City Council

May 15, 2012 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION – 5:30 PM City Council Chambers 400 East Military, Fremont NE 68025 AGENDA 1. Meeting called to order 2. Roll call 3. Determination as to legality 4. Parks Capital Update - Splash Station 5. Comprehensive Plan Update (staff report) 6. Adjournment Agenda posted at the Municipal Building, Fremont Police Station and the Dodge County Courthouse on May 10, 2012 and online at www.fremontne.gov. Agenda distributed to the Mayor and City Council on May 10, 2012. The official current copy is available at City Hall, 400 East Military, City Clerk’s Office. The City Council reserves the right to go into Executive Session at any time. A copy of the Open Meeting Law is posted in the City Council Chambers for review by the public. The City of Fremont reserves the right to adjust the order of items on this agenda.  STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Rian Harkins, Planning Director DATE: 8 May 2012 SUBJECT: Final Draft – Comprehensive Plan (along with Long Range Transportation Plan, and Parks & Recreation Master Plan ) Recommendation: Staff recommends proceeding to the required public hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council The Planning Department offers the proposed Comprehensive Plan for review and discussion for potential ap- proval later this month. The Plan has been approved, with amendments, by the Planning Commission at their April 2012 meeting. The amendments that were added by the Planning Commission are listed below, as well as where they can be located in the text. Additionally, I have included the reasoning behind each amendment. Add Table of Contents This was added to the front of the Comprehensive Plan and the Long Range Transportation Plan. Reason: Planning Commission felt it should be added to make items easier to find. Add City Organizational Chart This was added to Page 1.6 (Introduction Chapter). Reason: Planning Commission felt it was important to help illustrate how City staff is organized in order to help illustrate how the plan will later be implemented. Add Well Field Protection Map This was included in the Future land Use Map. Reason: The Planning Commission felt this was an important item to add as it will be an influence on develop- ment patterns in the southeast quadrant of our growth area. Add Public Works Plan (Future Sewer, Water and Electric) Added the following text changes to Chapter 3: Water Planning and Development Policy The existing system is equipped to support projected growth over the next 20 years. Mains are readily available for extension within the City limits, and there is sufficient capacity to support extensions to the east and north- east of the current City limits. The utility fund pays for oversizing of mains, with the developer paying to extend the lines beyond the current system. Sewer Planning and Development Policy The existing system is equipped to handle growth inside the U.S. 275 / U.S. 30 bypass. City expansion to the east of the bypass will require new construction of a North-South interceptor line, which is contingent on the timing and intensity of development. The City pays for oversizing of mains, with the developer paying to extend the lines beyond the current system. Natural Gas Planning and Development Policy There is sufficient capacity (and good pressure) inside the bypass with some (limited) capacity outside it. New gas mains will need to be extended and required to service newly developing areas For each customer, the City will fund new mains up to 100 feet from the existing system for each customer, with the costs for an additional length of main borne by the developer/owner. Electric Planning and Development Policy The current system can support future development up to half a mile east of the U.S. 275 / U.S. 30 bypass, which already services projected growth areas identified in the 20-year Future Land Use Plan. Further develop- ment to the east would require City annexation and coordination with the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) in order to extend the electric grid. The City is currently developing a power study to refine its planning and development policy. Currently, electric lines are extended overhead with an additional cost borne by the devel- oper/owner for underground service. Reason: Planning Commission felt that since the infrastructure capacity had such a strong influence on the City’s growth patterns (and vice versa), those plans should be incorporated either as elements of the Comprehensive Plan into the actual text. However, as we really don’t have specific plans per se for each of these utilities, the consultant (at the direction of Derril Marshall and I) added text that mirrors the policies of the City and Department of Utilities Add Annexation Chapter The steps required in the annexation process are spelled at the end of Chapter 3, this is change from the general- ized text found in the previous draft. A reference to these steps was included on page 3.6 Reason: Planning Commission felt it was important for those that work with the Comprehensive Plan now and in the future to understand the steps involved in the annexation process. Add Community Redevelopment Authority Section Text was added on page 2.17 (1st column) that adds a recommendation to increase the activity and functionality of the Community redevelopment Authority, including the utilization of the CRA’s taxing authority provided under state statutes. This was cross referenced on page 5.9. Reason: PC would like additional language that stresses the need to utilize the full extent of the CRA’s statutory ability like property acquisition, taxing, etc. in order to better create redevelopment opportunities. The Planning Commission is aware that the concepts of Tax Increment Financing and the Community Redevelopment Author- ity’s abilities will need to be part of the education initiative Add a policy page that incorporates the following concepts: Capital Improvement Plan Priorities Preeminence of the Comprehensive Plan Consistency of Other Plans Return on Investment Text regarding this was added to the top of page 7.8. Reason: The Planning