HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ Item 01 - Condominiums and RowhousesMEMO TO: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
FROM: ERICA MAROHNIC, PLANNING SERVICES DIRECTOR
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2023 BRIEFING SESSION/WORKSHOP
SUBJECT: RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION, AND PROVIDE
STAFF DIRECTION REGARDING AMENDMENT TO THE
DEFINITION FOR CONDOMINIUMS AND CREATION OF A
DEFINITION FOR ROWHOUSES
BACKGROUND:
During the March 15, 2022 joint Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council public
hearing, a request was made for a conditional use permit to establish a Transit District
Overlay to allow for a condom inium/town home development. Planning Services staff
referenced the requested use as a condominium/townhome consistent with Figure 3.
Preferred Use Matrix, Section 41 B, Transit District Overlay of the Zoning Ordinance.
Concern was raised by multiple Commission and Council Members for referring to the
use as a combination of two uses that are typically considered separate residential
development types with differing ownership arrangements.
On May 17, 2022, the Commission discussed a series of agenda items including
condominium and rowhouse uses and definitions. Feedback from the Commission
included the following:
• Commission does not want condominiums associated with multi -family use;
• Commission would like condominiums associated with single-family use; and
• Ownership rights -
o Rowhouses and Townhomes - The lot in which the rowhouse of
condominium sits is owned, fee simple lot.
o Condominiums - A percentage of the lot is owned.
■ Commission would like condominiums to be conveyed as fee simple
title and considered a form of single-family housing as seen in the
City of Southlake's definition of condominium.
The Commission asked Planning Services staff to draft and organize definition options
for rowhouse, condominium, and townhome to consider and discuss at a future date.
Attached to this agenda memo is the May 17, 2022 Workshop agenda memorandum and
a draft Condominium and Rowhouse revisions in strike-through/underline format.
AM22-02 — Briefing SessionMorkshop
DIRECTION:
1. Ask Planning Services staff to do nothing.
2. Ask Planning Services staff to study the topic further, draft and organize definition
options for consideration and discussion at a future date.
3. Ask Planning Services staff to prepare an agenda item to be discussed at a future
joint workshop with the Commission and City Council.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Revisions — AM22-02
2. May 17, 2022 — AM22-02 Agenda Memorandum
AM22-02 — Briefing SessionMorkshop
ATTACHMENT 1: DRAFT REVISIONS
AM22-02, Condominiums and Rowhouses
Revisions are depicted in a strikethrou h/underlinE format to show deletions and insertions
Section 12, Definitions
ikvc K 1 iyit snail mean a room or suite eT rgvomc arrangea,
residenno by a single family, individual er group of individuals.
APART MENT I-I(1.U6E Ohall mean any building, or portion thereef, which is designed, built,
rented, 0
let er hired eut to be GGGUpied as three (3) or more apartments er whiGh is
GGGUpied as the heme er residenGe of three (3) or more families living independently of eaGh
other and maintaining separate nnnLing facilities
CONDOMINIUM shall mean a dwelling unit within which designated units are conveyed by fee
simple title, with an undivided interest in the building's common elements, to include, but not
limited to: halls, stairs, elevators, roofs, parking spaces and the land. moone the separate
ownership of singlo unite or capcartmentc in ca multiple unit ctruc-t ire or StF Gt roc with nommen
elements as defined on Ar-tiGle 1301 a Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annetat
DUPLEX shall mean a detached building )n one lot having separate accommodations for two
(2) single-family dwellings or occupied by two (2) families.
EFFICIENCY _)NII ADAL7TIAAshall mean a dwelling unit in a multifamily structure,
consisting of not more than one habitable room, together with kitchen or kitchenette and
sanitary facilities, and having a minimum of six hundred (600) square feet of floor area. A
habitable room shall be defined as being a space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating or
cooking. Bathrooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls, storage or utility space, and similar
areas, shall not be considered habitable space.
FOUR°LEX BUILDING UNIT APARTMENT HOUSE shall mean a detached building
containing four (4) single-family attached dwellings. units on one lot
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING shall mean a building or buildings containing or aggregating more
than four single-family dwelling units.
ROWHOUSI Mall mean a grouping of four or more single-familv attached dwelling units
connected in a row, ioined to another dwelling unit on one or more sides by abutting walls
whose dwellings are uniformly laid out without varied differences in facade plane or facade
articulation from adiacent dwellings. Rowhouses are occupied by not more than one familv
where each unit is on a separately platted lot and conveyed by fee simple title.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING shall mean a portion of an enclosed building having
accommodations for and occupied by only one family, attached to like units, which units may
be sold individually provided that the entire building meets all lot area, front yard, side yard,
rear yard, height and other zoning requirements. Examples include: duplexes, triplexes,
fourplexes, townhomes, and rowhouses.
AM22-02
ATTACHMENT 1: DRAFT REVISIONS
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLING shall mean an enclosed building on one Ic having
accommodations for and occupied by only one family, which building must of itself meet all the
lot area, front yard, side yard, rear yard, height and other zoning requirements.
