consideration and action development code phase i …
TRANSCRIPT
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CONSIDERATION AND ACTION Development Code Phase I Update
Ms. Monique Johnson, Planner II and Ms. Ruth Lohmer, City Planner, Long Range
AGENDA • Background • Project Description & Process • Revisions by Chapter
– Technical Revisions – Substantive Revisions
• Next Steps
BACKGROUND • Dev Code adopted in 1997
– Targeted amendments over time (bulk plane, bldg finish, parking garage, etc.)
• First comprehensive review of Code since 1997
• New policy direction – Comp Plan, master plans,
guiding documents
PROJECT DESCRIPTION • Completing in-house
– Review began in 2009 – Strategic Project began in 2013
• Manageable steps – Phase 1 – Technical updates
(focus on non-substantive changes) & High Priority Policy Issues
– Phase 2 – Policy updates
PROJECT TEAM • City Staff
– Planning (Long Range & Development)
– Engineering – Parks & Recreation – Legal
• Consultant review of entire Code – Kendig Keast Collaborative
CODE UPDATE PROCESS • Detailed review of each chapter:
– City Staff • Ongoing throughout
– Development Committee • 13 workshops
– Planning & Zoning Commission • 6 workshops
• 40 people involved in review
CURRENT STATUS • P&Z final workshop Dec. 2014 • Dev. Comm. final review April 2015
– Letter of support • City Council workshop April 2015
– Comments and questions summarized in staff report
• Tonight – Review of Code changes, P&Z Public Hearing & Action
PHASE 1 • Technical Revisions:
– Rewrite unclear language – Consolidate text into tables – Add graphics – Codify current practice – Reorganized sections – Close loopholes
PHASE 1 • Substantive Revisions:
– High priority policy issues 1. Private streets 2. Pedestrian & Bicycle Master
Plan Implementation 3. PD Districts 4. Vested rights
– Modernization for best practices
CHAPTER 1 REVISIONS • Technical Revisions:
– Minor corrections • Substantive Revisions
– Vested Rights
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS Vested Rights (High Priority Policy) • Brings Code in line with State law • Establishes expirations for
applications & approvals • Establishes procedure for vested
rights claims (ability to use previous code for ongoing development project)
CHAPTER 2 REVISIONS • Technical Revisions:
– Reorganized sections – Replaced text with tables – Add illustrations to clarify
requirements – Codified current practice – Minor corrections
CHAPTER 2 REVISIONS • Substantive Revisions:
– Additional uses permitted in certain districts
– PD Revisions – Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan
Implementation • Bicycle Parking • Pedestrian Walkways
TECHNICAL REVISIONS • Established Criteria for Director
Determinations – Example: New and unlisted uses
• Established consistent parking lot setbacks in all districts – Current Code does not include
requirements in some districts
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • Additional uses permitted in
certain zoning districts: – Tutoring Services and Cell Phone
Stores in B-1 (Neighborhood Business)
– Travel Agencies in B-O (Business Office)
– Home Health Care Services in M-1 (Restricted Industrial)
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • PD Districts (High Priority Policy) –
to address Time, Predictability, Content & Efficiency – Clarifies submittal process – Option for flexible FDP submittal
timeframe – Identifies PD contents –
specifies differences between GDP & FDP
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • PD Districts
– Baseline urban or suburban criteria
– Commission and Council discretion
– Defined suburban & urban multi-family criteria
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan
Implement. (High Priority Policy) – Bicycle Parking Required:
• 2 spaces min. for townhome, multi-family, & non-residential
• Exempt uses (ex. Warehouse) • 30 spaces max. - over 4,000
vehicle parking spaces
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS – Pedestrian Walkways Required:
• From sidewalk to front door • Color & texture change, 2-ft
clear space
FEEDBACK ON CHAPTER 2 • Council question on barbed wire
fencing – Staff recommended language
(addition): “Fences located within 200 ft of a SF residential zoning district shall not contain barbed wire.”
• Commission comments, questions, feedback
CHAPTER 3 REVISIONS • Previous Chapter 3 – Landscaping
and Screening Regulations moved into Chapter 2, Article XV
CHAPTER 4 REVISIONS • Technical Revisions:
– Reorganized chapter – Added illustrations to clarify
requirements – Codified current practice – Minor corrections – Clarified requirements for
abandoned signs
CHAPTER 4 REVISIONS • Substantive Revisions:
– Added regulations: • Window and Door Signs • Banners and Balloon Signs
– Limited stake signs & human signs
TECHNICAL REVISIONS • Reorganized chapter by sign type
– Regulations in one section instead of multiple sections for each sign type for ease of use
• Clarified timing of removal of abandoned signs – In alignment with State Law – Different for Wall Signs vs.
Monument Signs
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • Added specific regulations for
Banners & Balloon Signs – Previously categorized as a
group – Wind Device Signs – Different regulations for each
type
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • Added regulations for Window and
Door Signs – Not addressed in current Code
• Prohibited Human Signs • Limited Number of Stake Signs
CHAPTER 5 REVISIONS • Technical Revisions:
– Reorganized sections – Added illustrations to clarify
requirements – Minor corrections – Codified 1997 Subdivision
Ordinance
CHAPTER 5 REVISIONS • Substantive Revisions:
– Private Streets – Pedestrian & Bicycle facility
requirements
TECHNICAL REVISIONS • Codified 1997 Ordinance
– Authorized P&Z to be final authority on platting
– Code changed to clarify Council does not approve plats
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • Residential Private Streets (High
Priority Policy) – Removes 25-lot rule & distance
requirement • No private streets “by right”
– Approved by City Council • PD in City • Development Agreement in
ETJ (not PUD)
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • Residential Private Streets (High
Priority Policy) – Private streets accounting
reports (infrastructure assessment, financial analysis)
– Must meet public street standards
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • Nonresidential Private Streets
– Must meet public standards – Established requirements for
Primary Access Easements • Serve as the primary access
route to lots or reserves without direct access to a Public or Private Street
SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS • Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan
Implementation (High Priority Policy) – Provide access easements
adjacent to rights-of-way for oversized facilities
– City option to participate in cost of oversized facilities
CHAPTER 6 REVISIONS SUBDIVISION DESIGN STANDARDS • Delete content of Chapter 6 • Add:
A copy of the current City of Sugar Land Design Standards, including the Guidelines for Best Management Practices, is available in the City Secretary’s office and online www.sugarlandtx.gov.
CHAPTER 7 & 8 REVISIONS • Chapter 7: New building codes will
be adopted later this year • Chapter 8: No Revisions
CHAPTER 9 REVISIONS • Technical Revisions:
– Minor corrections – Update for recent amendments
to Sensitive Land Uses • Consistency with Chapter 2
Zoning • No Substantive Revisions
CHAPTER 10 REVISIONS • Technical Revisions:
– Clarified definitions – Added new definitions – Added illustrations
CHAPTER 11 REVISIONS • No revisions at this time • Public Works to review and bring
update later this year
NEXT STEPS • Hold public hearing • Recommendation of approval to
Mayor and City Council • City Council review
– Public hearing & 1st reading of ordinance July 7
– 2nd reading of ordinance July 21
REPORTS
A. Planning and Zoning Commission Liaison Report City Council Meetings
B. City Staff Report Calendar of Scheduled Meetings
and Events