Government
BY RACHEL LELAND
Officials in Pearland are considering a new comprehensive plan to help guide the city in how it will use its remaining undeveloped land, which includes updates to how Pearland regulates accessory dwelling units—a move that has given some officials pause ahead of a possible vote in August. On June 24, Pearland City Council voted to adopt an amended version of the Pearland 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which gives guidance on land use, development and the city’s future appearance. However, a second vote will be needed for it to go into effect. Among the changes, recommendations for the plan call for “clear paths forward” to permit accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, within existing residential neighborhoods, according to city documents. An ADU is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit on the same lot as a single-family home, according to the American Planning Association. Property owners wishing to build an accessory dwelling unit in an area zoned for residential use would need to bring their plans before City Council for approval, Director of Community Development Vance Wyly said. Future land use plans are meant to give city officials a guide when making decisions but are not the same as zoning regulations, documents show. They are also not legally binding and don’t create budgetary obligations. Pearland considers path for accessory dwelling units
Diving in deeper
Examples of accessory dwelling units
Documents in the plan acknowledge the potential drawback of allowing more ADUs would be them not matching the feel and character of a neighborhood. However, with the vast majority of Pearland’s housing classified as single-family, adding more ADUs could help diversify the city’s residential options, according to city documents.
Interior (upper floor)
Attached
Housing by type, 2019
Free-standing, single-family home
10 or more apartments
Other
15.3%
Attached (above garage)
63.9% 73.9% 81%
20.8%
Houston area Brazoria County Pearland
10.1%
16%
11.4%
7.6%
SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU’S 2021 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Detached
SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Stay tuned
Since taking the first steps in 2021 to develop the plan, city staff held four meetings and two workshops with the comprehensive plan advisory committee, nine stakeholder meetings and 33 public meetings, according to agenda documents. The city in 2023 conducted online surveys to gauge how Pearland residents wanted to develop the city’s remaining land. Results showed housing affordability and maintaining good public infrastructure were top priorities for residents, according to agenda documents.
The possible issue of ADUs fitting into a neighborhood was highlighted by some City Council members, who passed an amendment restricting them only to certain areas. Others, such as Mayor Kevin Cole, said ADUs were useful in certain circumstances. City Council is expected to hold a second vote on the plan at its August meeting, officials said. Prior to the vote, they can amend the plan.
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