HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda CC 11.22.2016 WorkshopNotice of M eeting of the
Governing B ody of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
November 22 , 20 16
The Ge orgetown City Council will meet on No vember 22, 2016 at 4:00 PM at Co uncil Chambers, 101
E. 7th St., Geo rgeto wn, Texas
The City o f Georgetown is committed to co mpliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If
you re quire assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA,
reasonable assistance, adaptations, or ac c ommo datio ns will be provided upo n request. P lease contact
the City Se c retary's Office, at least three (3 ) days prio r to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-
3652 o r City Hall at 113 East 8th Street fo r additional information; TTY use rs ro ute through Relay
Texas at 7 11.
Policy De ve lopme nt/Re vie w Workshop -
A Discussion, review and possible City Co uncil direction regarding Advisory Board Commissioners
in Training, their role, usefulness and po ssible alternative solutions -- Mayo r Dale Ross
B Update o n Unified Development Co de amendment process and prese ntation o f recommendations
fro m the Unified Development Co de Adviso ry Committee -- Sofia Ne lson, CNU-A, Planning
Dire c to r
Exe cutive Se ssion
In compliance with the Open Meetings Ac t, Chapter 551, Government Co de , Verno n's Texas Codes,
Annotate d, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the
regular se ssio n.
C Se c . 55 1.0 71 : Consul tati on wi th Atto rney
- Advice from attorney about pending or contemplated litigatio n and other matte rs on which the
attorney has a duty to advise the City Co uncil, including agenda items
5 51 .07 4: P ersonnel Matters
- City Manager, City Attorney, City Secretary and Municipal Judge: Co nsideration of the
appointment, employment, evaluatio n, reassignment, duties, discipline, o r dismissal
5 51 .08 7: Del i berati on Regardi ng Economi c Devel opment Neg oti ati o ns
- Pro ject Juniors
Adjournme nt
Ce rtificate of Posting
I, Shelley No wling, City S ecretary for the C ity of Geo rgeto wn, Texas , do hereby c ertify that
this Notic e o f Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a p lac e read ily acc es s ib le to
the general pub lic at all times , o n the _____ day of _________________, 2016, at
__________, and remained so p o s ted for at leas t 72 c o ntinuo us ho urs p receding the
s cheduled time of s aid meeting.
Page 1 of 9
__________________________________
Shelley No wling, City S ecretary
Page 2 of 9
City of Georgetown, Texas
City Council Workshop
November 22, 2016
SUBJECT:
Discussion, review and po ssible City Council directio n regarding Advisory Board Co mmissioners in Training, their ro le,
usefulness and possible alternative solutions -- Mayor Dale Ross
ITEM SUMMARY:
ITEM SUMMARY
The Planning and Zo ning Commissio n and the Historic and Architectural Review Co mmission currently each have three
Commissioner in Training positions. Commissioners in Training do no t have voting authority on the Co mmissions and
are no t permitted to serve as alternates o r as pro xies for any Commissio n Member, but are required to follow the same
attendance standard and policy as commissio n members. Commissioners in Training are eligible to be appointed to the
position of Co mmission Member upon the expiration of the term of a re gular Commission Membe r o r upon a vacancy on
the Commission.
The original purpose of Commissioners in Training was to allow the CITs to learn, through observation, abo ut the purpo se,
role and tasks of the Commission and, by observatio n over time, this Commissioner in Training appo intee, would be well
trained for a membe r positio n when it became available.
ISSUES CURRENTLY AFFECTING THE COMMISSIONER IN TRAINING POSITION CONCEPT
1. At times, it becomes evident that the Commissioner in Training is not a goo d fit for the Commission and sho uld
not be appointed a me mber of the Commissio n at the time of an ending term or a vacanc y. At times, a qualified
community applicant c ould be se e n as a better fit fo r membership on these important boards than the
Commissio ne r in Training.
2. It could be understood that not appo inting a Co mmissioner in Training to an open positio n, after a ye ar of
volunteering their time without voting autho rity, would seem unfair.
3. Even though a board has failed to meet quorum, without vo ting privile ges, the three Co mmissioner in Training
members are not use ful in fulfilling a quorum, even though they are pre sent and possibly well trained in the
understanding o f the agenda and items at hand.
P ROPOSED SOLUTION
1. Appoint Alternate po sitions instead of Co mmissioner in Training positions.
2. Allow the Alternate to fill in fo r a vacant member, with vo ting privileges, so lving a quorum failure, as well as the
shortage caused by a member recusal of a specific item on the agenda.
3. Appoint the Alternates as “Alternate 1 and Alternate 2”, with the Alte rnates taking turns each time the need for a
vote participatio n occurs.
