HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2011-18 - Vision Statements to 2030 planORDINANCE NO. c) 0 I ! 13
An Ordinance of the City of Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, amending the
2030 Comprehensive Plan to add text to the 2030 Vision Statements; repealing
conflicting ordinances and resolutions; including a severability clause; and
establishing an effective date.
Whereas, the City Charter of the City of Georgetown was amended by vote of the people in
April 1986 such that comprehensive planning was established as a continuous and ongoing
governmental function; and
Whereas, the City Council approved the 2030 Comprehensive Plan: Executive Summary;
Introduction; Plan Framework; Plan Elements: Land Use Element; Procedures for Plan Administration,
Implementation, Monitoring and Updates; and Appendices, on February 28, 2008; and
Whereas, the 2030 Comprehensive Plan's Plan Administration Section made provisions for an
annual update to be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council for a
review of implementation progress and consideration of possible plan amendments; and
Whereas, on November 11, 2008, the City Council adopted Resolution 111108 -S, establishing
procedures for an ongoing annual update; and
Whereas, on April 7, 2011, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and
recommended to the City Council the specific text amendments proposed by staff as part of the
2030 Annual Update amendment package; and
Whereas, notice of the City Council public hearing was published in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City prior to the hearing, which stated the time and place of the hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby
found and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and
expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this
ordinance implements the goals and policies of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan:
Section 2: The text portions of 2030 Comprehensive Plan Vision Statements are hereby amended, as
described in underline, by Exhibit A.
Section 3. All ordinances and resolutions, or parts of ordinances and resolutions, in conflict
with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, and are no longer of any force and effect.
Section 4. This ordinance shall become effective immediately, in accordance with the provisions
of the Charter of the City of Georgetown.
Ordinance No
2011 Amendments to 2030 Vision Statements
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PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the 26th day of April, 2011.
PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the 10th day of May, 2011.
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mark Sokolow
City Attorney
THE TY OF GEORGETOWN:
George Garver
Mayor
Ordinance No. &ID! Page 2 of 2
2011 Amendments to 2030 Vision Statements
Exhibit A
2030 VISION STATEMENT
1.0 QUALITY OF LIFE
1.1 Community Character
A. The City of Georgetown is regarded throughout Central Texas and the nation as a safe,
livable and beautiful "community of choice."
B. We have retained our unique identity and heritage by protecting the historic character of
downtown and our older neighborhoods.
C. We have raised the bar for development quality by encouraging innovation among forms of
development that maintain and enhance community character and conserve land and
natural resources, consistent with market demand.
D. We have enhanced the community's visual character through greater attention to roadway
aesthetics, conservation of our tree canopy and green spaces, standards for appropriate
signage and enhanced gateway corridors.
E. We have preserved our irreplaceable natural resources, our lakes, rivers and hill country
scenery. Through a variety of means - including strategic acquisition and development of
park lands, trails and greenways, successful partnerships, and effective use of incentives for
voluntary preservation - our open spaces are protected for future generations.
F. We have expanded public recreational use and enjoyment of our parks and open spaces by
expanding sports facilities and by enhancing our network of greenways and trails, which
link major open spaces, recreational areas and our rivers and lakes.
1.2 People
A. Georgetown residents are educated, engaged, caring, diverse and committed to the
community.
B. Georgetown residents - whether long -time residents or newcomers; young households or
retirees - become deeply rooted in the community and are actively involved in community
service through their faith -based involvement, civic organizations and a variety of volunteer
activities.
C. Georgetown residents are well informed and engaged with local government on key issues
affecting growth and change in the community.
D. Georgetown residents recognize and embrace their diversity and respond to opportunities
to come together in common purpose, overcoming generational, cultural, geographic and
socio- economic barriers.
E. Georgetown residents are tolerant, compassionate, and reach out to those in need.
F. Georgetown residents are receptive to positive change and nurture future leaders.
G. Georgetown residents respond to the needs of all economic levels of residents through the
provision of affordable housing and adequate and accessible health and social services.
2011 Annual Update - 2030 Plan Vision Amendments
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Exhibit A
1.3 Educational and Cultural Opportunities
A. Georgetown nurtures its most valuable resource —its youth —by promoting and supporting
the highest level of excellence in public education and by actively engaging them in the life
of the community.
B. Southwestern University is a valued resource and a partner in community affairs. The City
and University collaborate in initiatives to expand economic opportunities, to attract clean,
knowledge -based employment, and to provide cultural enrichment to citizens and
opportunities to engage the student body in the community.
C. Georgetown seeks and creates partnerships to promote lifelong learning and provide
affordable higher education for all, along with special venues for leaming to make
Georgetown an educational destination in Central Texas.
D. Georgetown is a cultural destination in Central Texas, thanks to our vibrant community of
artists and artisans, performing arts venues, and array of arts, heritage and cultural festivals
and events.
1.4 Public Safety
A. Georgetown provides honorable service and vigi.iant protection throughout the community
so that people feel safe in their homes, businesses, and public places.
B. Georgetown strives to provide superior, consistent, and effective public safety response
capabilities through leadership, innovation and a commitment to excellence.
C. Georgetown solidifies the relationship with the community through superior service,
citizen education and collaborative partnerships in order to establish trust, empower the
citizens, and meet the expectations of the community.
D. Georgetown provides effective emergency services through comprehensive, collaborative,
communicative, and efficient incident disaster management.
Georgetown. strives to be the standard for public safety through innovative and strategic
planning, the utilization of viable emerging technologies, and the effective and efficient use
of staffing, resources, and facilities.
2.0 QUALITY GROWTH /SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
2.1 Throughout Georgetown we have...
A. Attracted desired forms of balanced development, creating quality urban, suburban, and
rural places that offer a choice of setting and lifestyle.
