To: Aaron Rector, City Manager
From: Alexis Russell, Planner II
Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider an ordinance approving amendments to the City of Keller Unified Development Code (UDC), adopted by Ordinance No. 1746 dated July 7, 2015, by amending Article Three - Definitions, Article Eight - Zoning Districts and Article Nine - Development Standards, and by amending the City of Keller Code of Ordinances Sec. 3-100 - Definitions and Sec. 3-430, relating to regulations for horses and horse boarding; providing penalties; authorizing publication; and establishing an effective date. (UDC-2503-0005)
Body
Action Requested:
Conduct a public hearing and consider a request to approve amendments to the City of Keller Unified Development Code (UDC) and Code of Ordinances related to horse boarding.
Background:
Mar. 2024: Initial discussions related to horse boarding amendments triggered by code compliance cases
Mar. - Aug 2024: Staff research and discussion with stakeholders
Aug. 20, 2024: 1st City Council Work Session
Council directed staff to work with a committee that included two Council members.
Nov. 19, 2024: 2nd City Council Work Session
The committee provided draft code amendments. Council gave direction on revisions.
Feb. 18, 2025: 3rd City Council Work Session was postponed to Mar. 4, 2025.
Mar. 4, 2025: Final City Council Work Session
Council gave specific direction on maximum number of privately-owned horses per acre.
Proposed Amendments:
See Exhibit “A” and Exhibit “B”.
Summary:
The proposed Amendments include:
1. Clean up of definitions in the Code of Ordinances and UDC to provide consistency.
2. Clarification that a Specific Use Permit (SUP) is required for Commercial Boarding
operations.
3. Removal of maximum number of horses allowed as part of a Commercial Boarding
operation (this would be addressed through the SUP process).
4. Addition of maximum number of privately owned horses allowed per acre in the SF-36 zoning district.
5. Removal of redundant language in the “Supplemental Regulations” section of the UDC.
Supporting Documents:
• Exhibit A: Proposed Draft UDC Amendments
• Exhibit B: Proposed Draft Code of Ordinances Amendments
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation:
At the April 22, 2025, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, Commissioners voted 5-2 to recommend denial of the proposed amendments.
Citizen Input:
An amendment to the text of the UDC requires a public hearing notice to be published in the local newspaper ten (10) days prior to the scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meeting date and fifteen (15) days prior to the City Council Meeting Date. The notice for the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing was published in the March 30, 2025 edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Staff has not received any comments from the public on the proposed UDC Amendments.
Alternatives:
The City Council has the following options when considering an amendment to the text of the UDC:
- Approve as submitted
- Approve with modifications or additional amendments(s)
- Table the agenda item to a specific date with clarification of intent and purpose
- Deny.