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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07_July PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES NEWSLETTER Building a Better Community with You P OPULATION : T HE J ULY POPULATION ESTIMATE IS 118,530 BEST WISHES TO LANCE SIMMS 1 BUILDING PERMIT TOTALS 2 TRACKING THE NUMBERS 3 ADOPTED REVISIONS TO THE CITY’S NON- RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS 4 JOBSITE CLEANLINESS 4 BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND GREENWAYS PROGRAM UPDATE 5 BUILDING INSPECTIONS 6 RESIDENTIAL PERMIT TOTAL 6 BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION CONGESTION SURVEY 6 DID YOU KNOW: COMMON PLANS OF DEVELOPMENT 7 Inside this issue: PO Box 9960 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, TX 77842 979-764-3570 Fax: 979-764-3496 www.cstx.gov JULY 2018 Best Wishes to Lance Simms! After 22 years with the City of College Station, Planning & Development Ser- vices Director Lance Simms officially retired from municipal service on Au- gust 17, 2018. Lance was hired as the City’s Building Official in 1996 and promoted to Assistant Director in 2005. After only a year as Assistant Direc- tor, he was appointed Interim Director and served in that capacity for the next 14 months. He returned to being an Assistant Director for 6½ years and stepped into the role of Planning & Development Services’ Director in 2014. Lance earned his Masters from Texas A&M in 2000 in Construction Science, and holds over 20 building code certifications through the International Code Council, including Master Code Professional and Certified Building Official. After becoming Assistant Director, Lance continued to demonstrate his pas- sion for leadership, as well as the importance of continued learning, earning his AICP and becoming a Certified Planner. When he was first hired, College Station had a population of just over 60,000 people and was 40 sq.mi. in size. As he retired, College Station was over 118,000 people—almost twice the population of when he started—and the City had grown to 51.2 sq.mi. In one capacity or another, Lance has helped insure and plan for safe and desirable growth of the City’s built environment. Lance has been a true leader for our Department and the City. We wish him well in his new career as a lecturer in Construction Science at Texas A&M University! BUILDING PERMIT TOTALS Month of July 2018 Month of July 2017 Type of Permit Permit Unit Total Sq. Ft.Heat Sq. Ft.Valuation Permit Unit Valuation COMMERCIAL ADDITION ATTACHED 1 0 80,501 80501 $3,800,000.00 1 0 $1,538,000.00 COMMERCIAL NEW 2 0 74,887 70291 $10,600,000.00 1 0 $20,000,000.00 COMMERCIAL TENANT FINISH-OUT 3 1 14,687 14687 $2,150,909.00 1 1 $44,500.00 DEMOLITION 3 3 0 0 $0.00 9 12 $0.00 POOL 11 0 0 0 $615,750.00 10 0 $765,800.00 REMODEL / RENOVATION 20 9 51,692 47390 $1,299,275.00 16 3 $2,422,373.00 REROOF 234 0 0 0 $2,228,572.32 14 0 $165,233.28 RESIDENTIAL 39 39 128,923 98397 $9,778,624.00 24 24 $5,237,178.00 RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY 2 1 1,010 650 $41,000.00 5 0 $147,000.00 RESIDENTIAL ADDITION ATTACHED 5 4 3,671 3147 $95,900.00 3 1 $37,000.00 SIGN 13 0 0 0 $0.00 13 0 $0.00 SLAB ONLY 0 1 0 $1,700,000.00 TOTALS 333 57 355,371 315,063 $30,610,030.32 98 41 $32,057,084.28 January 01, 2018 - July 31, 2018 January 01, 2017 - July 31, 2017 Type of Permit Permit Unit Total Sq. Ft.Heat Sq. Ft.Valuation Permit Unit Valuation COMMERCIAL ACCESSORY 3 0 2,838 0 $660,000.00 18 0 $657,008.06 COMMERCIAL ADDITION ATTACHED 3 0 92,694 92,694 $10,775,000.00 2 0 $4,649,513.00 COMMERCIAL NEW 13 0 282,826 263,934 $30,370,950.00 24 60 $102,530,156.00 COMMERCIAL TENANT FINISH-OUT 22 7 397,832 64,712 $5,978,988.00 16 1 $2,080,362.61 DEMOLITION 50 106 0 0 $0.00 52 114 $0.00 MULTI-FAMILY 3 11 24,065 21,473 $2,055,000.00 18 559 $39,734,122.00 OTHER STRUCTURES 0 2 0 $137,702.29 POOL 57 0 0 0 $2,811,893.00 40 0 $2,304,355.00 REMODEL / RENOVATION 144 353 595,445 502,643 $12,922,280.37 109 51 $12,360,461.00 REROOF 964 0 0 0 $11,086,493.59 55 0 $582,241.98 RESIDENTIAL 332 334 976,323 753,662 $67,154,475.00 425 472 $74,564,927.84 RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY 19 5 9,235 2,968 $430,970.00 31 3 $1,048,371.70 RESIDENTIAL ADDITION ATTACHED 16 11 13,052 9,801 $818,194.63 18 7 $477,435.00 SIGN 87 0 0 0 $0.00 72 0 $0.00 SLAB ONLY 10 0 30,104 0 $373,000.00 90 0 $36,317,507.57 TOTALS 1723 827 2,424,414 1,711,887 $145,437,244.59 972 1,267 $277,444,164.05 Page 2/July 2018/www.cstx.gov Tracking the Numbers New Single-Family Homes:New Commerical:Total Permits: YTD - 1 yr YTD - 2 yr - 12%- 23% YTD - 1 yr YTD - 2 yr - 46%- 38% YTD - 1 yr YTD - 2 yr 77% 35% Year-to-date, single-family home permits experienced a decrease in quantity when compared to last year at this time, July 2017, and decreased when compared with two years ago, July 2016. Year-to-date, new commercial permits experienced a decrease in quantity when compared to last year at this time, July 2017, and decreased when compared with two years ago, July 2016. Year-to-date, total permits experienced