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HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_PolicyPlan_PolicyAreasCENTORYPLAN n eo! getown POLJ(:YPLAN c ctc.. HIF POLICY AREAS The Century Plan Task Groups placed their primary emphasis on consideration and development of Ends statements. In that sense, and because the Policy Ends and Focus Ends statements will guide growth and development in Georgetown throughout the planning period, this chapter forms the heart of the Policy Plan. Taken as a whole, the Ends establish the basic intent of the Plan and the manner in which the City intends to approach business during the planning period. Policy Ends are defined as expressions of community values and so were written to be broad enough to have the consensus of the general public and to be relatively permanent. If the Century Plan is to have meaning as a long range planning document, the Policy Ends should not become outdated or unacceptable during the short term, or when one or more of the related Focus Ends cannot be met. The City Council action to adopt the Policy Plan establishes the Policy Ends statements as legally binding elements of the Plan. These statements are shown in bold in Chapter Three. 13 PLAN Georgetown POLICY PLAN e In order to define how the Century Plan Task Groups and Steering Committee intended for the Policy Ends to be fulfilled, Focus Ends were written. Focus Ends are more specific than Policy Ends and provide clarification and further definition of the Policy End, Focus Ends originate with Century Plan Task Groups during the creation of a Functional Plan Element, or with the City Council during the creation of an Annual Operating Plan Element and are subject to an annual process of reevaluation and redefinition, as described in the ADMINISTRATION chapter. This annual amendment process will ensure that the Focus Ends are responsive to changing priorities, revenues, conditions, and dependencies. The ends will be used by future City Councils to measure the City's success at fulfilling individual policies. Through the process of amendments, revisions and Annual Operating Plan elements, future City Councils will be able to modify specific actions and determine expenditures as new programs are identified and funding levels are determined. Means statements describe the specific activities that can be taken to achieve Ends. They are specific and measurable actions that will yield a clearly identifiable result. Means statements are developed by City staff during the budget process and appear only in the Annual Operating Plan Element. Means have their origin in the specific recommendations of a Functional Plan Element, or from the knowledge and expertise of City staff. When adopted as a part of the Annual Operating Plan Element, they become legally binding. The Ends in this chapter are organized by fourteen major categories. These categories were developed to be inclusive of one or more of the elements which the City Charter mandates must be included in the comprehensive plan. Although some of the Policy Plan categories are the same as the Charter mandated elements, others are different. All of the categories, however, can he directly related to one or more Charter elements. The organization of the Policy Plan in this manner serves to illuminate interdependencies among the Charter elements when determining Ends. The more specific manner in which each individual category corresponds to the Charter elements is described in an introduction to each category. All of the Charter elements have been included at least once within the categories so that there are Ends written for all the elements. The relationships among Charter - mandated elements, Policy Plan categories, and Functional Plans are shown on Exhibit 3. 14 mj I I / I �A �etn VIM HMIT EN CE POL14 CATEC ronomic :cilities iucatior ounce aviroam ?source overrun Yowth a evelopn 'ealth m ?rvices lisroric . ad b6an D lousing ecream .Vtural rauspm Itilities 15 POLICY PLAN Georgetown W ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY PLAN The City Charter specifically mandates that the Century Plan should include "an economic element for commercial and industrial development . and redevelopment. " The Economic Development category includes this element, and is also related to "a future land -use element" and "a citizen participation element." In addition to these specifically mandated elements, Economic Development Ends are related to such topics as employment, interaction with other public and private agencies, annexation, finance, governmental affairs, and environmental concerns. 1.0 Georgetown's economy is self - sustaining through diversified growth, a broad tax base with minimal impact from economic fluctuation, enhanced business opportunity and job creation. 1.1 Existing undeveloped sites in Georgetown are put to beneficial use. 1.2 Georgetown recruits small to mid -sized commercial /industrial firms from all areas of the production process (i.e., research and development, assembly, production, distribution, warehousing, and retailing). 1.3 The City, the Georgetown Industrial Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and local business and industry work together to promote an aggressive commercial /industrial retention and expansion program. 1.4 Georgetown attracts spinoff companies from major employers in the region. 1.5 Georgetown minimizes the number of employees it exports to surrounding labor markets. 1.6 The City seeks funding resources to assist in training or retraining of the lacal labor pool. 1.7 The City provides financial and nonfinancial incentives to promote economic development. 1.8 The downtown is an economically viable component of the retail and business community. 16 G'°F tntnrn eorge 1.9 All citizens actively participate in local tray 1.10 The City actively cooperates with merchan trade and commerce within the local cornn 1.11 The tourism industry in Georgetown is det the community's small -town charm. 17 POL7c7'PLAN lim CENTORYPLAN Georgetown EDUCATION POLICY �ql e- The category of Education is not specifically addressed by the City Charter; however, it is derived from the "public buildings and related facilities element ", and the "public services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement program." Education Ends should define desirable relationships between the City government and Georgetown Independent School District, Southwestern University, and child/day care entities. 2.0 Diverse and comprehensive educational opportunities are available through public and private cooperative efforts. 18 Georgetown POL/CYP[AN R The Environmental and Resource Conservation category is specifically required by the following Charter element: "a conservation and environmental resources element." It is also related to the following Charter elements: "a future land -use element," "an urban design element," "historic preservation elements," and "a wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage and potable water element." These Ends also deal with open space, physical development, and urban form. 3.0 The physical qualities that make Georgetown attractive are protected. 