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- Mixed-Use Zoning Code Update
Bringing Activity Centers to Life through Mixed-Use Zoning
The City of Sugar Land is actively working on ways to enhance our community’s quality of life through the creation of new mixed-use zoning regulations. These mixed-use zoning regulations are especially important as the City finds the best way to respond to long-term shifts in market demands and demographic trends. Implementing Activity Centers combines offices, housing, retail, entertainment, and civic uses, which were identified in the 2018 Land Use Plan (LUP).
When we updated the Land Use Plan (a component of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which serves as a guide to how the City should develop and redevelop and evolve over time to reflect changing conditions) in 2018, we heard through that process that residents wanted mixed-use type areas in our community. They wanted not just a mix of uses, but they want us to create places where people can gather outside of work, school and their homes.
About the Mixed-Use Zoning Code
Sugar Land is updating its Development Code to adopt a mixed-use zoning district in support of the Land Use Plan (LUP).
As directed by City Council during the July 19th joint workshop, the draft code has been revised to support the success of the future Lake Pointe redevelopment.
The proposed new district is:
Mixed-Use Regional (MU-R)
Intended to provide for pedestrian-friendly areas of medium- to higher-density residential development and compatible nonresidential uses such as lodging, offices, supporting commercial and service uses, other civic and community uses, and incidental or accessory uses consistent with the Land Use Plan’s Regional Activity Centers (RACs).
Milestones
Please note that meeting dates are subject to change and will be updated when available.
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
| Joint Planning & Zoning Commission / City Council Workshop #1 [see meeting video] | Tuesday, May 9 |
| Joint Planning & Zoning Commission / City Council Workshop #2 [see meeting video] | Wednesday, July 19 |
| Planning & Zoning Commission Workshop #1 | Thursday, September 28 |
| Planning & Zoning Commission Workshop #2 | Thursday, October 26 |
| Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearing & Recommendation | Tuesday, November 14 |
| City Council Meetings | TBD |
Public Engagement
On Monday May 8th at Sugar Land City Hall, the City hosted a mixed-use town hall to introduce the new mixed-use zoning regulations and get initial feedback from residents. About 30 attendees learned more about City Council’s redevelopment priority as well as information from our guest speakers Dr. Jeronimo Cortina, Shana Hardin and Matt Goebel. Shortly afterwards, attendees had an opportunity to learn more about the draft mixed use zoning code and chat with staff.
Couldn't make it? No worries. You can see photos from the town hall and view the recorded presentation in its entirety below.
Want more information about the Land Use Plan?
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Why do we need to redevelop/reinvest?
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Every city has a lifecycle and we have reached the peak of ours now. With only 4% of developable land left until we are completely built out, we know we are at the decision point where we can either be aspirational or go into decline. Doing nothing is not an option -- we can change or time will make changes for us.
- What does Community Reinvestment mean?
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Reinvestment means putting money into an existing asset (home, retail center, etc.) to bring the property up to new standards or trends in commercial and residential development. The City is exploring pilot programs that incentivize homeowners and landlords to invest in their properties and updating our development rules and services to encourage reinvestment across the city.
- What does redevelopment mean?
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Simply, redevelopment is when an existing building and/or parking areas are demolished and a new development is built on the same site. It usually involves building more on the site than was previously there, creating density. Redevelopment can also occur when a current building is repurposed into a new use or to align with new market trends.
- Why can't we annex more land to grow the city?
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The City has limited land in its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), which is the area immediately outside of Sugar Land's corporate limits. All land surrounding the City is either already incorporated or in another jurisdiction's ETJ.
- I don't want apartments in Sugar Land. What other types of housing will be allowed with this redevelopment plan?
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As described in the 2018 Land Use Plan, any new apartments built in Sugar Land will be required to be multi-story, urban-style apartments that activate the streets. Standalone, garden-style apartments are not supported by the Land Use Plan. Additional housing options that will be considered include townhomes, condos, duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and live-work units that support local entrepreneurship and employment. These new types of housing are an essential first step to providing pathways to homeownership and drive demand for existing and new dining, retail, amenities, and attractions.
- What are Regional Activity Centers (RAC)?
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- Regional Activity Centers (RAC) are new or redeveloped commercial areas that will serve as destinations for both the city and region. These areas will be developed to vertically integrate various land uses such as commercial and retail buildings, educational and health care facilities, civic buildings, and a residential component. It's important the uses complement each other and the highest and best use of the land. Other qualities found in a RAC are varied building heights from low-rise to mid-ride, structured parking, street-level stores, pedestrian and bicycle friendly, and public spaces that can be used at various times of the day for various purposes.
- The City of Sugar Land's Land Use Plan designates these five (5) locations as RAC:
- Sugar Land Town Center
- Lake Pointe
- University Boulevard
- Imperial
- Sugar Creek Triangle
- If we develop regional activity centers, how will the City ensure business occupancy rates stay up?
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The City cannot guarantee specific occupancy rates as retail is market driven by consumer demand. One of the key ingredients in a mixed-use development is housing which supports retail tenants. To support local retail, we encourage you to shop local instead of online purchases.
- When you say more people, how many more people do we need?
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There is not a specific number of people needed. However, more people and housing are necessary for new commercial development and amenities to be supported. This will be driven by the market on a development-by-development basis. Accounting for annexation, the City’s population has only grown 1.4% from 2015-2019 (City’s Workforce and Targeted Industry Study).
The most important thing is to continue to grow and attract new residents by providing options for downsizing and pathways to homeownership for the younger generations.
Stay in Touch
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Want to chat with staff?
If you’d like an opportunity for us to walk you through the draft mixed use zoning code or answer questions you may have, please let us know by sending us an email and a staff member will reach out to set up an appointment.
Contact Us
Planning & Development Services Department
2700 Town Center Blvd. N.
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Email: longrangeplanning@sugarlandtx.gov