2019-046 Service Center Neighborhood ConcernsDate: March 8, 2019 Report No. 2019-046
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Proposed solutions to citizen concerns about the impacts of the City of Denton Service Center
site on the surrounding neighborhood.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In response to concerns expressed by residents living in the area around the City of Denton
Service Center, staff has proposed and is actively pursuing a number of solutions to mitigate the
visual and sonic impact of the Service Center site on the surrounding neighborhood. These
solutions, as well as additional information about future public improvement projects planned for
the Service Center area, will be presented at a neighborhood meeting on Monday, March 18.
BACKGROUND:
On February 20, 2019, the Planning & Zoning Commission heard a city-initiated rezoning
request for the Service Center site. During the public hearing, citizens living in the neighborhood
around the Service Center expressed concerns about a number of issues related to the site,
including (1) lack of buffering to limit the noise, lights, and view of the Service Center site; (2)
truck/heavy equipment traffic on neighborhood streets; (3) disrepair of neighborhood streets due
to the heavy truck traffic; (4) site conditions, with trash and unused equipment littering the
property and providing homes for rodents; (5) excessive early morning noise; (6) concern that
drainage from the site contributes to flooding neighboring properties.
DISCUSSION:
The solutions proposed and being pursued by staff in response to citizen concerns include the
following:
• The Parks Department is preparing a concept plan for buffering along key sections of the
Service Center site which are adjacent to neighborhoods and currently lack effective
buffering. This buffering is initially proposed to include both 8’ fencing and landscape
screening, which staff believes should address a number of resident concerns about the
site, including mitigating the impact of early morning noise. This concept plan will be
brought to City Council and the community for their input, cost estimates will be
obtained, and final approval will be sought. If approved, the City will then move forward
with installing the buffering measures.
• Assistant City Manager Mario Canizares has directed the departments which share the
Service Center site to begin preparations for a “Spring Cleanup” of the site, to be
scheduled within the next two months. This will be a joint effort to remove trash and
debris from the site and to address any areas where broken parts and other scrap items
may have been allowed to accumulate in view of the neighborhood.
• Staff will be exploring how current entrance/exit points for the Service Center may be
able to be modified to reduce heavy-duty vehicle traffic through the surrounding
neighborhood streets.
Date: March 8, 2019 Report No. 2019-046
In addition, the Development Services Department has an upcoming neighborhood meeting
scheduled on Monday, March 18, at the Facilities Management building at 869 S Woodrow
Street, to discuss the proposed rezoning of the Service Center site. At this meeting, the proposed
solutions will be presented to the neighbors in attendance in order to receive their input and
gather any additional concerns they may have to share. Information will be provided to the
community about drainage improvement projects and planned repairs and realignments of streets
around the Service Center area (see attached exhibit). Representatives of Facilities Management,
Fleet Services, and Engineering will all be present to answer questions from the community.
The rezoning of the Service Center site was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission
on February 20, by a vote of 7-0, and is scheduled to come before City Council on April 2.
CONCLUSION:
Staff will proceed with planning and implementing the solutions above, as well as considering
additional solutions, and will bring them before City Council as appropriate, unless directed
otherwise.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Schedule & Maps of Planned Street Improvement Projects in Service Center Area
STAFF CONTACT:
Mario Canizares
Assistant City Manager
(940) 349-8535
Mario.Canizares@cityofdenton.com
Date: March 8, 2019 Report No. 2019-046
Street/Sidewalk Status
Uland Street from Kent to Rose Scheduled for Construction in 2020 (see map below)
Rose Street from Uland to Paisley Scheduled for Construction in 2020 (see map below)
Wood Street from Paisley to McKinney Scheduled for Construction in 2020 (see map below)
Hettie Street from Paisley to McKinney Scheduled for Construction in 2020 (see map below)
Ruddell Street from Paisley to Willis Planning for Future Realignment – Construction not yet
scheduled (see design below)
Frame Street Sidewalk from McKinney to
Paisley (East Side)
Under Design – Goes to bid in Summer 2019
Future Street Improvement Projects – Service Center Area
Date: March 8, 2019 Report No. 2019-046
2020 Street Construction Project Bundle – Service Center Area
Date: March 8, 2019 Report No. 2019-046
Current Draft Design – Proposed Ruddell Street Realignment