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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 1, 2010 AgendaAGENDA CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL February 1, 2010 After determining that a quorum is present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas will convene in a Special Called Work Session on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room, 215 E. McKinney Street, Denton, Texas at which the following item will be considered: NOTE: A Work Session is used to explore matters of interest to one or more City Council Members or the City Manager for the purpose of giving staff direction into whether or not such matters should be placed on a future regular or special meeting of the Council for citizen input, City Council deliberation and formal City action. At a Work Session, the City Council generally receives informal and preliminary reports and information from City staff, officials, members of City committees, and the individual or organization proposing council action, if invited by City Council or City Manager to participate in the session. Participation by individuals and members of organizations invited to speak ceases when the Mayor announces the session is being closed to public input. Although Work Sessions are public meetings, and citizens have a legal right to attend, they are not public hearings, so citizens are not allowed to participate in the session unless invited to do so by the Mayor. Any citizen may supply to the City Council, prior to the beginning of the session, a written report regarding the citizen's opinion on the matter being explored. Should the Council direct the matter be placed on a regular meeting agenda, the staff will generally prepare a final report defining the proposed action, which will be made available to all citizens prior to the regular meeting at which citizen input is sought. The purpose of this procedure is to allow citizens attending the regular meeting the opportunity to hear the views of their fellow citizens without having to attend two meetings. 1. Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the Downtown Implementation Plan. CERTIFICATE I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall of the City of Denton, Texas, on the day of 2010 at o'clock (a.m.) (p.m.) CITY SECRETARY NOTE: THE CITY OF DENTON COUNCIL WORK SESSION ROOM IS ACCESSIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. THE CITY WILL PROVIDE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED IF REQUESTED AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE SCHEDULED MEETING. PLEASE CALL THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE AT 349-8309 OR USE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES FOR THE DEAF (TDD) BY CALLING 1-800- RELAY-TX SO THAT A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER CAN BE SCHEDULED THROUGH THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE. AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET AGENDA DATE: February 1, 2010 Questions concerning this DEPARTMENT: Planning Division process may be directed to Brian Lockley at 349-8378 ACM: Fred Greene SUBJECT Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the Downtown Implementation Plan. BACKGROUND The Downtown Implementation Plan (DTIP) is moving ahead with the recent completion of Phase II and the commencement of Phase III. The initial phases were designed to review existing plans and documents, gather data, conduct interviews and surveys, receive input from City staff, the Downtown Task Force, and the public. Phases III and IV will be used to piece together all of the information into a comprehensive vision and draft recommendations for review. This will include Economic and Implementation Strategies and the development of Downtown supporting components such as a Solid Waste Plan. However, before moving further, staff along with the consultant team will present an update on the meetings and activities that have been held and completed during the initial phases. Pro sect Definition The purpose of Downtown Implementation Plan to serve as the catalyst to achieve the goals that define the vision for the Downtown Master Plan. In anticipation of the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) downtown transit center and as a means to address issues raised by the Downtown business community, the DTIP is being developed to manage these items and develop a plan for the development of the Downtown. The Plan will consist of the following elements: Parking, Architectural Design; Open Space and Linkages; and Land Use Analysis with each component containing recommendations for specific action items to implement: (1) A readily actuated and incremental comprehensive vision for the area; (2) Land development regulations and a regulatory framework to facilitate economic development in the area; (3) Establish and recognize an innovative and distinct downtown environment and experience; and (4) Provide recommendations to existing policies, regulations, and code provisions to implement the proposed Plan. The Denton Downtown Master Plan, the Denton Plan, and the Denton Development Code will be used as the basis