Comprehensive Plan Implementation Bootcamp - October 26, 2021

The Ledger

Meeting

• Event: Comprehensive Plan Implementation Bootcamp (implementation workshop session)
• Date: October 26, 2021
• Location: Not stated in transcript
• Convened by: City of Fate (staff-hosted forum referenced)
• Participants present (as referenced):
  • Members of boards and commissions
  • Members of City Council
  • City staff (referenced as attending later sessions)
  • Development community, business owners, property owners (referenced as attending later sessions)
• Source: https://fatetx.new.swagit.com/videos/142286

Purpose and Format (as stated)

• A City representative stated the City Council adopted the comprehensive plan on October 11 (year not stated in transcript) and the session was intended to communicate what the plan means to stakeholders.
• A City representative stated the session would include a presentation and discussion, with additional forums scheduled later in the day for city staff and at the end of the business day for developers and business/property owners.

Presenters and Introductions (as stated)

• A City representative introduced:
  • Brennan Kane, Halff Associates (project management team for the comprehensive plan; “key contact” referenced)
  • Lee Iwiler, Code Studio (focus area planning assistance referenced for downtown and a property north of I-30)
• Brennan Kane stated he was Director of Planning for Halff Associates (Richardson office).
• Lee Iwiler stated Code Studio is primarily a plan implementation firm.

Overview of Comprehensive Plan (as presented)

Brennan Kane (Halff Associates) stated:

• The comprehensive plan is a policy document to guide future growth and development and provides a 20-year vision.
• The prior plan was adopted in 2015 and the City’s growth created an opportunity to re-evaluate direction.
• The plan is intended to inform:
  • Updates to zoning and related regulations to align with the plan’s vision
  • Policy and program changes related to how projects are reviewed/approved
  • Capital improvement planning (CIP) guidance for City Council

Value statements referenced (Brennan Kane):

• Managed growth
• Distinctive identity
• Quality housing choices
• Connected transportation system (including off-street paths)
• Places to play/quality of life
• Economic opportunity
• Vibrant downtown

Future Land Use and “Place Types” (as presented)

Brennan Kane stated:

• The plan transitions from a traditional segregated land-use map to a character-based approach using “place types.”
• Place type framework described:
  • Rural place types (country living; larger lots/farm areas referenced)
  • Suburban place types (traditional residential and supportive commercial; three suburban place types referenced including neighborhoods and business/information centers)
  • Urban place types (focused around downtown; including “dynamic neighborhoods,” “new centers,” and “downtown core”)
• He stated the character-based approach is intended to provide more flexibility and adaptability for future regulations and development.

Plan guidance referenced (Brennan Kane):

• Place type descriptions, acceptable land uses, and representative zoning districts were included in the comprehensive plan materials.
• A distinction was stated between the future land use map and the zoning map, with zoning described as parcel-by-parcel administration by City staff.

Plan Deliverables and Tracking (as presented)

Brennan Kane stated deliverables include:

• Policy Manual: described as the guiding document reflecting City Council’s vision built with community input.
• Strategic Playbook: described as an action/implementation matrix used by staff for projects such as policy changes, regulations, and CIP programs.
• Dashboard: described as an in-progress public-facing transparency tool to be hosted on the City website showing implementation progress.

Implementation Roles (as presented)

Brennan Kane stated roles include:

• Boards and commissions:
  • Review development plans for consistency with the comprehensive plan
  • Receive annual updates on implementation progress
  • Evaluate and recommend capital investment programs/projects to City Council annually
• City staff:
  • Coordinate projects and track implementation
  • Convey City vision to developers and community partners
• Developers/business owners/property owners (session later in day referenced):
  • Review potential projects with staff for conformance
  • Align projects with community vision
  • Demonstrate feasibility of innovative projects

Fiscal responsibility framing (Brennan Kane):

• Future development was described as needing to be fiscally responsible and not placing the full burden on taxpayers, including infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

Focus Area Concepts (as presented)

Lee Iwiler (Code Studio) presented focus area concepts and stated:

• Code Studio contributed an appendix focused on:
  • Downtown focus area
  • Freeway interchange/I-30 focus area (north of I-30 property referenced)

Downtown focus area concepts included (as stated by Lee Iwiler):

• Crawford Avenue redesign concepts
  • A “complete street” approach (sidewalks and biking connections referenced)
  • An intersection realignment concept at Crawford and Highway 66, including a roundabout concept and trail connection
• Gas station area screening and access control
  • Streetscape improvements, landscaping, and driveway/entry control to improve safety
• Parklets
  • Conversion of parking spaces into outdoor dining/park space concepts
• Firehouse area activation
  • Plaza activation and spill-out activity concept
  • Mid-block/alley connection concept for activated space
• Crawford underpass
  • Improved biking/pedestrian infrastructure and lighting, including an artistic/identity element

