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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJunePLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES NEWSLETTER JUNE 2013 CITY COUNCIL APPROVES NEW LOADING ZONES IN NORTHGATE 1 BUILDING PERMIT TOTALS 2 BUILDING INSPECTIONS 3 CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES 3 REZONING SCOOP 3 POPULATION 3 BUILDING PERMIT CHARTS 3 B/CS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE 4 TRACKING THE NUMBERS 5 SURVEY MONUMENTS 6-7 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHEN- SIVE PLAN THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING 8 PLANNING PROCESS 9 SINGLE FAMILY PARKING ORDINANCE 10 REGIONAL DETENTION FEASIBILITY STUDY 11 PLANNER ON CALL 12 Inside this issue: CITY COUNCIL APPROVES NEW LOADING ZONES IN NORTHGATE The City Council recently approved three new loading zones in the Northgate area. One loading zone, available 24/7, was established on the north side of Patricia Street, near its intersection with Boyett Street (see map below). The Council also made two additional areas - one on Boyett Street and one on First Street - available for use as loading zones during specified times of the day (7:00 am until 11:00 am and 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm). Northgate represents a unique mix of retail establishments, bars, restaurants, residential uses, and places of worship located close together, creating nearly around-the-clock activity. Given this unique mix of uses and the urban nature of Northgate, deliveries and service calls can pose a real challenge. While the addition of three loading zones should help relieve some of the pressure associated with making deliveries in Northgate, it is expected that deliveries in Northgate will continue to be a challenge given the density and urban na- ture of the area. For more information on loading zones in Northgate, please contact Lance Simms at lsimms@cstx.gov or visit our website at www.cstx.gov/parking. 1101 Texas Avenue PO Box 9960 College Station, TX 77842 979-764-3570 Fax: 979-764-3496 www.cstx.gov Volume 14 Issue 6 Building a Better Community with You BUILDING PERMIT TOTALS: Month of June 2013 Type of Permit Permit Unit Total Sq. Ft.Heat Sq. Ft.Amount Permit Unit Amount Single Family Home 47 47 123,668 93,768 $7,821,378 35 35 $5,776,985 Duplex 0 0 0 0 $0 16 32 $2,663,050 Tri-plex/Four-plex 0 0 0 0 $0 0 0 $0 Apartment 3 307 215,695 151,905 $32,373,914 0 0 $0 Residential Addition 4 N/A 1,006 926 $165,000 4 N/A $136,000 Residential Remodel 18 N/A 3,138 2,738 $128,936 13 N/A $344,357 Residential Garage/Carport Addition 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 2 N/A $7,000 Residential Demolition 2 N/A N/A N/A $3,750 1 N/A $1,900 Residential Slab Only-SF 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 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 0 N/A $0 Hotel / Motel / Inn 1 N/A 35,435 34,510 $2,500,000 1 N/A $628,350 New Commercial 4 N/A 1,314 1,314 $695,380 0 N/A $0 Commercial Remodel 11 N/A 29,082 29,082 $1,013,000 8 N/A $967,990 Commercial Addition/Retaining Wall 1 N/A 4000 4000 $565,000 4 N/A $314,900 Commercial Demolition 1 N/A N/A N/A $2,000 0 N/A $0 Commercial Slab Only 0 N/A 0 0 $0 0 N/A $0 Swimming Pool 4 N/A N/A N/A $155,240 10 N/A $254,980 Sign 10 N/A N/A N/A $0 8 N/A N/A Moving & Location 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Storage / Accessory 1 N/A N/A N/A $3,700 3 N/A $64,591 Roofing 4 N/A N/A N/A $25,200 20 N/A $142,639 TOTALS 111 354 413,338 318,243 $45,452,498 125 67 $11,302,742 Month of June 2012 January 1, 2013 - June 30, 2013 Type of Permit Permit Unit Total Sq. Ft.Heat Sq. Ft.Amount Permit Unit Amount Single Family Home 340 340 853,525 667,933 $52,912,104 385 385 $51,218,767 Duplex 5 10 19,651 17,671 $1,077,777 46 92 $7,973,951 Tri-plex/Four-plex 0 0 0 0 $0 1 3 $285,000 Apartment 7 357 268,489 196,145 $35,771,966 5 29 $2,050,000 Residential Addition 18 N/A 9,902 4,447 $934,567 27 N/A $1,034,025 Residential Remodel 58 N/A 9,081 9,158 $675,587 61 N/A $1,656,595 Residential Garage/Carport Addition 7 N/A N/A N/A $116,790 8 N/A $73,295 Residential Demolition 38 N/A N/A N/A $94,400 26 