Overview of the proposed revisions as part of the Downtown Zoning Realignment Project associated with a text/map amendment associated with TA 22-01:
1. Special Downtown Zoning Category - 4 Zones:
- Greater Downtown Zoning Districts:
- CBD - Central Business District
- RDD-D - River Development District-Downtown
- GC-D - General Commercial-Downtown
- LI-D - Light Industrial-Downtown
2. Zoning District Boundary Realignment:
Propose amending existing zoning district boundaries to better delineate core of downtown and surrounding districts that enhance use/function of greater downtown. Proposed zone boundary map would be incorporated under Sec. 3800 Greater Downtown Zoning Districts Map.
3. Downtown Zoning Use Table:
Recommend creating a detailed land use table by category which outlines both permitted and conditionally permitted uses along with uses that would not be considered appropriate or logical for the downtown core.
Land use categories include:
- Residential
- Institutional/Governmental
- Office
- Services (Personal or Business)
- Retail
- Transportation & Auto Related Services
- Amusement & Recreation
- Commercial & Wholesale Trade
- Light Assembly/Industrial
- Mineral Extraction
- Temporary Uses
4. Development Standards - Setbacks:
Recommend reduction in numerous setbacks (front, side interior, side exterior side yard) in downtown to provide greater flexibility for allowing a larger building footprint per lot.
5. Non-Conforming Use - Time Limitation & Appeal Process:
Recommend establishing a non-conforming use limited within Greater Downtown so if a non-conforming use is terminated after one (1) year, it would cease to maintain its non-conforming status unless the owner pursues filing an appeal via a conditional use application with the Wichita Falls Planning & Zoning Commission.
6. Incorporate Defined Uses Section for Greater Downtown:
With creating a detailed land use table, each use must be defined and incorporated into the ordinance for reference.
7. Address Definition Updates:
Recommend consolidation of the existing definitions section to incorporate an all-encompassing definition of Household Care Facility to replace:
Adult Daycare; Foster Care Facility; Group Homes; Halfway House; Personal Care Home and Residential Care Facility.
8. Land Use Plan Amendment - Consolidate Categories:
Recommend the existing six (6) land use categories in Greater Downtown be consolidated under two (2) categories of:
- DNT - Downtown
- PAR - Parks & Open Space
