Title
Consider and Discuss the Reevaluation of and Possible Amendments to the "REC" - Regional Employment Center Overlay District
Summary
MEETING DATE: February 2, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT: Michael Quint, Director of Planning
Brandon Opiela, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
* Discuss the re-evaluation of and possible amendments to the "REC" - Regional Employment Center Overlay District.
ITEM SUMMARY:
* At the November 3, 2014 work session, City Council directed Staff to initiate a re-evaluation of the "REC" - Regional Employment Center Overlay District and provide further information regarding possible changes or amendments to be made to the REC.
* Prior to drafting any ordinance amendments, Staff is seeking City Council feedback regarding primary development issues remaining within the REC as well as preliminary direction on potential options moving forward that may address the issues.
* As the City Council is aware, the "REC" - Regional Employment Center Overlay District was adopted in 2001 and based on "new-urbanist" principles. Specifically, approximately 4,500 acres in the southwest portion of the City were identified for urban, pedestrian-oriented, dense development patterns. Since that time, the market has responded that this development type is not reasonable for tracts of this scope. Because of this fact, and because of changes in development trends, numerous rezoning requests have been requested and approved within the REC.
* In May of 2014, amendments to the regulations of the REC were approved making specific urban design concepts optional throughout the REC. Although a greater level of flexibility has provided additional options for development, and is in keeping with current market realities, a number of issues still remain and are discussed in more detail herein.
* Subsequent to the City Council's approval of the May 2014 ordinance amendments, one primary, overarching policy que...
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