HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 11, 2005 Agenda AGENDA
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL
January 11, 2005
After determining that a quorum is present, the City Council will convene in a 2nd Tuesday
Session of the City of Demon City Council on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. in the City
Council Work Session Room at City Hall, 215 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas at which the
following item will be considered:
NOTE: A 2nd Tuesday 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 2nd Tuesday 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 2nd Tuesday 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.
Receive a briefing, hold a discussion and give staff direction on the 1999-2020 Denton
Plan, its implememation, and its use as a framework for policy discussion and decision-
making.
Suggestions for Agenda Committee on future agenda items and/or placement of items for
upcoming agendas.
NOTE: The City Council reserves the right to adjourn imo a Closed Meeting on any item on its
Open Meeting agenda consistent with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, as amended,
including without limitation, Sections 551.071-551.086 of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
CERTIFICATE
I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall of the
City of Demon, Texas, on the day of ,2005 o'clock (a.m.)
(p.m.)
CITY SECRETARY
NOTE: THE CITY OF DENTON CITY 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:
DEPARTMENT:
CM/DCM/ACM:
January ll, 2005
Planning and Development Department
Jon Fortune, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT
Receive a briefing, hold a discussion, and give staff direction on the 1999-2020 Denton
Plan, its implementation, and its use as a framework for policy discussion and decision-
making.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this session is to review the Denton Plan and how the plan can be used as
a framework for policy discussion and decision-making. Since the plan is now more than
six years old, staff is looking for ways to educate citizens about the Plan and its uses, and
how it has been implemented. Further, since the Plan calls for an evaluation of the plan,
departments have provided information on the steps they have taken to implement the
plan. The City Council has recently focused on the Downtown Master Plan, infill,
residential development standards and mixed-use regulations, environmental concerns,
capital improvements, and other policy issues. Revisiting the Denton Plan can help
citizens put the Council's policy discussions in context.
The Denton Plan is the City's comprehensive plan and as such, is a guide for making
decisions about growth and development through 2020. Pursuant to Texas law, a city
may adopt a comprehensive plan for long-range development of the city; it may set
provisions on land use, transportation, and public facilities and be the city's guide to
establishment of development regulations. The plan identifies the City's vision for the
future and describes the policies, strategies and goals to realize that vision. The Plan,
adopted by the Council on December 7, 1999, is the culmination of a planning process
begun in July 1997. Based on nearly three years of public involvement, the Denton Plan
builds on these prior long-range planning efforts:
· Denton - A Twenty Year Comprehensive Plan, 1974-94
· The 1988 Denton Development Plan
· A Vision For Denton - The 21st Century
· The 1997 Draft Denton Development Plan
The Denton Plan's purposes are spelled out beginning on page 3 of the Denton Plan:
· The Plan is a statement of policy, addressing the community's vision and goals.
· The Plan will be implemented by adopting zoning and land development
regulations.
· The Plan is long-range, expressing strategies that will shape the city for twenty
years and more.
· The Plan covers an area that describes the city's sphere of influence, where land-
use will impact the community.
· The Plan may be used to make a variety of long-range decisions that affect the
community.
· The Plan informs property owners and potential developers about the
community's desired future and expectations regarding future development.
· The Plan guides evaluation of zoning and annexation proposals.
DISCUSSION
The Denton Plan
Purpose -
· Guide community growth and development from 1999 to 2002.
· Translate a vision statement and planning policies into meaningful actions to
benefit the entire community.
· Stated policies are the course of action that lead to the goals and strategies
adopted and pursued by the city.
Growth Management - The underlying basis of future development in Denton was
designed on how the city's existing features provided limitations and opportunities to
manage new growth. The Growth Management Strategy capitalizes on the city's assets
and minimizes sprawl. This approach helps guide growth were it is appropriate as well as
protects environmentally sensitive areas.
The Growth Management Strategy was
of growth:
~ ___~ Oualitv,
· Ouantitv
· Location, and
· Timing
Denton Growth Management Strategy
The Growth Management Strategy Map
provides the City with an overall urban
form and general land use patterns that the
City is trying to achieve. The map can be
used as a tool to plan for infrastructure
improvements and the delivery of other
essential public services. It allows the
City to be more efficient in the delivery of
public facilities and services by planning
for the location and quantity of future
growth.
