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MIN CC 02/28/2009CITY COUNCIL MEETING of FEBRUARY 28, 2009 BOOK "U" 188 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION HELD ON THE 28TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2009, IN THE CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 9:OOAM. The Council met in a special joint work session with the Planning & Zoning Commission with the following: COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: J. Turner, Wayne Barrett, Tom Cole, Charles Forbus, Melissa Mahaffey, Lanny Ray, Dalene Zander COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Clarence Griffin, Mac Woodward PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Eric Johnston, David Anderson, Dave Brinson, Bill Knotts, Beth Newton, Marilyn Soffar, Jack Wagamon CITY OFFICERS PRESENT: Bill Baine, City Manager; Stephanie Brim, City Secretary OTHER STAFF PRESENT: Aron Kulhavy, City Planner; Glenn Isbell, P.E., City Engineer /Director of Public Works; Victor Pena, Assistant City Manager SPECIAL JOINT WORK SESSION CALL TO ORDER [9:07am] Mayor Turner called the work session to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US and TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION Councilmember Barrett led the invocation. WORK SESSION r The City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a joint work session to review and discuss implementation of the Huntsville Horizon Comprehensive Plan. City Planner Aron Kulhavy gave a presentation, beginning with the role and definition /expectations of City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and City staff. Not included in the presentation but mentioned was the City staff role in supporting the City Council. The next topic covered by Mr. Kulhavy included review of implementation strategies for aspects of the Huntsville Horizon Comprehensive Plan, referring almost exclusively to Chapter 7. Discussion among the Council and Commission included repdoritizing the goals, the general agreement among Council that the transportation issues were of higher importance that the land use map and the Development Code, and that the Development Code revisions were of higher importance than the land use map. Councilmember Mahaffey suggested a reprioritization work session in June or at leastfollowing the May City Officer election. All agreed the Comp Plan should be a flexible plan, changed as the Council's and community's needs change. One specific topic included the bike and greenway trails, given the recent ordinance passed directing staff to complete some similar type projects. Glenn Isbell, Director of Public Works, reported that some portions of the different elements have been prepared, but there is no master plan as of yet. The Council and Commission agreed work on developing this master plan should be continued with more progress than seen in the past two years. The third topic on the agenda reviewed by Mr. Kulhavy included various training opportunities. Mr. Kulhavy mentioned the possibility of bringing a regional type of training to the area if there was interest. This item was basically left open. Mayor Turner then opened the floor to further discussion and questions from the Council and Commission. Councilmember Forbus inquired as to project timelines and responsibilities. Mr. Kulhavy and Commission Chair Eric Johnston responded that same were automatic, and others have been addressed with internal staff procedures. There was general agreement that the systems implemented are effective, and much of the information needed is available on the , website. [Note: Cou nci lmember Cole left at this time.] Commissioner Wagamon expressed dissatisfaction with last- minute submittals to the Commission (when developers submit 30 days out, are notified of deficiencies to be addressed by staff 20 days out, then submit at the last minute for P &Z to review). City Manager Bill Baine commented that sometimes getting things done from the civilian end is difficult. Commissioner Wagamon suggested a possible alternative schedule for P&Z- receiving packets for review by a Monday afternoon then meeting on a Thursday night in order to allow commissioners more time to have their questions answered by staff as well as providing easier access by working citizens. I� MEETING of FEBRUARY 28. 2009 BOOK "U" 189 Council and Commission members then discussed Development Code issues. Specifically, Commission Member Marilyn Soffar requested Council direction on Development Code issues, requesting a time line and priorities from most to least important. Commissioner Wagamon added that the land use map had been discussed at a recent meeting, and with the change in Councilmembers and possible re- prioritization, would like to have a wider discussion on the land use map in particular. He continued, stating that the multiple zones (14) in the plan, basic property rights, and the "heart of the plan" should be further discussed. Mayor Turner stated that the Council overwhelmingly agreed (during that portion of the presentation earlier) that the Development Cade was the priority, not the Land Use Map. Councilmember Zander stated that part of the issue stemmed from the land use map being provided to Council on aboutthe same day it was to be approved, and subsequently the map was pulled from the Comprehensive Plan. She added that the final Chapter 2 of the Plan did not reflect the comments from citizens attending and participating in the ward councils, and that although further discussion of zoning would be warranted, first the Council and Commission should look at what is in place and fix wrong things first. Commissioner Soffar stated when the map was done the consultants tried to practically and logically designate categories by what is currently in place and by what we might want in the future. Commissioner Wagamon stated thatthe citizens (at ward councils) did not want what was presented as the final, that the Plan was a resume builder for the former City Planner, simply a codification of west side (of Huntsville) development and the TIRZ, and requested Council address these concerns over zoning. Councilmember Forbus asked if Huntsville always had zoning; Mayor Turner and Mr. Kulhavy described the three types of zoning currently in place around Huntsville. Commissioner Knotts stated that most prior zoning was the result of probability planning —that something might probably show up in a particular area. Councilmember Zander further explained that the current zoning described as neighborhood conservation areas are controlled by deed restrictions put in place atthe time of development, and that most everything else is in a management district. Mayor Turner clarified that passing Chapter 2 of the Comprehensive Plan was made possible at the time only with the removal of the land use map; Councilmember Zander reported that even though the map itself was removed, there was still ' wording in Chapter 2 reflective of the map. Councilmember Ray asked to have the language revised; City Manager Bill Baine indicated he would have Chapter 2 revised before July 2009. Councilmember Barrett requested a future work session atwhich zoning proponents could present information and the pros and cons of zoning could be more thoroughly vetted. Discussion continued on current and future zoning in Huntsville as compared to other cities such as Lufkin, Houston and Lake Jackson. Several Councilmembers and Commission members weighed in by comparing practices in other cities as well as providing their general views. Most all agreed that a cookie -cutter approach to zoning was not the best or desired solution for Huntsville. Commissioner Johnston mentioned redevelopment as an issue that needs to be on the radar for future discussion. Mayor Turner wrapped up the meeting by recapping the Council's priority to the Commission as far as the Code requiring updates, although not by specific topic or area. He also mentioned the role of each, citing the Commission's role with their firsthand experience in providing input to the Council, which ultimately establishes the legislation. ADJOURNMENT [10:37am] Mayor Turner thanked everyone for their attendance, and adjourned the J