For more information and to sign up for updates. DSD will present on the UDC amendment process for neighborhood groups and organization. Contact Tony Felts, Policy Administrator (210) 207-0153 and Monique Mercado, Senior Planner (210)207-5016 for more information.
What is the Unified Development Code (UDC)?
The Unified Development Code (UDC) is extremely important to the residents of San Antonio because these codes guide development in our city and neighborhoods. These codes determine such things as “subdivision platting, zoning, street and drainage design standards, historic preservation, and protection of natural resources – trees, aquifer, etc.” The UDC deals with issues of parking, short term rentals, zoning and permitted uses. The UDC is updated every five years.
The people who live in San Antonio are directly affected by these codes and how they are amended.
The UDC Amendment Process:
These codes are now being reviewed with requests for amendments due by May 1, 2020. According to the Department of Developmental Services (DSD) which facilitates the process, the amendments are to “modify procedures and standards for workability and administrative efficiency, eliminate unnecessary development costs, and to update the procedures and standards to reflect changes in the law or the state of land use planning and urban design….”
Amendments submitted from outside the city staff, “external” amendments, cannot submit changes unless those changes clarify a provision or edit for grammar or punctuation. The Planning Commission must sponsor any external submission that creates change.
The Development Services Department (DSD) begins receiving submittals for proposed amendments on January 1, 2020. This year, the DSD has set up a dedicated email address for correspondence related to the UDC Amendment Process as well as UDC Amendment Submittals. That email address is UDCAmendments@sanantonio.gov
You may also contact Tony Felts, Policy Administrator (210) 207-0153 and Monique Mercado, Senior Planner (210)207-5016
The Path to Approval
DSD will take submissions, request additional information, conduct “small scale focus groups consisting of industry experts, applicable agencies, and neighborhood leaders, and the development community. (January – May 2020) For applications and instructions go to Sanantonio.gov/DSD
- Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (PCTAC) which advises the Planning Commission will review each UDC amendment that is submitted and make a recommendation. (May – October 2020)
- From PCTAC, the recommendations are forwarded to the Planning Commission, Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment (BoA), Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC), Housing Commission, Parks and Recreation Board.
- Referrals by these boards and commissions are sent to City Council by December 1, 2020.
Public Participation
According to DSD, “Throughout the UDC Amendment process, DSD will conduct an extensive community and stakeholder outreach program utilizing the SA Speak Up process, community meetings, social media, constant contact, and the DSD website. DSD will also conduct a comprehensive educational outreach campaign in 2021 after the UDC Amendment process ends in order to educate the community about the new changes to the code, and how those changes may affect them and their development process. This outreach will be done primarily utilizing SA Speak Up and DSD Academy sessions. We will also utilize social media and constant conduct to advertise the training opportunities.”
Timeline:
January 1, 2020 Amendment submittals begin
January, 2020 First SA Speak Up Survey gathering input about the UDC Amendment process and providing information on submitting amendments and the amendment process
May 1, 2020 All amendment submittals must be completed
May, 2020 Second SA Speak Up Survey gathering input about the major themes of the UDC Amendments that have been submitted, having the citizens identify their priorities based on the UDC submittals provided, and providing information about the submitted amendments
Mid-May, 2020 PCTAC begins meeting
October, 2020 Third SA Speak Up Survey gathering input about the major themes of the UDC Amendments after PCTAC review, having the citizens identify their priorities based on the UDC amendments and PCTAC process, and providing information about the submitted amendments
October 30, 2020 Amendments forwarded to boards and commissions with PCTAC recommendations for review
November, 2020 Boards and commissions review amendments and make recommendations
December 1, 2020 Boards and commissions recommendations forwarded to City Council
December, 2020 City Council considers amendments
January 1, 2021 All passed UDC Amendments go into effect
January, 2021 Fourth and final SA Speak Up Survey gathering input about the UDC training
January through March, 2021 DSD conducts internal and external trainings and works with Municode to codify amendments.
UDC Changes since 2015
Since the 2015 UDC Update process, several changes have been made to the UDC as a result of CCRs or Stakeholder Groups. These changes have included:
· Zoning Sign and Courtesy Notice Changes
· Creating the RIO-7 Overlay in the vicinity of San Pedro Creek
· Modifications the demolition procedures for historic structures
· Military Lighting Overlay District (MLOD) update
· Comprehensive Land use Category Updates
· Short Term Rental regulations
· Infill Development Zone (IDZ) update
· Atlas 14 (storm water) update
· Habitat Compliance Form update
Source:
Agenda Memorandum File Number: 19-7814 by DSD (Michael Shannon), October 21, 2019
DSD Academy: UDC 2020. Presentation by Tony Felts, Policy Adminstrator. November 16, 2019 and January 15, 2020.