The Edge - Strategies associated with the ETJ include:
· Preparation of an annexation plan.
· The city will not encourage development at the edges of its ET J, in recognition
of the higher cost of"leapfrog: development and haphazard urban sprawl.
· The city will proactively annex land within its southern ETJ and other
urbanizing areas that become attractive for urban development.
Land Use - The Future Land Use Plan
implements the growth management strategy and
long-range vision of the community and focuses
on the use of land and future development within
the Denton urbanizing area. Within the land use
plan framework of neighborhood, community, and
regional classifications are found the more
traditional residential, commercial, industrial,
employment and civic land uses. In addition, the
plan also establishes several districts that are of
special interest to the community:
· The Downtown University Core District,
· Lake Ray Roberts,
· Denton Municipal Airport,
· Floodplains and Environmentally Sensitive
Areas.
Primary Residential Land-Use Principles: · Preserve Neighborhoods
· Promote a Diverse Housing Stock
· Limit Sprawl
· Neighborhood Centers Development Pattern
Primary Commercial Land-Use Principles: · Maintaining Balance
· Limit Strip Development
· Demand Quality
· Commercial Activity Centers Development Pattern
Primary Industrial Land-Use Principles: · Organize to Minimize Conflicts
· Develop Performance Standards
Primary Civic Land-Use Principles: · Provide Adequate Public Facilities
· Build Landmarks
· Enhance Corridors
Urban Design - Urban design is a term used to define how a community manages the
physical and visual character of its built environment. Principles
· Accessibility
· Health & Safety
· Permeability
· Durability & Endurance
· Legibility
· Architectural Quality
· Transportation Infrastructure
· New Neighborhood Districts & Mixed-Use Design
Goals
·
·
·
Develop urban design standards
Standards may vary in application to different parts of the city
Specific attention should be paid to urban design standards
· Site design
· Architectural design
· Site elements
The Street - The street was defined as the most important, enduring public space that
determines our urban environment. Each of the roadway classifications has a unique
street section, amenities and associated infrastructure. The development of those sections
needs to provide the basis
considered:
· Sidewalks
· Landscaping
· Visibility
· Utilities
· Aesthetics
for sustainable development. Proposed street sections
Lighting
Signage
Landscape Design
Furniture
Transit
Information Systems
Public parking
Public Art
Historic Preservation - The unique and distinctive cultural, historic, and architectural
features of Denton should be identified, restored, preserved and maintained through a
partnership between the city and private interests.
Policies & Goals: · Protection of existing neighborhoods.
· View downtown as a unique and dominant area.
· Identify and create additional historic and conservation districts.
· Protect remaining archeological resources.
Maintenance & Enforcement - The image of a community - its viability as a place to
live, work and prosper - is to a great extent determined by the condition and appearance
of both public and private properties and structures.
Policies & Goals · The city will adopt maintenance standards for public and private facilities.
· Provide a level of enforcement that ensures the standards are applied uniformly.
· Maximize the service life and performance of paved surfaces
· Promote community pride and economic values while curtailing the expansion of
urban blight.
Environmental Management - Environmental protection is a part of every development
consideration stated in The Denton Plan. Policies touch on: · Environmental awareness,
· Promotion of the ethical use of natural resources,
· Preservation of native habitat,
· Minimizing harmful discharges directly to the environment, and
· Environmental mitigation.
Additionally, the plan lays out goals and strategies for implementing environmental policies
for the city to follow in developing its own resources and those of private development
within the city. The plan also examines goals for air quality management, water quality
management and land and soil conservation.
Parks, Recreation & Open Space -
Policies & Goals
· Provide a wide array of parks and recreation opportunities
· Park and open space should be located in or adjacent to floodplains
· Park should be developed in combination with other public facilities
· Provide a reasonable distribution of public parks
· Complete a new parks, recreation and open space master plan.
Economic Diversification - Refers to a more directed type of economic development
resulting in a more stable and resilient economy, which provides high-quality jobs.
The city should encourage a strong, diversified, and self-sustaining economy,
creating a wide range of employment opportunities, enhancing local ownership
opportunities, and expanding and balancing the tax base of the city.