Commission felt this language was necessary in order to help ensure that the City has a level of consistency throughout each of its policies and programs; with the text designed to 1) utilize the Com- prehensive Plan as the foundation for how the City develops and uses the Capital Improvement Plan; 2) help each of the City’s plans dovetail into the Comprehensive Plan; and 3) help establish criteria for how the City utilizes funds for capital improvements 1 Council Study Session 15 May 2012 2 Background • Started Fall 2010 • Led by a 16 member steering committee • Council, Planning Commission, Citizens • 3 Deliverables • Comprehensive Plan • LRTP/Traffic Model • Parks & Recreation Master Plan 3 Why this Plan is Important • Creates a statement of public consensus • Offers decision-making guidance to City commissions, boards, and leadership • Coordinates the projects and priorities of other plans • Provides a deliberate course of proactive direction rather than reacting to change • Offers a framework for public and private investment decisions • Required by state law for land use regulation 4 Intent of this Plan The Plan is intended to: • Reflect the community’s vision of its future • Facilitate democratic determination and implementation of public policy • Inspire coordination of development and community growth with the requisite infrastructure and facility needs • Ensure consideration of long-range and cumulative impacts • Safeguard the quality and sustainability of community growth • Guide decisions relating to policy and capital investments 5 Public Involvement • Public Symposium • Steering Committee • Technical Interviews 6 Plan Overview • Chapter 1, Plan Introduction • Chapter 2, Land Use and Character • Chapter 3, Growth Capacity, Facilities, and Infrastructure • Chapter 4, Housing and Neighborhoods • Chapter 5, Economic Development • Chapter 6, Energy • Chapter 7, Implementation Strategy and Plan 7 Population Projection 8 9 10 Chapter 3, Growth Capacity, Infrastructure & Services RECOMMENDATIONS • Adequate Infrastructure (Upgrade aging infrastructure, new reservoir, plant expansion, rate structure, conservation, septic replacement, storm water plan, OSR) • Quality Public Services (ISO and response time improvement, fire training center, police station renovation, feasibility of joint law enforcement center, vehicle/ equipment replacement) • Health and Education (Library improvements, shared parking, school siting, City/FPS joint use, MU compatibility and accessory units) • Future Growth and Annexation (5-year annexation plan and CIP, fiscal impact model, growth plan adherence, infill incentives, ag. preservation) 11 Chapter 4, Housing and Neighborhoods RECOMMENDATIONS • Diverse, Affordable Options (Housing palette, downtown housing, lot averaging, density bonuses, efficiency and one bedroom parking, homebuyer education, employer programs, regulatory barriers) • Neighborhood Protection (CHDO designation, TIF redevelopment, rental inspection, code enforcement, capital investment, neighborhood plans/councils, rental housing conversion, infill incentives) • Quality Design (Street connectivity, access easements, layout standards, open space and resource protection, encroachment standards) 12 Chapter 5, Economic Development RECOMMENDATIONS • Capacity and Competitiveness (agency model, broadband service, wireless clouds, pilot energy opportunities, expand incentives menu) • Redevelopment (Redevelopment authority and board, Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community designation) • Business Development and Recruitment (Web presence, market with GOEP, MCC customized workforce training / curricula) • Entrepreneurship (entrepreneur service support, business accelerator and flex-space, low interest loan pool) • Regional Leverage (Piggyback on regional marketing, regionally competitive programs and incentives) • Business Climate (central business resource center, Mayor’s business of the year, regular outreach, expanded incentives package) 13 Comprehensive Plan Implementation • Economic Development • Downtown Redevelopment • Neighborhood Planning • Housing Development/Redevelopment • Unified Development Ordinance • Annexation • Accomplished via Comprehensive Plan Implementation Team 14 Planning Commission Amendments • Add Table of Contents • Add City Organizational Chart • Add Well Field Protection Map • Part of the Future Land Use Map • Add Public Works Plan (Future Sewer, Water and Electric) • Added text to further explain 15 Planning Commission Amendments Add Community Redev. Authority Section • Page 2.17 (1st column) increase the activity and functionality of the Community redevelopment Authority, including the utilization of the CRA’s taxing authority provided under state statutes. • This was cross referenced on page 5.9. 16 Planning Commission Amendments Add a policy page with the following concepts: • Capital Improvement Plan Priorities • Preeminence of the Comprehensive Plan • Consistency of Other Plans • Return on Investment See page 7.8. 17 Park & Recreation Master Plan • Shortage of 14.32 acres for pocket and neighborhood parks. • An additional 21.97 acres of parkland by the Year 2030. • Current and increasing deficiencies in the numbers fields. • New or replaced equipment items in each of the parks. 18 Park & Recreation Master Plan • Continued priority among residents increased connectivity throughout the community. • Continued exemplary coordination between the City, and other stakeholders. • Community needs for major facilities. 19 Key Recommended Actions 1. Parkland dedication or fee in-lieu ordinance 2. Website enhancement 3. Internet-based asset management system 4. Improved park accessibility 5. Partnership development 6. Zoning ordinance amendment for provision of open space 7. Amendment of subdivision regulations for access easements 8. Update Trails Master Plan 9. Adopt-a-park program 10. Repurpose schoolyards 20 21 Transportation Plan Key Recommendations: • Traffic signal modifications • Intersection improvements • Access management • Pedestrian/Trail connections • Additional study: • Johnson Rd Viaduct • Luther Rd/US 275 Interchange • Yager Road Realignment 22 23 24 Questions?