HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda UDCAC 01.19.2016Notice of Meeting for the
Unified Development Code Advisory Committee
of the City of Georgetown
January 19, 2016 at 3:00 PM
at Historic Light and Water Works Building, 406 W. 8th Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626
The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If
you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA,
reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the
City at least four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East
8th Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Regular Session
(This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any purpose
authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.)
A Call to Order
Legislative Regular Agenda
B Consideration of the minutes of the November 3, 2015 meeting of the Unified Development Code
Advisory Committee.
C Overview and discussion regarding proposed amendments related to parkland dedication requirements
D Discussion regarding the highlights of proposed changes to Chapter 13 - Infrastructure and Public
Improvements.
E Discussion regarding the highlights of proposed changes to Chapter 3 - Subdivisions, Chapter 6 -
Residential Lot Standards, and Chapter 7 - Non-Residential Lot Standards
F Discussion regarding the highlights of proposed changes to Chapter 12 - Transportation
G Discussion regarding the date, time and frequency of the meetings of the Unified Development Code
Advisory Committee.
Adjournment
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING
I, Shelley Nowling, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of
Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all
times, on the ______ day of __________________, 2016, at __________, and remained so posted for at
least 72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting.
____________________________________
Shelley Nowling, City Secretary
Page 1 of 6
City of Georgetown, Texas
Unified Development Code Advisory Committee
January 19, 2016
SUBJECT:
Overview and discussion regarding proposed amendments related to parkland dedication
requirements
ITEM SUMMARY:
The city's parkland dedication provisions were last revised in 2003 when the Unified Development
Code was created. Since the Parks Master Plan approval in 2009, staff has identified several
revisions necessary to implement the plan. In addition to staff suggestions, the Parks and
Recreation Board subcommittee has discussed potential updates to the parkland provisions. Topics
for proposed changes include:
Implement a parkland improvement fee or the option to construct improvements
Increase the Fee in Lieu of land dedication
Decrease land dedication requirement from 1 acre per 50 units to 1 acre per 75 units
Reduce the number of parkland dedication zones in the city
Allow partial credit for private parks
Make changes to the allowable credit for land in the floodplain
Address parks in the ETJ as private parks
Create incentive for commercial development to dedicate parkland
Require developer to build regional trail as detailed on trails master plan
Address phasing and how it relates to parks not dedicated in the first phase
Staff is drafting language to address these changes and will bring proposed language to the board
for review in the upcoming months.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Unknown
SUBMITTED BY:
Valerie Kreger, AICP, Principal Planner
Page 2 of 6
City of Georgetown, Texas
Unified Development Code Advisory Committee
January 19, 2016
SUBJECT:
Discussion regarding the highlights of proposed changes to Chapter 13 - Infrastructure and Public
Improvements.
ITEM SUMMARY:
Chapter 13 Highlights (not including parks) UDC Items 54, 56, 59, 60
Challenges: Utility requirements have not been updated since UDC adoption. Clarity of
requirements, revise outdated terms and procedures. Platting rules currently allow urban
development without adequate provision of public infrastructure.
Highlights:
Subdivision’s 80% Rule clarification and narrower interpretation
Only applies to small residential ETJ subdivisions
Ensures Stormwater, ROW, fire flow, utility master plan lines
Returns a subdivision variance process to certain sections
Water and wastewater extension exceptions
Underground electric exceptions
Prohibit planting of Shade Trees within a street PUE
Update fire flow requirements per new Fire Code
Still Working on:
New Section for electric utility requirements
Reconsider what public improvements are eligible for fiscal surety
Update Special District section per the adopted 2014 Interim MUD Policy
Next Meeting (3/1): Staff will have the entire chapter completed with draft language on all
sections for review and discussion.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
SUBMITTED BY:
Jordan Maddox
Page 3 of 6
City of Georgetown, Texas
Unified Development Code Advisory Committee
January 19, 2016
SUBJECT:
Discussion regarding the highlights of proposed changes to Chapter 3 - Subdivisions, Chapter 6 -
Residential Lot Standards, and Chapter 7 - Non-Residential Lot Standards
ITEM SUMMARY:
Chapter 3,6,7 Highlights UDC Items 11, 12, 26, 32
Challenges: Current UDC platting rules allow urban development to occur without adequate
provision of public infrastructure.This subdivision exemption is meant to protect people who want
to divide land without necessarily developing; the effect of the exemption is that development
often can avoid platting. This puts the city at a disadvantage in planning for utility extensions,
right of way needs, and a continuous public street network for transportation and public safety.