Housing - The De,/o, Pla, addresses housing through the concept of equitable service.
Development in the city should allo~v for the full range of demographic profiles, ~vhich make
up the character of Denton. The plan clearly states that lo,v-income and minority
neighborhoods need revitalization assistance.
Schools - Educational facilities should be located appropriately according to their
intended uses and anticipated impacts on adjacent properties, additionally, adequate
school facilities should be planned and constructed to accommodate anticipated student
growth.
Infrastructure -
Transportation Policies & Goals
· Denton shall use access management practices to make the investment in the
roadway infrastructure as cost efficient as possible.
· Reduce and mitigate air, water and noise pollution from motor vehicles. Promote
energy-efficient transportation.
· Ensure that land use and transportation decisions, strategies, and investments are
coordinated, are complementary, and support the growth management strategy.
Water Services Policies & Goals
· The city will develop and operate a water infrastructure system that is safe,
reliable, cost-efficient, environmentally sensitive, and sufficient to meet future
demands in cooperation with other entities.
· Promote infill infrastructure improvements over new line extensions that expand
geographic coverage of the city's infrastructure systems.
· Expand water treatment capacities and provide additional; overhead storage to
meet anticipated increases in demand.
Wastewater Services Policies & Goals
· Provide effective collection, transmission, and treatment of wastewater with
minimal impact to the environment.
· Development will be constructed and maintained in such a manner that will not
compromise public health, endanger the public drinking supplies, or pollute the
environment.
Storm water Drainage Policies & Goals
· Preserve, protect and, where possible, dedicate floodplains to the city.
Floodplains should perform multiple functions for flood conveyance,
transportation (trails), recreation and open space, habitat protection, and
environmental protection.
Solid Waste Services Policies & Goals · Protect public health by the consistent and efficient removal and disposal of trash
and rubbish.
· Support cost-effective recycling programs.
Electric Services Policies & Goals
· Electric service to all new developments will be installed underground.
· Ensure that electric utility installation and operation is environmentally and
aesthetically sensitive.
EVALUATION and IMPLEMENTATION
The last chapter of the plan sets forth an implementation strategy. The plan also states a
goal of being evaluated in five to seven years. In 2004, City departmems evaluated their
implementation performance and the evaluation is shown in Attachment 1 of this report.
The city has had some success in implememing the plan through the adoption of the
Development Code. The code includes processes to protect environmentally sensitive
areas and trees; it includes buffering standards; and criteria manuals have been
developed. The code has been in place about three years and only a few major
developmems (notably Demon Crossing) have been constructed pursuam to it and, while
residential platting proceeds under the new code, only a small number of permits have
been issued pursuant to the new code. So, measuring success may be premature. But
other issues have surfaced with implememation and include the following:
· Infill regulations
· Downtown regulations
· Housing value questions
· Capacity analysis on zoning cases
· Application of "new urbanist" type principles to the emire city instead of specific
smaller areas
· Parking in from of buildings
· Application of overlay zoning
· Single family/multiple family mix
· Encouragement/requiremems for mixed use developmem
· Commercial corridors and neighborhood cemers
· Annexation policies
· Tie to Mobility Plan
· Plans use as guidance to CIP and other master plans
A number of white papers on Demon Plan issues were prepared by staff including
Balanced and Smart Growth, Sustainable Development, Neighborhood Preservation,
Community Aesthetics, Infill, and Environmem. In the spring of 2005, Council will
address infill regulations and housing value questions. In February Council will address
requirements for mixed use development. Staff has evaluated the Downtown plan and
has identified where changes need to be made in the Development Code to support it.
Staff has evaluated requiremems for parking in from of buildings and will idemify
changes in requirements on arterial streets and by zoning district. Council directed that
the overlay provisions of Chapter 7 be used in lieu of reconsideration of PD's in February
04 in order to address the issue of providing flexible developmem rules.
Two Small Area Plans were developed including the Denia Neighborhood Plan and the
Downtown Plan. The comprehensive planning group supports the research on white
papers, code amendments, rezoning cases, and the capital improvement program. It can
work on annexation policies, support research on mobility plan amendmems, prepare
other small area or neighborhood plans and work in public/private teams on major new
developmem projects.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW
· The City Council approved the DeNon Plan Policies and Growth Managemem
Strategy on April 7, 1998.
