The Development Process
The Development Process begins with the Community Development Department which is located on the second floor of City Hall at 910 S. Friendswood Drive. Office hours are 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8 am to 5 pm on Friday.
| Director of Community Development |
(281) 996-3203 |
| Development Process |
(281) 996-3280 |
| Engineering Specifications |
(281) 996-3294 |
| Planning Maps |
(281) 996-3290 |
| Related Ordinances |
www.municode.com |
Land Development
Land development within the City of Friendswood, depending on the size and nature of the project, involves several steps. When a landowner desires to develop property within the City, the first step of the process should be to arrange a meeting with the Development Review Committee (DRC). This informal meeting allows the developer to gather information pertinent to the proposed development and to discuss the City's development process. Staff can assist by discussing the process requirements for the specific type of development, identifying any required applications or fees to be submitted and by providing input that can potentially expedite the overall process. The staff can also provide an overall timeline for each step in the process, which depends largely on when the process starts and what steps are needed.
To schedule a meeting, call 281-996-3280.
Subdivision of Property
A subdivision is defined as the subdividing of any lot, tract, or parcel of land into two or more lots or sites for the purpose of sale or development, whether immediate or future, including resubdividing of existing lots in lawfully platted land, or the combining of two or more lots into the same number or fewer lots with different boundaries.
A subdivision must meet the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance (Appendix C, Friendswood Code of Ordinances) and of the Subdivision Ordinance (Appendix B, Friendswood Code of Ordinances).
Conceptual Plan
Prior to submitting a preliminary plat, a subdivider may submit a conceptual plan of an entire development for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph to the contrary, a subdivider may submit a preliminary plat or plats along with a conceptual plan of a proposed development.
A conceptual plan shall include:
(a) The proposed name of the development.
(b) The total acreage included in the entire development.
(c) The scale of the plan.
(d) The boundaries of the total acreage of the subdivision and the boundaries of the proposed land
uses within the subdivision.
(e) The total number of lots and the typical lot sizes.
(f) The proposed streets, direction of manmade and natural drainage flows, location of schools, parks,
detention ponds and other public or private facilities.
Preliminary Plat
A preliminary plat is a map or drawing of a proposed plan for a subdivision, which upon approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission, establishes an agreement as to the layout of the development. This agreement includes the location and width of the proposed streets, lots, blocks, floodplains and easements. The approval process for a preliminary plat may also require the review and approval of other city departments, boards, or other corresponding drainage entities. Preliminary plat submittal is combined with submittal of preliminary utility and drainage plans and supporting design.
Final Plat
A final plat is a document intended for recordation in the plat records of the county in which the subdivision is located. Final plat submittal is combined with the approval of final infrastructure construction plans.
Amended Plat
An amended plat is used to correct errors or omissions on a recorded plat. This is generally a one-step process whereby the applicant submits the corrected document to the City Manager's designee for approval. A detailed explanation of the change or correction is required on the face of the plat.
Replat
A replat is used to make changes to a recorded plat where the boundaries are redesigned or new lots are created. This process generally requires a public hearing, as well as approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. A reason for the replat is required on the face of the plat.
Site Plans
The site plan review process with the City of Friendswood is a two-step process. The first step in the process includes the review and approval of the proposed plan by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The second step in the site plan process includes the review by the Building Official at the time of permitting. This step is detailed in the Building Inspection Section.
The purpose of the first step in the site plan process is to determine whether a proposed development complies with the codes and ordinances of the City of Friendswood. The site plan drawing in this step depicts the density, height, and setbacks of a proposed project relative to the site itself, along with preliminary information on drainage, utilities, landscaping, sidewalk, parking, driveways, accessibility of the site to emergency vehicles and other aesthetic and functional site issues.
The site plans in this process typically show the existing and proposed conditions on the tract(s) including:
The second part of the process includes the review of the detailed construction plans for the building, the site and any associated public and/or private improvements by various City departments for compliance with building codes and other related building and site specific regulations. With the completion of this review process, building permits can be issued and construction started.