4. Staff has indicate d that 2 Alternates for the Planning & Zoning Commissio n and 2 Alternates for the Histo ric &
Architec tural Review Commission would be he lpful and sufficient for the purpose of meeting quorum for all
discussions and actions of the Commissio ns.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
NA
SUBMITTED BY:
Shelley Nowling, City Secretary
Page 3 of 9
City of Georgetown, Texas
City Council Workshop
November 22, 2016
SUBJECT:
Update on Unifie d Development Code amendment process and presentation of rec ommendations from the Unified
Development Co de Adviso ry Committee -- Sofia Ne lson, CNU-A, Planning Directo r
ITEM SUMMARY:
On August 9, 20 16 the City Council reviewed the 2 01 6 General Amendment List and prioritized the amendment list into 3
priorities (a spreadsheet o utlining the amendments and the assigned priority level is attached). Ove r the last year the
Unified Developme nt Co de Advisory Committe e (UDCAC) has worked on uncompleted priorities fro m the previous ye ar
as well as level 1 prio rities adopted by the City Co unc il in August.
On October 12th the UDCAC held a public hearing and vo ted to make recommendations to the City Council o n the
following topic s:
Chapter 12 - Transportati on: The purpose o f the changes to Chapter 12 were to implement the Ove rall
Transpo rtation Plan, Side walk Master P lan, Fire Code, Future Land Use Plan, and Trails Master P lan. Goals inc lude
restructuring and reformatting, plan fo r the future, offer clarity, provide choice, provide consistency, consider
situation and co ntext, e nsure and promote pedestrian facilities, improve street connectivity, standardize
infrastructure while offering flexibility, and return to a subdivision variance process along with additional
administrative discretionary approvals.
Chapter 13 - Infrastructure and Publ i c Improvements: Chapter 13 has been comple tely re-formatted and re-
arranged to the extent that a red-line version was no t achievable. The refore, the mate rial presented for Chapter 1 3
is a cle an version that will co mpletely re place mo st of the existing Chapte r 13 (except where specified). Mo st of
the requirements o f the existing chapter are retained in the new propo sal, but language and terms have been
updated, mo dified o r clarified as needed. The sections have been re-arrange d fo r simplicity and clarity, and so me
provisions have been re -lo c ated to other parts of the Code and/or the Development Manual for ease o f use. The
changes to Chapter 13 stem from UDC Amendment List item #37, which was a complete re vie w and update of the
chapter
Chapter 3- Devel opment Appl i cati ons and Permi ts : The proposed revisions to Chapter 3 mostly relate to the
changes to Chapter 1 3 and the platting of land. Items from the UDC list that are addressed with these amendments
include UDC Amendment List item #4 (plat exemptions) addressed in Section 3.0 8; UDC Amendment List ite m
#5 (preliminary plat phasing) - not pursue d in favor of o ther provisions in Sectio n 3.08; and UDC Amendment List
item #6 (plat extensions and reinstatements) addressed in Section 3.08.090.
Chapter 6-Resi denti al Devel o pment Standards: In conjunctio n with proposed amendments to Chapter 12 and
the subdivisio n changes in Chapter 3, staff has found that some sectio ns in Chapter 6 needed to be amende d to
reflect the intent of these changes. Additionally, some ite ms within Chapters 6 needed to be moved o r reworded
and other sections reorganized due to the changes. There was o ne specified item in the UDC Ame ndment List -
#18 (garage setbacks), which has been addre sse d in each residential zoning district.
Chapter 9 - Off Street P arki ng and Lo adi ng: Amendments include associated changes to the transportation
amendme nts and UDC Amendment List item #2 4 (vehicle stacking) and #2 5 (tandem parking).
Chapter 16 - Defi ni ti ons: Most of the propo sed and modified definitions pertain to transportation-related terms
such as streets, curbs, and driveways, in addition to so me miscellaneous te rms needing atte ntion. Although there
are some edits to existing terms, most definitions presented here are ne w to the co de. These e dits satisfy UDC
Amendme nt List #4 1
On Octo ber 25 , 2016 the City Council received a workshop update o n Chapters 13, 3 ,6, and 9. The workshop
presentation on Nove mber 2 2nd will consist of presenting the re c ommended policy changes for Chapter 1 2 -
Transportation. The prese ntation will include staff and c ommittee recomme ndatio ns on each item, public input process,
next steps, and the general impacts of each policy c hange.