· The City Council adopted The Denton Plan 1999-2020: Comprehensive Plan of the
City of Denton, Texas on December 7, 1999.
· The DeNon Developmem Code was adopted by City Council on February 2, 2002
and went into effect on February 20, 2002.
OPTIONS
1. Direct staff'to begin an in-depth review of the plan
2. Continue implementation focusing on the issues set forth in the above evaluation
ATTACHMENT
1. Evaluation
Prepared by:
Dedra Dende Ragland, 7klCP
Planning Manager
Respectfully submitted:
Kelly Carpemer, AICP
Director of Planning and Developmem
Attachment 1:
Denton Plan Implementation Evaluation
Action items implemented since the Plan's adoption:
(Elements organized in order of appearance in the Denton Plan)
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT (Element 2)
· Created Public Information Office.
· Revamped city Web Site to provide up to date information, Planning and Zoning
Commission agendas and minutes, more interactive features, broadcast e-mail
capability, and to allow for e-government applications.
· Established speaker's bureau in cooperation with Neighborhood Services coordinator.
· increased DTV 26 programming.
· increased media outreach to include Hispanic news media.
· Developed and implemented public education program related to watershed
protection activities and stormwater drainage topics through informational Web Page;
presentations to local neighborhood groups; citizen monitoring; mosquito control
measures; and, public announcements in utility bills and newspaper
articles/advertisements, and on cable television.
· Developed a Citizen Participation Plan and created database of interested residents,
local churches and non-profit agencies to receive quarterly newsletters and
information on public hearings.
· Created a list of neighborhood group contacts.
· Created a Neighborhood Services Guide and distributed guides to neighborhood
groups and Denton realtors.
· Held public meetings for citizens during the development of park master plans,
improvements and policies including meeting on Cross Timbers, Lake Forest, Water
Works, renovation of the Civic Center, and the Integrated Pest Management Program.
LAND (Element 3)
· Adopted Denton Development Code.
· Developed small area plans for Fry Street, Denia and the Downtown
· Adopted Tree Preservation Ordinance.
· Lighting Ordinance drafted, but not implemented.
· Street Tree Ordinance currently under review.
· Prepared report on infill development, identified vacant infill lots, and researched
delinquent tax status of each vacant infill lot.
· Provided two incentive packages to encourage development of projects identified in
the Denton Plan. Unicorn Lake and Denton Station.
· Ratio of single-family units to multifamily units currently under review.
· Amendments to the Development Code concerning multifamily developments, mixed
use developments and master plan developments currently under review.
· Opened North Branch Library.
· Established state-of-the-art Distance Learning Center.
· Implememing the 2000 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which specify as high
priorities, the development of a family aquatic center, trails, and athletic facilities.
· Acquired parkland (Cross Timbers Park & Lake Forest Park) through the Park Land
Dedication Ordinance (which needs to be made a chapter in the developmem code)
and Capital Improvement Program thereby promoting the preservation of the flood
plain and the eastern cross timbers forest.
· Developed neighborhood parks near schools at Cross Timbers and The Preserve.
· Funded trail developmem with the 2000 bond program and provided bicycle and
pedestrian linkages between neighborhoods, schools and businesses along Cooper
Creek, South Lakes Park, DeNon Branch Rail Trail, Cross Timbers Park, and Pecan
Creek.
· Created a recreational activity cemer adjacem to a regional activity center (C.H.
Collins Athletic Complex) with the acquisition and developmem of the natatorium
and Water Works Park. (Partnership between the City of DeNon and the DeNon
Independem School District)
DESIGN (Element 4)
Urban Design
· Commissioned three public art pieces, which were placed at the Central Fire Station,
North Branch Library and Water Works Park. Additional public art pieces purchased
or donated were placed at Water Works Park and Civic Center Park.
· Enhanced the image and safety of Downtown through streetscape improvements.
· Completed the renovation of the Emily Fowler Library and the Denton Civic Center
to ensure historic compatibility with the original design.
