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Minutes for the Land Use Advisory Committee meeting on November 6, 2014
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Members present: Bill Hall (chair), Pam Alexander, Darren May, Councilman Todd Burton, Rusty Trevathan, Dr. Jim Sanders and Carroll Caldwell
Members absent: Joey Roach, Mark Enos, Steve Smith, Eric Scarbrough, Jerry Halsey, Jr., Kevan Inboden, Nadine Straitt, Shawnie Carrier, Terry Bare and Wixson Huffstetler
A motion and second was made to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2014, meeting. All voted aye.
Discussion was held concerning the recent change to the map along Highway 1 South on Stadium Blvd where the high intensity is along Stadium and stops at the intersection with Caraway Road. City Planner Otis Spriggs reminded the committee the logic of stopping the high intensity area at Caraway Road was to run high intensity along the sewer main. It was decided to leave the high intensity as it is.
Discussion was then held regarding the removal of nodes at Darr Hill and Collins/Hwy 49 South at the previous meeting. Mr. Light explained the intent was to change the low intensity node to residential commercial node in the language to encourage services that local residents need on a daily basis, such as a convenience store, small grocery store or small bank branch. Councilman Burton then referred to the intersection of Aggie and Airport where a future roundabout is being planned. He questioned whether or not that type of growth would be inhibited by the roundabout. Mr. Light stated there is a small area to the southwest that could development into commercial. Councilman Burton expressed concern about the node at that intersection congesting traffic further than it already is. He added he thinks that intersection is similar to the area around Darr Hill due to the schools in proximity to both locations.
Mr. Spriggs questioned whether the committee wants to keep the nodes on the map or if they would like to move towards more of a wedge approach with each area being designated as necessary. The committee discussed the effect of transportation and infrastructure on what can be developed in nodes around certain areas of town. Mr. Light explained the growth centers were made to encourage areas to develop a certain way. Whether or not the nodes stay on the map, the committee needs to decide how those areas will develop in a transit-oriented way. Councilman Burton agreed, adding that the nodes are put on four corners of an intersection, but doesn’t necessarily have to be done that way. Chairman Hall stated he would even be okay with a dot showing where they encourage that type of development. He added he thinks the title of the nodes need to be more description so the committee knows exactly what each node means in terms of intensity, transit, etc. Further discussion was held concerning the language of the nodes. Mr. Light stated if the nodes are in areas that the committee does not want to encourage growth development in that way, then the nodes should be moved or taken off.
Chairman Hall asked for the next meeting to have a change in language and title for the nodes. Mr. Spriggs answered yes, with the committee’s direction. Ms. Alexander asked if both nodes should have the same reference to mixed use development and transit. Mr. Spriggs answered no, that the low intense node initially did not include mixed use. Mr. Spriggs clarified the committee wants to keep the nodes, but just redefine what they mean and how they are situated. Mr. Caldwell explained if the committee wants sidewalks and other amenities for residents to be able to get from one place to another then mixed use needs to be included in the nodes. Chairman Hall agreed, adding it should be planned mixed use. The committee members agreed. Mr. Spriggs stated he will have a draft for the committee at the next meeting. Also, if there needs to be any changes to nodes then that can be done as well.
Mr. Light noted the downtown core area is currently being shown as high intensity, but some of the allowed uses within high intensity would not work for the downtown area. He noted the Hyett Palma study encouraged the downtown area to be used for entertainment and arts, among others, but those areas won’t fit underneath high intensity. Chairman Hall agreed. Mr. Spriggs stated he will come up with a way to designate that on the map with the appropriate language.
With no further business, the committee adjourned.