The direction requested from City Council fo r this item is direction on whether City Council concurs with the
Page 4 of 9
recommendatio ns of the UDCAC o r wo uld like to direct staff and the UDCAC to re-analyze a particular section prior to
moving forward in the amendment process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
n/a
SUBMITTED BY:
Sofia Nelson, CNU-A, P lanning Director
ATTACHMENT S:
Description
UDC Amendment Lis t with P rio rity level
Page 5 of 9
Requested General Amendments for the 2016 Review Period
General Topic Priority Requested Amendment Amendment Description Requester
3 1 Create a process to address requests for vesting determinations.
Vesting claims have been presented to the city occasionally over the past few years, but with no defined procedures for addressing.
These requests will likely increase over the next few years as the city has adopted new regulations that will apply to some existing
developments.
Staff
1 6 Reconsider subdivision plat extensions and reinstatements
Consider removing or scaling back administrative extensions and reinstatements of subdivisions plats. The City extended the lifespan
of subdivision plats in 2012 and provided flexibility on phasing of larger projects. Extensions and reinstatements are no longer
necessary for subdivisions.
Staff
18Reconsider how the current Gateway Overlay districts are being
used.
Currently, the Gateway Overlay districts only provide for additional landscaping along the frontages of these roads. Staff would like to
explore utilizing these districts to address other issues that have presented over the last couple of years such as land uses or design.Staff
Reconsider allowing "Contractor Services Limited", "Contractor Services General", and "Office Warehouse" Specific Uses in the C-3
zoning district.Public
312Acknowledge mobile food trailers as a use within the UDC and
outline appropriate regulations governing.Mobile food trailers have increased in popularity and the city’s codes should be updated to address them. Staff
213Provide better clarification regarding when a use is considered an
accessory use and when it is considered an additional primary use.
There has been some question in the past when more than one use is proposed on the same property or with the same business as
to whether the use should be treated as an accessory use to the primary use or whether it should be handled as another primary use
on the property. Also, clarity with regards to the standards that the accessory use must adhere to should be provided as well.
Staff
214Clarify the definition and application of the "Live Music or
Entertainment" specific use
Clarification is needed regarding the intent of the "Live Music or Entertainment" specific use in Chapter 5 as well as the limitations
associated with the use, including the definition of outdoor entertainment.Staff
2 15 Review and update outdoor display and storage regulations
Review regulations pertaining to outdoor display and storage of merchandise, materials, and equipment. The existing regulations
have presented challenges in some situations and are somewhat unclear in others.Staff
316Review and update Conservation Subdivision standards to
encourage usage.
Update conservation subdivision section to relax restrictions and incentivize its use. Consider in light of salamander listing and water
conservation ordinance standards.Staff
117Consider masonry requirements for single-family and two-family
structures Consider adding masonry requirements for single-family and two-family structures, which do not exist today. Staff
118Consider residential off-street parking requirements including
garage setbacks in relation to street design
Staff is working on amendments to the transportation section of the UDC, particularly street parking and street design. Considerations
regarding minimum street widths and fire service needs for residential subdvisions will warrant study of off-street parking and garage
setback requirements.
Staff
1
1
3
2
2
2
Staff
Staff
Staff
Staff
Staff
StaffAdd or amend standard conditions of approval for Special Use
Permits required for specific uses.
Staff proposes adding standard conditions of approval to Special Use Permits that currently do not have any and possibly refining
some of the conditions for those that do in order to provide better direction to applicants.
Residential
Standards
10 Consider changes to the zoning districts various Specific Uses may
be permitted in.
Staff is regularly presented with questions regarding the possibility of allowing different uses in districts they are not otherwise
allowed in and would like to address some of these through the public process in the next round of updates to the UDC. Examples
include allowing stand-alone medical offices in the Industrial district and whether recreational vehicles (RVs) should be allowed as
primary quarters in the Agriculture district.
Land Uses
9 Consider updating the list of Specific Uses in Chapter 5 to include
various uses that are not currently listed.
Over time new uses are presented to staff that are not specifically addressed in the UDC. Examples include self-service machines
(ice) and storage yards.
11
Zoning/ Overlay
Districts
7 Review Courthouse View Protection Overlay district requirements
for clarity and completeness.
The Courthouse View Overlay provisions should be reviewed to make sure they are complete, that there are no missing steps, and that
the specifics of how to apply this overlay are clear.
5 Review and update Preliminary Plat phasing provisions based on
experience.
For larger tracts, consider a preliminary process such as a concept plan that creates long-term expectations for utilities,
transportation, public facilities, parks, etc. without requiring plat-level engineering and detail. Consider minimum acreage sizes for
preliminary plats and/or concept plans. Protect street connectivity between subdivisions by having more global plans.