Historic Preservation
· Hired Knight and Associates to conduct a historic resource survey. Report
recommended that Bell Avenue and Locust/Austin Street areas be considered for
historic conservation district (HCD) status.
· Adopted Historic Conservation District ordinance, which was included as Subchapter
7 in Chapter 35 of the City of Demon Code of Ordinances.
· Granted tax incentive to Nucon Steel for redevelopment of historic landmark.
Maintenance and Enforcement
· Initiated Code Rangers program in 2004 on a trial basis. Citizen training will begin
February 2005.
· Adopted several new ordinances to improve code enforcemem:
- Junk vehicle
- Trash and debris
- Grass and weed
· Revised code enforcement procedures to allow less time for correction of violations.
· Utilizing federal CDBG funds to clean-up dumpsites that contain environmental
hazards.
· Established maimenance standards for all park facilities to ensure uniformity and
maintenance levels that reflect citizen expectations.
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ENVIRONMENT (Element 5)
Environmental Management
· Finalizing Ray Roberts Growth Management Plan.
· Established Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) policies in Subchapter 17 of the
Denton Development Code.
· Requiring erosion control provisions of the Phase II storm water program to be met
before clearing and grading permits are approved.
· Developed nationally recognized watershed program.
· Working with state and federal officials concerning regulatory issues and potential
grant programs.
· Working with CH2MHill and EPA on watershed-based permitting and nutrient
trading projects.
· Working with the County concerning oil and gas drilling production.
· Working on research project concerning nutrient and sediment trading, which is
needed to develop mitigation banks.
· Examining non-traditional contaminants in wastewater effluent. This cutting-edge
research has created interest from the scientific and regulatory communities.
· Examining the use of market-based incentives to control the amount of sediments,
nitrogen and phosphorus being conveyed from watersheds into the lake in
conjunction with CH2MHill, Texas A& M University and the University of North
Texas. Unique research has produced several publications and has created interest
from the regulatory community.
· Reducing Ozone concentrations by establishing Ozone Watch and Warning Day
Notification, employee bike check out program and prius hybrid for employee use at
City Hall.
· Working with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to
address air pollution.
· Created an integrated system of publicly owned natural areas to protect the integrity
of important conservation sites, corridors between natural areas, and examples of our
diverse natural environments:
- The Greenbelt trail provides approximately 10 miles of hike/bike and equestrian
trail.
- The 1135 project offers access to 2,700 acres including reforestation and
restoration projects used for research and learning opportunities. Volunteers from
the Elm Fork Master Naturalists are improving a network of trails throughout the
site. Site is used by UNT, TWU, and DISD throughout the year.
· Presented Green Building to the City Council Environment Committee and a draft
program will be presented in 2005.
· Created a new Environmental Division within the water utilities department.
Parks, Recreation & Open Space
· Adopted Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
· Adopted Parks Master Plan.
· Developed a 5-year Strategic Plan for the operation and management of the Parks and
Recreation Department.
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· Completed Denton Branch Rail Trail.
· Built Natatorium and Water Park Facility (shared public facility and co-siting of civic
USES).
· Acquired Cross Timbers Park and Lake Forest Park which included designated
environmemally sensitive areas and will preserve flood plain, wetlands, eastern cross
timbers forest and upland habitat areas.
· Installed energy-saving equipment at North Lakes Recreation Center (demonstrated
savings in energy use the first six momhs).
· Provided funding for trail developmem that has resulted in bicycle and pedestrian
trails throughout the park system, including Cooper Creek, South Lakes Park, Denton
Branch Rail Trail, Cross Timbers Park, and Pecan Creek through the 2000 CIP.
· Open Space Master Plan drafted and curremly under review.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (Element 6)
Economic Diversification
· Begun implementation of Downtown Master Plan:
- Downtown Task Force created and reconstituted.
- Wayfinding signs designed and to be installed.
- Cedar Street Streetscape Improvement Project initiated.
· Created Economic Development Partnership Board.
· Created Neighborhood Services Program.
· Economic Development Partnership Board formed Business Park Task Force.
· Economic Development Partnership Board formed Image and Marketing Task Force.
· Added new wine festival (DeMon's Wine on the Square Festival).
