The Dickinson City Council on Oct. 16 discussed a staff proposal to address multiple pending rezoning requests in areas zoned Urban Transition (UT) and directed staff to work with the Planning & Zoning Commission before adopting changes.

Staff explained that many property owners seek single-family development on parcels currently zoned UT, which allows residential use only at higher density levels and forces property owners to seek separate rezonings. To avoid scattered “holes” and repeated spot-zoning, staff recommended a city-initiated amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) that would permit certain residential uses in UT through a conditional-use or special-exception process.

Why it matters: the proposed approach would streamline outcomes for property owners while preserving the planning intent of UT zones. Rather than allowing single-family detached homes by right, the city could permit them via a conditional use permit (CUP) or special exception with criteria to guide approvals. That preserves council discretion and prevents ad hoc map changes.

Staff described two main options: (1) a text amendment to the UDC explicitly allowing single-family detached homes in UT only through a conditional-use approval by council; or (2) allowing a limited administrative approval under set standards so applications meeting criteria could be cleared without full council action. Staff emphasized the tradeoffs: administrative approvals are faster but reduce direct council oversight; CUPs restore council review but take longer.

Council members asked for Planning & Zoning input and asked staff to bring back draft language. Several council members expressed a preference for a pathway that makes it easier for property owners to develop while retaining safeguards.

Outcome: Council voted to postpone final action on city-initiated zoning changes and directed staff to consult Planning & Zoning and return with a drafted text amendment and recommended approval process. The item will return to P&Z and then back to council for decision.