HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 2012
Building a Better Community with You PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES NEWSLETTER 1101 Texas Avenue P.O. Box 9960 College Station, TX 77842 Phone: 979.764.3570 Fax: 979.764.3496 www.cstx.gov
APRIL 2012 Volume 13 Issue 4 BUILDING INSPECTION CHANGES 1 TRACKING THE NUMBERS 1 BUILDING INSPECTIONS 2 CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES 2 REZONING SCOOP 2 POPULATION 2 BUILDING PERMIT CHARTS
3 BUILDING PERMIT TOTALS 4 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 5 LOOKING UP IN THE NORTHGATE AREA 6 SEECLICKFIX 7 PLANNER ON CALL FAQ 8 FEMA MAPS 9 ADOPT A GREENWAY 10 NATIONAL
BIKE MONTH 11 STATE HIGHWAY 6 IMPROVEMENTS 12 OUTDOOR DINING IN NORTHGATE 13 STAFF PROFILE 14 Inside this issue: New Single-Family Homes: YTD – 1 yr YTD– 2 yr 67 % 40 % Year-to-date,
single-family home permits increased in quantity when compared to last year at this time, April 2011, and increased when compared with two years ago, April 2010. New Commercial: YTD
– 1 yr YTD – 2 yr 40 % 22% Year-to-date, new commercial permits experienced a decrease in quantity quantity when compared to last year at this time, April 2011, and decreased when compared
with two years ago, April 2010. Total Permits: YTD -1 yr YTD -2 yr 84 % 37% Year-to-date, total permits experienced an increase in quantity when compared to last year at this time, April
2011, and experienced an increase when compared with two years ago, April 2010. TRACKING THE NUMBERS ~NOTICE~ BUILDING INSPECTIONS Please be aware that we can no longer guarantee half-day
turnarounds on building inspections, but we will strive to provide a 24-hour turn-around. If you submit your inspections request by 7:00 am, we will do our best to schedule the inspection
the same day. As always, we cannot guarantee specific time requests for inspections. We apologize for any inconvenience that this change in our level of ser-vice may cause and we appreciate
your patience as we make every ef-fort to meet the needs of the building community with limited staff and current budget constraints. If you have any questions regarding building inspections
please contact the Building Department at 979.764.3570.
MONTH HEALTH & SANITATION PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PUBLIC NUISANCE FIRE PROTECTION TRAFFIC CODE SANITATION UDO/ZONING RENTAL REGISTRATION TOTAL JANUARY 180 10 33 10 10 355 110 82 790 FEBRUARY
418 15 9 16 13 209 117 235 1167 MARCH 454 11 14 7 9 305 93 87 980 APRIL 429 7 24 19 16 154 105 111 865 TOTAL 1481 43 80 52 48 1023 428 515 3802 Page 2/April 2012 /www.cstx.gov POPULATION:
THE APRIL POPULATION ESTIMATE IS 96,699 BUILDING INSPECTIONS: MONTH BUILDING PLUMBING ELECTRIC MECHANICAL LAWN SIGN POOL TOTAL JANUARY 243 226 163 111 2 7 7 759 FEBRUARY 308 267 206
148 6 9 11 955 MARCH 422 319 187 170 6 9 5 1118 APRIL 464 367 262 254 7 6 7 1113 TOTAL 1437 1179 818 683 21 31 30 3943 CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES SUMMARY: REZONING SCOOP: PROJECT NIMBER
LOCATION OF LAND ACRES REQUEST P&Z DATE STATUS COUNCIL DATE STATUS 12-500030 3182 Holleman Dr. S. 5.4 A-O to R-4 5-Apr-12 Approved 26-Apr-12 Approved 11-500135 1024 &1026 Foster Ave
0.7 R-6 to PDD 5-Apr-12 App. w/Cond. 26-Apr-12 Approved 12-500006 3100 Haupt Rd. 108.9 PDD to PDD w/add. Use 5-Apr-12 App. w/Cond 26-Apr-12 App. w/Cond 12-500041 2849 Barron Rd. 3.10
PDD to PDD 5-Apr-12 App. w/Cond 26-Apr-12 App. w/Cond.
