTION 21.9.9 TREE PRESERVATION AND
MITIGATION, SECTION 21.10.4 SCHERDULE OF OFF - STREET PARKING
REQUIREMENTS, SECTION 21.10.8 OFF - STREET LOADING/UNLOADING
REQUIREMENTS, SECTION 21.14.3 ADDITIONAL DESIGN
REQUIREMENTS, AND SECTION 21.16 DEFINITIONS PROVIDING A
REVERSIONARY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Schertz and the Planning and Zoning
Commission recognize the unique design requirements of public schools, and
WHEREAS, The City of Schertz Unified Development Code is intended to protect,
promote, improve, and provide for the public health, safety and general welfare of the
citizens of the City, and
WHEREAS, The standards in the Unified Development Code are to ensure safe, orderly
and efficient development in the City, and
WHEREAS, The City of Schertz specifically desires to recognize the unique factors in
locating and planning for the provision of public schools, and
WHEREAS, The Schertz City Council as a matter of public policy aims to ensure that
public schools are compatible with surrounding development, and
WHEREAS, Public schools have unique needs to incorporate design elements that
provide for the safety of students, and
WHEREAS, All required notices have been provided, and
WHEREAS, on August 10, 2016, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended
approval
WHEREAS, on August 23, 2016, the City Council conducted a public hearing and
determined that this request is in the interest of the public safety, health, and welfare;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ,
TEXAS THAT:
Section 1. Unified Development Code, Section 21.9.5 B of the Code of
Ordinances, City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
B. Applicability
The provisions of this section are deemed to be minimum standards and shall be
applicable to the following:
1. All new buildings within the corporate limits of the City except public schools;
and
2. Building expansions which cumulatively increase the gross floor area more than
25% of the original building area except public schools.
Section 2. Unified Development Code, Section 21.9.5. E of the Code of
Ordinances, City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
E. Office /Public Buildings
1. Applicability
This section shall apply to buildings with a professional office or public use
except public schools.
2. Exterior Building Materials
Buildings must comply with the following:
a) At least 75% of each wall (excluding windows and doors) shall be finished in
one or more of the following materials:
• Brick
• Stone
• Faux brick or stone
• Tile
• Stucco
• Concrete tiltwallb
• Split face CMUb
b) Concrete tiltwall and split face CMU may be used in conjunction with one of
the other approved primary materials. Concrete tiltwall and split face CMU
cannot be used for more than 30% of each fagade.
3. Glazing
All buildings must comply with one of the following:
a) At least 25% of the front facade ( facade adjacent to or facing a public street)
shall be comprised of windows or glass doors. For buildings that are
adjacent to or face two or more public streets at least 20% of each facade
adjacent to or facing a public street shall be comprised of windows or glass
doors. For buildings that are not adjacent to or face a public street, but
instead face or front a private drive, the facade that faces or fronts on the
private drive that provides for primary access shall be considered as
the front facade;
Or
b) Windows and doors may be spread around the building, the minimum
amount of required windows or glass doors is calculated as 50% of the front
facade ( facade adjacent to or facing a public street). For buildings that are
adjacent to or facing two or more public streets the minimum amount of
required windows or glass doors is calculated as 40% of the total area of the
fagades adjacent to or facing public streets.
4. Articulation and architectural features
a) Horizontal articulations or offsets are required on any wall greater in length
than 50 linear feet.
(1) The depth of the articulation or offset shall be a minimum of two feet
(2'). Articulations or offsets can be of varying depth as long as the
minimum two feet (2') is met.
(2) The length of the new plane created by the articulation or offset shall be
a minimum of 20% of the total length of the entire wall.
b) Vertical articulations or elevation changes are required on all walls and
should be designed to screen rooftop equipment.
(1) The height of the articulation or elevation change shall be a minimum of
two feet (2'). Articulations or elevation changes can be of varying depth
as long as the minimum two feet (2') is met.
(2) The length of the new plane created by the articulation or elevation
change shall be a minimum of 20% of the total length of the entire wall.
5. Roof Treatments
Facade articulations shall provide for vertical and horizontal screening of
air conditioning units and all mechanical equipment located on rooftops.
The minimum height of the screening shall be equal to the height of the
tallest rooftop equipment.
Section 3. Unified Development Code, Section 21.9.7 E of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
E. Landscape Installation Required
1. A minimum of twenty percent (20 %) of the total land area of any
proposed multifamily or nonresidential development shall be
landscaped and shall be comprised of trees, shrubs, sod or other
ground cover. In the event of the construction of a phased
development, the minimum twenty percent (20 %) requirement
shall apply to each phase as it is developed.
