Title
Discuss and consider a Unified Development Code Diagnostic Report prepared by Code Studio.
Summary
The purpose of this item is to present the Planning & Zoning Commission with the final draft of the Unified Development Code Diagnostic Report provided by Lee Einsweiler of Code Studio in located in Austin.
Staff commissioned the report after securing funds from the City Council via the City’s Capital Reserve Project Fund for FY 2012. Mr. Einsweiler’s team was tasked with “diagnosing” conflicts and gaps in existing codes against best practices and the Pflugerville 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
This report provides a third-party perspective regarding the state of the regulatory environment affecting Pflugerville and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Following the presentation and discussion of this report, it will be finalized and presented to the City Council. A variety of opinions and perspectives are found throughout the report based on the stakeholder involvement process that informed the diagnosis efforts. The recommendations within the report, are not binding, but provide stakeholders an opportunity to consider new ideas and evaluate their appropriateness for the Pflugerville community and consistency with the City’s comprehensive plan.
Additional funds have been requested for FY 2013 via the Capital Reserve Project Fund should professional services be needed to assist staff in revising the Unified Development Code over the next few months. Staff anticipates that the Commission will be utilized to a greater extent to help staff frame the codes and offer feedback throughout the process. To yield this collaborative environment, I propose the Commission continue its pattern of meeting once per month to expedite its normal duties, and the off meeting date, be reactivated to hold work sessions with staff to vet and contribute to proposed code amendments as they are developed.
I look forward to your feedback on this report, and updating our codes in a timely manner.
Status
Preliminary findings were presented to the Commission and the City earlier this year.
Fiscal Impact
The City Council allocated $50,000 from the FY2012 Capital Reserve Project Fund for this project, which is under budget.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends to accept the report.
Drafter
Trey Fletcher, AICP, Assistant City Manager