an increase in quantity when compared to last year at this time, July 2017, and increased when compared with two years ago, July 2016. Page 3/July 2018/www.cstx.gov Page 4/July 2018/www.cstx.gov Jobsite Cleanliness With numerous residential and commercial construction sites throughout the City, the need for properly main- taining these construction sites is becoming more and more important. Providing an onsite container for con- struction debris and wind-blown trash is a must. Whether it is a dumpster or a container fabricated onsite, every construction site needs a designated area for the placement of trash and construction debris. It is also necessary to keep all sidewalks clean and clear of materials during con- struction in order to facilitate safe movement for pedestrians. Keeping the streets clean and free from construction materi- als such as sawblades, nails, or other fasteners is another ar- ea of concern. The tasks mentioned above will make for a clean, safe worksite and minimize hazardous conditions for the public at large. Thanks in advance for your assistance. If you need addition- al information regarding this important topic, I may be con- tacted at 979-764-3803 or by email at bbinford@cstx.gov. Brian Binford, Building Official Adopted Revisions to the City’s Non-Residential Landscaping Requirements In June 2018, City Council adopted revisions to College Station’s Non-Residential Landscaping regulations. These revisions were included in the 2017 P&Z Plan of Work in an effort to encourage development through in- creased flexibility of landscaping standards. To accomplish this goal, the ordinance amendment enacted the fol- lowing changes:  Encouraging drought tolerant irrigation by increasing the point credit from 10 percent to 20 percent for water- conserving irrigation systems.  Providing an extra 50 percent increase in landscaping points for Texas native plants.  Incentivizing the retention of older/larger trees by doubling the point values for each protected tree.  Creating administrative flexibility to waive buffer require- ments adjacent to residential common area, and exempting buffers adjacent to FEMA 100-year floodplain.  Removing the double landscape point requirements for building plots over 10 acres.  Removing the heightened 2.5-inch caliper tree requirement for building plots over 15 acres and allow these sites to meet the 2-inch caliper tree requirement of other sites.  Providing water conserving landscaping options, such as xeriscaping in lieu of sod. Requiring buffer by developed/proposed use instead of by zoning district. The text for these landscaping changes can be found at http://cstx.gov/index.aspx?page=3841 and questions or clarifications regarding any of these new changes can be directed to Rachel Lazo, Staff Planner at rlazo@cstx.gov or by calling 979-764-3542. Page 5/July 2018/www.cstx.gov Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Program MASTER PLAN UPDATE The update to the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Master Plan was approved in May 2018 to reflect addi- tional needs within the community based on public input and overall growth. Over the span of a year and a half, staff led the process to update the Plan. A staff resource team and the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advi- sory Board were a part of the process to create recommendations based on public input received. Public engage- ment consisted of a community meeting in February 2017 along with online input using an interactive map and survey. Hundreds of comments received were reviewed and a second round of online comments were sought for recommended changes. Staff also met with the Texas Department of Transportation, the City of Bryan and Texas A&M University to review proposed changes to ensure coordination and connectivity across the region. Changes are reflected in maps for Chapter 5 and Chapter 7 available here: www.cstx.gov/bikepedgreenways and on our interactive Planning and Development Services Map available here: http://gis.cstx.gov/ BIKE MAP – IT’S FREE Plan your route using the City of College Station Bike Map & Info Guide available online (by using the link below) or hard copy guides at City Hall. ADOPT-A-GREENWAY PROGRAM This program encourages volunteers from area neighborhoods, churches, businesses and other groups to help maintain the city’s greenway system. Keep Brazos Beautiful provides the supplies. All that is required is a two - year commitment to remove trash from a designated greenway at least twice a year. Volunteers will be recog- nized on the City’s website and on signs along their adopted greenway. So… what are Greenways? Greenways are protected open spaces that follow natural features such as creeks and rivers. Some greenways link neighborhoods and parks through trails, and others are located along utility or road corridors. Most of Col- lege Station’s greenways can be found along Wolf Pen Creek, Bee Creek, Lick Creek, Spring Creek, Carters Creek and their tributaries. Greenways not only help protect wildlife and plant habitats, they also improve air