Title
Presentation of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association's "Current Planning Award"
Summary
MEETING DATE: November 5, 2013
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Michael Quint, Director of Planning
Jennifer Arnold, Planning Manager
Corey Young, Planner I
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Staff recommends acceptance of the award.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· The City of McKinney was recently awarded the 2013 "Current Planning Award" from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association (Texas APA) in recognition of Phase II (Implementation) of the Town Center Study Initiative.
· The Current Planning Award of the Texas APA is given to an outstanding ordinance, program or process directed to the implementation of a plan.
· Since approval of the Town Center Study Phase 1 Report and Illustrative Master Plan in 2008, the City has spent the last several years working to make the vision a reality by focusing on a comprehensive strategy of implementation actions that synchronize land development regulations, public capital investment and fiscal tools.
· Examples of these implementation efforts include, but are not limited to, the commissioning of a context sensitive analysis of the State Highway 5 corridor, the creation of a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ), the creation of a form-based zoning district for the historic downtown, and the initiation of a request for development proposals for City-owned properties downtown.
· The Planning Department is honored that these efforts have been recognized by the State Chapter of the APA. Members of the Planning Department accepted the award at the annual conference of the Texas APA in Galveston during the first week of October.
· Staff would like to formally thank the City Council for their support of the Town Center Study Initiative.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· The goal of the Texas APA planning awards is to recognize individuals, organizations and communities for outstanding contributions to planning in the State of Texas.
· The Current Planning Award is presented annually at the State Conference of the Texas APA, a function which draws hundreds of planning professionals from across the state.
· Other cities have been recognized for sustainability plans, transit-oriented development proposals, and the implementation of various redevelopment projects.