TOWNHOUSE shall mean a single-family attached dwelling unit on a separately platted lot
ind conveyed by fee simple title which is joined at another dwelling unit on one or more sides
by a party wall or abutting walls and occupied by not more than one family.
TRIPLEX shall mean a detached building containing three (3) single-family attached dwelling
units on one Iol.
Section 56, Off -Street Parking Requirements
Current
Section 56, Off -Street Parking
_Requirements
Single-family dwellings: attached, detached,
townhouse, duplex - 2 parking spaces per
dwelling unit
Apartment, Condominiums, triplex and
fourplex — 2 parking spaces per dwelling unit
Proposed Chanaes
Section 56, Off -Street Parking
Requirements
Single-family dwellings: attached, detached,
townhouse, rowhouse, duplex - 2 parking
spaces per dwelling unit
Agent Multifamil, Resioential,
Condominiums, triplex and fourplex — 2
parking spaces per dwelling unit
AM22-02 2
ATTACHMENT 2: MAY 17, 2022
WORKSHOP AGENDA MEMO
MEMO TO: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
FROM: ERICA MAROHNIC, PLANNING SERVICES DIRECTOR
MEETING DATE: MAY 17, 2022 WORKSHOP
SUBJECT: RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION, AND PROVIDE
STAFF DIRECTION REGARDING AMENDMENT TO THE
DEFINITION FOR CONDOMINIUMS AND CREATION OF A
DEFINITION FOR ROWHOUSES.
BACKGROUND:
During the March 15, 2022 joint Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council public
hearing, a request was made for a conditional use permit to establish a Transit District
Overlay to allow for a condominium/townhome development. Planning Services staff
referenced the requested use as a condominium/townhome consistent with Figure 3:
Preferred use Matrix, Section 41 B, Transit District Overlay of the Zoning Ordinance.
Concern was raised by multiple Commission and Council members for referring to the
use as a combination of two uses that are typically considered separate residential
development types with differing ownership arrangements.
ISSUES:
Multifamilv Residential and Condominium
The Zoning Ordinance's definition of condominium can be found in Section 12,
Definitions, and is defined as, "Condominium means the separate ownership of single
units or apartments in a multiple unit structure or structures with common elements as
defined in Article 1301 a Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annotated." Condominiums are
generally described as a multifamily residential development type where the residential
units are individually owned and common improvements are owned and maintained
collectively, including common amenities such as pools, open and landscaped areas, and
parking lots. Multifamily residential developments are generally described as one or more
buildings on a single lot containing a minimum number of dwelling units for individual rent
or lease.
Below are the various definitions found in the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to multifamily
residences and condominiums.
APARTMENT shall mean a room or suite of rooms arranged, designed or occupied
as a residence by a single family, individual or group of individuals.
APARTMENT HOUSE shall mean any building, or portion thereof, which is
designed, built, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied as three (3) or more
apartments or which is occupied as the home or residence of three (3) or more
families living independently of each other and maintaining separate cooking
facilities.
ATTACHMENT 2: MAY 17, 2022
WORKSHOP AGENDA MEMO
CONDOMINIUM means the separate ownership of single units or apartments in a
multiple unit structure or structures with common elements as defined in Article
1301 a Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annotated.
EFFICIENCY APARTMENT shall mean a dwelling unit in a multifamily structure,
consisting of not more than one habitable room, together with kitchen or
kitchenette and sanitary facilities, and having a minimum of six hundred (600)
square feet of floor area. A habitable room shall be defined as being a space in a
structure for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet compartments,
closets, halls, storage or utility space, and similar areas, shall not be considered
habitable space.
FOUR -UNIT APARTMENT HOUSE shall mean a detached building containing
four (4) single-family attached dwellings.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING shall mean a building or buildings containing or
aggregating more than four single-family dwelling units.
For comparison purposes surrounding community's definitions are provided for
condominiums.
Bedford "Dwelling, Apartment": A building containing three (3) or more
dwelling units arranged and/or used for rental occupancy, or with
ownership by its occupants on a cooperative or condominium basis, and
having one or more of the following in common: parking area, service
area, utilities or open space.
Bryan Condominium shall mean in a condominium each dwelling unit owner
owns as his or her fee estate the space that his or her unit occupies.
This is the space lying between the interior surface of the unit sides and
between the floor and the ceiling. The remainder of the building and the
land are called "common elements" or "common area." Each unit owner
holds an undivided interest in the common elements and limited
common elements as defined in the Texas Condominium Act (V.T.C.A.,
Property Code Ch. 81).
