The Dickinson Planning & Zoning Commission voted Oct. 21 to direct staff to initiate changes to the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC) to permit patio homes and conventional attached homes in the Urban Transition (UT) zoning district.

The item grew out of requests from property owners and potential buyers who said the current UT rules prohibit several common residential forms and have created practical problems for owners seeking to build single‑family or paired units. Travis Moore, Dickinson’s community development director, presented the issue and asked whether the commission wanted staff to draft an amendment. He noted the UDC currently prohibits certain attached and “commercial detached” residential types in UT and also does not allow accessory dwelling units in that district.

Commission discussion ranged from technical zoning intent to residents’ concerns. Resident David Blackshear, who spoke during public comment after noting he was not on the agenda, told the commission he sought rezoning of a property on Elm Drive and that the pending UDC work “completely and totally affects” his situation. Several commissioners said they wanted a zoning map cross‑walk and an overlay showing where UT was applied relative to previous zoning so the commission could assess whether the district’s allowed uses matched the city’s stated housing goals.

After discussion the commission voted to instruct staff to prepare a draft ordinance adding patio homes and conventional attached homes to the UT permitted uses and to return that draft to P&Z at the next meeting for formal recommendation to council. Staff said it would prepare expanded maps and a draft text amendment for review; the commission emphasized the council and public would have future opportunities to review the proposed code change.

Next steps: staff to prepare draft UDC text amendment and zoning‑map overlays for P&Z review and recommendation to City Council. Any final change would require council action and, where applicable, follow public‑hearing procedures.