www.cstx.gov/April 2012/Page 3 P E R M I T S B Y T Y P E Y E A R T O D A T E Type of Permit Permit Unit Amount Single-Family Home 308 308 $38,752,378 Duplex 30 60 $5,310,901 Tri-Plex/Four-plex
1 3 $285,000 Apartment 5 29 $2,050,000 New Commercial 14 N/A $4,943,562 Commercial Remodel 24 N/A $7,343,232 TOTAL PERMITS 3 YEAR—COMPARISON BY MONTH NEW SINGLE FAMILY PERMITS 3 YEAR—COMPARISON
BY MONTH NEW COMMERCIAL PERMITS 3 YEAR—COMPARISON BY MONTH 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 2010 2011 2012 02468 10 12 14 16 2010 2011 2012 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 2010 2011 2012
Page 4/April 2012/www.cstx.gov BUILDING PERMIT TOTALS: Month of April 2012 Type of Permit Permit Unit Total Sq. Ft. Heat Sq. Ft. Amount Permit Unit Amount Single Family Home 139 139
248,154 213,547 $14,967,764 62 62 $7,385,010 Duplex 19 38 64,741 60,650 $3,159,703 1 2 $200,000 Tri-plex/Four-plex 0 0 0 0 $0 0 0 $0 Apartment 0 0 0 0 $0 5 51 $4,192,000 Residential
Addition 4 N/A 1,647 1,347 $137,000 14 N/A $461,895 Residential Remodel 6 N/A 1,150 1,150 $162,486 14 N/A $514,318 Residential Garage/Carport Addition 1 N/A N/A N/A $11,000 2 N/A $33,000
Residential Demolition 5 N/A N/A N/A $1,007,500 1 N/A $8,000 Residential Slab Only-SF 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 1 N/A $26,010 Residential Slab Only-DPLX 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Residential
Slab Only-3&4 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Residential Slab Only-Apt. 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 3 N/A $330,000 Hotel /Motel /Inn 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 New Commercial 3 N/A 39,255 37,500 $659,000
6 N/A $2,035,052 Commercial Remodel 7 N/A N/A N/A $1,115,000 5 N/A $184,000 Commercial Addition/Retaining Wall 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 1 N/A $0 Commercial Demolition 3 N/A N/A N/A $118,500
2 N/A $0 Commercial Slab Only 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Swimming Pool 2 N/A N/A N/A $48,000 3 N/A $0 Sign 10 N/A N/A N/A N/A 7 N/A N/A Moving & Location 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Storage
/Accessory 4 N/A N/A N/A $12,780 6 N/A $0 Roofing 25 N/A N/A N/A $147,760 11 N/A $0 TOTALS 228 177 354,947 314,194 $21,546,493 144 115 $15,369,285 Month of April 2011 January 1, 2012
-April 30, 2012 Type of Permit Permit Unit Total Sq. Ft. Heat Sq. Ft. Amount Permit Unit Amount Single Family Home 308 308 644,270 527,992 $38,752,378 184 184 $24,469,732 Duplex 30 60
104,888 98,158 $5,310,901 1 2 $200,000 Tri-plex/Four-plex 1 3 4,504 4,420 $285,000 0 0 $0 Apartment 5 29 46,330 42,474 $2,050,000 9 111 $6,192,000 Residential Addition 18 N/A 10,559
5,413 $683,825 26 N/A $829,859 Residential Remodel 42 N/A 13,120 12,715 $1,252,455 41 N/A $1,097,775 Residential Garage/Carport Addition 5 N/A N/A N/A $60,725 3 N/A $33,700 Residential
Demolition 23 N/A N/A N/A $1,042,800 17 N/A $51,770 Residential Slab Only-SF 87 N/A N/A N/A $630,912 1 N/A $26,010 Residential Slab Only-DPLX 37 N/A N/A N/A $667,783 0 N/A $0 Residential
Slab Only-3&4 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Residential Slab Only-Apt. 3 N/A N/A N/A $105,000 4 N/A $360,000 Hotel /Motel /Inn 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 New Commercial 14 N/A 66,728 63,516
$4,943,562 17 N/A $7,319,979 Commercial Remodel 24 N/A N/A N/A $7,343,232 19 N/A $2,035,653 Commercial Addition/Retaining Wall 9 N/A N/A N/A $128,759 8 N/A $2,978,192 Commercial Demolition
7 N/A N/A N/A $456,200 4 N/A $134,970 Commercial Slab Only 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Swimming Pool 13 N/A N/A N/A $806,569 15 N/A $470,303 Sign 47 N/A N/A N/A N/A 35 N/A NA Moving &
Location 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Storage /Accessory 13 N/A N/A N/A $390,970 12 N/A $198,422 Roofing 84 N/A N/A N/A $641,180 22 N/A $207,838 TOTALS 770 400 890,399 754,688 $65,552,251
418 297 $46,606,203 January 1, 2011-April 30, 2011
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov www.cstx.gov/April 2012/Page 5 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THROUGH THE CREATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF ZONING DISTRICTS
College Station’s Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2009 and acts as a guide to ensure the goals and objectives of the City are implemented by acting as a long-range planning and policy
structure for future growth of the City. The Compre-hensive Plan approaches the growth of College Station in a manner different from the City’s previous plans; it focuses on the creation
and enhancement of places of distinction in College Station. The Plan recognizes the importance of character and capitalizes on that to offer the greatest flexibilities for development,
while protecting special places. The Comprehensive Plan identifies 15 unique Future Land Use and Character designations and calls for the creation of zoning districts that align with
the objectives of the Plan as one means of implementation. The intent is that new zoning dis-dis-tricts be developed for each of the land -use classifications -to both align with the
intent of the Comprehensive Plan and to simplify the nomenclature. Zoning and its associated development criteria help to ensure that the form, character, and quality of development
reflect the City’s planning objectives. Staff has worked with a sub-committee of the Planning and Zoning Commission to develop the concepts for the non-residential districts based on
direction in the Comprehensive Plan. These districts will be similar to the City’s existing set of zoning districts, meaning that they will largely be use-based, with some additional
performance standards. Several other existing districts will be renamed to simplify the nomenclature, but the standards will remain the same. The districts to be created and renamed
through this process include: Create: “NAP Natural Areas Protected” “SC Suburban Commercial” “BP Business Park” “BPI Business Park Industrial” Rename: Renaming “A-P Administrative Professional”
to “O Office” Renaming “C-1 General Commercial” to “GC General Commercial” Renaming “C-2 Commercial Industrial” to “CI Commercial Industrial” Phased Approach Staff has developed a phased
approach to the creation and adoption of the new zoning districts, which have been cate-gorized into non-residential, residential, and growth -area districts. During the first phase
of the process, staff has worked with a sub-committee of the Planning & Zoning Commission to create the new non-residential zoning districts so that the new designations become available
for use as quickly as possible. New non-residential districts will include NAP Natural Areas Preserved, SC Suburban Commercial, BP Business Park, BPI Business Park Industrial, GC General
Commercial, CI Commercial Industrial, and O Office. Once the non-residential districts are adopted, Staff and the Commission’s Zoning District Sub-Committee will begin work on the creation
of the new residential districts, including R Rural, E Estate, RS Restricted Suburban, GS General Suburban, U Urban, and UMU Urban Mixed-Use. Finally, a specific zoning approach for
the Growth Areas, as designated on the Concept Map, will be developed. Opportunity for Input A public meeting was held on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall to present
the non-residential zoning district concepts to the community for consideration and comment. Specific ordinance language will be developed once the concepts have been established. As
concepts for other districts are created, additional community meetings will be held. For more information, please contact Jennifer Prochazka at jprochazka@cstx.gov or 979.764.3570.
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov 6/April 2012/www.cstx.gov LOOKING UP IN THE NORTHGATE AREA Over the years redevelopment in the Northgate area has been sporadic
with much of the activity being entertainment establishments around the Promenade. However, a flurry of activity has begun this year with a number of large projects that have been submitted
for review. The one receiving the most attention thus far is the redevelopment of the former Plaza Hotel site, which is actually located outside the Northgate District. At this point,
the project is most known for the demolition of the ex-isting 17-story hotel tower, tentatively scheduled for the early daylight hours of May 24th. What is less known are the five-story
buildings with ground floor retail and restaurants and upper floor student hous-ing that are anticipated to take its place. Other large projects under review in Northgate include The
Stack at Legacy Point on Church Avenue and Seven Seventeen at the corner of University Drive and Church Avenue. If these developments occur, they will be the first large-scale developments
on the east side of Northgate. The Stack at Legacy Point is a five-story dormitory project with a small commercial area and Seven Seventeen is a 18-story dormitory project with ground
floor retail. What is common among all of these projects is that each provides most or all of its parking in parking garages. This trend is likely to continue in Northgate as the market
values necessitate a more intense use of the land. So as one 17-story tower is about to come down, another may arise and look-ing up at these and future projects may become the new trend
in Northgate. The Plaza at College Station The Stack at Legacy Point Seven Seventeen
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov www.cstx.gov/April 2012/Page 7 SEECLICKFIX In February 2011, SeeClickFix (SCF) was introduced to residents of College Station
as another way to report non-emergency local issues such as code and public works-related issues seen around the city. Since that time, the program has been well utilized and received
by resi-dents. Residents can report issues using a mobile application or from a desk top computer. The information from residents’ report come directly to code enforcement and neighborhood
services staff, that begin work-ing on resolving the issues submitted by residents. Residents can use a screen name or remain anonymous when reporting issues. City staff quickly acknowledge
the issues and let residents know they are working on finding solutions. For all code enforcement-related issues, the code officers for the area of the report look in to the report and
work with residents or businesses to get issues resolved. With all other cases that are not not code-related, such as potholes, streets, drainage issues, animal control and park-related
issues, all go to Neighborhood Services who then works with the appropriate city department to get issues looked into and resolved. Often residents may report issues not realiz-ing that
the city is not responsible for fixing them. Sometimes, the issues have to be resolved by TXDOT, CSISD, BTU or Texas A&M. In those cases, Neighborhood Services works with those outside
agencies to make them aware of the issues and work to get them resolved by the correct group. as well as responding to the resident to keep them informed on the progress of the issue.