Additionally, it burdens subdividers who do not meet the exemption and have to pay more to
accommodate those who do not.
Staff is working on:
Chapter 3
Requiring development to either plat or provide adequate improvements
Considering how we view large tracts (parent tracts) that divide over time and the difficulty
ensuring public improvements like streets and parkland
Reviewing the phasing requirements to ensure orderly connection of public infrastructure to
property boundaries if phasing changes or plat expires
Expanding Plat Waiver/Subdivision Variance section to allow for more P&Z consideration
of utility/transportation requests for exception
Reviewing plat extension and re-reinstatement allowances, their impact on utilities, vesting,
and fairness
Considering adding a process for Conveyance Plats to allow for limited land transfer
without public infrastructure, while restricting development of the land.
Chapter 6 and 7
Reviewing general general lot requirements for lot and block layout and compliance with
new Fire Code
Considering any necessary changes to lots, access, driveways, and parking with
corresponding changes to Chapter 12
Addressing setbacks when ROW is being dedicated and reserved
Next Meeting (3/1): Staff will have language for most, if not all, of the Chapters 3, 6, and 7 for
review and discussion
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
SUBMITTED BY:
Jordan Maddox
Page 4 of 6
City of Georgetown, Texas
Unified Development Code Advisory Committee
January 19, 2016
SUBJECT:
Discussion regarding the highlights of proposed changes to Chapter 12 - Transportation
ITEM SUMMARY:
Chapter 12 Highlights UDC Items 31, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56,
Staff has been tasked with updating the UDC to implement the updated Overall Transportation
Plan, Sidewalk Master Plan, 2012 International Fire Code, and Trails Master Plan. Additionally,
City Council directed staff to review and update the external street connectivity requirements for
subdivisions. Most of Chapter 12 has not been updated since the UDC was adopted in 2003 and
was in need of a comprehensive overhaul. Several amendment requests by staff for this chapter
have been on hold for some time. A staff team has been working on edits for the past several
months.
Challenges: Merging different codes and standards that contain conflicts and differing intent;
providing context-sensitive solutions to transportation needs while projecting consistent
regulations; minimizing impact to development cost while providing public assurance of safety
and accessibility. Connectivity has been the most challenging because it is the most contentious.
Highlights:
· Re-organization of the chapter to distinguish between the regional, comprehensive plan roadways
and local neighborhood streets. Also we have merged sections of Chapter 13 related to streets,
lighting, driveways, etc.
· Increase the ROW and pavement width of Major Collectors
· Add additional ROW at intersections of Comprehensive Plan roadways
· Allow private streets in the ETJ under Williamson County regulations
· Introduce an Unloaded Residential Collector. De-emphasize Loaded Collectors by reducing
capacity and removing shared driveway ability
· Increase pavement on local streets to 31 feet from 28 feet – fire code compromise
· Create more emphasis on street layout and neighborhood design by shortening street lengths,
curtailing speed-inducing streets, focusing on pedestrian safety and connectivity.
· Emphasize sidewalks in areas where they are needed, offer alternatives and fees where sidewalks
are not immediately needed.
· Increase size of sidewalks near schools/parks and minimize pedestrian walking sheds.
· Require Regional Trails to be provided by developer with the street infrastructure
· Shift maintenance requirements of sidewalks and trails to non-residential development following
site plan
Staff is still working on:
· Connectivity requirements. Goal is to provide better access points with more significant streets at
strategic locations. Places new requirements for “hard” access points – built streets instead of stubs
– to ensure adequate access for ingress/egress.
· Add variance process for street connectivity
· Considering City Code process and requirements for street closure or severance like Majestic
Page 5 of 6
Oaks.
· TIA requirements, which may or may not be addressed with these amendments
Next Meeting (3/1): Staff will have language for most of Chapter 12. Street connectivity may not
be ready with full text at the March 1st meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
SUBMITTED BY:
Jordan Maddox
Page 6 of 6