I-30 / freeway focus area concepts included (as stated by Lee Iwiler):

• A concept framework including:
  • A frontage-road-accessed major activity area (examples mentioned: jobs innovation, sports complex, themed idea)
  • A link to downtown via expanded downtown residential growth
  • A flexible road-edge development zone along the freeway edge
• Gateway open-space concept near gateway streets visible from the freeway (triangle shown as an example)
• District parking concept (shared parking strategy and potential structured parking)

Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Discussion (as presented)

Lee Iwiler stated:

• A revision to the UDO would be needed to align the zoning code with the new place-type framework.
• Topics referenced for code alignment included:
  • Consistency between plan place types and zoning districts/metrics
  • Potential deletion of certain districts and creation of new districts
  • Matching building form metrics between plan and code
  • Additional housing type options and compact development in appropriate areas
  • Continued promotion of mixed use downtown and potential mixed-use expansion
  • Parking requirement review to support walkability
  • Consideration of new street types and improved pedestrian/bike connectivity (including cul-de-sac connectivity concepts)
  • Subdivision connectivity improvements
  • Transitions/buffers and height transitions near single-family areas

Fiscal Resilience Discussion (as presented)

Lee Iwiler stated:

• The plan addresses fiscal impacts of development and emphasizes a mix of development patterns, including higher-intensity areas (downtown and freeway) supporting overall fiscal balance.
• A “fiscal checklist” concept was discussed for use in project review to assess fiscal and non-fiscal considerations.

Brennan Kane stated:

• The project used a fiscal lens, including engagement with Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns (name referenced).
• The City had an internal development checklist tool that was described as enhanced during the planning process.
• Three scenarios were described as modeled:
  • “Status quo” development pattern
  • A “Strong Towns” approach described as too extreme based on financial review
  • A “Fate Forward” hybrid scenario combining elements and including rural reserve and infill focus

Public Questions and Discussion (as recorded)

• A participant asked about transportation topics and requested microphone use.
• A participant asked: “How much infrastructure does the city have to support this?” (sewer, water, electric referenced).
  • A City representative stated the City analyzes infrastructure capacity for each new development and referenced:
    • Master plans for sewer and water
    • Construction of a new pump station (location referenced as off 66 and “Campain/Campagne” as transcribed)
    • A pump station cost referenced as $13 million (amount stated in discussion)
    • A reference to TCEQ requirements related to water connections and system capacity
    • A statement that new development pays for new infrastructure “but not 50%” per state law and required studies (as stated)
    • References to road projects and maintenance timeframes, including soil conditions affecting road lifespan
• A participant expressed concern about multi-use/mixed-use development resulting in vacant commercial space; stated they work in construction and cited examples.
  • A response stated mixed-use development is pursued incrementally; flexibility and adaptability of ground-floor space was discussed.
• A participant (identified in transcript as “Logan”) asked about Interstate 30 and a future connection involving Ben Payne and connecting north and south sides of town.
  • City representatives discussed coordination with TxDOT, county participation, utilities, and private land ownership near the 551/I-30 area, with references to planning iterations and timelines.

Transportation Agency and Bond Discussion (as recorded)

• A participant asked about the City’s influence over major state roads (TxDOT referenced).
• A City representative (identified as “Michael” in transcript) stated:
  • The City is dependent on TxDOT for major roadway projects.
  • A legislative tool was referenced that could allow TxDOT to transfer certain roads to cities (general statement referenced).
  • The City submitted FM 551 and Ben Payne for potential inclusion/transfer/maintenance (as transcribed).
  • A county bond election was referenced with early voting occurring and election day “next week” (date not stated in transcript).
  • Projects referenced as funded or planned included:
    • I-30 expansion (new main lanes referenced)
    • Ben Payne interchange project
    • A “mini interchange” near Blackland (as transcribed)
    • Rebuilding frontage roads and associated curb/sidewalk work (as stated)
  • A timeline reference was made that I-30 work was expected to bid and was “bumped back to July” (year not stated in transcript).
• A participant asked whether the “551 project” was dependent on the bond election and what would be covered.
  • A response stated the northern leg of 551 would be reconfigured with drainage and turning movements; south segments were discussed as potentially four or six lanes (as transcribed).
  • Additional discussion referenced 552 and 3549 as projects the state wants to build, and an “outer loop” concept (as transcribed).

Closing

• A City representative stated the lunch workshop portion was concluding and thanked attendees for participating during lunch.

Record Note
This Ledger entry records the publicly observable proceedings of the meeting listed above. It does not offer analysis or commentary.