2. All properties shall provide shade trees at a ratio of nine (9) trees
per acre (43,560 square feet) of gross lot area. Industrial property
shall provide shade trees at a ratio of nine (9) trees per acre,
calculated at sixty percent (60 %) of the gross lot area or by
exclusion of the main enclosure structure ground floor area from
the gross lot area, whichever is less. Public schools shall provide
shade trees at a ratio of at least four (4) trees per acre. Existing
trees may be counted toward meeting the requirements of this
section.
a. Every single family residential lot shall provide a minimum
of three (3) shade trees which shall include a minimum of
one (1) tree in the front yard and one (1) tree in the rear
yard.
b. Any property that is unable to satisfy the tree requirements
of this section shall be required to pay tree mitigation fees
in accordance with section 21.9.9 of this UDC.
3. The use of native and adapted, drought tolerant plants is
encouraged to meet the requirements of this section.
4. Artificial plants or turf shall not be counted towards
meeting the requirements of this section.
Section 4. Unified Development Code, Section 21.9.7 H of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
H. Parking Area Landscaping
Parking lots, vehicular use areas and parked vehicles are to be effectively
screened from the public view and adjacent property. Both the interior and
perimeter of such areas shall be landscaped in accordance with the following
criteria. Areas used for parking or vehicle storage that are under, on or within
buildings are exempt from these standards. Section H does not apply to public
schools.
I . Interior Landscaping
A minimum of ten percent (10 %) of the gross parking areas shall be devoted to
living landscaping which includes grass, ground covers, plants, shrubs and trees.
Gross parking area is to be measured from the edge of the parking and /or
driveway and sidewalks. The following additional criteria shall apply to the
interior of parking lots.
a. Interior landscape areas shall be protected from vehicular encroachment of
overhang through appropriate wheel stops or curbs.
b. There shall be a minimum of one (1) shade tree planted for each 400
square feet or fraction thereof of required interior landscape area.
C. Interior areas of parking lots shall contain planting islands located so as to
best relieve the expanse of paving. Planter islands must be located no
further apart than every twelve (12) parking spaces and at the terminus of
all rows of parking. Such islands shall be a minimum of 200 square feet
or ten feet (10') by twenty feet (20') in size.
d. Planter islands shall contain a combination of trees, shrubs, lawn, ground
cover and other appropriate materials provided such landscaping does not
cause visual interference within the parking area.
2. Perimeter Landscaping
All parking lots and vehicular use areas shall be screened from all abutting
properties with a wall, fence, hedge, berm or other durable landscape barrier. All
parking lots and vehicular use areas shall be screened from all abutting public
rights -of -way with a wall, berm or combination of hedge and berm. Any living
barrier shall be established in a minimum five foot (5') planting strip. Plants and
materials used in living barriers shall be at least thirty inches (30 ") high at the
time of planting and shall be of a type and species that will attain a minimum
height of three feet (3') one (1) year after planting. Any landscape barrier not
containing live plants or trees shall be a minimum of three feet (3') high at time of
installation. Perimeter landscaping shall be designed to screen off - street parking
lots and other vehicular use areas from public rights -of -way and adjacent
residential properties.
a. Whenever an off - street parking or vehicular use area abuts a public right -
of -way, except a public alley, a perimeter landscape area of at least fifteen
feet (15') in depth shall be maintained between the abutting right -of -way
and the off - street parking or vehicular area. An appropriate landscape
screen or barrier shall be installed in this area and the remaining area shall
be landscaped with at least grass or other ground cover. Necessary access
ways from the public right -of -way shall be permitted through all such
landscaping.
b. Whenever an off - street parking or vehicular use area abuts an adjacent
residential property line, a perimeter landscape area of at least ten feet
(10') in width shall be maintained between the edge of the parking area
and the adjacent property line. Access ways between lots may be
permitted through all perimeter landscape areas. Landscaping shall be
designed to visually screen the parking area. Whenever such property is
zoned or used for single family residential purposes, a landscape buffer
shall include a masonry wall and hedge, or berm which shall be a
minimum of three feet (3') in height and a maximum of eight feet (8') in
height.
C. Perimeter landscape areas shall contain at least one (1) shade tree for each
fifty linear feet (50'), or fraction thereof, of perimeter area.
