Council debates combining planning and zoning with board of adjustments, tables ordinance for revision

The La Marque City Council spent an extended portion of its Jan. 26 meeting debating a proposed ordinance (O-2026-0001) that would have the same membership act as both the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustments.

James Osteen, a resident who spoke during public comment, argued the charter contemplates separate boards and that combining the bodies could create a conflict if the same people approve rules and then hear appeals. “By combining them, you're making them one, and it's going to be called a commission,” Osteen said, pointing to Section 2.15 of the city charter.

City counsel (Gus) responded that the ordinance seeks to preserve distinct powers for each function on the minutes and notices — so that when the combined body acts it will be clear whether a matter is being considered under planning-and-zoning powers or under board-of-adjustments powers — and that the measure is intended to address persistent attendance problems on the separate boards. Counsel said alternates would be scheduled on a rotation to ensure meetings can proceed.

Council members raised multiple options: keep the two boards separate but add alternates; amend the charter through a ballot measure; or change the local ordinance that currently prevents serving on more than one board. After extended discussion about efficiency, charter constraints and the policy risks of one body deciding both rules and appeals, the council voted to table O-2026-0001 so staff and counsel can return with revised language and alternatives.

The council did proceed on a related measure, O-2026-0002, to set regular quarterly meeting dates and allow chairs to call additional meetings; that ordinance and a separate package to add alternates for boards moved forward.