and water quality by relieving traffic congestion and reducing pollution with trails for biking and walking. In addition, greenways help protect floodplains that in turn help minimize costly flood damage to developed areas. The environmental benefits are obvious, but greenways also encourage residents to live healthier lifestyles through nature-based recreation and exercise. By protecting and maintaining our greenways, we make College Station a safer, cleaner and healthier place to live. To sign-up to help, go to www.cstx.gov/adoptagreenway. For more information, visit www.cstx.gov/bikepedgreenways or contact Venessa Garza, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Senior Program Manager by phone at 979 -764-3674 or email vgarza@cstx.gov. Page 6/July 2018/www.cstx.gov Residential Permit No. of Permits Issued Valuation Single-Family (Detached) 39 $9,778,624.00 Townhomes 0 $0 Duplex 0 $0 With the new TRAKiT software our residential permit types have been combined. The table below provides additional details to show the Residential Subtypes. MONTH BUILDING PLUMBING ELECTRIC MECHANICAL LAWN SIGN POOL TOTAL JANUARY 342 289 173 171 32 12 13 1,032 FEBRUARY 429 377 191 180 35 21 12 1,245 MARCH 538 329 251 208 55 16 12 1,409 APRIL 544 404 362 371 62 38 23 1,804 MAY 644 413 382 370 126 13 18 1,966 JUNE 501 334 409 363 129 36 17 1,789 JULY 579 327 410 395 149 21 10 1,891 TOTAL 3,581 2,473 2,178 2,057 588 157 105 11,139 BUILDING INSPECTIONS: Bryan/College Station Congestion Survey Take the Survey As our community grows, traffic congestion has been growing along with it. It is estimated that congestion in the Bryan/College Station area has increased 4% to 6% each year since 2010. With federal, state, and local governments having limited resources to keep pace with increasing transportation demands, the Bry- an/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is seeking feedback from residents and stakeholders in Brazos County. The MPO has developed a survey regarding traffic congestion and levels of financial resources needed to address it. The survey takes approximately three minutes of time and is intended to help provide broad public feedback into the issue. Please help contrib- ute your response to this dialogue by responding to the survey found on the Bryan/College Station’s MPOs website at http://www.bcsmpo.org/207/BCS-Congestion. Page 7/July 2018/www.cstx.gov DID YOU KNOW: Common Plans of Development With regard to construction and the TXR150000 Construction General Permit (CGP), the determination of ap- plying for a Notice of Intent (NOI) can be tricky when solely referencing regulatory literature and pamphlets. The CGP states the following projects are required to apply for an NOI: a construction or demolition project disturbing five or more acres of earth, or less than five acres if part of a larger common plan of development. Your next question is probably: What exactly is a com- mon plan of development? Texas Commission on Envi- ronmental Quality (TCEQ) defines a common plan of de- velopment or sale as a construction activity that is com- pleted in separate stages, phases, or in combination with other construction activities. This description is applicable when there is documentation illustrating plans to disturb earth, no matter how many phases or time it takes to de- velop the property. Examples of illustrated documents can include plats, construction documents, blue prints, mar- keting plans, civil drawings, etc. The exception is when there is ‘adequate distance.’ Discrete construction projects occurring within a larger common plan of development or sale that are a quarter of a mile or more apart, with the area between the projects remaining undisturbed, can be classified as individual projects and treated as a separate plan of development, provided that any interconnecting road, pipeline, or utility project is not included in the area to be disturbed. To aid in the delineation process, if a project is smaller than the five-acre threshold on its own, but within an area like Tower Point located in south College Station, for example, where the original property was platted for commercial use greater than five acres, and the area of Tower Point collectively has more than five acres remaining to be developed into store fronts, the smaller project would be considered part of a common plan of development and required to apply for an NOI. TCEQ distinguishes a common plan of development as having the potential to cumulatively disturb five acres or more. It is important to note, NOI applications and common plans of development do not distinguish between types of construction. Residential subdivisions, educational and religious developments could all fall under the com- mon plan of development umbrella if all parameters mentioned above are met. If you have any questions regarding common plan of development delineation or would like more information, please contact the Planning and Development Services Department’s Engineering Program Specialist, Debbie Stickles or the Drainage Inspector, Caroline Ask, at 979-764-3570.