Housing
· Spending a significam portion of CDBG and HOME funds for housing activities.
· Established Impact Fee Incentive Grant program.
· Providing funding to DeNon Affordable Housing Corporation (DAHC) to rehabilitate
rental units in a low-income area.
· Providing assistance for homeownership, including down paymem and closing costs.
· Preserved existing units through the rehabilitation of units, the reconstruction of units;
and completion of emergency or minor repairs on units.
· Assisted households under DAHC's "Affordable Housing Opportunity Program."
(AHOP).
· Working with DAHC to develop the new construction program previously
administered by the City.
· Assisting affordable housing efforts by non-profit, transitional and emergency
housing providers.
· Collaborated on a Lead Hazard Comrol Gram with the City of Fort Worth. Application
awarded $3 million in funding - $300,000 targeted to housing within the City of
Denton.
· Working with local housing organizations to provide a cominuum of housing options
for lower-income remer and owner-occupied households.
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Schools
· Encouraging donations and reservations of school sites from developers.
· Planning and imegrating transportation, utility and park projects with school facilities
when feasible.
· Established ongoing educational and workforce partnership programs with DISD,
UNT, TWU and NCTCOG.
· Developed Water Works Park and the DISD natatorium, a shared public facility and
co-siting of civic uses.
INFRASTRUCTURE (Element 7)
Transportation
· Hired Regional Mobility Coordinator.
· Amended mobility plan for Mayhill Road and Lakeview Boulevard.
· Ramp reversals and ramp re-alignmems for 1-35E corridor between Loop 288 and
State School road are underway.
· Established initial comact with the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) to
idemify a connector route between 1-35 and the proposed Dallas North Tollway
(DNT), which is planned to eventually extend north of US 380 to US 82 in Grayson
County.
· Participated in meetings and discussions with Denton County Transit Authority
concerning the future commuter rail system proposed route between Denton and 1-
635 in Dallas.
· Completed several roadway projects:
- Spencer Road
- Brinker Road from Colorado Boulevard to Loop 288
- Willowwood reconstruction
- North Bonnie Brae from Riney Road to US 77
- US 377 from Sherman Drive to 1-35
· Participated in meetings with UNT, TxDOT and citizens of the Denia Neighborhood
to determine location for future North Texas Boulevard bridge.
· Adopted Airport Master Plan.
· Completed Denton Municipal Airport apron reconstruction and runway safety area
improvements.
· Reconstructed southeast Airport access roads.
· Applied for and received TxDOT gram for airport terminal building.
· Completed construction for air traffic control tower.
· Completed airport runway and taxiway pavemem rehabilitation and lighting
enhancement.
· Initiated engineering and design phase for taxiway realignmem and apron expansion.
· Acquired approximately 16 acres for the proposed airport runway extension.
· Utilized public-private partnerships to facilitate the extension of taxiway access to
underserved developmem areas.
· Increased hangar and office space by more than 70 percem.
· Implemented LINK route-restructuring plan to provide service to more citizens.
· Acquired first alternative fuel vehicle (propane) for transit system.
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· Initiated transportation partnerships with TWU and UNT to provide enhanced bus
services to students, staff and faculty.
· Expanded alternative fuel fleet by five additional vehicles.
· Relocated and enhanced passenger amenities at LINK Central.
· Enhanced planning and management of transit system through new contractor.
· Expanded agreements with UNT to offer:
- Express shuttle service to the University from specific apartment complexes.
- increased express shuttle service and to provide on campus bus service.
· Assisted Denton County Transportation Authority with the development of a service
plan that will include commuter rail service to Denton within the next 10 years.
· Expanded service level with UNT increasing bus fleet through DART agreements and
provided more than one million rides system wide.
· Transitioned fiscal operating responsibility of LINK system to Denton County
Transportation Authority.
· LINK system awarded approximately $3.5 million in discretionary federal funding
for the planning, design and construction of a multi-modal station.
Water Services
· Participated in the state wide regional water supply planning process for Region C.
Denton's future water supplies identified in the Region C and Statewide Water Plan
for 2002.
· Maintained discussions and contacts with Dallas Water Utilities concerning Denton's
future water supply needs and desire to re-negotiate current raw water supply contract
to expand beyond the current expiration date of 2015.