Section 5. Unified Development Code, Section 21.9.8 B 3 of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
3. Fences Adjacent to Residential Property
Where any nonresidential or multifamily use, lot or parcel except public
schools is adjacent to or separated by only a local street or alley from a lot
or parcel that is zoned for single family residential use, the nonresidential
or multifamily use shall construct a masonry screening wall a minimum of
eight feet (8') in height. The screen shall be located no closer to the street
than the property line. Such screening wall shall be maintained in good
condition. Any sections of this UDC or any other City ordinances, codes
or regulations concerning sight obstructions of intersections shall be
applicable to the screen where it is intersected by a right -of -way. Where
any nonresidential or multifamily use, lot or parcel is located in such a
manner so as to be at a higher elevation than an adjacent lot or parcel that
is zoned for single family residential use, the required masonry screening
wall shall be constructed on the higher elevation so as to mitigate the
adjacent residential property from the impacts of the adjacent use.
Section 6. Unified Development Code, Section 21.9.9 B 1 of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
B. Applicability and Exemptions
1. The provisions of this section are applicable to the following:
a. all new residential and nonresidential development within
the City except public schools;
b. redevelopment of any residential or nonresidential property
within the City that results in an increase in the building
footprint or the total destruction and reconstruction except
public schools;
C. any grading, filling or clearing of land in the City limits;
and
d. any selective or individual removal of any Protected or
Heritage Tree in the City limits.
Section 7. Unified Development Code, Section 21.10.4 A of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
A. Off - street parking shall be provided in sufficient quantities to provide the
following ratio of vehicle spaces for the uses specified in the districts
designated:
Use Type
Parking Requirement
Amusement, Commercial
10 spaces, plus 1 space for each 100 square feet of
(Indoor)
total floor area over 1,000 square feet
Amusement, Commercial
1 space per 500 square feet of outdoor site area
(Outdoor)
plus 1 space per each 4 fixed spectator seats
Bank, Savings And Loan, Or
1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area
Other Financial Institution
Bar Or Night Club
1 space for each 50 square feet of gross floor area
Bed And Breakfast
1 space for each rented room plus 1 space per
employee
Bowling Alley
5 parking spaces for each lane
Bus Depot
1 space for each 100 square feet of gross floor area
Convalescent Home, Group
1 parking space for each 2 beds
Home, Home For The Aged
Dance, Assembly And
1 space for each 100 square feet used for assembly
Exhibition Halls Without Fixed
or dancing
Seats
Day Care Center
1 space per 250 square feet of gross floor area
Group Home
4 spaces
Hospital
1 parking space for each bed
Table 21.10.4 Schedule
of Off-Street Parking Requirements
Use Type
Parking Requirement
1 space for each sleeping room or suite plus 1
Hotel Or Motel
space for every 200 square feet of common area
not designated as sleeping rooms
Libraries, Laboratories And
10 spaces plus 1 space for each 300 square feet of
Student Centers
floor area
Lodging Houses And Boarding
1 space per each two (2) persons capacity of
Houses
overnight sleeping facilities
Manufacturing, Processing Or
1 space for each 2 employees or 1 space for each
Repairing
1,000 square feet of total floor area, whichever is
greater
Medical Or Dental Clinic
1 space for each 200 square feet of total floor area
1 space for each 300 square feet of office floor area
Miniwarehouse
plus 1 space for each 3,000 square feet of storage
area
1 parking space for each 50 square feet of floor
Mortuary/Funeral Home
space in service rooms or 1 space for each 3 seats,
whichever is less based on maximum design
capacity)
Multifamily, Duplex, Two -
Family, Condominium Or Other
1.5 spaces per bedroom
Similar Use
Offices
1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area
Personal Service Shop
1 space for each 200 square feet of gross floor area
Residence Halls, Fraternity
1 space per person capacity of permanent sleeping
Buildings And Sorority
facilities
Buildings
Residential Care Facility
1 space per each two (2) persons
1 parking space for each 100 square feet of gross
Restaurants
floor area, or 1 space for each 4 seats, whichever is
less (based on maximum design capacity)
Retail Sales And Service
1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area
Parking shall be provided at a ratio approved by
School, All Other Schools
City staff based on a parking study provided by the
applicant that shall include vehicle stacking
requirements
Parking shall be provided at a ratio approved by
School, High School And
City staff based on a parking study provided by the
Vocational
applicant that shall include vehicle stacking
requirements
Shopping Center Or Mall
1 space for each 250 square feet of gross floor area
Single Family Attached And
2 parking spaces per dwelling unit
Detached Dwelling Units
