Minutes May 11, 2004CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 11, 2004
After determining that a quorum was presem, the City Council convened in a Planning Work
Session of the City of DeNon City Council on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the City
Council Work Session Room.
PRESENT:
Mayor Brock, Mayor Pro Tem Burroughs, Council Members Kamp, McNeill,
Montgomery, Redmon, Thomson
ABSENT: None
1. The Council received outcome statements and held a discussion regarding Vibrato
Cultural Life.
City Manager Conduff stated that the proposed outcome statements were presented to Council
for consideration. Outcomes were a future state written in current language. They were written
as though they were already done.
Council discussed the outcome statements and made the following suggestions:
· Add Denton has room and need for meeting centers.
· Split Section 4.10.1 into separate categories.
· Add Emertainmem district (overlay). Need to be aware of developmems at DeNon
Station.
· Change Dowmown is the main focus for these (vibrato cultural) activities.
· Add live music venues.
· Add DeNon has an arts district with related tourism (also referred to in Section 2.8.2).
· Add Denton has artist live/work space.
2. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding
Sustainable Development.
Kelly Carpenter, Director of Planning and Development Services, stated the definition of
sustainability was development that met the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Carpenter stated that the City was implementing programs that encouraged sustainability:
Recycling program, which increased longevity of landfill; Transit service, which provided
alternatives to single-occupam vehicles and provided needed human services; and Developmem
standards and environmemally sensitive areas standards that protected floodplains and open
spaces.
Carpenter stated that implementing a sustainable development policy for Denton included:
tracking community indicators based on strategies as adopted in the comprehensive plan;
developing and implementing a sustainable development policy; encouraging transit-oriented
development; and conserving neighborhoods. She stated that the Council would look at
neighborhoods at the June 8 Planning Session.
Carpemer imroduced Ed McRoy, Planner with the City of Lancaster, who spoke about utilizing
sustainable policies in the developmem of the Mills Branch project. The goal of the project was
City of DeNon City Council Minutes
May 11, 2004
Page 2
to elevate the level of investmeN and quality of developmeN within a unique corridor between
I -35 and the Historic Town Square. He stated that City officials believed they could improve
the City's tax base and create sustainable developments that preserved the best of Lancaster's
past while taking full advantage of best planning practices of today.
McCoy stated that roadways were designed to keep traffic slow, pedestrian friendly, with wider
sidewalks, street trees between curbs and sidewalks, round-abouts and traffic circles. In the
retail element, they wanted to encourage neighborhood access with shorter blocks and narrower
access streets. Residential building types included an inter-generational range of home types,
attracting young professionals. Each development had to have at least 20% of each housing
type. Other standards included preservation and developmeN of parks and open space, and
preservation of the majority of flood plains.
Carpenter introduced Dave Gattis, Assistant City Manager with the City of Benbrook, who
discussed site design and planning in development of sustainable communities. He stated that
the three "e's of sustainability were economy, environmeN, and equity. New trends in site
design were walkable communities, mixed uses, clustered lots, narrower streets, traffic calming,
water runoff managemeN, crime preveNion through environmeNal design, and community
character.
Council Member Thomson waned to know how on board the Planning and Zoning Commission
was with this as they would be the ones to implement it with staff.
Carpenter stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission had not had the opportunity to hear
all of this information.
City Manager Conduff suggested join training for the Council, Planning and Zoning
Commission, and neighborhood represeNatives regarding standards and criteria for
development.
3. Suggestions for Agenda Committee on future agenda items and/or placement of items for
upcoming agendas.
Mayor Brock requested a review of Code Enforcement to include current standards, staffing,
review of the Code Ranger program in Fort Worth, and weaknesses.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
EULINE BROCK
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
JANE RICHARDSON
ASSISTANT CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS