2023-035 Southeast Denton Area Plan Steering Committee April 28, 2023 Report No. 2023-034
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Southeast Denton Area Plan Steering Committee
BACKGROUND:
On April 5, 2022, City Council gave staff direction to proceed with three identified Area Plans —
Northeast Denton Area Plan, Southeast Denton Area Plan,and the update to the Downtown Master
Plan. Area Plans were identified as the Planning and Zoning Commission's and Council's
implementation priorities for the Denton 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Policies and actions in the
Denton 2040 Comprehensive Plan call for the creation of Area Plans to address challenges and
enhance the character of distinct areas.
On February 21, 2023, Council approved a contract with HDR Architecture, Inc. to provide
professional services for assistance in the creation of the Southeast Denton Area Plan.
DISCUSSION:
The Southeast Denton Area Plan kicked off, beginning with a series of listening sessions held
April 19-22, 2023. Members of the Southeast Denton community attended the small-group
sessions to share historical context and current concerns with the project team. The insights gained
from the listening sessions will be incorporated throughout the planning process, including the
public outreach program.
As the project continues, staff is working to select a group of individuals to serve on a Steering
Committee. Southeast Denton's rich history, cultural character, and wide-ranging built
environment require a planning process that engages local experts and residents. The Steering
Committee provides input and feedback related to the various ideas or concepts proposed,validates
findings,builds consensus, and evaluates what is in the best interest of the project area for the long
term. It acts in the best interest of all stakeholders and is engaged throughout the duration of the
project. Based on past experiences of staff members and the selected consultant, Steering
Committees are most effective with 10 to 15 members. This small group size works best to ensure
communication is focused, and staff and the consultant can best manage the tasks assigned to the
Steering Committee.
Because the Steering Committee must represent a variety of community interest groups and
stakeholders, staff s goal is to select a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds, interests,
and generation cohorts within the project area. The right-hand column of the included table lists
backgrounds which have been selected to provide a broad array of voices and perspectives within
the Southeast Denton community.The left-hand column includes names of prospective Committee
members for the Southeast Denton Area Plan. Each listed member was contacted and has agreed
to serve on the Committee.
During the past several months, the project team has also reached out to a variety of community
members to fill the remaining seats on the Committee (including most recently as of last week
April 28,2023 Report No. 2023-034
following additional leads) yet has had limited success finding persons willing to participate to
fulfill the complete slate. Within the next two weeks, the slate of Committee members is
anticipated to be fully filled so planning work with the Committee can begin. It is important that
the project team begin working with the Committee members to keep the project on schedule and
to retain participant interest. Therefore, during the May 16, 2023, Council meeting, staff will
present a resolution for consideration to appoint the identified Committee members. Should
additional persons be identified to serve as Committee members following the May 16, 2023,
Council meeting, staff will prepare a follow-up resolution for Council approval.
Southeast Denton Area Plan
Steering Committee
Name Background
Raymond Redmon • Resident Under the Age of 40
• Property Owner, Resident
Reverend Reginald Logan • Faith Leader
• Neighborhood Association/Group Liaison
Clifton Maxfield • Community Business Owner
Jacob Moses • Housing Advocate
Frances Punch
• Parks, Recreation& Beautification Board
Member
• Black Chamber of Commerce
Representative
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce or
LULAC Representative
• Historic Landmark Commissioner
Open
Open
Steering Committee members are scheduled to attend a minimum of four dedicated meetings and
are encouraged to attend public workshops, open houses, and public hearings. They also serve as
April 28, 2023 Report No. 2023-034
liaisons to other interested persons within the project area as a whole and are responsible for
helping disseminate information to those persons who are interested in the project outcome.
STAFF CONTACT:
Julie Wyatt
Principal Planner
julie.wyatt@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-8585
REOUESTOR: Staff Initiated
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 10 hours
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Development Services