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. 

A notice was published in the "San Antonio Express" on February 11, 2026. On the newspaper notice, the ordinance was noticed with an extra zero as Ordinance 26-S-0008.  The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing for the proposed Unified Development Code Amendments at the February 4, 2026, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. The Planning and Zoning Commission proposed amendments to the Staff proposed Article 16 amendments to the definition of Impervious Coverage. The Planning and Zoning Commission amendments to Article 16 include a restriction on the amount of the allowable impervious coverage that can be used for decorative pavers. Additionally, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation includes permitting the use of decorative pavers in residential zoning districts for driveways.

Proposed Amendments:

The amendments proposed by Staff, per Council's direction and the Planning and Zoning Commission's amendments are listed below.

Article	UDC Section	Current UDC	Proposed Amendments by Staff	Proposed Amendments per Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation
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.	No changes to the Staff proposed amendments.
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.	Modifying the definition of impervious coverage to include decorative pavers, but with restrictions and to allow it for vehicular travel.  Include a restriction on the amount of decorative pavers that can be used Permit the use of decorative pavers for residential driving surfaces/ driveways 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 in residential zoning districts for a maximum of 25% of the allowable maximum impervious coverage percentage per UDC Section 21.5.7.A.

 

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 21.4.7.D- 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;
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 and no objection was provided. 

At the February 4, 2026, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission proposed amendments to Staff's proposed Article 16 Unified Development Code amendments.

Staff Proposed Amendments to Article 16	Planning and Zoning Commission Proposed Amendments to Article 16
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), not to include decorative pavers intended for residential landscaping purposes not to be used for vehicular travel.	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), not to include decorative pavers in residential zoning districts for a maximum of 25% allowable maximum impervious coverage percentage per UDC Section 21.5.7.A.
Decorative pavers used for residential landscaping would not count toward maxium impervious coverage limitations. Pavers cannot be used for vehicular travel.	Only 25% of the allowable impervious coverage can be used for residential decorative pavers. Can be used for vehicular travel on residential driveways.

 

Staff Recommendation:
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 Ordinance 26-S-008, as proposed by Staff, per City Council's direction. 

Planning and Zoning Commission:
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing for the item on February 4, 2026, and made a recommendation of approval to City Council, with amendments to the Article 16 Definition of Impervious Coverage. The motion passed with a 5-1 vote, with Commissioner Outlaw voting Nay. Commissioner Outlaw voted nay due to the proposed Article 16 amendments proposed and included in their recommendation.