On the technical side, the Planning and Development Services GIS Technician works on maintaining the SeeClickFix website, dealing with technical issues and working with the SeeClickFix
staff, when necessary. Many cities around the country are using applications like SeeClickFix as a way to keep citizens engaged in making their community a better place to live as well
as to promote transparency in city government. In addition, the program is very cost effective and does not require a lot of on-going maintenance to keep the site opera-tional. Out of
215 large to mid-sized cities using SCF, the City of College Station ranked #14 in terms of the number of users and the number cases that were actually resolved or fixed. That is quite
impressive given that the application has only been in use in College Station for a little over a year. As year two of SeeClickFix is now underway, there has already been an increase
in resident usage in the first quarter of this year. For more information on SeeClickFix, please visit, http://www.cstx.gov/index.aspx?page=313
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov 8/April 2012/www.cstx.gov PLANNER ON CALL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS The Planner on Call system helps over 1,800 people a year
that call, email, or come into the P&DS office with questions related to planning and development. This section highlights some of the more common ques-tions. If you have questions for
the Planner on Call, please contact us at 979.764.3570 or POC@cstx.gov. Q: I’m in the process of opening a new business in College Station and I want to put up a pole sign, what are
the sign requirements? A: Before applying for a sign permit, refer to Section 7.4 Signs of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to confirm that the zoning district allows for a Freestanding
Commercial Sign. If so, then the pro-posed sign should meet the minimum requirements of such. Only one Freestanding Commercial Sign is allowed per Building Plot, which is determined
with an ap-proved plat or site plan. In larger building plots, two Freestanding Commercial Signs Signs are possible as de-scribed in this Section of the UDO. The maximum allowed area
of a freestanding sign is calculated based on the property’s street frontage. The area of a sign does not include the pole or footing, just the cabinet area that advertises the business
and has a copy or logo. Properties with less than 75 feet of frontage are instead permitted a Low Pro-file Sign, which is a maximum sign area of 60 square feet and 4 feet in height.
A chart found in Section 7.4.N. shows the maximum area of a freestanding sign based on the frontage. How close a freestanding sign can be to the street is determined by its height and
the distance from the street curb or pavement edge. A freestanding sign must be placed twice as far from the street as it is high. For instance, if the sign is proposed to be 10 feet
tall, it must be at least 20 feet from the curb. Keep in mind, no freestanding sign is allowed to be more than 35 feet tall. For more information regarding Freestanding Commercial Signs,
please contact contact the Planner on Call.
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov www.cstx.gov/April 2012/Page 9 NEW FEMA MAPS FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has pub-lished the final DFIRMS (http://www.bcsunited.
net/fema/2011_maps/Index_Map.pdf ) from the Map Moderni-zation Process which will become effective on May 16, 2012. The Cities of College Station and Bryan, and Brazos County have prepared
a joint website (http://www.bcsunited.net/fema/) to provide related information and FEMA web links. Additionally, on this site there is an interactive map application that depicts the
new FEMA maps with aerials for more clarity. Newer Maps Mean Safer Communities These maps are important tools in the effort to protect lives and property. By showing the extent to which
specific areas, neighborhoods and individual properties are at risk for flooding, flood maps help business and property owners make financial decisions about protecting their property.
They also enable community planners, local officials, engineers, builders and others to determine where and how new structures and developments should be built. Note: there may be flood
insurance savings provisions applicable to your property. This following link (http://www.bryantx.gov/resources/grandfathering_2010.pdf) provides more specifics on the grandfathering
rule and preferred risk. Contact your insurance agent regarding additional insurance coverage, options, and premiums. Additionally, you can contact this NFIP Region repre-sentative at
425.417.3159. Also, please be aware that the new flood-plain maps and information are not per-manent. As more accurate information be-comes available, these maps are updated through
official procedures with FEMA – such as Letters of Map Revision (LOMR). Note that FEMA is still processing the Bee Creek and Carters Creek LOMRs in the coming months. In the future,
the joint web-site will be expanded to include those ar-eas where studies have been prepared for potential updates, giving you the most cur-rent information practical. For further flood-flood-related
questions in College Station you can call Donnie Willis at 979.764.3570.
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov 10/April 2012/www.cstx.gov LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HELP IMPROVE COLLEGE STATION? ADOPT A GREENWAY! Almost everyone has heard of
the successful Adopt-A-Highway program. Roadway signs across the country mark sec-tions that are maintained faithfully by local community organizations and clubs. The program started
in Texas in the early 1980s and now has a presence in such faraway places as Japan and New Zealand. The City of College Station took that popular concept and developed the Adopt-A-Greenway
program, which en-courages volunteers from area neighborhoods, churches, businesses and other groups to help maintain the city’s greenway system. All that’s required is a two-year commitment
to remove trash from a designated greenway at least twice a year. Volunteers will be recognized on the city’s website and on signs along their adopted greenway. The first major event
to kick off the program was Saturday, April 28th at Wolf Pen Creek Park. Enthusiastic volunteers sacrificed their morning to help beautify the area through litter pickup and a few landscape
projects. Keep Brazos Beautiful provided all the supplies and Sonic provided lunch. It was a huge success with over 80 people participating. In a sin-gle morning they helped improve
the water quality along Wolf Pen Creek, helped pro-tect animals that live along this corridor from ingesting or getting tangled in litter and helped beautify College Station! 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 College 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 green-ways, we make College Station a safer, cleaner
and healthier place to live. To learn more about the Adopt-A-Greenway Program and get involved, please visit cstx.gov/adoptagreenway or contact Venessa Garza at 979.764.3674 or vgarza@cstx.gov.
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov www.cstx.gov/April 2012/Page 11 NATIONAL BIKE MONTH Did you know the League of American Bicyclists has declared May National
Bike Month? It is a great time to try cycling for fun, fitness or transportation. Across the nation, on May 14-18, people will be trad-ing their usual vehicles for bicycles to participate
in Bike to Work Week. The City of College Station invites you to join the celebration by biking to work on Fri-day, May 18. The following are tips to help you enjoy biking to work: Be
sure your bicycle is properly maintained Always wear a helmet for protection Ride in the right-most lane with the flow of traffic Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings
Wear bright clothing and always signal turns Plan your route using the City of College Station Bike Map & Info Guide available online at cstx.gov/bikepedgreenways. Hard copy guides can
be requested online or from Venessa Garza, Greenways Program Manager, by email at vgarza@cstx.gov or by phone at 979.764.3674.
Page 124/2 /M Aaprycr hi2l 021011 21//w/w wwwww.c.sc.ctsxstxt.xg..gogovov v S TAT E HIGHWAY 6 COR R I DOR IMP ROVEMENT S AND S TAT E HIGHWAY 6 COR R I DOR ST U DY One of the City of
College Station’s major north and south corridors is SH 6. Both the City of College Station’s staff and the Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) staff have
conducted Travel Demand Model Studies that paints a picture of SH 6 currently, in the future projected to 2035 with no improvements to the corridor and the picture is bleak. Levels of
Service (LOS) were unacceptable operating at LOS E and F. Because the corridor can potentially accommodate operational improvements and add capcity projects, a SH 6 Corridor Study will
be conducted by the MPO and a consultant. The study will look at short term, mid term and long term improvements, traffic analysis, conceptial geometrics, cost estimates and implementation
strategies. The potential projects are a reflection of the MPO’s long range plan the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Those projects are highlighted below in the ranking table.