3.1 Georgetown's water resources system provides a sufficient water supply of high quality to meet future City needs, to meet economic development and recreational requirements, and to conserve wildlife. 19 ENVIRONMENTAL & RESOURCE CONSERVATION The Environmental and Resource Conservation category is specifically required by the following Charter element: "a conservation and environmental resources element." It is also related to the following Charter elements: "a future land -use element," "an urban design element," "historic preservation elements," and "a wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage and potable water element." These Ends also deal with open space, physical development, and urban form. 3.0 The physical qualities that make Georgetown attractive are protected. 3.1 Georgetown's water resources system provides a sufficient water supply of high quality to meet future City needs, to meet economic development and recreational requirements, and to conserve wildlife. 19 CENTURYPLAN Georgetown rgill =T SERVICES 1 The City Charter includes two required elements which are directly related to the Facilities and Services category; these are "a public buildings and related facilities element: and a public services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement program." Facilities and Services also relates to the "recreation and open space element" and the "health and human service element," as well as the related topics of education, parks, City -owned property, Southwestern University, and the Georgetown Independent School District. 4.0 The City provides for the safety of its citizens and supports the responsive delivery of coordinated services by the City and other public agencies. 4.1 The City centralizes and co- locates services on existing City -owned property whenever possible. 4.2 The City has a high level of employee satisfaction and retention. 4.3 Georgetown public Library's information and collections are accessible to all citizens. 4.4 The Georgetown Public Library has a collection development budget which equals the national per capita for library expenditures in a comparable population category. 4.5 The Georgetown Public Library's resources are expanded through partnerships with a variety of organizations, including non - profit, corporations, governments, schools and community groups. 4.6 The City provides appropriate, well managed information technology products and services that support City operations and citizen access to information. 4.7 There is trust and harmony between the City's public safety providers and all segments of the community. 20 Pcary Georgetown PoucrPrax IM 4.8 Georgetown is effective at resolving issues related to crime, disorder and fear of crime. 4.9 Georgetown's fire protection is adequate and equitable throughout the City. 4.10 Georgetown is prepared to respond to large scale natural and technological emergencies. 4.11 Public safety services are provided to adjacent areas outside of the City limits through contractual agreements with other government organizations, ensuring equitable and efficient coordination of services. 4.12 Public safety services have a high level of citizen and volunteer involvement. 4.13 The City is safe from animal threat, provides attractive and humane animal accommodations, and encourages the adoption of animals. 21 CENTURYPLAN Georgetown a� FINANCE POLICY PLAN While it can be said that all of the City Charter elements and all of the other categories are dependent to some degree on the Finance category, some have a more direct and obvious relation than others. The Charter element which is most directly related to Finance is "a public services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement program." This category is also related to "a wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage, and potable water element," and "an economic element for commercial and industrial development and redevelopment." In addition, the related topics of taxes, interaction with other taxing entities, funding options, city administration, and annexation are included within these policies. 50 All municipal operations are conducted in an efficient business -like manner and sufficient financial resources for both short-term and long -term needs are provided. 5.1 Each utility system is a self - supported operation that provides a desirable and affordable level of service. 5.2 The City investigates the privatization of each City operation, as appropriate. 5.3 The City's utility rates are competitive with surrounding communities and with the statewide and national averages for comparable utility systems. 5.4 The tax rate is reasonable and fair and does not hinder economic development. 5.5 The City has a method for funding street and streetscape improvements. 5.6 The City pursues all federal and state grant programs which would benefit the City. 22 Georgetown CENTURY PLAN POLICY" K M The Governmental Affairs category is directly related to at least two of the City Charter elements, including "a citizen participation element" and "a public buildings and related facilities element." In addition, this category is related to the topics of intergovernmental coordination, city administration, finance, and annexation. 6.0 A high level of cooperation and involvement exists among Georgetown's citizens and governmental organizations. 6.1 All citizens actively participate in governmental functions. 6.2 The City develops and coordinates service delivery policies with Williamson County, the Georgetown Independent School District and other organizations that provide services to Georgetown. 6.3 The City is a strong and visible participant in developing comprehensive solutions to issues of concern on a regional level. 23 Georgetown POLICYPLAN GROWTH & PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT The Growth and Physical Development category is related to nearly all of the City Charter mandated categories, the most direct tie being to "a future land -use element." However, it is also related to "a traffic circulation and public transit element," "an economic element for commercial and industrial development and redevelopment," "a wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage and potable water element," "a public services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement program," "a housing element," and "a conservation and environmental resources element." Clearly the Growth and Physical Development category is dependent on many of the other Policy Plan categories and Charter elements. 