Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report 2014

Transcription

1 Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report 2014 Prepared by: Development Services 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy Little Elm, TX Inside the report: Cover 1 Executive Summary 2 Mission / Vision 3 Awards/Honors 4 Commission Roster & Attendance 5 Case History 6 Development Services Dept. 7 The Town with a Lake Attitude Submit in March of each year a written progress report to the Town Council summarizing its activities, major accomplishments for the past year, and proposed work program for the coming year. The report shall contain for the year the attendance record of all members and the identity of the Commission officers. {Little Elm Code of Ordinances (A)(15)}

2 Page 2 Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report 2014 Executive Summary Little Elm residents and visitors can attest to the increased activity of the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) in 2014 by all of the unturned dirt in the town, which experienced nearly a 20% increase in case load. Most of these projects are discussed in public hearings at P&Z years before they are completed. The Planning & Zoning Commission is comprised of five regular members with four alternate members. Regular members serve three year terms with a three-term limit. Alternate Panel members do not have term limits and serve three year terms saw the Chair (Ann Brooks) and the Vice Chair (DeLeon English) voluntarily vacate their positions in good standing, with the new Commission electing Yvonne Allen-Esakoff as Chair and Brian Rawlins as Vice Chair new residential lots were final platted by the Commission, more than doubling the number of residential lots sent to construction compared to the previous year. P&Z also platted important commercial lots that allowed for Wisdom Montessori Academy, Lakehill Fueling Center, Palladium, Navo Retail, Denton ISD s 4th high school, Texas Education Center, Upper Trinity s water reclamation plant, and retail corners such as Main Marketplace, Victory, Pecan, and Providence retail pads. P&Z recommended approval of several SUPs and PDs that allowed for 2 day cares, Enterprise, a Charter school off Smotherman Road, a temporary concrete batch plant to construct FM 423 north, Brentwood, Main Marketplace, Kingdom Hall, Valencia, and ASCO on U.S The Commission recommended approval to rezone two (2) manufactured home districts to allow for continued redevelopment of the areas, reviewed major annexation cases such as Valencia and Lincoln Park, and codified enhanced paving requirements for commercial properties. In 2014, the Little Elm Town Council did not overturn any of the zoning recommendations of the Commission. For the fourth straight year, Little Elm received a Planning Excellence award from the Texas chapter of the American Planning Association, and the Arbor Day Foundation designated Little Elm as a Tree City USA community for its continued commitment to urban forestry initiatives for the fourth straight year as well. In all, the Commission met 17 times during the year, conducted 18 public hearings, considered 85 new agenda items, and seated a new Chair and Vice Chair in place of departing members. The Commission s primary goals for 2015 include increasing awareness of Little Elm s robust growth, continuing to improve upon existing development regulations (signage, landscaping, architecture, lighting), participating in the update to the Comprehensive Plan, and being opportunistic with the Town s annexation plans.

3 Page 3 Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report 2014 Town of Little Elm Vision The Town of Little Elm is a distinct and desirable lakeside destination for all people to live and play while enjoying a safe, vibrant, and welcoming community. Town of Little Elm Mission The Mission of the Town of Little Elm is to build on our unique lake opportunities and small town charm, encourage diverse housing options and business opportunities, and provide an unmatched quality of life.

4 Page 4 Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report 2014 Little Elm Awarded Texas APA Certificate of Achievement For Planning Excellence In 2014, the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association awarded Little Elm a Certificate of Achievement for Planning Excellence. The certificate serves to recognize the professional planning standards demonstrated by planning staff and funding support given from Town Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission. Little Elm met the Chapter s goals for: Increasing awareness of professional planning Recognizing planning departments that meet superior professional requirements Increasing public contribution to planning efforts Encouraging the funding of professional training for Commissioners and staff Aiding in Economic Development and community image P&Z Commissioner Farewell In 2014, Little Elm saw 2 members leave Chairperson Ann Brooks, who has served on the Commission since 2009, and Vice Chairman DeLeon English, who left to assume his newly elected duties on the Little Elm ISD s Board of School Trustees. Little Elm thanks them for their service!

5 Page 5 Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report Roster & Attendance Planning & Zoning Commission Name Place Percentage Attended Deleon English Vice-Chair / Tyler Hook 1 Regular 60% / 93% Brian Rawlins Vice-Chair 2 Regular 82% Ann Brooks Chair 3 Regular 91% Bryan Lewis, Jr. 4 Regular 57% Yvonne Allen-Esakoff Chair 5 Regular 82% Alternate Panel Name Place Total Attended Chris Morris / John Ekes 6 Alternate 3 / 2 Luke Powell 7 Alternate 5 Reggie McIntyre / Brandy Moser Kirk Loerwald / Tyler Hook 8 Alternate 0 / 7 9 Alternate 1 / 6

6 Page 6 Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report Case History Summary ZONING Planned 5 Development SUP 6 Zoning Cases 5 Ordinance Revisions 1 Annexations 7 TOTAL 24 PLATS Final Plats 30 Replat 1 Preliminary Plat 6 Extensions 1 TOTAL 38 Other Reports & Updates 4 Other Business 19 TOTAL 23 TOTAL CASES 85

7 Page 7 Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report 2014 Behind the Scenes: Development Services Department Town Staff Name Position Phone Dusty McAfee, AICP Community Services Manager Lisa Reich Planner Jennette Killingsworth EDC Executive Director Jason W. Laumer, P.E. Development Services Dir Planning & Zoning: The Planning & Zoning division manages the planning and development issues of importance to Little Elm and the surrounding region by being the primary liaison between the Town and developers, administering awardwinning development regulations and zoning, supervising special projects, originating future plans, drafting ordinances, programming urban forestry, managing annual registrations, and providing staff support to numerous boards and commissions. Planning & Zoning ensures functional, high quality, and aesthetically pleasing development that is sustainable, coordinated, and enhances Little Elm s longrange tax base.