N/A $1,054,700 Residential Slab Only-SF 3 N/A N/A N/A $59,500 87 N/A $636,378 Residential Slab Only-DPLX 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 37 N/A $667,783 Residential Slab Only-3&4 1 N/A N/A N/A $40,000 0 N/A $0 Residential Slab Only-Apt.0 N/A N/A N/A $0 4 N/A $733,350 Hotel / Motel / Inn 2 N/A 35,435 34,510 $8,100,000 0 N/A $0 New Commercial 28 N/A 459,334 37,577 $24,469,988 30 N/A $39,667,320 Commercial Remodel 53 N/A 135,549 134,743 $9,465,187 35 N/A $12,619,151 Commercial Addition/Retaining Wall 1 N/A 4,000 4,000 $565,000 9 N/A $128,759 Commercial Demolition 11 N/A N/A N/A $890,097 9 N/A $582,200 Commercial Slab Only 5 N/A 0 0 $2,732,513 0 N/A $0 Swimming Pool 22 N/A N/A N/A $1,035,490 28 N/A $1,227,249 Sign 62 N/A N/A N/A $0 61 N/A NA Moving & Location 0 N/A N/A N/A $0 0 N/A $0 Storage / Accessory 11 N/A N/A N/A $57,069 17 N/A $458,061 Roofing 90 N/A N/A N/A $739,360 140 N/A $1,245,977 TOTALS 762 707 1,794,966 1,106,184 $139,737,395 1016 509 $123,312,561 January 1, 2012 - June 30, 2012 Page 2/June 2013/www.cstx.gov Page 3/June 2013/www.cstx.gov P E R M I T S BY T Y P E Y EAR TO D ATE Type of Permit Permit Unit Amount Single-Family Home 340 340 $52,912,104 Duplex 5 10 $1,077,777 Tri-Plex/Four-plex 0 0 $0 Apartment 7 357 $35,771,966 New Commercial 28 N/A $24,469,988 Commercial Remodel 53 N/A $9,465,187 NEW SINGLE FAMILY PERMITS 3 YEAR—COMPARISON BY MONTH NEW COMMERCIAL PERMITS 3 YEAR—COMPARISON BY MONTH TOTAL PERMITS 3 YEAR—COMPARISON BY MONTH CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES SUMMARY: CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES SUMMARY: MONTH HEALTH & SANITATION PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PUBLIC NUISANCE FIRE PROTECTION TRAFFIC CODE SANITATION UDO/ ZONING RENTAL REGISTRATION TOTAL JANUARY 19 3 3 - 10 287 19 88 429 FEBRUARY 222 11 4 8 16 224 24 52 561 MARCH 63 58 6 0 17 227 16 66 453 APRIL 17 240 5 17 7 247 26 109 668 MAY 20 98 2 14 6 125 26 121 412 JUNE 27 337 5 14 9 214 27 191 824 TOTAL 368 747 25 53 65 1324 138 627 3347 REZONING SCOOP: PROJECT NO PROJECT NAME LOCATION ACRES REQUEST P&Z DATE STATUS COUNCIL DATE STATUS 13-900064 McGill Tract 2381 Earl Rudder Fwy. S 14.2 Rez 18-Apr-13 Approved 9-May-13 Approved 13-900076 Barron Rd & Victoria 2301 Barron Rd. 3.7 A-O to SC 16-May-13 Approved 23-May-13 Approved 13-900077 Barron Crossing & Bridgewood Sub. 2985 Barron Cut-Off Rd 75.1 R-1&A-O to PDD 18-Jul-13 8-Aug-13 13-900122 The Barracks II 3100 Haupt Road 59.9 Rez 1-Aug-13 8-Aug-13 MONTH BUILDING PLUMBING ELECTRIC MECHANICAL LAWN SIGN POOL TOTAL JANUARY 350 251 167 123 14 11 4 920 FEBRUARY 338 256 204 154 2 8 5 967 MARCH 389 329 164 138 10 7 10 1047 APRIL 588 354 287 282 19 11 10 1551 MAY 561 313 242 238 27 14 6 1401 JUNE 420 335 219 237 6 12 7 1236 TOTAL 2646 1838 1283 1172 78 63 42 7122 P OPULATION : T HE J UNE POPULATION ESTIMATE IS 98,721 0 100 200 300 400 2011 2012 2013 0 5 10 15 2011 2012 2013 0 50 100 150 2011 2012 2013 BUILDING INSPECTIONS: B RYAN /COLLEGE S TATION M ETROPOLITAN P LANNING O RGANIZATION P OLICY C OMMITTEE Most citizens of College Station are not aware that there is an organization county wide that is tasked by fed- eral and state government with regional transportation planning. That organization is the Bryan/College Sta- tion Metropolitan Planning Organization (BCSMPO). The 2000 US Census has identified over 400 regions throughout the United States that they consider to be ur- banized. Urban Areas, by definition, contain a population greater than 50,000. Federal law mandates the creation of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for each census-defined urbanized area, with the pur- pose of involving local governments in transportation decisions involving federal highway and federal transit funds. In 1970, the BCSMPO was designated by the Governor of Texas as the agency responsible for regional transportation planning for Brazos County. The MPO is governed by a Policy Committee which consists of five members representing Brazos County, City of Bryan, City of College Station, Texas A&M University (TAMU) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The Policy Committee is the decision-making