7.0 Georgetown's land uses support economic, cultural and social activities for all residents, businesses and organizations; and the City's development process encourages new and infill development. 7.1 The City's regulations implement the Policy Ends and provide the opportunity to seek change with reasonable effort and expense. 7.2 Annexation procedures and standards benefit the community. 24 CENTURY PLAN Georgetown POLICY Ptah IL �I HEALTH & HUMAN The City Charter specifically requires "a health and human service element," which is addressed by the Health and Human Services category. Also addressed by this category are the related topics of public and quasi - public facilities, interaction with public and private agencies, and demographics. 8.6 Comprehensive, affordable health and human services are available through public and private organizations. 25 C iTYOF CENTURYPLAN eIorr etown owl HISTORIC PRESERVATION PoLICYPLAN The Historic Preservation category is specifically required by the City Charter through mention of a "historic preservation element'. It is related to the "urban design element," the "conservation and environmental resources element," and the "recreation and open space element." The Ends under this category also address physical development, economic development, and tourism. 9.0 Prehistoric, historic, and cultural resources are preserved, protected and promoted. 26 Georgetown POLICYPLAN lE j The City Charter requires "a housing element" to be included in the Century Plan. In addition to directly addressing this mandate, the Housing category is also related to "a future land -use element," as well as the transportation system, public and quasi - public facilities, and urban form. 10.0 The City cooperates with builders, developers and property owners to provide safe and adequate housing opportunities for all citizens. I 27 CENTORYPLAN Georrgetown RECREATION & CULTURAL AFFAIRS The Ends order the Recreation and Cultural Affairs category specifically address the City Charter - mandated "recreation and open space element." This category is also related to "a public buildings and related facilities element," "a conservation and environmental resources element," "a public services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement program ", and "a citizen participation element." This category may also refer to historic preservation, Southwestern University, and the Georgetown Independent School District. PLAN 11.0 All citizens actively participate in community -wide social, cultural, and recreational activities. 11.1 The City maintains and upgrades existing parks and constructs new parks through a diversified funding and acquisition program. 11.2 The City's park facilities and recreational programs meet the leisure needs of citizens. 11.3 Georgetown has an attractive and coordinated system of hike and bike trails. 11.4 The City has recreational programs targeting those who are physically or otherwise challenged. 11.5 The City has an ongoing process for recreational needs assessment and program evaluation. 11.6 The City has in -house capability in horticulture. 11.7 The City encourages the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue to make Lake Georgetown water and land resources available to the community and to be responsive to the community's expanding and changing needs. 11.8 The City has greenbelts along the tributaries (e.g. Smith Branch, Pecan Branch, and Berry Creek) that feed into the San Gabriel River. 11.9 The City has joint venture development and use agreements with other recreational providers for existing facilities and /or for future development. Georgetown POLICY" IL PATTON The Transportation category is most directly related to "a traffic circulation and public transit element." It is also related to "a future land -use element," "a wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage and potable water element," and "a public services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement program. Transportation Ends will also affect urban form and development. 12.0 Georgetown's transportation system provides for the safe and efficient movement of traffic, promotes the economic interests of the community, and adequately serves the needs of individuals. 12.1 The City maintains a Transportation Functional Plan that includes all modes of transportation. 12.2 The City supports an area -wide transportation effort through coordination with other public and private organizations. 12.3 The City has sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the City, especially around and between schools and parks. 12.4 The City supports private transportation services in the community. 12.5 The City has continuous frontage roads along Interstate. Highway 35 through Georgetown. 12.6 The Georgetown Municipal Airport is an integral part of the transportation system and business activity of the community. 12.7 There is direct public access to the area east and west of the Georgetown Municipal Airport runways. 29 l Georgetown FM it POLICY PLAN The Urban Design category is required by the inclusion of an "urban design element" in the City Charter. It is directly related to the Historic Preservation element, as well as the "future land -use element" and the "economic element for commercial and industrial development and redevelopment." 13.0 Georgetown has a positive, identifiable image and an attractive appearance. 30 Georgetown POLICY PLAN :tli�ti I 1 The Utilities and Energy category is directly required by the City Charter by the inclusion of "a wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage and potable water element." It is also related to the "future land -use element," and the "public services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement program." For the purposes of these policies, utilities have been defined to include water, wastewater, electric, stormwater drainage, gas distribution, solid waste management, and telecommunications systems. 14.0 Georgetown's utility systems provide safe and reliable service which meets the needs of all citizens and promotes the economic health of the community. 14.1 Customers of the City's electric utility have a range of choices with respect to rates, service levels and power supply options. 14.2 Water and wastewater services exceed state and federal standards and are provided to a all certified areas. 14.3 The stormwater drainage system efficiently and effectively protects the health and safety of Georgetown's residents and minimizes the negative effects of standing water and urban runoff. 14.4 The City uses available and emerging alternative energy sources when beneficial. 14.5 The City's utility policies and practices promote and encourage the protection and conservation of Georgetown's environment and natural resources. 14.6 Franchised utilities provide adequate services for all citizens. "e 31 CENTURYPLAN CITY ( ? eorgetown POLICY PLAN 32