HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2026-39 - 2026 Unified Development Code AdoptionORDINANCE NO. AOZ(o -3CL
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, ADOPTING AN UPDATED
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AND CODIFYING IT AS
TITLE 17 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES; REPEALING
THE EXISTING UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT AND ALL
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS;
INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2003, the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas,
adopted a set of comprehensive development regulations known as the Unified Development Code
via Ordinance No. 2003-16, which codified various zoning and subdivision standards; and
WHEREAS, the UDC as adopted by Ordinance No. 2003-016 and subsequently amended
and supplemented has been codified as Title 17 of the City of Georgetown's Code of Ordinances
(the `Existing UDC");
WHEREAS, the City Council established the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant
to Chapter 212 of the Texas Local Government Code to provide a report on proposed changes to
zoning regulations to City Council as well as perform other duties authorized by State law and the
Georgetown City Charter and ordinances; and
WHEREAS, on October 25, 2022, the City Council authorized the engagement of Freese
and Nichols, Inc. to evaluate the City's existing Unified Development Code, provide guidance and
recommendations on the most appropriate approach for making improvements to the existing
UDC, and assist with development of an updated Unified Development Code (the "UDC Update
Project"); and
WHEREAS, on October 25, 2022, the City Council created a UDC Rewrite Steering Committee
to provide recommendations to City Council and act as technical experts when reviewing and
recommending updated language to the UDC; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a joint session with the Planning and Zoning
Commission on November 8, 2022 to discuss and direct staff regarding the purpose and goals of
the UDC Update Project; and
WHEREAS, on March 28, 2023, the City Council reviewed the diagnostic findings from
the evaluation of the existing UDC and directed staff to conduct an additional joint session with
Planning and Zoning commission, which was held on April 25, 2023, providing direction to staff
to move forward with the UDC Update project including a comprehensive zoning change with an
emphasis on predictability and discretion through the UDC; and
WHEREAS, during the development of the updated UDC, the City conducted over eight
(80) public meetings including technical workshops, Steering Committee meetings, and Council
Ordinance Number: Ab2 (o -31 Page 1 of
Description: Unified Development Code Adoption
Date Approved: August 11, 2026
meetings have been held to receive input and comments from all parties who may be affected by
the adoption of the UDC; and
WHEREAS, following appropriate legal notice as required by Sections 211.006 and
211.0063, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a Public Hearing pursuant to the Local
Government Code Section on the proposed Unified Development Code at their July 21, 2026
regular scheduled meeting and recommended to the City Council adoption of the Unified
Development Code; and
WHEREAS, after notice as required by law and the required public hearings held before
the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 21, 2026 and the City Council on July 28, 2026 and
with consideration of the public input received during the public meetings and the public hearings
as well as the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the City Council hereby
finds that the proposed amendments and the adoption of the Updated UDC including the
comprehensive zoning changes are in the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of the
general public.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this Ordinance are hereby
found and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly
made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this Ordinance
implements the vision, goals, and policies of the Georgetown 2030 Comprehensive Plan and
further finds that the enactment of this Ordinance is not inconsistent or in conflict with any other
policies or provisions of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
Section 2. Title 17 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, the Unified
Development Code is hereby replaced in its entirety with the Updated Unified Development Code,
as shown in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 3. The Title 17 of the Code of Ordinances, the existing Unified Development Code
originally adopted on March 11, 2003, and as subsequently amended and supplemented, is
repealed in its entirety as of the effective date below.
Section 4. All ordinances or codes that conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are
hereby repealed, and all other ordinances or codes of the City not in conflict with the provisions
of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5. If any provision of this ordinance, or application thereof, to any person or
circumstance, shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or
application thereof, of this ordinance, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.
Ordinance Number: qQA (o -3 1 Page 2 of 4
Description: Unified Development Code Adoption
Date Approved: August 11, 2026
Section 6. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to
attest. This Ordinance shall become effective on November 1, 2026 in accordance with the
provisions of State Law and the City Charter of the City of Georgetown.
Ordinance Number: A62(o - 1 Page 3 of 4
Description: Unified Development Code Adoption
Date Approved: August 11, 2026
APPROVED on First Reading this 281h of July, 2026.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED on Second Reading this 11th of August, 2026.
OF C.EORGETOWN, TEXAS
Josh Scproeder, Mayor
ATTEST:
7 t
Robyn Dens re, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
kye %ison, City Attorney
Ordinance Number: AQ,(0 —301 Page 4 of 4
Description: Unified Development Code Adoption
Date Approved: August 11, 2026