Montgomery City Council got a closer look April 28 at two long-running city efforts: a rewrite of the city’s development rules and the next step for the future municipal complex.
Council heard a presentation from Bret Keast of Kendig Keast Collaborative on the city’s unified development ordinance, or UDO, and later voted to select Tellepsen Builders as the construction manager at risk for the municipal complex project.
What happened
Keast told council the UDO is nearing the finish line, with a full draft expected in about four to six weeks, pending additional feedback from city staff, the city engineer and council.
The UDO is meant to bring Montgomery’s development rules into one clearer, more modern document, including standards for zoning districts, land uses, parking, landscaping, buffers, building design, site design and development review procedures, according to the presentation.
Keast said the city’s existing zoning districts are being carried forward, meaning the draft would not immediately require changes to the city’s zoning map. However, the updated rules would add more detail to how development is reviewed, including clearer standards for buffers, landscaping, commercial-to-residential transitions and downtown design.
One of the bigger discussion points was open space. Keast said the draft could allow smaller residential lots—such as 8,000-square-foot lots instead of 9,000-square-foot lots—if developers provide 10% open space for parks, trails, greenways or buffers.
He also said the UDO would include updated downtown standards aimed at preserving Montgomery’s historic look, including rules tied to building placement, architectural style, awnings, facade treatments and street character.
Why it matters
The city has been working with KKC to modernize its ordinances as Montgomery continues seeing development interest. As previously reported by Community Impact, KKC has been helping the city with future land use and mobility planning, interim ordinance updates, an illustrated master plan and the UDO.
Mayor Sara Countryman previously said the city’s ordinance work is intended to help Montgomery keep its charm while managing growth, as previously reported.
Also on the agenda
Council also heard presentations from the top three finalists for construction manager at risk for the municipal complex project: McFate EBI, Stewart Builders and Tellepsen Builders.
After the presentations, council voted to select Tellepsen Builders as the construction manager at risk and authorized the city administrator to finalize and execute an agreement. A construction manager at risk typically works with a project owner during design and construction to help manage costs, scheduling, constructability and project risks.
Stay tuned
Council members asked for a timeline on the UDO, with discussion pointing to a possible July target if the draft, public hearing process and final revisions stay on track.
The UDO will still need to come back for public hearings and formal adoption before it becomes city code.