Consider and take action on Ordinance No. 16-24, approving a variance to Section 159.003 ENFORCEMENT of the Subdivision Ordinance allowing the issuance of Building Permits for the Blue Jay Subdivision prior to the recordation of a subdivision plat.

Texas City's subdivision ordinance requires that all public infrastructure (i.e. water, sewer, streets, and drainage) be complete and accepted by the city, and the associated subdivision plat be recorded at the county clerk's office before building permits can be issued. Most of the larger commercial projects take 10-12 months to construct and delaying the building construction until all the public infrastructure is complete would be a significant time and schedule burden for these larger commercial projects. Approval of this variance will allow city staff to issue building permits prior to the completion of the public infrastructure and recordation of the final plat. At this point the developer is put on notice that a final Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued by the city until all the public infrastructure is complete and the final plat is recorded. The Planning Board reviewed this item at their July 18th meeting and is recommending approval.