Section 8. Unified Development Code, Section 21.10.8 A of the Code of Ordinances of
the City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
All retail, commercial, industrial and service structures shall provide and maintain off -
street facilities for receiving and loading merchandise, supplies and materials within a
building or on the lot or tract. All public schools shall provide adequate stacking for
vehicles based on a parking study approved by City Staff. Such off - street loading space
may be adjacent to a public alley or private service drive or may consist of a truck berth
within the structure. Such off - street loading space or truck berth shall consist of a
minimum area of ten feet (10') by forty feet (40') and the spaces or berths shall be
provided in accordance with the following schedule:
Table 1 '
Off-Street Loading Requirements
Use Type
Parking Requirement
Theaters, Auditoriums,
0-5,000
Churches, Assembly Halls,
1 space for each 4 seats or 1 space for every 100
Sports Arenas, Stadiums,
square feet of gross floor area, whichever is less
Conference Center, Convention
(based on maximum design capacity)
Center Or Other Place Of Public
100,000 — 150,000
Assembly
Each Additional
1 space for each 3,000 square feet of sales area
Vehicle Sales Or Rental
(open and enclosed) devoted to the sale, display or
rental of vehicles
Vehicle Service, Repair, Garage
1 space for each 200 square feet of total floor area
1 space for each 2 employees or 1 space for each
Warehouse
1,000 square feet of total floor area, whichever is
greater
Section 8. Unified Development Code, Section 21.10.8 A of the Code of Ordinances of
the City of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended as follows:
All retail, commercial, industrial and service structures shall provide and maintain off -
street facilities for receiving and loading merchandise, supplies and materials within a
building or on the lot or tract. All public schools shall provide adequate stacking for
vehicles based on a parking study approved by City Staff. Such off - street loading space
may be adjacent to a public alley or private service drive or may consist of a truck berth
within the structure. Such off - street loading space or truck berth shall consist of a
minimum area of ten feet (10') by forty feet (40') and the spaces or berths shall be
provided in accordance with the following schedule:
Table 1 '
Off-Street Loading Requirements
Square Feet of Minimum Required
Gross Floor Area in Spaces or Berths
Structure
0-5,000
None
5,000 — 15,000
1
15,000 — 50,000
2
50,000 — 100,000
3
100,000 — 150,000
4
Each Additional
50,000 over
1
150,000
Section 9. Unified Development Code, Section 21.14.3 C of the Code of Ordinances of
the City of Schertz, Texas is hereby as follow:
C. Landscape Buffer
In addition to the requirements of section 21.9.7 of this UDC for landscaping, a
minimum twenty foot (20') wide landscape buffer shall be provided adjacent to
any public right -of -way. Trees shall be planted at an average density of one (1)
tree per twenty linear feet (20') of street frontage except for public schools. The
landscape buffer shall require an irrigation system and shall be maintained by the
property owner.
Section 10. Unified Development Code, Section 16 of the Code of Ordinances of the City
of Schertz, Texas is hereby amended to add the following definition:
Public Schools — include elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high, high and alternate
schools operated by a public school district but does not include administrative and
support facilities and buildings not located on a school campus or do not solely support
one campus.
Section 11. The recitals contained in the preamble hereof are hereby found to be true, and
such recitals are hereby made a part of this Ordinance for all purposes and are adopted as
a part of the judgment and findings of the Council.
Section 12. All ordinances, or parts thereof, which are in conflict or inconsistent with
any provision of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict, and the
provisions of this Ordinance shall be and remain controlling as to the matters resolved
herein.
Section 13. This Ordinance shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of Texas and the United States of America.
Section 14. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person
or circumstance shall be held to be invalid, the remainder of this Ordinance and the
application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall nevertheless be
valid, and the City hereby declares that this Ordinance would have been enacted without
such invalid provision.
Sectionl5. It is officially found, determined, and declared that the meeting at which
this Ordinance is adopted was open to the public and public notice of the time, place, and
subject matter of the public business to be considered at such meeting, including this
Ordinance, was given, all as required by Chapter 551, as amended, Texas Government
Code.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED ON THE FINAL READING, on the 30th day of
August, 2016.
CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS
ayor, Michael R. Carpenter
ATTEST:
City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
(CITY SEAL)