for all Plan element recommendations. Proiect Boundary The boundaries for this project are: (West) Carroll Blvd; (North) Parkway and McKinney Streets; (South) Sycamore Street. The eastern boundary for the architectural design element is Bell Street, and Frame and Exposition Streets are the eastern boundary for the parking element. Hickory Street is proposed to serve as the connection between the Downtown Square and the transit center and it is proposed that this link will be developed as an arts corridor (Exhibit 1). Public Involvement Options The public has several options to participate in the development of the DTIP. The Downtown Task Force has served in an advisory role throughout this process and the regularly scheduled task force meetings have provided the public with the opportunity to review the status of the Plan, provide feedback, and become familiar with the next steps in the process. To date, four meetings of the Downtown Task Force have been held since the commencement of the DTIP (Exhibit 2). Staff has also maintained and regularly updated the DTIP section of the City web site, anyone interested in obtaining information on the DTIP can access meeting minutes, survey results, and provide input. Staff has also gone out into the community and met with business owners, retailers, and institutional land users to inform them of the Plan and invite their participation. During these meetings, staff has handed out project brochures, tent cards, and flyers that may be placed at cash wrap counters or posted in shop windows. Staff has also developed a project logo (Exhibit 3) for the DTIP as a project identifier to aid and promote public recognition. The logo is used for all project press releases or news disseminated to the public. Stakeholder Interviews During the initial phases of the Plan, a questionnaire was used to gather information from the City and public to provide data that will result in scalable answers targeted at topics the Plan will address. During Phase I, Jacobs conducted over 60 interviews with key individuals and small groups covering topics that included: Downtown Investment; Opportunities for Growth; Financing, Land Uses; and Parking. The interview questionnaire was also posted online where another 130 interviews were received. The input received during these interviews was valuable in establishing a framework to address specific Downtown issues. The results of the surveys will be presented during the work session. Downtown Assessment Findings Jacobs recently completed an assessment of the Downtown relating to; Land Use, Parking, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, Architectural Design Guidelines, and Linkages/Street ROW. Each assessment was designed to analyze and review existing conditions of the Downtown and utilize those assessments to formulate opportunities for land uses and the associated ratios that will provide the needed balance for sustainability both economically and for quality of life. For example, a majority of the land in Downtown is zoned Downtown Commercial General (DC-G). This land use classification permits retail uses but limits certain residential land uses that may be needed to provide a continuous presence in the Downtown to support the retail uses. More detail on each of the assessment will be presented during the work session. Public MeeliLig=I On December 14, 2009 the City hosted the first public meeting at Central Fire Station. The purpose of the meeting was to present preliminary information that had been compiled to date, and also provided the public with the opportunity to review and comment on the first set of draft goals and objectives for the DTIP. All of the land use assessments were presented to the approximately 45 people in attendance. Attendees also commented on providing opportunities for the arts and entertainment, and developing locations for outside dining and open space. Next Steps As the DTIP process proceeds, staff will continue to make every effort to encourage public involvement and participation. We have discussed preparing a piece to be aired on DTV and continuing our efforts in the community. All of the phases and data collection that has been completed has provided the necessary information and background to complete the Plan. Phase III will result in the actual drafting of codes and plans for all of the elements noted. These plans will also include financial and economic studies that will be recommended for use by the City from the consultant team to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Plan. This phase will also include additional meetings with the Task Force and a neighborhood meeting with the public. OPTIONS 1. Direct staff to move forward with the Plan. 2. Direct staff to take another direction. FXUruITc 1. Project Boundary 2. Project Schedule 3 . Project Logo 4. Stakeholder Interview Questionnaire 5. Citizen Input Survey Results 6. Draft Goals and Objectives 7. Downtown Task Force Prepared by: Brian Lockley, AICP Development Review Committee Administrator Respectfully submitted by: 4-~ Fred Greene Assistant City Manager, Neighborhood Services o w ~ on ~ ~ o Q ~ v tp I tA e~ U •O O ~ A c O o~ 0 Q I c 179 d „Jd'dd~ d,,., .,~j s y r { J~ N YC W s x u, w z w w L (i" 'Z G Z i F W ~ V W Q 6 _ y+ .n z F Q w Y JJ a f Ci ri fJ Ifl ^.T '^f W 'J1 W `I. LLS f ~J Vi [1J I C Q 4 K 4 L~ S 6 Z 1 S 4 Z d Exhibit 3 Exhibit 4 Downtown Implementation Plan City of Denton, Texas October 2009 STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS Interview of: Interviewed by: Card: (Tape/list contact information) Date & Time: 1. Individual Introductions 11. Project Overview (1 minute) 111. Any Questions Before Beginning? IV. Interview Answer all the following questions from your personal perspective. 