Subdivision/
Platting
4 Review current exemptions to platting requirements for clarity.Update subdivision language to reflect case law, attorney general opinions and correct confusion between 3.08.020 and 3.08.010 E
relative to division of land for the purposes sale versus division of land for development.
3 Expand development agreement language establishing clear
requirements and processes.
Upcoming policies for procedures and consideration of special districts and development agreements are anticipated and would
require UDC amendments to implement.
Requested General Amendments
Application
Processes and
Requirements 2 Review the Special Use Permit (SUP) Conceptual Site Plan
requirements for review.
There is a very detailed list of items to be included on the Conceptual Site Plan required for consideration of an SUP. Not all of these
details are needed or applicable to all types of SUPs. Staff proposes we look at this list and consider whether all are needed or
appropriate.
3
1
Staff
Staff
Page 1 of 3Page 6 of 9
General Topic Priority Requested Amendment Amendment Description Requester
Nonresidential
Standards 119Review the masonry requirements for multifamily and commercial
buildings
Review existing masonry requirements for multifamily and commercial buildings to ensure appropriate, sustainable, and visually-
appealling materials are being used in the appropriate locations.Staff
120Review current requirements for screening of mechanical
equipment for options or exceptions.There are difficulties in applying the screening requirements in every situation. More exemptions or options are needed. Staff
223Review and update the current regulations regarding trash
receptical screening
The current provisions regulating screening of trash dumpsters do not take into account recycling and are often too small for the
needs of the facility. Additionally, the UDC does not address locational requirements such as those affecting service truck access.Staff
2 24 Clarify vehicle stacking area requirements for various uses
The UDC outlines the minimum vehicle stacking spaces required for certain land uses such as drive-throughs, gas stations, and
banks. However, how that is to be measured is not clear in all instances. Additionally, the number of spaces required should be
reviewed and potentially updated.
Staff
2 25 Consider allowing tandem parking
Consider adding language allowing tandem parking in certain situations. The UDC currently does not contemplate tandem parking and
more builders are starting to ask for its inclusion.Staff
326Review temporary banner regulations to consider subdivision
banners Review temporary banner regulations to consider internal subdivision banners. Staff
327Reconsider maximum height for monument signs when
landscaping is incorporated.Consider allowing an increase in maximum height permitted for monument signs when landscaping is incorporated at the base. Staff
3 28 Reconsider allowing electronic signage
In 2009 the City considered revisions to the UDC that would allow electronic signage in the City. However, the proposed amendment
was turned down by both P&Z and City Council. Since that time, staff has continued to get numerous requests from the public to
reconsider allowing electronic signage. This item would bring the topic back to discussion.
Public
129Update the UDC based on the pending updates to the Overall
Transportation Plan.Update various provisions of the UDC as may be necessary based on pending updates to the Overall Transportation Plan. Staff
1 33 Review access requirements on numbered county roads. Review access requirements on numbered county roads to determine if any additional provisions should be considered. Staff
134Address naming policies related to private streets and drives
internal to multi-tract developments.
Consider applying the city’s street naming requirements for public streets to private driveways/streets that serve more than one
internal tract in order to address 911 issues identifying emergency locations.Staff
Staff
Staff
Staff
Staff
Staff
3
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
Staff
Staff
Staff
When implementing new OTP (pending) and Fire Code (approved), consider new standard, alternative and contextual street cross
sections that account for public safety needs, traffic requirements and needs of private property in relation to public streets. Also,
there are current inconsistencies between current OTP design standards and the current UDC design standards. Additionally, the city’s
standards should be reviewed against Williamson County’s standards to address inconsistencies, especially related to any HB 1445
Agreement issues or potential updates.
Utilities 37 Review and update of Chapter 13 provisions related to water and
wastewater improvements and extension requirements.
General review of language regarding utility improvements which have not been updated in some time, including extension policy for
plats and site plans. Review for updates, clarification of current policy and terminology. Includes Rural Residential Subdivision criteria
and standards. Also, update any regulations affecting provision of water in order to implement any changes that may result from the
potential merger with Chisholm Trail Special Utility District.
Parkland 36
Update provisions governing parkland dedication based on
forthcoming recommendations by the Parks & Recreation Board
subcommittee review.
A subcommittee of the Parks & Recreation Board has been created that is tasked with reviewing and providing recommended
changes regarding the city’s parkland provisions and policies.
31
Clarify what triggers the requirement for a Traffic Impact Analysis
(TIA) and when an appeal may be made and review the
improvements that are considered or required.
