2. Subdivision Regulations Background
• 1970 – College Station adopted Subdivision Regulations.
• 2003 – Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) adopted.
• 2008 – Old Subdivision Regulations merged into UDO.
• 2009 (May) – Current Comprehensive Plan adopted.
• 2009 (Summer-Fall) – Four P&Z workshops regarding
street connectivity and mobility.
• 2011 (January) – New Subdivision Regulations adopted.
3. Block Length Requirement
Previous Standard
Based on the use.
Maximum Block Length:
• 1,500 feet: rural residential/ETJ
• 1,200 feet: single-family
• 800 feet: all other areas (non-
residential, multi-family, etc.)
Current Standard
Based on Comprehensive Plan Future
Land Use & Character Designation
Maximum Block Length:
• 1,500 feet: Estate/Rural/ETJ
• 1,200 feet: Restricted Suburban/
Business Park
• 900 feet: General Suburban/
Suburban Commercial/
General Commercial
• 660 feet: Urban and Urban Mixed-
Use
4. Block Length Comparison
Previous Standard
Based on the use.
Maximum Block Length:
• 1,500 feet: rural residential/ETJ
• 1,200 feet: single-family
• 800 feet: all other areas (non-
residential, multi-family, etc.)
Current Standard
Based on Comprehensive Plan Future
Land Use & Character Designation
Maximum Block Length:
• 1,500 feet: Estate/Rural/ETJ
• 1,200 feet: Restricted Suburban/
Business Park
• 900 feet: General Suburban/
Suburban Commercial/
General Commercial
• 660 feet: Urban and Urban Mixed-
Use
5. Block Length Comparison
Previous Standard
Based on the use.
Maximum Block Length:
• 1,500 feet: rural residential/ETJ
• 1,200 feet: single-family
• 800 feet: all other areas (non-
residential, multi-family, etc.)
Current Standard
Based on Comprehensive Plan Future
Land Use & Character Designation
Maximum Block Length:
• 1,500 feet: Estate/Rural/ETJ
• 1,200 feet: Restricted Suburban/
Business Park
• 900 feet: General Suburban/
Suburban Commercial/
General Commercial
• 660 feet: Urban and Urban Mixed-
Use
6. Block Length Comparison
Previous Standard
Based on the use.
Maximum Block Length:
• 1,500 feet: rural residential/ETJ
• 1,200 feet: single-family
• 800 feet: all other areas (non-
residential, multi-family, etc)
Current Standard
Based on Comprehensive Plan Future
Land Use & Character Designation
Maximum Block Length:
• 1,500 feet: Estate/Rural/ETJ
• 1,200 feet: Restricted Suburban/
Business Park
• 900 feet: General Suburban/
Suburban Commercial/
General Commercial
• 660 feet: Urban and Urban Mixed-
Use
7. Since Adoption
• Feedback from the Home Builder’s Association (HBA)
regarding single family having a 900-foot block length
requirement in General Suburban areas.
• Discussions with HBA as part of regular meetings with
the City Manager’s Office that included discussion on
cul-de-sac length.
• Exercise of creating hypothetical subdivisions using
previous and current standards.
• Council direction to bring an ordinance amendment
forward.
8. Proposed Amendment
Block Length
• Revise the maximum block length for the General
Suburban designation from 900 feet to 1,200 feet.
Cul-de-Sac Length
• Revise maximum length in residential designations
from half the block length to equal to the block length.
– General Suburban: 450 feet to 1,200 feet
– Restricted Suburban: 600 feet to 1,200 feet
– Estate & Rural: 750 feet to 1,500 feet
The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial
of the proposed ordinance (5-1).