In the short term the MPO just received $ 5.1 million in federal funds and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT )has received $ 4.9 million in state funds to be let to construction
by the end of the year. These additional funds will be spent on ramp modifications such as reversing the ramps from an entrance ramp to an exit ramp. The MPO Policy Committee (composed
of the following members: City of College Station, City of Bryan, Brazos County, Texas A&M and TxDOT) has recommended that the ramp projects be the project of choice. These ramp reversals
should prevent traffic from backing up onto the ramps and into the mainlanes. These modifications would also help traffic avoid the cross street intersection traffic signals. In other
words traffic will be able to get onto the mainlanes without going through an intersection and the accompanying traffic signals. These two projects are examples of the coordinating,
planning, programming and implementation of transportation projects by regional agencies in Brazos County.
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov www.cstx.gov/April 2012/Page 13 CITY COUNCIL APPROVES NEW OUTDOOR DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS IN NORTHGATE In anticipation
of the University Drive and College Main pedestrian improvements currently underway in Northgate, the City Council recently approved changes that will provide business owners with new
opportu-nities for outdoor dining and entertainment. This effort involved a number of amendments to city codes. A brief summary of each amendment is provided below: The Unified Development
Ordinance (UDO) was changed to relax the location of outdoor sales and display for busi-nesses in Northgate. Two sections of chapter four of the City Code were changed. One amendment
created the opportunity for businesses with frontage along College Main, Univer-sity Drive, and the Patricia Street Prome-nade to extend their operations into the public right-of-way
during certain times. This amendment also established a “permitted area” and associated permit fees. The other amendment to chapter four removed the limitation on the number of days
a special event may be operated in Northgate. Chapter one of the City Code was changed to allow establishments in Northgate to serve alcoholic beverages outside of their building but
within the permitted area referenced above. Given the unique, pedestrian-friendly envi-ronment in Northgate and its proximity to Texas A&M, we are excited about the addi-tional opportunities
these changes will pro-vide. For more information regarding these changes, please contact Planning & Develop-ment Services at 979. 764.3570.
Page 4/March 2011 /www.cstx.gov 2/May 2011 /www.cstx.gov 14/April 2012/www.cstx.gov STAFF PROFILE: DAVID BROWER David Brower has been with the City of College Station in Community Development
since August of 2008. David grew up in a military family allowing him the fortune of traveling to foreign countries during his teen-age years. He was born in Ohio and attended school
in Illinois, Panama, Germany, and graduated in San Antonio. As a young boy, David wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps joining the Air Force, but that de-sire eventually changed
when he began his higher education at a community college at the University of Texas in San Antonio. David was the typical young adult and decided it was time to move away from his parents,
bringing him to College Station and Texas A&M University. His interest in politics led him to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2006 with a minor in Speech Communication.
David then went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the George Bush School of Government in 2008, with a specialization in Non-Profit Management. David’s capstone
project at the Bush School dealt with non-profit management. While learning about the lo-cal non-profit world, Debbie Eller came to share her knowledge and experience with the City’s
Community Development (CD) programs to the capstone group. David found the programs and work very interesting and that initial meeting with Debbie eventually led him to apply for the
CD Analyst position that he currently holds today. David’s job responsibilities include administering various City programs funded by two grants that the City receives from the U. S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Community Devel-opment Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program grant provides the City with more than $1 million to
assist the low and moderate income population in College Station. His responsibilities in-clude evaluating the eligibility of applicants for housing assistance, including down payment
and and rehabilita-tion
programs. He also manages funding agreements with various health and human service non-profit or-ganizations within our community. To assist David in his service to our citizens, he
continues to engage in edu-cational opportunities provided by HUD and other organizations. David attained his Homeownership Educa-tion Certificate from NeighborWorks America. This certification
allows him to coach residents on important factors regarding the purchase of a home, as well as essential financial advice that will help prepare them for life. A few interesting facts
about David are that he played basketball and volleyball in high school, not a big surprise considering he is 6’8” tall! He was also the drummer in a garage band that played at various
ven-ues around town in San Antonio. When not busy at work helping others, David enjoys being at home with his wife of two years, Tracy, and their ten month old daughter, Penelope. David
also enjoys gardening, which helps him in making his own special, freshly-made, salsa. As his desire to serve others, David enjoys his role and duties as a CD Analyst, especially with
the different cases and challenges he’s given the opportunity to help others overcome each day. David’s ultimate aspira-tion is to establish and manage a youth camp on the coast with
his brothers, incorporating his love for sailing as part of the many activities he would like to see come to fruition one day. If you’ve met David, there is no denying his natural ability
to light up a room with his positive attitude, an award that was bestowed upon him in 2011 as a result of his peers’ many nominations.