Per Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 21.4.7, City Council may, from time to time, on its own motion, or at the request of the City Manager or his/her designee, may change or modify the UDC in order to establish and maintain sound, stable, and desirable development. A workshop was held on impervious coverage at the September 17, 2024, City Council Meeting. This proposed UDC amendment is a result of the workshop and the City Council request to amend the pool impervious coverage requirements and exclude decorative pavers from the impervious coverage definition.

The proposed UDC amendments include modifications to Article 5, Section 21.5.7 - Dimensional and Developmental Standards, and Article 16 - Definitions. 

Proposed Amendments:
Per direction given by City Council, the following UDC modifications are being proposed:

Article	UDC Section	Current UDC	Proposed Amendment
Article 5	Section 21.5.7.; specifically Table  21.5.7.A Dimensional Requirements Residential Zoning Districts key k.	k. Swimming pools count toward the maximum impervious cover limitations, unless the swimming pool is equipped with a water overflow device appropriate for such pool, and only if it drains into any pervious surface, in which case the water surface shall be excluded.	Modifying key k to clarify that pool water surface areas do not count toward the maximum impervious coverage limitations for residential zoning districts.
Article 16	Definitions	Impervious Coverage: Impervious cover means impermeable surfaces which prevent the infiltration of water into the underlying soil and bedrock (such as pavement, concrete or rooftops).	Modifying the definition of impervious coverage to include clarification on decorative pavers at the end. Impervious cover means impermeable surfaces which prevent the infiltration of water into the underlying soil and bedrock (such as pavement, concrete or rooftops), not to include decorative pavers intended for residential landscaping purposes that are not used for vehicular travel.

Per direction provided by City Council, amend Article 5, UDC Section 21.5.7-Dimensional and Development Standards, and Article 16- Definitions to modify impervious coverage limitations for pools in residential zoning and the definition of impervious coverage to exclude decorative pavers.

It is the City’s desire to promote safe, orderly, efficient development and ensure compliance with the City’s vision of future growth.

When considering UDC Amendments, staff considers the criteria listed in UDC Section 21.4.7.D. The criteria are listed below:

1. The proposed amendment promotes the health, safety, and general welfare of the City;
Per UDC Section 21.4.7D- Unified Development Code Amendment, City Council, on its own motion, may request an amendment to the Unified Development Code to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the City. As a result of the September 17, 2024, City Council workshop discussion and direction provided, the proposed amendments are meant to maintain sounds, stable, and desirable development.

2. The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of this UDC and the City.
The Unified Development Code permits City Council to request UDC amendments. This amendment is a direct result of direction from Council.

3. The proposed amendment corrects an error, meets the challenge of changing conditions, or is in response to changes in state law; and
The proposed amendment does not correct an error and is not in response to state law. The proposed UDC amendments were written as a result of the September 17, 2025, City Council Meeting, Impervious Coverage Workshop where amendments to pool surface impervious coverage calculations and the impervious coverage definition were requested to be amended.

4. Other factors which are deemed relevant and important in the consideration of the amendment.
A workshop was held on impervious coverage at the September 17, 2024, City Council meeting. This workshop can be viewed online on the City of Schertz YouTube page. There was a thorough discussion on impervious coverage requirements, why it is regulated for city storm water management, and how long it has worked since its implementation. 

The proposed UDC Amendment was sent to the City of Schertz Fire, EMS, and Police Departments. No objection was provided to the proposed amendments. The proposed UDC Amendments were sent to legal for review.

As per UDC Section 21.4.7, City Council may, on its own motion, request an amendment to the Unified Development Code. The proposed amendments are a result of the direction provided by Council from the September 17, 2024, City Council workshop, and staff has provided those amendments. Staff recommends approval of PLUDC20260020 per City Council's direction.