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1. What is the general development process for new construction or a zoning change in the City?

Applications for an amendment or change to the use and/or development regulations set forth in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance with respect to a specific property is made to the City. The Planning and Zoning Commission holds at least one public hearing on each proposed amendment to the comprehensive zoning ordinance text or zoning district map. Notice of the date, time and place of the public hearing is published in the official newspaper of the city before the 15th day before the date of the hearing. The item is also placed on an agenda for a Planning and Zoning meeting. Written notice of the public hearing is also sent to each owner, as indicated by the most recent approved municipal tax roll, of real property within 200 feet of the property on which a zoning map amendment is proposed before the 10th day before the hearing date. The notice may be served by its deposit in the municipality, properly addressed with postage paid, in the United States mail. Written notification to individual property owners is not required for an amendment to the text of the zoning ordinance which does not change zoning district boundaries.
After the public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall forward to the City Council its recommendation on the requested amendment to the text of the comprehensive zoning ordinance and/or the zoning district map. Recommendations shall be: (1) to approve the amendment as request, (2) to approve the requested amendment with modifications recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, or (3) to deny the requested amendment.
Applications recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission are automatically forwarded to the City Council. The item is placed on an agenda for a City Council meeting and another public hearing is conducted. Notice of the date, time and place of the public hearing is published in the official newspaper of the city and the item is placed on an agenda.
A favorable vote of three-fourths of all the members of the entire City Council shall be required to approve any change in zoning when:
(1) Written protests are received and filed with the City by the owners of at least 20 percent of either:
(a) The area of the lots or land covered by the proposed change; or
(b) The area of the lots or land immediately adjoining the area covered by the proposed change and extending 200 feet from that area
(2) The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends denial of the requested change.

2. How are residents notified of City Council, Board and Commission meetings?

Written notice of the date, time, place and subject of each meeting held by a governmental body shall be given before the meeting. Per the Local Government Code, notice of the meeting must be posted for 72 hours prior to the meeting in a place where the public has 24 hour a day access. In addition, agendas are required to be posted on a physical bulletin board or electronic bulletin board at a place convenient to the public at city hall. Meeting agendas are posted on the bulletin board located in the rotunda of the municipal complex.

A governmental body that has an internet website is required to post notice of a meeting on the internet website concurrently with the physical posting of the hard copy of the agenda displayed on the bulletin board. The actual agenda must be posted online in municipalities of 48,000 or more. Although Highland Village is less than 48,000, our agendas are posted on the City’s website 72 hours prior to a meeting taking place.

3. How are residents notified of public hearings?

The City Charter requires Council to declare an official newspaper for the City as prescribed by law. Per state law, the governing body shall publish in the municipality’s official newspaper ordinances, public hearing notices, or other matters required by law or ordinance to be published. In designating an official newspaper, the Texas Government Code specifies certain criteria must be met. The newspaper must: •Devote not less than 25% of its total column lineage to general interest items; •Be published at least once each week; •Be entered as 2nd class postal matter in the county where published; and •Have been published regularly and continuously for at least 12 months before the governmental entity or representative publishes notice. The Denton Record-Chronicle is a publication that meets the above requirements, and per Resolution 2007-1967, was designated as the official newspaper for the City of Highland Village.

Additionally, citizens can sign up to receive email notifications when public hearing notices are posted to the City website. Those interested in receiving notice of public meetings along with the agenda for the meeting should select the Public Meeting list.