component of the MPO and their duties include adopting metropolitan transportation policy and determining regional transportation priorities. Below are the members of the BCSMPO Policy Committee. Mayor Nancy Berry, City of College Station – Serving as Chair, Mayor Berry was elected to office in May 2010. She also served on the College Station City Council serving from 2004 through 2006. Mayor Berry has a long standing record of public service in College Station. She has been heavily involved with United Way of Brazos Valley since 1987 and was elected as their President in 1991. She was also actively involved with Habitat for Humanity. At the January 2013 MPO Policy Committee meet- ing, Mayor Berry was unanimously elected to her second term as the Policy Committee Chair. Judge Duane Peters, Brazos County - Serving as the Vice-chair, Judge Peters is a native of Brazos County and a graduate of Texas A&M. He and his wife, Bettie, have been married for 40 years and have four children and five grandchildren. Judge Pe- ters was elected in 2010 after serving as Precinct 2 Commissioner for 8 years. He served as Constable for 10 years and worked for the Bryan Fire Department for 7 years. He is an avid rancher. Page 4/June 2013/www.cstx.gov Dr. Rodney McClendon, Texas A&M University - Serving as the Vice-President of Administration for Texas A&M, Dr. McClendon brings a wide range of experience to the Policy Committee. Holding degrees from Morehouse College, Emory University, and Texas A&M University, Dr. McClendon is involved with several boards and com- missions. He is the recipient of multiple awards from A&M’s Association of Former Stu- dents. Mayor Pro Tem Ann Horton, City of Bryan - a native of Bryan, Mayor Pro Tem Horton represents Single Member District 4 in Bryan, in addition to being the Chair of the Bryan Audit Committee and the Intergovernmental Committee. She is a graduate of Texas A&M majoring in English and minoring in Urban Planning. Ms. Catherine Hejl, P.E., TxDOT Bryan District—providing the institutional knowledge for the Policy Committee, Ms. Hejl has served as the TxDOT Bryan District's, District Engineer since 2010, the Bryan District Director of Operations since 2008 and in 2004 served as the District's Director of Maintenance. Ms. Hejl is a graduate of TAMU and is the 2007 recipient of the Dewitt C. Greer Award. Page 5/June 2013/www.cstx.gov New Commercial: YTD – 1 yr YTD – 2 yr 54 % 25% Year-to-date, new commercial per- mits experienced a decrease in quantity when compared to last year at this time, June 2012, and in- creased when compared with two years ago, June 2011. New Single-Family Homes: YTD – 1 yr YTD– 2 yr 20 % 34 % Year-to-date, single-family home permits decreased in quantity when compared to last year at this time, June 2012, and increased when compared with two years ago, June 2011. Total Permits: YTD - 1 yr YTD - 2 yr 31% 25% Year-to-date, total permits ex- perienced an decrease in quantity when compared to last year at this time, June 2012, and experi- enced an increase when com- pared with two years ago, June 2011. TRACKING THE NUMBERS Page 6/June 2013/www.cstx.gov The City maintains a grid of Survey Control Monuments which locally serves as surveying reference points. Maps and monument data sheets as well as the highlighted reports can be accessed on the City’s Survey Monuments page at http://www.cstx.gov/monuments. The monuments aid in delineating public and private properties, surveys, subdivisions, construction projects, and especially projects sensitive to accurate vertical elevations such as efforts related to FEMA floodplain, etc. Aerial flyovers also utilize the monuments to aid in ortho-rectifying, or horizontally and vertically adjusting, aerials and subsequent topographic data as these products are converted to GIS layers and data in GIS to more accurately reflect actual real earth surface locations. Most recently, the City contracted with Joe Orr, Inc. to locate the remaining elevation reference marks (RMs) identified on the Series "C" and "D" FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and to determine respective NAVD-88 elevations. This Survey Report (2012) confirms which monuments remain and lists elevations for the RMs in the Flood Insurance Study which were originally based on the NGVD-29 datum, where the Series "E" FIRMs are referenced to the NAVD-88. These historical FEMA benchmarks and reference marks with updated elevations surveyed in 2012 are "supplementary" elevation control. SURVEY MONUMENTS Page 7/June 2013/www.cstx.gov The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) has created the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) which is the official reference system of the federal government that allows a user to determine geodetic coordi- nates including latitude, longitude, height, etc. NGS develops and determines multiple region-specific da- tums. The current local datums are NAVD-88 for Vertical, and NAD-83 (CORS Adjustment) for Horizontal. NGS has numerous benchmarks across the nation and data on these monuments can be retrieved from the following link on National Geodetic Survey Registered Benchmarks. Specifically, benchmarks BM0026, BM0028, BM0032, and BM0033 are the remaining NGS benchmarks in College Station city limits, all of which were recently surveyed and included with the Survey Report (2012) with updated datums as refer- enced. Additional background: In 1994, the City had 86 Survey Control Monuments (1994 – in OLD Datums) constructed. However, since that time 20 monuments have been damaged or removed in construction or adjacent activity. Addi- tionally these original monuments were provided in datums that are becoming outdated (horizontal: NAD- 27 and NAD-83, and vertical: NGVD-29). In conjunction with the 2005 aerial fly-over contract with Kucera International, Inc., GeoMetrics GPS, Inc. performed a Photogrammetric Control Survey (2005) to provide additional, updated horizontal and ver- tical control for mapping in the same noted coordinate system and datum. After the City hosted a roundtable discussion with local surveying community in 2009, the City proceeded to contract with CDS/Muery Services in 2010 to establish 11 new monuments to supplement the loss of monuments and to update the monument grid to more current survey datums (horizontal: NAD-83 [CORS Adjustment] and vertical: NAVD-88). Additionally, the new monuments utilize a more stable and durable construction method of deep rod survey monuments driven to refusal, instead of the previous common discs simply set in 6 inch diameter 3 feet deep concrete pier. The complete, detailed Survey Report (2010) de- scribing survey methods and procedures as well as raw data is available. These 11 deep rod monuments constructed in 2010 are the "primary" elevation control for College Station. In 2011, the City contracted with Joe Orr, Inc. to update the datums and re-survey the original remaining 1994 monuments to match the new deep rod monuments. The Survey Control Monuments (2010 and 1994 – in NEW Datums) and Joe Orr’s associated Survey Report (2011) with metadata is available. Note that 2012 FEMA Map Modernization project (Series "E") is complete which similarly updates and co- ordinates to reference vertical datum to NAVD-88 (CORS Adjustment) as well. An effort is now underway to install small pipe bollards to further protect the monuments for long term use. These remaining 1994 monuments with updated elevations conducted in 2011 are "secondary" elevation control. If you have any questions, please contact College Station’s City Engineer, Alan Gibbs, P.E. at (979) 764-3570. Page 4/ March 2011 / www.cstx.gov Page 2/ May 2011 / www.cstx.gov Page 2/ May 2011 / www.cstx.gov Page 8/June 2013/www.cstx.gov IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING As part of the on-going implementation of College Station’s Comprehensive Plan, the City created its Neighbor- hood, District, and Corridor Planning program to provide focused action plans for smaller areas of the City. Under this program, the City has adopted six small area plans. These plans focus on the particular needs and opportunities of the areas. Currently, the Planning & Development Services Department is nearing completion of its seventh plan. Neighborhood Plans The intent of the Neighborhood, District, and