Planning Report
Notification Requirements for Public Hearings
Planning & Zoning Commission
October 12, 2016
REQUEST:
Title
Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding current notification practices and requirements for public hearings.
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BACKGROUND:
On April 27, 2016, a work session presentation was made to the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the City's public hearing notification process. This report is a follow up to feedback received from the Commission regarding possible process improvements. Staff focused on ideas that will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of notifying the public.
CONSIDERATIONS:
1. On February 2, 1999, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 99-029, which established sections in the Municipal Code of Ordinances, containing the procedures for public hearing notification. However, in 2002, when the Denton Development Code (DDC) was adopted these sections were repealed. Currently Subchapter 35.3 - Procedures of the DDC contains the procedures for public notification requirements. Per the DDC, public hearings shall be held in accordance with state law. Specifically as set forth in ?211.007 of the Texas Local Government Code (TLGC).
2. The TLGC requires:
* published notice of the hearing in the official newspaper before the 15th day before the date of the hearing; and
* written notices be mailed out to property owners located within 200-feet of the subject property via regular mail before the 10th day before the hearing date.
The TLGC does not require courtesy notices be mailed out to properties located within 500-feet of the subject property.
3. Repealed sections of the Municipal Code of Ordinances required:
Notice of the public hearing shall be given not less than ten (10) days before the date set for the commission's public hearing using each of the following methods:
* Published notice. Notice of the scheduled public hearing shall be published in the official newspaper of the city stating the time and...
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