The Magnolia Planning Commission is working to possibly establish a visionary design guideline, zoning or building code ordinances for the downtown area.

At its regular meeting Jan. 17, community planner for the Texas Masonry Council Meg Belmontes presented masonry building ideas to the commission.

The international building and residential code defines masonry construction as unit by unit in order. Masonry tradition is usually buildings made with brick, stone or concrete.

She showed the Planning Commission pictures of other cities in Texas that have different types of zoning of masonry related building code ordinances, such as Montgomery, Tomball, Frisco, Keller and McKinney.

Magnolia currently has no zoning or building code ordinances in place that include masonry tradition. The city does have landscape and lighting ordinances.

With the expansion of FM 1774, the expansion of the city’s ETJ and possible annexation soon, Economic Development Coordinator Deborah Rose Miller said the city wants to promote its image to prospective businesses and residents.

However, when new businesses come in they are able to construct a business with any materials they choose because no building code ordinances or visionary designs are in place.

Through masonry tradition, City Administrator Paul Mendes said the city could create a lasting image.

Miller used the example of the Landmark Building in Magnolia, which after constructed businesses across FM 1488 used similar building materials for their businesses.

With masonry construction, Belmontes said benefits would be health and safety during wind, fire and floods. She said it would also encourage invested growth and that masonry construction is high quality and low maintenance.

Belmontes said there were three options to consider when looking to enforce or promote building designs. The city could establish a visionary design guideline, which would encourage and promote certain development.

“You want businesses to know your vision,” she said.

However, the visionary guideline would not be binding, she explained. She used the example of Midtown in Houston, which has an urban theme and is pedestrian friendly. Businesses are not required to follow the urban theme, but most have chosen to do so.

The city could also look to develop certain building code ordinances. Belmontes said Montgomery, for instance, has general guideline or building code ordinance which prohibits metal.

“(Ordinances) would give some control in development,” she said.

A third suggestion was zoning. Belmontes said in order to enforce zoning; the city would have to devise a comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan has not been created since 1999.

Current buildings in the downtown area could be grandfathered into the system if building code ordinances or zoning were in place. Belmontes suggested that the city help maintain current buildings made out of wood and “keep them looking good.”

She also said the city could establish different areas and start with one area at a time, based on how they hope it will look in 25, 50 or 100 years.

“The future of your community is determined one decision at a time,” she said.

The Planning Commission agreed to establish a vision statement and decide what they want to do next. Board members will create ideas of types of guidelines and discuss them further at the next meeting.

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