Corridor Planning process is to strengthen existing neighborhoods and places; help stabilize neighborhoods that are in transition; and enhance the quality of life for residents. The process furthers College Station’s goals of “ensuring safe, tranquil, clean, and healthy neighborhoods with en- during character” and “valuing and protecting our cultural and historic community resources.” Most plans include discussions on neighborhood integrity, community character, mobility, and public facilities and services. Neighborhood Plans have a planning horizon of five to seven years, meaning that action items included should be reasonably attainable during that time period. Changes with longer-term implications are also con- sidered during the process. The City’s various Master Plans, including the Water/Wastewater Master Plan, Thoroughfare Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan, and others, are amended and implemented through this process by further defining specific details, such as exact location and design. Public Input Public input is critical to the planning process. Receiving information and feedback from the community enhances the process by allowing those who know the area best – the residents, property owners, and business owners - to identify issues and discuss possible solutions. Opportunities are provided for residents to voice their opinions on the direction of their neighborhood and discuss ways in which to change or maintain that direction and char- acter of the neighborhood. Generally, several neighborhood-wide meetings are held giving residents the op- portunity to learn about the planning process and how to be involved. A group of neighborhood volunteers work together over a series of months as the Neighborhood Resource Team to form recommendations that are included in the plans. For more information, visit the Neighborhood, District, and Corridor Planning website at www.cstx.gov/ ndcplanning. Page 9/June 2013/www.cstx.gov PLANNING PROCESS Phase 1, Pre-Planning: The pre-planning phase is the first step in neighborhood planning. This phase focused on the mechanics of getting a plan started and moving it forward. During this stage of the Plan, the draft boundaries are identified, a timeline established, resource teams established, and public outreach efforts are identified. Phase 2, Existing Conditions and Planning Vision: This phase focuses on data collection, public outreach, and determining the goals for the Plan. Several public meetings and Neighborhood Resource Team meetings are held during this time to develop the planning goals. Additionally, the existing conditions analysis is conducted to establish some of the base- line data for tracking plan implementation. Phase 3, Plan Development: This plan development phase focuses on the development of the Plan chapters, utilizing the goals and existing conditions that were developed during the pre- vious phase. Draft strategies and actions are developed to achieve the stated goals and are presented at Neighborhood Resource Team meetings. At the end of the process, an Open House meeting is held to present the draft Plan at a neighborhood-wide meeting and gauge acceptance of the proposed strategies. Phase 4, Adoption and Implementation: The Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board provides a recommendation. A public hearing is held and recommendation provided at the Planning and Zoning Commission. After a public hearing, the City Council adopts the Plan. After adoption, implementation is on-going for the duration of the time period of the Plan (five to seven years) and can be tracked on the Plan’s website at: http://www.cstx.gov/ndcplanning. SINGLE FAMILY PARKING ORDINANCE A Joint Neighborhood Parking Task Force of City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission members was established in February 2012 to study community concerns regarding neighborhood parking and emergency access. The Task Force gathered and evaluated data, solicited input from stakeholders, formulated recom- mendations, and conducted public hearings. The Task Force’s recommendation was received by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council