Boerne panel to revise charter wording on planning commission and UDC responsibilities

Commissioners on the Boerne Charter Review Commission raised questions Nov. 19 about Section 7.01 of the city charter and how it describes the Planning & Zoning Commission’s duties relative to the Unified Development Code (UDC).

Speaker 2 noted the charter text appears to direct the PNC to "adopt a comprehensive plan to determine zoning" and asked whether that wording implies the commission has final authority or whether adoption properly rests with the City Council. "The UDC essentially is the guideline," Speaker 2 said, adding the charter language referring to responsibilities "as may be specified by ordinance" merits clarification.

Speaker 3 and other commissioners countered that the council is the ultimate decision-maker on zoning adoption and that the PNC typically "studies and recommends" regulatory language. Speaker 3 summarized: "Well, it's the city council. It's the final decision maker." Staff (Speaker 5) offered to draft more modern, clear language to reflect current practice and statutory constraints.

The commission asked staff to prepare updated charter text clarifying PNC responsibilities, any ordinance interplay with the UDC, and related procedural mechanics; that draft will be reviewed at the next commission meeting alongside the ballot wording for the proposed term-length amendment.

The commission did not adopt final charter language on planning or zoning at the Nov. 19 meeting; it authorized staff to return with proposed text for member review.