09-15-11 Planning and Zoning - Laserfiche WebLink

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represents how and where the City will focus new development and redevelopment over the next two decades — and beyond. The Future Land Use Nam is an |mtogm| part of this Comprehensive Plan and represents the most desirable land use based upon the goals and objectives stated in the Comprehensive Plan inconsideration mfexisting uses and development and physical characteristics of the community. The land use designations form the basis for zoning, and thereby, the location of housing, commercial, and industrial areas. The Future Land Use Plan and Thoroughfare Plan (in Chapter 4,Mobility) are the two most important planning tools available tothe City, imthe determination ofwhether a specific zoning classification conforms tn the land use designation on the map, flexibility should be used to interpret land use designations boundaries which are applied on a broad scale, Street rights-a+way, lot lines, topography, and other features should be utilized in the location ufappropriate zoning district boundary lines. Generally, zoning district boundaries should follow near |o1 lines or alleys to preserve the cohesiveness ofthe stneetsmapeand compatibility mfadjacent uses. Zoning, when applied, breaks these areas into more specific classifications with legally binding land use regulations that according tostate law must be "in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan.""The following discusses the land use designations found inthe Future Land Use Plan. Character Districts Rural. This designation is for areas with large acreages (scattered homesteads and pasture land) and very large lot developments, K may also include clustered residential development that is offset by high percentage of open space on the overall tract. Rural character is usually found in areas on the fringe of the City where infrastructure (i.e., curb and gutter, sewer, etc.) may be less intensive than other areas of the City. Rural character typically exhibits: w Wide open landscapes, with no sense of enclosure, and the views to the horizon are unbroken by buildings. * Structures are inthe background —or invisible entirely uuthey blend into the landscape. * Very high open space ratios and very low building coverage. m Greater building separation providing privacy and detachment from neighboring dwellings. w Much greater reliance onnatural drainage systems, w Amone pleasant environment for walking and biking, especially for off- street 1rai|systerns. ' Texas Local Government Code Sec. 211.004 Conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.