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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDevelopment Services Newsletter November 1992DEVELOPMENT SERVICES VOLUME 5. Number 5 November 1992 THE NEWSLETTER OF GEORGETOWN' S DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION NEWS Now that we have completed our move to our new offices in the Old Post Office just off the square, and are getting settled in, we are able to resume monthly publication of our newsletter. After two months I in our new location, we are now able to find just about everything we need, although there are those items that still elude us. But I'm sure eventually we will find all those lost items. The Division of Development Services which includes the Planning Services Department and Building Inspection Services Department along with all of the operations of the Finance and Administra- tion Division are now housed together in the renovated Old Post Office. The building is being renamed to the Municipal Offices. There remain some finishing touches yet to be done, including landscaping and Q 1 , ; C. rile sa signage, but these items should be completed in the near future. ■n 261 to We feel that by relocating Development Services into the downtown area we will be more easily accessible to our customers as well as being able to improve our services due to our proximity to our `` Finance colleagues. As you may know the Old Post Office is also the new location for utility bill payments and so those of you who pay your utility bills in person each month have by now had the opportunity to m see at least partially the new office space. For those of you, however, who have as yet not been by the office we are planning an open house for the entire community on Thursday, November 19, 1992 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We invite you to join usduring that time and view the historic renovated Post Office Building. This is a facility of which the entire community can be proud and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to work and serve you in this you ing. We look forward to you joining us on November 19. See you then. Ed arry, Director Division of Development Services Updated Socio-Economic Conditions Study Now Available A 1992 update of the base study on Socio-Economic Conditions for Georgetown's Century Plan has been completed. Recommended Population Projection Georgetown, Texas Thousands Hlslorlo Projected 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 The updated report, like the original, explores the social and economic characteristics of Georgetown's residents. The study focuses on four main topics: analysis of the popula- tion, household analysis, educational analysis, and economic analysis.The original 1987 Socio-Economic Conditions study re- lied on 1980 Census data and estimates for 1985 data from several sources. Georgetown's population growth since that time merits taking another look at socio-economic conditions using the 1990 Census of Population and Housing data. As indicated in the report, even the dramatic economic boom and bust cycle of the 1980's failed to slow the rate of population growth within the Georgetown city limits.Understanding the im- pacts of Georgetown's growth is vital for both public and private planning undertakings which affect the future of the community. This update of our socio-economic conditions should be a timely tool. Copies of the updated report are available from the Division of Development Services at 113 East Eighth Street for $4.50 each to cover printing costs. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES NEWS Lake Georgetown Studies Endangered Species During the spring of 1992 the U.S. Corps of Engineers contracted with DLS Associates of Austin for a study of the endangered species at Lake Georgetown. This study was prima- rily intended to census and locate the federally listed, endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler and Black Capped Vireo, and to locate and map the territories of individual birds, and monitor their activities and reproductive success. This study will have impor- tant impacts on the overall mamagement plan for the Corps' Lake Georgetown property. Although the environmental assessment conducted prior to the construction of Lake Georgetown (in 1971) noted the presence of Golden Cheeked Warblers, no studies have been done to locate the endangered songbird since the lake was built or since the bird was listed by the federal government as an endangered species. DLS Associates found 33 Golden Cheeked Warblers on Lake Georgetown property and four on immediately adjacent property. These birds included 29 males, 7 females, and one juvenile. The density of birds relative to the amount of habitat on the property led the biologists to conclude that the existing habitat is of low quality and that the mating success of the Lake Georgetown birds was low. Forty-five percent of the Warbler locations were in areas classified as "nonhabitat" by the satellite imagery study con- ducted for the City of Georgetown in 1991. This finding led the consultants to conclude that additional refinement of the satellite analysis is necessary. While some suitable habitat for the endangered Black Capped Vireo was found on the south side of the lake, no birds were observed and the study concluded that none exist at Lake Georgetown. The consultants did find two uncom- mon orchid species and two previously undocumented cave features at the lake. The primary purposes of Lake Georgetown are for flood control, water supply, and recreation. However, the consultants note that the Corps of Engineers has a good opportunity to participate in the recovery plan for the Golden Cheeked Warbler by implementing their recommendations regarding operations, research and monitoring, natural resource management, and acquisition. The study makes 22 recommendations; those given highest priority include: acquire additional acreage to expand known occupied habitat, conduct a research and demonstration project to enhance habitat in currently unoccupied sites, do not disturb the vegetation in areas used by the Warbler for nesting or foraging except in accord