in February 2013 and their Final Recommendations Report can be viewed at www.cstx.gov/devservices. Staff has posted the proposed language to implement the Task Force’s recommendations at the website listed above. The proposal requires one parking space for every bedroom in a single-family dwelling (instead of only two per dwelling) and allows no more than 50% of the front portion of the property to be parking or impervious surface. When new single-family subdivisions are developed, a menu of options would be avail- able to address on-street parking such as wider streets, narrower streets, parking removal, wider lot front- ages, or overflow parking areas. The ordinance amendment is tentatively scheduled for Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing and recommendation on August 15th and Council public hearing and consideration on September 12th. For more information regarding this item, contact Teresa Rogers, Staff Planner, at trogers@cstx.gov or (979)764-3570. Page 10/June 2013/www.cstx.gov Page 4/ March 2011 / www.cstx.gov Page 2/ May 2011 / www.cstx.gov Page 2/ May 2011 / www.cstx.gov Page 11/June 2013/www.cstx.gov REGIONAL DETENTION FEASIBILITY STUDY 2013 Multi-functional Stormwater Siting Analysis The City contracted with Watearth, Inc. to conduct a preliminary assessment for siting regional stormwater facilities - the report is available online at www.cstx.gov/regionaldetention. The primary emphasis of the analysis was flood control or detention ranking for effectiveness, based on the location of various possible sites in the watersheds. The intent for this assessment was to provide preliminary guidance and considerations for future projects and to identify possible opportunities for larger regional facilities that serve multiple prop- erties which may yield greater impacts and efficiencies – whether publically or privately initiated. This effort also factored additional considerations in the ranking parameters which include: water quality/ wetlands, redevelopment, hydrology model availability, existing drainage problems, trail connectivity, park amenity, city-owned/private land, and anticipated costs. The complete ranking table is provided in Appen- dix D of the report with an abbreviated summary provided above. If you have any questions, please contact College Station’s Sr. Asst. City Engineer, Carol Cotter, P.E. at (979) 764-3570. P LANNER ON C ALL F REQUENTLY A SKED Q UESTIONS 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 questions. If you have questions for the Planner on Call, please contact us at 979-764-3570 or POC@cstx.gov. Q: I’m working on the site layout for a commercial development. I’m somewhat unsure of the parking stall dimensions and parking islands. Can you explain this more? A: Depending on the angle of the parking space the dimensions will vary. A standard 90° parking space is 9 feet wide by 20 feet deep. Smaller angles require the parking space to be deeper. For instance, 45° parking would be 9 feet by 21.1 feet. A 90° parking space may be reduced to 18 feet deep, when it abuts a landscaped island that is at least 4 feet in depth or a sidewalk that is 6 feet or more in width. Wheel stops may be used if the depth of the space from the wheel stop to the end of the space meets the minimum depth requirement. As for parking islands, they must be raised at least six inches, curbed, not less than 180 square feet in area and the majority planted or treated with enhanced paving. In addition, a parking island may have sidewalks incorporated within it. A parking island is required at the end of every parking row. If parking is located within 15 feet of a public right-of-way, a parking island must be provided to separate every seven parking spaces. In addition, for every 15 interior parking spaces an island is required. Interior parking means spaces not along a street or an adjacent lot. Interior islands may be grouped and placed as desired. When the area of an end island exceeds the minimum of 180 square feet, the excess area can count toward the interior parking island requirement. For more information on parking standards, please contact the Planner-On-Call.