The City needs to ensure we are adequately preparing for future roadways with plats, dedications and reservations. Clarification is
needed regarding when Traffic Impact Analyses are required and appealed, and how right-of-way is being planned to implement the
City’s Overall Transportation Plan, for example, adequate intersection right-of-way.
Parking
Signs
Transportation
30
Review and consider updates to the City’s provisions related to
connectivity (subdivision access points) between neighboring
developments.
Connectivity (subdivision access points) is extremely important to the function of our public safety and transportation network. In
process, design, and implementation, the City has not received adequate connection points and homeowners complain when streets
are connected. We need to globally reconsider the ratio, design, locations, and exemption process to protect traffic movement, public
safety access and ability to use street facilities as planned.
35 Review sidewalk extension and design provisions.
Review sidewalk extension and design provisions and consider updates as may be necessary regarding upcoming Sidewalk Master
Plan and Public Facility Access Audit. Additionally, the residential sidewalk fund provisions should be reviewed.
32
Consider updates to street standards to address current and
pending inconsistencies between different agencies and
documents.
22 Review current nonresidential landscaping requirements with
regard to the city’s water conservation efforts.
Consider updates to the nonresidential landscaping requirements to address the ongoing drought conditions and incorporate
provisions to address water conservation efforts.
Landscaping
21 Clarify application and calculation of landscaping requirements.
Based on experience with the provisions, staff has recognized the need to clarify the application of the street yard landscaping
requirements to projects located a great distance from the street as well as phased projects since, as written street yard landscaping
applies to yards defined by buildings, not areas. Additionally, clarification is needed regarding what areas are to be included or not
included in various landscape calculations.
Page 2 of 3Page 7 of 9
General Topic Priority Requested Amendment Amendment Description Requester
Special Districts 1 38 Review special district procedures and approval criteria
The City is currently reconsidering its policy on special districts in light of an overwhelming number of requests and unique situations.
Update 13.10 to reflect new policies and procedures.Staff
339Refine the UDC regulations regarding abandonment of a
nonconforming situation.Based on experiences with the provisions, staff would like to provide better clarity regarding the determination of abandonment.Staff
242Update various provisions of the UDC as may be necessary based
on updates to the Downtown Master Plan.Update various provisions of the UDC as may be necessary based on updates to the Downtown Master Plan. Staff
343Consider adding limitations to certain uses to create a "transition
zone" between the Downtown and Old Town overlays.
Consider adding limitations to certain uses along the edge of the Downtown Overlay that are adjacent to residential uses outside the
overlay to create a "transition zone" between the Downtown and Old Town overlays.Public
244Consider creating additional design standards for residential infill
construction in the Old Town Overlay District
When the most recent update to the Downtown and Old Town Design Guidelines were approved City Council in 2012, Council
requested staff bring back options for additional standards and review of new residential construction in the historic overlay districts.
In August of 2014, City Council held a workshop on residential infill design standards and directed staff to place the topic on the UDC
Amendment List for review. The goal is to create a set of standards for design of new residential structures that would preserve the
character of the Old Town Overlay District.
City Council
Alternative Energy/
Green Building
Provisions
345
Update codes to provide provisions for green building strategies
and ensure regulations do not unintentionally prohibit such
strategies
The UDC should be reviewed to ensure there are not unintentional barriers to utilization of sustainable energy, such as requiring solar
energy panels to be screened.Public/Staff
Staff
Staff
3
1
Downtown/Old
Town
Definitions 41
Revise various definitions for clarity or add new definitions as
needed.
Staff has come across several definitions that need clarity or definitions that are needed to provide clarity in other sections of the
UDC. Examples include clarification of street yard definition and consideration of the current contractor services, limited definition. In
addition this would include any revisions to definitions needed for other revisions made to the UDC.
Nonconforming
40 Define process for determining nonconforming status and consider
if there are additional existing situations to exempt.
Staff currently receives requests for determination of nonconforming status, particularly abandonment status, and the process for this
determination should be clarified and included in the UDC.
Page 3 of 3Page 8 of 9
City of Georgetown, Texas
City Council Workshop
November 22, 2016
SUBJECT:
Sec. 551.071: Consul tati on w i th Attorney
- Advice from attorney about pending o r co ntemplated litigation and other matters o n which the attorney has a duty to
advise the City Council, including agenda items
551.074: Perso nne l Matters
- City Manager, City Attorney, City Sec re tary and Municipal Judge: Consideratio n of the appointment, employme nt,
evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal
551.087: Del i be r ati on Regardi ng Economi c Devel o pment Negoti ati ons
- P roject Juniors
ITEM SUMMARY:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
NA
SUBMITTED BY:
Page 9 of 9