with Fish and Wildlife Service guide- lines, maintain an undisturbed buffer zone of at least 250 feet around suitable habitat, conduct a search for significant karst features and study them for endangered invertebrates, and en- hance the potential for new habitat to develop in currently marginal areas. A copy of the study is available for review at the Division of Development Services. Wetlands Issues Head a List of Builder Concerns According to a survey conducted in April by the National Association of Home Builders, wetlands issues topped a list of critical concerns. Wetlands issues previously were listed number two when the survey was conducted in January. The price of lumber, which has been steadily on the rise, did not even make the list in the January survey but was listed number three in the April survey. The top ten builder concerns and the percentage of respondents that listed the issue as critical, according to the NAHB survey, are listed below. (Builder, August 1992) 1. Wetlands - 57 % 2. Worker's Compensation - 54% 3. Increasing Lumber Prices - 46 % 4. Construction Financing - 46 % 5. Growth/No-Growth Attitudes - 43 % 6. Impact Fees/Development Exactions - 40 % 7. Stormwater Management/Permits - 37 % 8. Affordable Housing - 35 % 9. Development Approval Process - 35 % 10. OSHA Regulations/Inspections - 31 % DEVELOPMENT SERVICES NEWS NOVEMBER 1992 Georgetown Main Street Program Featured in Museum by Brad Stratton Believe it or not, if you make it to Washington, D.C., the highlight of your trip might be a visit to downtown Georgetown, Texas! While in D.C., you can take a rest in a downtown Georgetown pocket park or examine photographic records of Georgetown's nationally renowned Main Street program. This unlikely diversion is possible through a year long exhibit at the National Building Museum. The exhibit, titled "From Mars to Main Street: American Designs From 1965-1990" will feature a reproduction of a downtown Georgetown pocket park complete with an antique street lamp, teakwood bench and brick walkway. The exhibit is scheduled for November 1992-November 1993. "From Mars to Main Street" explores architectural design and restoration with special emphasis on the Main Street program, a federally administered downtown development and restoration project. Georgetown, which joined the project in 1982, is one of the first Main Street cities in Texas and one of the most successful projects in the country. Georgetown's involvement in Main Street is credited with saving downtown and pumping nearly $8 million into the local economy through new job creation and building restoration.The National Building Museum was commissioned by Congress to celebrate America's architectural heritage. It is located north of the Capitol Mall at 401 F Street, NW. For more information, call the City's Public Affairs Office at 869-3636. CHI go Historic Preservation/Urban Design Plans Underway The City has begun preparation of the Historic Preservation and Urban Design Functional Plan elements of the Century Plan, Georgetown's long range comprehensive plan. It is the intent of the plan to guide the City's actions in these two areas for the next 20 years. A citizen's committee assigned with undertaking this task has been appointed. The committee is made up of original members of the Century Plan Task Group 3, Planning and Zoning Commis- sion members, Historic Preservation Commission members, Con- vention and Visitors Bureau Board members, Parks and Recre- ation Advisory Board members, City Council members, and additional at -large appointments totaling the committee member- ship to a maximum of 17. SUN MON TUE WED THU HU SAT 1 2 3 4 6 7 r5 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Nov 2 Deadline P & Z agenda application Historic Preservation/Urban Design mtg (Planning Ofc.) Nov 3 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting Election Day Nov 9 Building Standards Commission meeting Nov 10 City Council meeting Nov 11 VETERAN'S DAY Nov 16 Historic Preservation/Urban Design mtg (Planning Ofc.) Deadline for 11/24 City Council agenda Nov 17 Board of Adjustment meeting Nov 19 Historic Preservation Commission meeting OPEN HOUSE from 5-7 p.m. Nov 23 Deadline for BOA agenda application Nov 24 City Council meeting Electric Board meeting Nov 26 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - CITY OFFICES CLOSED Nov 27 CITY OFFICES CLOSED P & Z and Council meetings will be held in the City Council Chamber at 101 E. 7th St. on the northeast corner of the town square. For more information call: 512/869-3575 The committee began meeting in late September and will continue to meet every first and third Monday evening at 7:OOpm. For information regarding the Plan or the committee please contact Ms. Hildy Kingma, Chief Planner, at the Development Services office. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES NEWS NOVEMBER 1992 Building Starts are Up in the Third Quarter Figures from the Building Inspection Department indicate a rise in activity during the 3rd quarter of '92 compared with the 3rd quarter of last year. That rise in activity has kept Janis and Dave and the part-time inspectors very busy over the past few months. We appreciate your continued patience during this transition period and are anticipating a full-time building inspector to come on board in November. 3rd Quarter 1992 Residential 'Starts- 30 Commercial Starts - 1 3rd Ouarter 1991 Residential Starts - 17 Commercial Starts - 2 For assistance with development and planning questions contact the following staff members at: 512/869-3575 Director ' Building Permits/Inspections Site Development, Subdivision and Zoning Requests Maps, Plats, Zoning Requests and General Information Century Plan/GIS/Habitat DEVELOPMENT SERVICES NEWS P.O. BOX 409 GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78627-0409 RANDY MORROW DIRECTOR PARKS AND RECREATION Year to Date 1992 Residential Starts - 86 Commercial Starts - 3 Year to Date 1991 Residential Starts - 37 Commercial Starts - 5 ED BARRY DAVE HALL FRED MORRIS and LEANE HELDENFELS CARLA BENTON HILDY KINGMA and JOE SILVA BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID GEORGETOWN, TX PERMIT NO.289