Title
Update on the New Code McKinney Initiative (Development Regulations Update), Specifically Related to Proposed Improvements to the Development Standards Sections of the City’s Development Codes
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
(1C: Provide a Strong City Economy by Facilitating a Balance
between Industrial, Commercial, Residential, and Open Space)
MEETING DATE: September 28, 2021
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Jennifer Arnold, ACIP, Director of Planning
Aaron Bloxham, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Receive an update on the progress of the City’s development code update initiative (known as New Code McKinney) specifically related to highlighted improvements to the Development Standards section of the city’s development codes.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The purpose of this work session item is to provide the City Council with an update on the New Code McKinney Initiative, which includes proposed improvements to the Development Standards section of the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.
• Over the last several months, city staff and the consultant team have met internally to review, revise and update the existing development standard regulations to modernize, simplify and improve the overall user-friendliness of these regulations. This includes updating and clarifying the existing development standards, removing unnecessary or duplicate information, addressing feedback and insight provided to us as part of the Code Assessment work that was completed as part of this initiative.
• The proposed draft has been available for public review on the project website (www.newcodemckinney.com <http://www.newcodemckinney.com>) since September 21 along with an online survey to gather feedback. The survey is available online through October 24.
• On September 22, Staff presented an update to the McKinney Development Committee and received feedback on the proposed improvements. Following the meeting, the project team will continue to gather feedback
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• An update to the City’s development regulations is a priority implementation measure identified in the ONE McKinney 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
• The New Code McKinney builds on the work of the Comprehensive Plan by reviewing and modernizing key components of the City’s development code so that they better align with the vision described in the Comprehensive Plan.
• In the spring of 2019, the city entered into a professional services agreement with Clarion Associates in support of the code overhaul initiative. The major project tasks and milestones of the initiative are as follows:
Task 1. Project Orientation and Management (LAUNCHED JULY 22, 2019)
Task 2. Short-Term Priority Amendments (COMPLETE)
Task 3. Code Assessment (COMPLETED JANUARY 2020)
Task 4. Prepare Draft Development Code
4a. Administration and Procedures (Draft Complete)
4b. Zoning Districts and Uses (Draft Complete)
4c. Development and Design Standards (UNDERWAY)
Task 5. Adoption