Chapter 4
Policies The following Land Use and Development Policies are intended to work in conjunction with the FLUP to establish the community Pearland residents hope to see in 2040. These policies were used to help guide the development of the place types and determine the appropriate locations for each within the FLUP. They are intended to inform decisions related to new development, redevelopment, adaptive reuse of existing buildings, design of the public realm, and the public investments that support the desired character of each part of Pearland. Î LU-1: The City of Pearland will use this FLUP as its primary policy document for decisions related to the physical development and desired future character of communities in Pearland. Î LU-2: Decisions on rezoning, the subdivision of land, project design, the provision of incentives, and other aspects of development should be made consistent with the FLUP. Î LU-3: Public-sector infrastructure investments will be made in accordance with this plan to facilitate the desired supporting private-sector investment. Î LU-4: Investments by the private sector should be consistent with the FLUP's direction in terms of the scale, mix of land uses, and development character. Î LU-5: New development and redevelopment in Pearland will create a diverse mix of housing opportunities for people so that they can reside in Pearland at all stages of their lives. Î LU-6: New development and redevelopment in Pearland should create a range of locations for businesses that provide jobs for Pearland residents, opportunities for business growth and success, long-term economic viability, and the goods and services desired by Pearland’s residents and residents of surrounding communities who choose to shop in Pearland. Î LU-7: Reinvestment by the City, property owners, and developers will be encouraged to support the continued vitality of existing Pearland neighborhoods so that they continue to appeal to new generations of residents. Î LU-8: Pearland property owners and developers will be encouraged to retain, protect, and enhance existing cultural and historic assets to maintain Pearland’s unique sense of place as the community continues to grow. Î LU-9: The City will discourage development in areas where flooding, exposure to toxins or pollutants, or other hazards pose a threat to the people who will live or work in the area. Î LU-10: The City will coordinate with the Independent School Districts (ISDs) in planning for new residential development and new educational facilities so that future facilities and developments are well connected, mutually supportive, and available at the appropriate time. Î LU-11: The City will participate in regional programs and initiatives that result in a more successful future development pattern for the Greater Houston area and will use its FLUP to position Pearland to contribute, thrive, and succeed within the region. Î LU-12: If zoning decisions by City Council show a consistent pattern of not being in alignment with this FLUP, the City should conduct a review of the plan to determine if community values, market conditions, or other factors warrant a change to the plan’s Vision, Guiding Principles, and Policies.
PEARLAND LAND USE
Land Use The Future Land Use component is a critical tool that will help guide the City in providing a predictable development pattern, fiscal stability, and a high quality of life for residents. This component includes descriptions of place types, which define the future character of the area, as well as a map that shows place type allocations for each parcel. It provides parcel-level detail of the physical development pattern that will be a key factor in achieving the Strategic Direction established in Chapter 2: Community Profile. It is intended to inform and assist City leaders in making important decisions regarding future land use, zoning, capital improvements, and other significant investments that will contribute to Pearland’s long-term success. The City of Pearland and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) are largely developed; 77% of the 70 square miles is currently developed. Of the 23% remaining land, 13% remains undeveloped, while 10% is considered potential for development. This land that has potential for development largely consists of parcels that are categorized as residential homes on large lots that are not part of an existing platted subdivision. It is imperative that there be a plan for future development for this remaining developable land. The Future Land Use Plan (FLUP) will help the City continue to provide a high quality of life for its residents by securing a healthy future tax base. As these remaining parcels develop, the FLUP will ensure that the uses being implemented are in accordance with Pearland’s vision and community values.
DEVELOPED
77%
UNDEVELOPED
13%
10%
POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT
It is important to note that Chapter 212 of the Texas Local Government Code (TX LGC) states that a “Comprehensive Plan shall not constitute zoning regulations or establish zoning boundaries.” The FLUP Map, therefore, should not be regarded as a zoning map, which provides specific development requirements on individual parcels. Instead, it is intended to guide City staff in assessing development proposals related to the appropriateness of land uses at specific locations within the community and to help the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council in decision-making related to specific zoning proposals. While a property owner may choose to develop under existing zoning regulations regardless of the recommendations of the chapter, if that owner makes an application for rezoning, this chapter should provide important guidance related to the City’s approval or disapproval of the zoning proposal. Observance of the recommendations in this Future Land Use strategy will be important to achieving the desired future development pattern the community’s stakeholders desire in Pearland. Significant deviation from this strategy could negatively impact the City’s infrastructure investments, municipal services, and economic resiliency. This chapter lays out the land use and development policies that should be considered as decisions are made related to zoning applications.
PEARLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040
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Chapter 4
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