Boerne HLC recommends dissolving Design Review Committee, takes on sign approvals

The Boerne Historic Landmark Commission voted June 2 to recommend a proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code that would dissolve the Design Review Committee and reassign its duties.

Planner William Willingham told the commission the amendment would reassign sign approvals and sign variances to the Historic Landmark Commission and move creative‑alternative responsibilities to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Willingham said the revision responds partly to a 2025 state law change (Texas Senate Bill 1883) that affected committee memberships and required internal adjustments. "The request today is to amend the UDC in 3 ways," he said, describing the reassignment from the Design Review Committee to the HLC and P&Z.

Staff reviewed DRC activity since its inception and told commissioners the change would be modest in workload: "the historic landmark commission is looking at only seeing an increase of 4 cases," Willingham said. The HLC discussed what types of signs would require review (for example, digital reader boards and certain variances) and confirmed staff would retain administrative review authority for routine signs. After discussion the commission voted to accept staff findings and recommend the UDC amendment forward to Planning & Zoning and then city council.

Staff said the change does not alter development standards, only the body that oversees particular approvals; training for HLC members was proposed to prepare commissioners for the new sign responsibilities. The commission recorded its recommendation for approval and staff will carry that recommendation to the next stage of review.