§ 43-1. 2012 comprehensive plan.

(a)

Purpose of comprehensive plan. This comprehensive plan is adopted, under authority of V.T.C.A. Local Government Code, ch. 213, as a present statement of policy by the City of Hunters Creek Village (the "city") and as a guide for future land use, capital improvements and other programs within the city including cooperative efforts with other governmental agencies and the private sector.

This plan may be amended or revised as deemed appropriate by the city council. This plan may be reviewed at any time by the city's planning and zoning commission on its own motion or at the direction of the city council. Whenever such review is undertaken, the planning and zoning commission shall submit a written report to the city council which shall include any recommended changes to the plan.

(b)

Comprehensive plan.

(1)

General. The City of Hunters Creek Village is a fully developed residential community with a "complementing" business community. One of its most important attributes is its ability to protect the integrity of its residential neighborhoods through its zoning ordinance and other land use regulations. The city is located, along with the other memorial villages, in an area that is surrounded on all sides by the City of Houston and is almost exclusively residential in character. The only commercial activity in the city is located along the Interstate 10 corridor which forms the northern boundary of the city. The city and its residential community are served by commercial and industrial uses that are located in the City of Houston and other neighboring cities and there is no need to expand the city's current business district. The most important goal of this comprehensive plan is the preservation of the city's high quality residential neighborhoods and the protection of those neighborhoods from the negative effects of urban development.

Residential zoning will be employed generally to maintain and improve the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the residents, citizens and inhabitants of the City of Hunters Creek Village by limiting population density, land use, lot size, height and setbacks of buildings and other improvements and by regulating swimming pools, parking, fences and the use of signs, and by enacting such other regulations as may be permitted by law.

Zoning in the business districts will be employed generally to promote business activity while minimizing any adverse effects of commercial development on the residents, citizens and inhabitants of the City of Hunters Creek Village, and providing a buffer zone between the business district and the residential district.

Zoning in the City of Hunters Creek Village is also appropriate for limiting visual pollution, land use, lot size, height and setbacks of buildings and other improvements, including but not limited to regulating swimming pools, parking, site drainage, fences, the use of signs, and the accumulation of refuse in the business district. In addition such other regulations as may be permitted by law should be enacted to protect the residential district and to provide a pleasant and healthful environment in the business district.

(2)

Residential district R. The city will continue to protect existing single-family residential neighborhoods and existing residences through appropriate land use controls including zoning and other ordinances regulating lot size, use of land and improvements, height and setbacks, swimming pools, parking, fences and the use of signs. These neighborhoods will also be protected and improved by appropriate and timely investments in maintenance and replacement of public infrastructure.

Any new development or redevelopment in the business districts along Interstate 10 should be designed and located so as to minimize any adverse effect on existing residential uses and to ensure that new development constitutes a benefit to the city's residential neighborhoods.

Ingress and egress to all development in the business district should be designed so that traffic to and from the development which originates in or is destined to points outside of the City of Hunters Creek Village will not utilize local residential streets.

(3)

Business district B. The area along Interstate 10 is subject to substantial noise, visual pollution, air pollution and the heavy traffic associated with a major highway and transportation corridor. The city will continue to exercise its regulatory authority to mitigate the negative effects of these factors on nearby residential areas. Any new development or redevelopment in the existing business district should be designed to be complimentary to the adjoining residential areas of the city and to mitigate any traffic, water, sewer, flood, or other conditions adverse to the community.

Regulations should be tailored to encourage property owners to utilize their property to the maximum extent possible in order to produce adequate revenue to fund the cost to the city of providing necessary services.

(4)

Public services. Existing public services in the city are adequate to preserve the high quality of the city's residential neighborhoods and its small business district. It is not anticipated that significant expansion and/or upgrading of existing public facilities will be necessary in the future. However, the city will need to continue its program of periodic replacement of public facilities as those facilities reach their useful life. Present facilities in the business district are appropriate for maintenance or adequate service levels to business and commercial interests presently existing in the business districts. Any new development, renovation or replacement of present businesses should be accomplished only if there is appropriate and adequate assurance that the proposed new development will provide sufficient upgrading, renovation or addition of appropriate facilities necessary to serve such new development and otherwise not adversely impact present residential development or existing business development.

The city's forest canopy and existing green space contributes to the health, safety and well-being of the residents of the city and to the overall quality of life within the city and efforts should be made to preserve existing trees and green space through appropriate land use regulations and maintenance of public areas. Efforts should be made to educate and inform the city's residents on the benefits of maintaining the city's forest canopy and green space.

The city should encourage the development and maintenance of privately owned landscaped green areas in its residential neighborhoods. Additional hike and bike trails should be built and existing trails maintained. To these ends citizen participation should be sought.

(5)

Traffic. Existing traffic circulation systems in the city should be maintained and be upgraded as needed with adequate repairs provided in order to insure good and serviceable streets. Every effort should be made to preserve the integrity of the residential neighborhoods within the city. No zoning ordinance should be adopted which encourages arterial street circulation within the residential neighborhoods of the city.

(6)

Implementation. The city's land use regulations should provide for protection of the rights and interests of neighboring landowners and the general public. These rights and interests should be protected by controlling development which could create or significantly increase glare, light, shade, traffic, noise, noxious fumes, trash accumulation, or rainwater runoff to other landowners.

Every effort should be made by the city to encourage active participation by all citizens, citizen groups, business owners and business organizations in the planning and development of the City of Hunters Creek Village.

(Ord. No. 796, § 2(Exh. A), 5-22-2012)