Riverstone General Plan Information

On Feb. 18, 2003, the Sugar Land City Council approved the Riverstone General Plan as a first step in the development of the proposed master planned community. The plan consists of 2,156.71 acres in the City of Sugar Land’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The property is located south of Commonwealth subdivision and just north of the Brazos River. Historically, the Riverstone property has been used for agricultural operations and oil and gas production. The property has development activity underway on areas outside of the Sugar Land ETJ. The first plats for streets and residential neighborhoods were recorded in Fall of 2008. As of May of 2010, there are three neighbohoods (Sanders Glen, Vintage Trails and Ivy Bend) located within the Sugar Land ETJ in MUD 128, with more planned in the near future.

The proposed development is predominantly single family, with a mix of multi-family, commercial and public/private parks, recreation and open space areas.

Riverstone Land Use Plan:

Land Use Compatibility and Layout -

The Riverstone General Plan land use layout combined with the major street pattern represents good planning principles as to overall buffering between intensities of uses, as well as circulation to and from neighborhoods and commercial areas. Buffering with landscaped areas, ponds, open spaces and golf course sites provide separation, and the siting of most of the commercial adjacent to major roadways, easements and ponds limits impact on residential areas.

Land Use Categories and Acreage -

Acreage breakdowns based on Land Use Plan Exhibit D-3

Land Uses:	Acres:	Additional Notes:
Residential Single Family (Standard and Patio)	965.80
Townhome Residential	67.30
Multi-family Residential	30.00
Condominium Midrise	6.70
Office	31.40
Commercial	90.90
Daycare	6.40
Elementary School	15.10
Fire Station	1.50
Church	12.00
Open Space	363.40	Includes City Park area, River Open Space areas, and landscape setbacks.
Levee	48.20
Utilities, Pipelines, ROW, Easements	248.50
Drainage Systems	283.60
Total Acreage	2,170.80

The largest land use category out of the 2,170 acres is Residential Single Family (45 percent) using Standard Single-Family and patio style homes. The areas taken up by the ponds, street right-of-way and existing and proposed easements are approximately 24.6 percent of the land use, while open space areas account for 17 percent. Town-home sites are 3.1 percent and multi-family (including condos) compile 1.7 percent. Riverstone has identified locations for an elementary school located on a collector in the northeast portion of the development. Commercial and office uses are approximately 6 percent.

Brazos River Development Area -

The Comprehensive Plan identifies the Brazos River as a corridor that can provide trails and linear parks to interconnect the Sugar Land area. The river was also identified as a common community element that is an asset to the City. Riverstone proposes open space and parkland along the Brazos River within the General Plan.

Riverstone Transportation Analysis and Circulation Plan:

Traffic Impact Analysis -

The applicant submitted a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) and a phasing construction plan has been negotiated. The phasing has been modified to address neighborhood traffic concerns,and illustrates when specific segments of the future roads within the proposed development are to be completed as well as when improvements adjacent to the proposed development will be constructed. The TIA is referenced in the Development Agreement.

The City of Sugar Land Thoroughfare Plan indicates the major arterial of University Boulevard crossing east and west along the project boundaries and collector streets branching off within the project. The Riverstone “Road Hierarchy Plan” supports the recommended designs as to these Thoroughfare Plan elements. However, Oilfield Road was shown as a major collector within the Thoroughfare Plan. The proposed Riverstone design eliminates a large portion of Oilfield Road and redesign the right-of-way area with lakes. Oilfield Road would terminate at the lake area moving east from the Sugar Land ETJ, and the road section from the Missouri City ETJ would form a T-intersection with University Boulevard. Due to this proposed rearrangement, an amendment to the Thoroughfare Plan was required. The City Council approved the Thoroughfare Plan amendment on Dec. 17, 2002.

During the public discussions that took place prior to General Plan approval, there was considerable concern regarding the future connection of the future north-south collector to Palm Royale Boulevard. The Development Agreement requires certain roadway improvements to be in place before any connection is made to the north. City Council also directed city staff to bring the final design of the future intersection back to the Council for final approval.

Riverstone Water and Wastewater Utilities:

The Riverstone Development within the Sugar Land ETJ is proposed to be served by Fort Bend County Municipal Utility Districts No. 126, No. 127 and No. 128. The Municipal Utility Districts will provide the water and wastewater utilities and will work with the City of Sugar Land Public Works Department through utility agreements. In 2010, development is focused within MUD 128.

Riverstone Drainage and Flood Protection:

The Riverstone project is protected from flooding Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District (LID) No. 15, which the City of Sugar Land City Council gave consent to. Detention and levee infrastructure will be financed and controlled by LID No. 15. The storm sewer collection system are designed and financed by the Municipal Utility Districts. No onsite detention will be required for those areas inside the levee that are taxed. There are some properties within the boundary of the levee that are not participating in financing, and those properties would have to provide on-site detention.

Riverstone Parkland and River Open Space:

The Riverstone General Plan is in conformance with the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan, and the Riverstone project works to implement the goals and objectives relating to the Brazos River Corridor. In addition, Riverstone will provide a public community park area located outside of the Brazos River floodway, which will be located near the western boundary of the project. While the final acreage of the community park has not been determined, the park should meet the requirements for a “Community Park” within the Master Plan, which would provide at least 40 to 150 acres. Estimates are for approximately 80 acres. Additional details of parks and open space are discussed within the Development Agreement.

Development Agreement –

As previously referenced, a set of Development Agreements between Riverstone and the City of Sugar Land were also approved by the Mayor and City Council. The Development Agreement has criteria that includes:

Land Use (Density Agreement sets maximums for single family residential units, apartment units, and acres for commercial and institutional uses)
Design and Construction Standards (Inspection of multi-family and nonresidential private improvements in accordance with Chapter 7 of the Development Code and review under the Sign Regulations (Chapter 4) are also proposed)
Transportation Planning Agreements on University Boulevard and other Roadways
Municipal Utility District Creation
Water and Wastewater Utility Agreements
Future Annexation (Strategic Partnership Agreement, Ch. 43, LGC)
Fire Plan
Parkland

The General Plan was approved in 2003 and has been revised in 2008 and 2010. (Click here for General Plan in pdf)

City of Sugar Land