Common elements shall mean, when applied to condominium,
townhouse or similar developments, shall include:
(1) General common elements means and includes:
a. The land, whether leased or in fee simple, on which the building
stands;
b. The foundations, bearing walls and columns, roofs, halls, lobbies,
stairways, and entrances and exits or communication ways;
C. The basements, flat roofs, yard, and gardens, except as
otherwise provided or stipulated;
2
ATTACHMENT 2: MAY 17, 2022
WORKSHOP AGENDA MEMO
d. The premises for the lodging of janitors or persons in charge of
the building, except as otherwise provided or stipulated;
The compartment of installation of central services such as power, light,
gas, cold and hot water, refrigeration, central heating, reservoirs, water
tanks and pumps, swimming pools, and the like;
f. The elevators and shafts, garbage incinerators and, in general all
devices or installations existing for common use; and
g. All other elements of the building desirable or rationally of
common use or necessary to the existence, upkeep and safety of the
condominium regime.
Coppell Single-family residence means a single-family residence as referred to
in this article which includes the following:
(4) Condominium: The separate ownership of single dwelling units in a
multiple unit structures with common elements and:
Trophy Club ' Single-family residence. A single-family residence as referred to in this
article shall include:
(1) One -family dwelling (detached). A dwelling designed and
constructed for occupancy by one family and located on a lot or
separate building tract and having no physical connection to a building
located on any other lot or tract and occupied by one family.
(2) One -family dwelling (attached). A dwelling which is joined to
another dwelling at one or more sides by a party wall or abutting
separate wall which is designed for occupancy by one family and is
located on a platted separate lot, delineated by front, side and rear lot
lines.
(3) Two-family dwelling. A single structure designed and constructed
with two dwelling units under a single roof for occupancy by two families,
one in each unit.
(4) Condominium. The separate ownership of single dwelling units in
a multiple -unit structure or structures with common elements.
Colleyville Dwelling, Multi -Family. A residential building containing three (3) or
more dwelling units that are designed for occupancy by three or more
families, with the number of families not to exceed the number of
dwelling units. The residential building contains dwelling units that are
designed to be occupied by families living independently of one another.
The term includes, but is not limited to, apartment houses, townhouses,
row houses, tenements, apartment hotels, flats, condominiums,
fraternity and sorority houses and other group quarters.
Denton Dwelling, Multifamily
One or more buildings on a single lot containing five or more dwelling
units. This definition includes single room occupancy, co -housing, and
3
ATTACHMENT 2: MAY 17, 2022
WORKSHOP AGENDA MEMO
F_ residential condominiums developed on a single lot. This definition does
not include duplex, triplex, fourplex, or tiny home development.
Flower Single-family residential, attached dwelling unit. A single-family attached
Mound residential unit is a building on an individual lot or tract of land intended
for occupancy by one family that shares one or more common walls with
similar adjacent units, also on individual lots such as townhomes,
condominiums or brownstones.
Southlake CONDOMINIUM -A multi -family dwelling facility within which designated
units or apartments are conveyed by fee simple title, with an undivided
interest in the building's common elements, to include, but not be limited
to, halls, stairs, elevators, roofs, parking spaces, and the land.
Condominium Definition Observations
Our definition of condominium references Article 1301 a Texas Revised Civil Statutes
Annotated, adopted in 1963. This Article was absorbed by the Texas' Uniform
Condominium Act which became effective on January 1, 1994, as Chapter 82 of the
Property Code.
Other communities clearly state condominiums as a form of multifamily residential
dwelling unit and do or do not differentiate the ownership structure. These definitions
clearly state that the units are on one common lot or may be on multiple lots. Typically,
there are no separate definitions for apartments or apartment dwellings as these are
generally synonymous with multifamily units.
Organizationally it would be beneficial to organize the multifamily residential definitions in
a hierarchical manner, explicitly state the unit number minimum, and reference the
ownership structure.
Rowhouses
The City of Grapevine's Zoning Ordinance does not currently have a definition for
rowhouse. This type of single-family attached dwelling is most akin to a townhome yet the
distinguishing feature is that architecturally rowhouses are two or more nearly identical
units that share a common wall on one or both sides of a unit and line a street in an even
row. Townhouses are generally a group or grouping of units into one building that may be
placed in different layouts throughout a development.
Below are the definitions found in the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to single-family
attached dwelling and townhouse.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING shall mean a portion of an enclosed
building having accommodations for and occupied by only one family, attached to
like units, which units may be sold individually provided that the entire building
meets all lot area, front yard, side yard, rear yard, height and other zoning
requirements.
In
ATTACHMENT 2: MAY 17, 2022
WORKSHOP AGENDA MEMO
TOWNHOUSE shall mean a single-family attached dwelling unit on a separately
platted lot which is joined at another dwelling unit on one or more sides by a party
wall or abutting walls and occupied by not more than one family.
Rowhouse Definition Observations
Planning Services staff observes that it would be beneficial to distinguish rowhouses from
townhomes, organize the single-family attached dwelling definitions in a hierarchical
manner, explicitly state the unit number minimum, and reference the ownership
arrangement.
DIRECTION:
1. Ask Planning Services staff to do nothing.
2. Ask Planning Services staff to study the topic further, draft and organize definition
options for consideration and discussion at a future date.
3. Ask Planning Services staff to prepare an agenda item to be discussed at a future
joint workshop with the Commission and City Council.
5