B. Encouraged residential developments that are well connected to the larger community, are
planned and designed to compliment the heritage and natural character of Georgetown, and
offer a variety of housing types and price ranges.
C. Encouraged sound, compact, quality growth, including pedestrian- friendly development
patterns that incorporate mixed uses and densities, conserve resources, and accommodate
2011 Annual Update - 2030 Plan Vision Amendments
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Exhibit A
F. Georgetown has maintained and improved its fiscal strength by:
• Actively promoting sustainable economic development through recruitment of desired
industries and employers.
• Guiding a compact growth pattern, which reduces public facility costs.
• Carefully prioritizing spending consistent with adopted capital improvement plans and
budgets.
• Judicious use of incentives and subsidies for desired development.
G. Georgetown has taken a leadership role in the use of advanced technology to incorporate
sustainable "green infrastructure," including initiatives to:
• Conserve water resources through reduced consumption.
• Effectively re -use treated wastewater for irrigation.
• Encourage renewable sources of energy.
• Promote maximum recycling.
• Promote the use of alternative fuels.
• Provide high speed internet access for all citizens.
H. The City has followed through on its commitment to plan for the future, by adopting a
comprehensive plan; by consistently applying it as a criterion in all decision - making; by
implementing actions called for in the plan; and by periodic monitoring and updating of the
plan.
2011 Annual Update - 2030 Plan Vision Amendments
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Exhibit A
public transportation, alternative fuel vehicles, biking, and walking as convenient
substitutes for automobile use.
D. Reserved well - planned and well - located sites for future employment centers, sufficient to
meet our long range need for economic diversification and suitable to attract desired "clean"
businesses.
E. Maintained the quality and diversity of our housing stock in all of our neighborhoods,
which are framed by safe, attractive streets.
2.2 In downtown Georgetown and our older neighborhoods we have...
A. Supported home -grown businesses and planned for an optimal mix of businesses, services,
retail and entertainment suited to the scale and historic charm of downtown.
B. Attracted or created an array of civic, arts and other cultural activities and events to expand
the level of downtown activity.
C. Promoted downtown and in -town housing including infill, mixed use and the creation of
apartments and lofts over retail.
2.3 Along our major highway corridors we have...
A. Promoted development compatible with safe, efficient traffic circulation through sound
standards for access management, limited installation of curb cuts and parking facility
connectivity.
B. Selectively determined appropriate locations and applied design standards for large
commercial developments and other high traffic generating uses.
C. Set high design standards for all commercial development and signage.
D. Encouraged mixed -use, and "village center" development types as alternatives to
conventional strip center and stand - alone "pad" sites.
2.4 In our suburban fringe we have...
A. Exercised influence to prevent premature and incompatible development.
B. Encouraged the staged, orderly expansion of contiguous development to coincide with the
expansion of roads and infrastructure.
C. Encouraged conservation development and other approaches that retain rural character and
promote retention of open space.
D. Provided for the City's long range growth with strategically timed annexations.
E. Consolidated development patterns within the city limits, where feasible, through judicious
annexation and capital investments.
2.5 With our City services we will...
A, Provide safe, reliable, efficient, and cost - effective utility services to enhance the quality of
life and meet the needs of the community.
B. Provide adequate utility capacity in a manner that encourages quality, balanced growth
and development through both responsive and proactive planning.
2011 Annual Update — 2030 Plan Vision Amendments
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Exhibit A
C. Protect the environment through a commitment to conservation, sustainable fuels and
materials, regulatory compliance, and the long -term viability of community resources.
D. Encourage innovative solutions, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt to the changing
needs of the community through ongoing analysis, re- evaluation, and a long -range
outlook.
E. Use as an economic tool to incentivize business and industry, expand the tax base, create
jobs, and generate sales tax collections.
3.0 BALANCED TRANSPORTATION /EFFICIENT MOBILITY
A. Georgetown has implemented improvements to the local road and traffic control system,
including new thoroughfare linkages to enhance connectivity, improved and coordinated
traffic signalization, and standards for access management to enhance traffic flow and
safety.
B. Georgetown is progressing towards a functional, well - integrated, multi-modal
transportation system, which provides convenient public transportation choices within
Georgetown and access to the region's major activity centers in and around Austin.
C. Georgetown has reduced its reliance on conventional fuels and automotive traffic by
promoting alternative fuel vehicles; by retrofitting bike lanes and sidewalks in underserved
areas to enhance bicycle and pedestrian mobility; by incorporating these facilities in new
developments; and by encouraging compact mixed -use and other "walkable" development
types.
D. Georgetown has assisted in carefully locating employment and commercial centers, schools,
and other high- traffic generators.
E. Georgetown has promoted the private development of the Georgetown Municipal Airport
by maintaining safe operation procedures and public fa.c.il.ities, strictly adhering to the
maximum capacity of aircraft, and working to reduce aviation noise.
4.0 EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE
A. Our City government retains its reputation for providing a high level of responsiveness to
citizens and in exercising visionary leadership in planning and investing for the future.
B. We have created and enforced innovative, effective and fair regulatory codes and
development standards to guide growth and improve development quality. We have
streamlined the regulatory process, particularly for desired development types and
locations.
C. Georgetown has achieved a high level of service coordination, both internally and with
County, State and other city service providers.
D. Georgetown has anticipated and planned for the long -range need for public facilities
including police, fire, recreation and libraries.
E. The City has coordinated with the Georgetown Independent School District for the
appropriate siting and timing of new school construction, consistent with the City's growth
management strategy.
2011 Annual Update — 2030 Plan Vision Amendments
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