1. What is your interest in Downtown Denton? Property Owner Business Owner Organization Representative (which one) City Official Other and for how long? years. 2. In your opinion, Is Downtown Denton a pleasing and interesting place for bringing visitors? Agree _ Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Disagree Not sure If you agree, where are the best places to bring Downtown visitors? 3. When you think of Downtown Denton, what is the first mental image you have of downtown (check the most appropriate one for you)? Courthouse City Hall Shops around the square Quakertown Park Other Team Exhibit 4 4. In your opinion, Downtown Denton is an economically attractive environment for starting or locating a business. Agree _ Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Disagree Not sure Why? 5. What are the greatest resources of Downtown Denton for strengthening economic development and creating new economic development opportunities? (limit to three) 1. 2. 3. 6. What do you feel are the major issues facing Downtown? 7. What is the most important factor or condition that will ACCELERATE economic development in Downtown Denton in the coming five-to-ten years? 8. Regarding economic development what type of development do you feel the downtown needs additional numbers of to reach its potential future? Residential - rental Residential - townhouse Office Shopping & Retail Mixed - Use (residential over retail) Entertainment facilities Team Exhibit 4 9. Name three assets that separate Downtown Denton from other North Texas downtowns? 1. 2. 3. 10. On a scale of 1 to 5; with 1 being `very important' and 5 being `not at all important,' how important are each of the following factors to the quality of life in Downtown Denton? Variety of housing options Quality of public institutions (city hall, libraries, parks, etc.) Variety of employment opportunities Vibrant and attractive downtown area Well designed streets for autos, pedestrians and bicycles Variety of retail establishments &entertainment options 11. In your opinion, is traffic congestion a problem in Downtown Denton? Yes No Not sure If yes, name three areas (intersections or corridors) in Downtown Denton where traffic congestion is a real problem. 1. 2. 3. 12. In your opinion, the current streetscape environment in Downtown is pleasant and of a high- quality for increasing economic development and growing a residential population? Agree _ Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Disagree Not sure 13. In your opinion, does the Downtown area have a parking issue? yes no If yes, are their specific zones of Downtown that has the greatest concern? West of Courthouse East of Courthouse North of Courthouse South of Courthouse 14. In your opinion, is the solid-waste pick-up from the current dumpsters in Downtown picked up at a good interval? Yes working well No needs greater pick-up (twice a day) No needs greater pick-up (every day) Other comments: Not like current dumpsters Dumpsters need to be screened for view Need more trash capacity Team Exhibit 4 15. Regarding solid waste, what is the walking distance you prefer to carry trash for removal? 100 feet max 200 feet max. Within your block 16. Yes or No Do you think the following issues would greatly improve the quality of life in Downtown Denton? Additional street trees in downtown Yes No Not sure Greater landscape requirements for new development Yes No Not sure Further development of the downtown area Yes No Not sure Additional hike and bike trails/lanes Yes No Not sure Greater variety of cultural facilities / entertainment Yes No Not sure Additional housing in downtown Yes No Not sure Increasing pedestrian amenities Yes No Not sure Providing additional parking in downtown Yes No Not sure Increasing parks in downtown Yes No Not sure 17. What downtowns with a similar scale to Denton that you have visited and admired - and what about these downtowns that we could learn from? 18. In your opinion, do you think we should limit architecture styles, building materials, colors available for outdoor walls, etc. in Downtown. yes no (just minor controls) 19. Twenty years (20) from now, what kind of downtown do you envision (want) Downtown Denton to be? (list three words or phrases that define the future) 1. 2. 3. Team Exhibit 4 20. What do you feel are the major impediments to reaching this vision? 21. Is there anything else we should be aware of as we work on the plan for Downtown Denton? That concludes our stakeholder questions. Thank You! Team L10 il a W t pp h 7 ' r,. < ~ -i ~ I . 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