Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by the City of McKinney to Amend the Comprehensive Plan, Including the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Section, and Accompanying Ordinance
Summary
MEETING DATE: December 4, 2012
DEPARTMENT: Development Services
CONTACT: Kevin Spath, AICP, Assistant Director of Planning
Ross Altobelli, Planning Manager
Jenny Baker, Senior Parks Planner
Alex Glushko, Planner II
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, including the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Section.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· As stated in the Implementation Section of the Comprehensive Plan, periodic refinements are necessary to keep the Comprehensive Plan up-to-date and calibrated to community changes. The current Comprehensive Plan underwent a major update in 2003-2004 and also underwent amendments in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012.
· On July 20, 2010, City Council approved by Resolution No. 2010-07-102 the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan (Master Plan). The overall goals and recommendations identified in the Master Plan are to lead and guide the City of McKinney in providing choices for its citizens' quality of life under the umbrella of Unique by Nature. Additionally, the Master Plan provides the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department the foundation for recreation programming and facility needs planning. Since approval of the resolution, the Master Plan has yet to be integrated into the Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, Staff is proposing to update the Comprehensive Plan, including the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Section, in order to incorporate by reference the Master Plan.
· In conjunction with referencing the Master Plan into the Comprehensive Plan, the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Section has been updated to remove redundant and/or conflicting information with the Master Plan, as well as to generally reformat the Section to reflect minor/non-policy related changes, including updates to the color scheme, City logo, figure and page numbers, and correcting typographical errors. Additionally, the Hike and Bike Trails Master Plan and Preservation Plan maps in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Section have been updated to reflect current conditions, including modified hike and bike trail alignments, and city limit and ETJ boundary changes. As areas within the City develop, adjustments to the trail alignments must occur due to development layouts, secured future school sites, terrain alterations and construction costs. Some of the proposed trail alignments include:
o A trail connection from McClure Elementary to the Wilson Creek Hike and Bike trail that includes a connection to Baylor Hospital.
o The trail north of Virginia Parkway along Ridge Road was moved from the creek line to the front of the property to abut Ridge Road due to layout of the development of the property.
o Relocate the trail along Bloomdale Road near Inspiration Park to follow the creek line along the Honey Creek trail.
o A trail section along Wilson Creek has been relocated to the south side of the creek line for access to the Gray Branch park site.
· In addition to these amendments, an equestrian trail that runs from Lake Lavon up the Trinity River flood plain has been added in accordance with the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan.
· Finally, the proposed changes to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Section of the Comprehensive Plan, including the Hike and Bike Trails Plan, are in no way related to the recent approval of the On-Street Bicycle Transportation Master Plan. More specifically, the Hike and Bike Trails Plan only includes off-street trail system locations and does not include any on-street alignments or elements.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· N/A
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
· N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
· On October 23, 2012 the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the proposed rezoning request as conditioned by Staff.