2017-084 Small Area Plans and Overlay DistrictsDate: November 17, 2017 Report No. 2017-084
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Small Area Plans and Overlay Districts
BACKGROUND:
On November 7, 2017 the City Council considered a Resolution to create a Steering Committee for a
Small Area Plan and Implementation Strategy for the area generally bounded by on the north by
Panhandle Street, on the east by Fort Worth Drive/Carroll Boulevard, and on the west and south
by Bonnie Brae Street and Interstate 35 East. At the meeting there was discussion regarding the
status of the Fry Street Small Area Plan and the Fry Street Overlay District if the proposed Small
Area Plan and Implementation Strategy is accepted by City Council.
DISCUSSION:
To understand the difference between Small Area Plans (Area Plans) and Overlay Districts it is
important to know the purpose of each. Area Plans allows long term planning for specific areas
in the city and allows for community members and stakeholders to provide input, create a shared
vision, and influence future development policies for a specific area. An Area Plan is the document
that contains all this information and recommendations for action. The Area Plan can recommend
new Overlay Districts within the plan, recommend areas for city-initiated zonings, recommend
code amendments, and recommend for capital improvement projects to be focused in the area.
Area Plans address the issues and challenges of a portion of the city regardless of the size of the
area. Area Plans cover a specific geography that often has a cohesive set of characteristics that
citizens and other stakeholders of the area want to protect and enhance.
The creation of or amendments to an Area Plan is adopted by Resolution by City Council and is
printed as a separate document. The City currently has four accepted Area Plans. Since 2003 with
the Downtown Master Plan and the Downtown Implementation Plan, the City has not accepted a
new Area Plan.
Fry Street Small Area Plan (1999)
Denia Small Area Plan (2001)
Downtown Master Plan (2003)
Downtown Implementation Plan (2010)
Overlay Districts are established to protect and enhance certain specific lands and structures
which, by virtue of their type or location, have characteris tics that are distinct from lands and
structures outside such special districts. The districts contain necessary development
requirements to insure the protection and enhancement of said lands and structures. Such
requirements include, permitted uses, maximum density, height limitations, site design,
elevation requirements and parking requirements. Properties within an Overlay District shall
remain part of the underlying zoning designation. In the event of a conflict between the
underlying zoning designation and the Overlay Districts, the provisions of the Overlay Districts
shall apply.
Date: November 17, 2017 Report No. 2017-084
The creation of or amendments to an Overlay District approved through the adoption of an
Ordinance and incorporated into th e Denton Development Code. The City currently has seven
(7) adopted Overlay Districts. The last Overlay District adopted was the West Oak Area Historic
District.
Denton Municipal Airport Overlay District
Fry Street Overlay District
Oak Hickory Historic District
Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District
Unicorn Lake Overlay District
Rayzor Ranch Overlay District
West Oak Area Historic District
CONCLUSION:
An Area Plan is a guiding document that establish a shared vision and sets development policies
for a specific area. An Overlay District is a Planning tool that outlines development requirements
that is consistent the vision and policies contained in the Area Plan. Often when an Area Plan is
updated, the associated Overlay District also is updated to reflect any major changes.
STAFF CONTACT:
Ron Menguita, AICP
Long Range Planning Administrator
(940) 349-8328