· Constructed new water treatment plant at Lake Ray Roberts to expand the city's
water treatment capacity.
· Constructed two new pumping stations and began design work on a third.
· Constructed two new water storage facilities.
· Constructed several large diameter water transmission line projects.
Wastewater Services
· Constructed a new effluent reuse transmission pipeline along Mayhill Road and State
School Road and connected five effluent reuse customers.
· impact fees were updated in 2003:
- Adopted wastewater impact fees. The Pecan Creek/Hickory Creek Basin was set
up as Zone 1, and the Clear Creek/Milam Creek basin was set up as zone 2, with
separate impact fees adopted for the two zones.
- The 1 O-Year Capital improvements Plan (CiP) adopted for the impact fees
included construction of separate wastewater treatment plants in the Clear Creek
and Hickory Creek Basins. The CiP also included construction of major
interceptor sewer to serve the Clear Creek/Milam Creek basin, and construction of
a parallel interceptor sewer to expand the capacity of the Hickory Creek
Interceptor sewer line to serve the Hickory Creek Basin.
· Completed the Krum Sewer Line construction. The City of Krum currently is using
this sewer line to convey wastewater flows from its new subdivisions.
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· Completed a reuse water line to provide irrigation water from the Pecan Creek Water
Reclamation Plant up to the Oakmont Country Club.
· Completed construction of facilities for major expansion of capacity for wastewater
conveyance in the Pecan Creek and Cooper Basins:
- Parallel sewer line for the Pecan Creek Interceptor
- New Cooper Creek Lift Station
· Completed capacity expansion at the Pecan Creek Water Reclamation Plant.
Stormwater Drainage
· implemented drainage fee as a funding mechanism to support Drainage Operation
and Maintenance and Capital Improvement Program.
· Prevented construction of additional structures in floodplain through enforcement and
compliance of Finished Floor Elevations (FFEs) administered at Development
Review.
· Assisted in limiting the amount of floodplain reclamation and helped to minimize
degradation of local water quality through establishment of Environmentally
Sensitive Regulations.
· improved inadequate channel capacity and flooding conditions through replacement
of bridges and box culverts and the addition of regional detention pond #1.
· Increased street sweeping activities resulting in cleaner storm water runoff and
improved water quality.
· Implemented an extensive water quality monitoring system for the City's three main
watersheds and 71 sub-basins.
Solid Waste Services
· Implemented residential curbside recycling and continue to operate the recycling
drop-off centers to support commercial and multi-family residential customers.
· Expanded the public education and information program to encourage recycling. The
City's annual recycled tons have increased each year since 2002. increased public
education focused on residential recycling has enabled residential landfill tonnages to
decrease each year since 2002.
· Utilizing a volume based refuse rate system for commercial customers and residential
cart customers, which encourages waste minimization and recycling.
· Diverting over 12,000 tons annually of yard and wood wastes for reuse within the
City's compost.
Electric Services
· Routing overhead electric lines in areas that are less visible to the public whenever
possible and installing attractive exposed aggregate poles in visually sensitive areas.
· installing underground electrical facilities along and adjacent to major entranceways
into Denton and to serve new commercial and residential developments where
technically and economically feasible.
· Converting existing overhead facilities to underground facilities in a fiscally
responsible manner and whenever funds are available.
· Utilizing a third-party vegetation management organization to trim and remove trees.
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· Utilizing street lighting fixtures that shield upward illumination and reflect light
downward.
· Adopted the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
· Utilizing cost-effective methods such as automatic meter reading in high-density
areas and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to effectively manage electrical
assets.
· Drafted new joint pole agreements that encourage outside communication providers
to coordinate with the Electric Department.
· Maintaining rapid response times to customer outages, using enhanced
communication systems, utilizing innovative technologies and through master plan
analysis of the electrical grid.
· Installed two new electrical substations, one switch station, rebuilt two transmission
lines and converted mechanical substation relays to electronic controlled relays to
ensure that reliable future electrical growth needs are met.
As is evidenced by the previously listed action items, implementation of the goals and
strategies identified in the Denton Plan are underway. Staff will continue working with
other City departments in implementing the plan.
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