SESSION 2.2

Variances

PRESENTERS:

Muxian Fang, Planner LeaderChrista Stoneham, Senior Planner

City of Houston Planning and DevelopmentDepartment, Development Services

VARIANCE PLATTING CASE EXAMPLES PRESENTER:

Muxian Fang

City of Houston Planning and DevelopmentDepartment, Development Services

2

SESSION 2.2

VAR/SP/RR Request

• Site context• Site restrictions• Existing conditions• Compatible use• Meet the intent of

the ordinance

Justifications

Variance – Building Line

• Existing condition survey (showing distance between BOC & property line, paving width)

• Cross section plan• Site plan• Renderings / elevation plan 

Required Information

Variance – Building Line

Site Context

Overall Site Conditions

Variance – Building Line

Street Cross Section

Variance – Building Line

Renderings

Variance – Building Line

Floodway/ Existing Condition 

Variance – Intersection Spacing

BOUDREAUX

FM 2920

CHA

MP

ION

FO

RE

ST

PROPOSED GRAND PARKW

AY

HU

FSM

ITH

KO

HR

VIL

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MAHAFFEY

1 23

4

Site Restrictions 

Variance – Intersection Spacing

W ILL CL AYTO N

Atasca O

aks

RANKIN

LAK

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OU

STO

NTIMB

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RES

T

BREAK

WATER

PATH

LAK

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UPE

RIO

R

GR EENS

W ILL CL AYT ON

ATASCOCITA

WO

OD

LAND

H

ILLS

UNN

AMED

RA

LSTON

GR EEN S

Harris CountyCorrectional Facility

Street Systems Network 

Variance – Intersection Spacing

Street Pattern within Major T‐fare Network 

Variance – Intersection Spacing

Existing Condition

Variance – Stub Street

Incompatible Use 

Variance – Stub Street

Residential use – Industrial use

Impacts to Connectivity / Internal Circulation

Variance – Stub Street

Memorial CreekSubdivision

Memorial NorthwestSubdivision

Meet the intent of the ordinance

Variance – Reserve Access

The Lift Station Reserve would have public street access once the adjacent street is constructed.

30’ Access Easement

Lift Station Reserve

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE VS. SUBDIVISION PLAT VARIANCE

PRESENTER:Christa Stoneham

City of Houston Planning and DevelopmentDepartment, Development Services

17

SESSION 2.2

What is a Development Plat and Subdivision Plat  Variance

• Development Plat Variance– A site plan/development requesting a variance 

• Subdivision Plat Variance– A plat of land that is requesting a variance 

• GP• C2R• C3P• C2• C3N

Unrestricted Reserve

Notification• Sign• Envelopes

Drawings• Site Plan• Elevations• Survey

Hardship

Pre‐Submittal Meeting

DPV & SPV: Similarities

Development Plat Variance Subdivision Plat Variance

DPV & SPV: Differences

Unrestricted Reserve

City LimitsLife of Structure

Ordinance Requirements

City LimitsLife of Structure

Ordinance RequirementsCity Limits/ ETJLife of Plat

Ordinance/ Platting Requirements

City Limits/ ETJLife of Plat

Ordinance/ Platting Requirements

Requested BL

Development Plat Variance: Example

Major Thoroughfare100’ ROW  

10’ BL

25’ BL

12’ BL

50’ BL

Platted BLRequested BLRequired BL Structure

Lot 1

Major Thoroughfare100’ ROW  

Lot 1

25’ BL

12’ BL

Major Thoroughfare100’ ROW  

10’ BL

25’ BL

12’ BL

Major Thoroughfare100’ ROW  

25’ BL

12’ BL

50’ BL

Platted BLRequested BLOrdinance Required BL Structure

Lot 1 Lot 1

Q & A?