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Long-Range Planning

Home / Planning and Development Services / Long-Range Planning

Comprehensive Plan: Blueprint 2040 (2016)

The Texas Local Government Code requires that cities wishing to govern land use within their corporate limits do so in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan. It is in the context of this plan that zoning ordinances and other development regulations can be adopted and have legal standing. This Comprehensive Plan assesses the growth that Bryan has experienced and estimates the likely growth that the city will have to manage in the future. New infrastructure and development is required to sustain the built environment and maintain the character and quality of life that make Bryan unique. A current and accurate plan is essential to this process. This Comprehensive Plan provides a vision to guide Bryan’s growth and development for the near term and for years to come.

On October 25, 2016 the Bryan City Council via Ordinance number 2178 adopted a West Area Plan and an updated Comprehensive Plan titled BluePrint 2040. The adoption of BluePrint 2040 follows a 15-month planning and public input process by planning consultant Freese and Nichols, Inc.

Chapter-by-chapter

Blueprint 2040 includes topic specific research and recommendations divided into 10 chapters. Click on a title below to preview or download the corresponding section of BluePrint 2040.

A large component of the Comprehensive Plan research included collecting citizen input and working with business owners, developers and City staff to determine existing conditions and areas for improvement. BluePrint 2040 includes the input collected during the public engagement portion of the update and highlights recommendations and actions pertaining to various City policies and programs.

This Plan has been prepared as a guide for Bryan’s future physical growth expressed through goals, objectives and policies. Within the Plan is a Future Land Use Map which is a decision making tool whereby proposals for land use can be evaluated in the context of the City’s long-term vision. The Plan is also a development strategy that provides a framework for identifying and scheduling essential capital projects constructed by both the private and public sectors. It is a flexible instrument able to be adjusted and amended as future conditions warrant that is readily comprehensible by residents and decision-makers.

For more information please contact the Development Services Department at (979) 209-5030 or email Planning@bryantx.gov

Downtown Bryan Master Plan (2001)

Like most historic downtowns, Bryan has been impacted in past decades by changing market demands. Our downtown is unique; therefore, it is critical that extraordinary measures be focused towards reviving the greatness of Downtown Bryan that citizens once enjoyed. The 2001 Downtown Bryan Master Plan is a collaboration between the public, city staff and consultants. Click on the links below to view and/or download the Downtown Master Plan and its façade improvement recommendations.

Façade improvement recommendations

Health and Wellness Area Plan (2015)

The purpose of the Health and Wellness Area Plan is to create a shared community vision and implementation plan for improvements to the area around St. Joseph Regional Health Center and Blinn College in Bryan, Texas. Seeing the success of a community-based planned effort in revitalizing Downtown Bryan, the City of Bryan, in partnership with St. Joseph Regional Health Center, sponsored this plan. Their efforts, along with those of other stakeholders, have created this guide for future development and land uses, infrastructure improvements, and enhancements to this vital area.

The Health and Wellness Area Plan (Plan) establishes priorities and identifies investments to help stabilize the neighborhood as a key economic center in Bryan:

  • To increase presence and awareness of the St. Joseph Regional Health Center and surrounding medical and educational uses
  • To enhance and brand the area as a healthy neighborhood
  • To add destinations serving employees, residents and visitors
  • To promote continued private investment in the area

Midtown Area Plan

The City of Bryan’s Midtown Area Plan was adopted by the Bryan City Council on May 12, 2020.

midtown plan promo image - click here to download the midtown area plan

Explaining the plan

Coordinated Corridor Development

This plan recommends two broad strategies to coordinate development in Midtown.

The first is investment in the South College Avenue corridor itself. The plan calls for coordinated public and private investment at five “catalytic” sites to build upon the success of the renovations to College Main Street and South College Avenue. These catalytic projects work to stitch the entire length of the corridor together and to stimulate and support new development within Midtown.

The second of the broad strategies is an incremental approach to infill development of the adjacent streets and properties. Midtown is already subject to substantial housing demand from students. As it turns out, young professionals and people over 65 are also moving into Midtown.

When existing demand is bolstered by planned public investments like the Travis Bryan Midtown Park and the catalytic projects, the city will need a more efficient and accessible development process than it has today. The plan details a novel technique — pattern zoning — that creates an opt-in expedited permitting program that uses new site design guidelines, licensed architecture and pre-approved plans.

This plan also recommends several changes to current codes and processes. Other recommended changes include new rules allowing cottage courtyards on large lots, accessory dwelling units in backyards and modest text amendments to existing policies and procedures.

What’s in the plan?

Chapter 1: Executive Summary

This is a stand-alone document that summarizes the plan as a whole and depicts the Midtown area within Bryan. It also introduces the broad strategies of the Midtown Area Plan and explains the motivations that triggered the plan to be created in the first place.

Chapter 2: Midtown Corridor

The Midtown Plan gives recommendations for each of five “Experience Districts.” These districts simply help to give a name to the different areas within the broader Midtown area. Within these Experience Districts are recommendations for how development could occur moving forward as well as voluntary design options for catalytic projects within the areas. There are also public infrastructure recommendations for how the city could redevelop certain roads and sidewalks.

Chapter 3: Market Opportunity Study

At the beginning of this 18-month process, a study was done of the market opportunities within Bryan. The study found that the Midtown area, as well as Bryan as a whole, are on the verge of experiencing significant regional growth as people move into the community. This study informs many of the implementation decisions and directions seen throughout the plan.

Chapter 4: Pattern Book

This book will also be a stand-alone document that acts like a menu for new pre-approved development patterns for the Midtown area. While these have not yet been formally approved, the patterns will only be allowed in specific areas and will be required to be developed with specific site conditions.

Chapter 5: Implementation Workplan

The implementation chapter describes the three specific strategies that can be used to accomplish the recommendations of this plan. This includes near-term and long-term action items with key priority items highlighted. This will be the guidebook that leads to potential changes within the Midtown area. Some of these changes could include:

  • A new Midtown Zoning District to allow more flexibility for development along South College Avenue and College Main.
  • A recommendation to allow accessory dwelling units to be used as an income property.
  • A new ordinance to allow food truck courts in specific situations with key development regulations.

Other long-range plans

Annexation

For the purpose of Texas Local Government Code Section 43.052, the City of Bryan adopted the following annexation plan on November 13, 2007:

The City Council has reviewed the future expansion needs of the city and the prospects of development within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The City Council has determined that at this time, the city does not intend to annex any territory that in order to be annexed is required to be in an annexation plan.

The City Council reserves the right to amend this annexation plan in the future to add territory for annexation should circumstances change.

Other Resources

Below are links to other planning agencies and organizations where additional information can be obtained regarding planning-related issues: