HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2007-11-05 MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS,
HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST
LOOP 820 - NOVEMBER 5, 2007
The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the
5t" day of November, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Work Room.
Present: Oscar Trevino Mayor
Suzy Compton Mayor Pro Tem, Council Place 3
John Lewis Council, Place 1
Ken Sapp Council, Place 2
Tim Barth Council, Place 4
David Whitson Council, Place 5
Scott Turnage Council, Place 6
Tim Welch Council, Place 7
Staff Members: Larry J. Cunningham City Manager
Ogden Bo Bass Assistant City Manager
Jared Miller Assistant City Manager
Jim Starr Interim Assistant City Manager
Karen Bostic Managing Director
Patricia Hutson City Secretary
Monica Solko Assistant City Secretary
George Staples City Attorney
Mary Peters Public Information Officer
Elizabeth Reining Assistant to City Manager
John Pitstick Director of Planning & Development
Mike Curtis Public Works Director
Vickie Loftice Parks and Recreation Director
Eric Wilhite Chief Planner
Bill Thornton Parks and Recreation Assistant Director
Sharon Davis Parks and Recreation Assistant Director
A.0 Call to Order
Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m.
A.1 IR 2007-122 Discuss the Update of the 2007 Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Master Plan
Vickie Loftice, Director of Parks and Recreation introduced Franscois de Kock from
Halff Associates. Mr. de Kock presented Council with a PowerPoint presentation
outlining the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Mr. de Kock highlighted the steps in
the planning process to update the 2000 Master Plan and reviewed the goals and
priorities established in the 2000 Plan and the priorities that have been addressed.
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 2
The Master Plan Process
1. Community Input - Gather raw data; Citizen, Park Board & City Council input;
Assess needs.
2. P{an - recommend fresh ideas and strategic improvements; Park Board & City
Council approval.
3. Design & Build - Implement recommendations for the parks system.
4. Achieve -"Quality of Life" improvements.
Addressed Priorities
1. Playgrounds/ Play equipment
2. Picnic Shelters/ Tables
3. Hike & Bike/ Walking Trails
6. Lakes
- Trip/ed 13 to 38 - Strong Progress*
- Tripled Equipment - Strong Progress
-More than tripled 6to20 mi. - Strong Progress
- Lakes at Hometown
Outstandin.p Priorities
4. Additional Recreation Center
5. Indoor Poof/ Aquatic Center
7. Nature Center
8. Open Spaces
9. Off-Road Bike Trails
Design Fall 2007
Design Fa11 2007
* Developed Neighborhood Park increased from 4 to 13 between 2000 and 2007
Steps in the Planninq Process for the 2007 Parks Master Plan
- Demographics
- Inventory of Existing Parks
- Public fnput (Citizens Survey & Public Meetings)
- Needs Assessment
- Standard base needs
- Demand base needs
- Resource base needs
- Recommendations
- Prioritization for Funding
NRH Proiected Population Growth
1990 2000 2005 2007 2017 2020 2030
45,900 55,640 62,250 64,480 69,960 71,380 73,420
Current Population - 2007:
10 year Projection - 2017:
23 year Projection - 64,000
70,000
2030: 73,000* (* Build-Out Population Projection = 74,000)
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 3
2007 Master Plan ~ Pubiic Input:
Methods Used to Obtain Citizen Input Participation Number
1. Telephone Survey 400
2. B.I.S.D. Student Questionnaire : 4th, 7th, 10th Graders 452
3. Sports Leagues Letters of Input: 5 leagues -
4. Three Pub{ic Meetings 25
5. Questionnaire Survey of NRH Recreation Center Users 37
6. Youth Advisory Committee Meeting & Questionnaire 22
TOTAL 936
Mr. de Kock introduced Ramond Turco from Raymond Turco and Associates who
conducted the Citizen {nput Telephone Survey. He explained that the City was split into
three areas when conducting the telephone survey.
Area 1 Mid Cities Blvd North: 51°l0 of sample
Area 2 I-820 North to Mid Cities Blvd: 29% of sample
Area 3 I-820 South: 20% of sample
Respondent Profile
• 11 % under age 35
• 49% age 36-55
• 39°lo age over 55, with 20°l0 over 65
• 60°lo no children under 18
• Chifdren representation:
under 6= 17°!0; 6-12 = 21 %; 13-18 = 18°l0
~ 18% under 3 year resident
• 52% over 10 year resident, with 28% over 20 years
• 9% belonged to Athletic Assoc.
Mr. de Kock explained the following survey results and the ratings:
Overall Satisfaction with Parks & Recreation
• Satisfied to very satisfied = 91 °lo
• Dissatisfied to very dissatisfied = 4%
• Overall satisfaction ratio of 22.8:1
• Area specific ratio satisfied to dissatisfied
- Area 1: 30.0:1
- Area 2: 15.2:1
- Area 3: 11.5:1
• Parents of children (94°l0) more positive than
18 (88%)
people without children under age
Three Year Imqrovement Ratinq
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 4
lmproved Overall 63°l0
Area 1 56%
Area 2 71 %
Area 3 68°/a
Same Overall 30°l0
Area 1 34%
Area 2 24%
Area 3 28°l0
Declined Overall 1 °!o
Area 1 1 %
Area 2 2°l0
Area 3 0%
Ratina of North Richland Hills Recreation Facilities
Improved Overall 39%
Area 1 35%
Area 2 44%
Area 3 44°l0
Same Overall 48%
Area 1 51 °!o
Area 2 46%
Area 3 43%
Declined Overall 9%
Area 1 8%
Area 2 9%
Area 3 11 °!a
Recreational Facilitv Lackinq in Citv
Overall Area { Area II Area III
Pool/indoor pool 24% 27% 14°l0 24%
Recreation center/gym 20% 17% 23% 24%
Multi-use trails 12% 15°l0 3% 14%
Parks & open space 10°l0 10°l0 15°l0 7%
Parks/open space most important to people dissatisfied with parks and recreation (3%-
15%-33°l0)
Utilization of Park & Recreational Facifities/Activities
• Park facility - 78%
• City p{ayground - 66%
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 5
• City park pavilion - 45%
• Municipal hike and bike trail - 44%
~ City recreation center - 43%
• NRH2O Family Water Park - 42%
Attitudes toward Natura{ Areas
• Natural areas are important and should be preserved where it is available -
24.0:1
Overall Imqortance of Constructinc~Recreational Facilitv-tvpes Most Important
tmportant Unimportant
Picnic Tables 74% 18%
Senior Center 74°la 19%
Jogging/Biking Trails 73% 22%
Habitat/Nature Areas 73°l0 22°l0
Environ Education Center 68% 28%
Picnic/Reunion Pav. 65°l0 27°/a
Performance/Cultural Center 64% 31 °lo
Soccer Fields 62°l0 28°l0
Most Important Recreational Facilitv to Construct (onfv 1 choice)
• Jogging/biking trails - 12%
• Modern senior citizen center -12%
• Amphitheater - 9%
• lndoor soccer and athletic training facilities - 8%
• Children's water spray park and practice fields (both 7%)
• 29 of 29 items tested mentioned as most important by at least one person
Potential Support for Construction for Second Recreation Center (southern portion of
the Cit
~ Support to strongly support = 66°l0
• Oppose to strongly oppose = 26°Io
• No opinion - 7°l0
• Support ratio of 2.5 to one
Support
Opposed
Area I Area II Area III
62°l0 74°l0 71 %
31 % 20% 23%
Mr. Turco finished presenting Counci! with the results from the Citizen Input Telephone
Survey and Mr. de Kock continued with his presentation of the Parks Master Plan
showing the location of the existing neighborhood and community parks. Mr. Bill
Thornton, Assistant Parks Director, highlighted park land growth needs and Mr. de Kock
discussed the acreage needs for additional park land and park acreage goa{s for the
Citye
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 6
Park Land Growth Need and Opportunity
City Area I City Area I{ City Area III TOTAL
Park Area 1: 5- Acres Park Area 4: 0 Acres Park Area 8: 5-10 Acres
Neighborhood Park Recreation Center Neighborhood Park /
Healing Garden
Park Area 2: 5- 10 Acres Park Area 5: 15 Acres
Neighborhood Park Community Park
(Senior Center,
amphitheater, along
Calloway Trail)
Park Area 3: 5- 10 Acres Park Area 6: 20 - 30 Acres
Neighborhood Park Community Park
(Commuter Access)
Park Area 7: 5-10 Acres
Neighborhood Park
15 - 30 Acres 40 - 55 Acres 5-10 Acres 60 - 95 Acres
Park Acreac,le Goals for NRH: (Population Ratio)
Close to Home Parks:
Neighborhood Parks
Target Standard - 2 acres per 1,000 population
Communitv Parks
Target Standard - 4- 5 acres per 1,000 population
Total Recommended "Close to Home" Parks Standard: 6- 7 acres per 1,000
population
Other Citv Wide Parks:
S~ecial Purpose Parks
Target Standard - 3 acres per 1,000 population
Linear Parks
Target Standard - 0.5 - 2 acres per 1,000 population
Nature Preserves/Open Space
Target Standard - 2.5 - 3.5 acres per 1,000 population
Total Recommended Standards for Parks: 12 - 15.5 acres per 1,000 population
2007 Park Land Standards Comparisons (Population Ratio)
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 7
^ North Richland Hil{s 2000 Adopted Standard:
12 - 20 acres/1,000 pop.
^ Fort Worth 1998 Adopted Standard:
21.25 acres/1,000 pop.
^ Southlake 2005 Adopted Standard:
21 acres/1,000 pop.
^ Keller 2007 Adopted Standard:
18 acres/1,000 pop.
Park Acreage Goals for NRH (City Area Percentaqe)
Park area as a percentage of City area
^ Park area in City of North Richland Hills =
7% (835 / 11,648 acres)
^ National average =
8.1 °!o which translated to NRH is 943 acres
The top ten funding priorities based on public input, the continuation of current goals
and needs and facility standards and implementation of the 2007 Master Plan were
discussed.
• Top Funding Priorities - Priorities Based on Public Input, Continuing Goals & Needs,
and Facility Standards:
Development of Recreational & Parks Facilities
1 Completion of Traifs System Master Plan
2 Modern Recreation Center
3 Development of a Neighborhood Park in the Central West Area
4 Walker's Creek Park Phase II (Adult Softball fields)
5 Southside Multipurpose Community Center
6 Modern Senior Center Facilities (TBD by future feasibility study on senior services
7 Amphitheater
8 Skateboard Park
9 Development of a Neighborhood Park in the Central East Area
10 Botanic Garden
Priorities Based on Public Input Continuinq Goals & Needs
Park Renovation & Improvement
1 Northfield Park Redevelopment
2 Norich Park Phase II
3 Cross Timbers Park Phase II
4 Natural Areas / Open Space - Protection & Educational Signage
5 Trail Heads and Gateways
6 Fossil Creek Park Improvements
7 Richfield Park Infrastructure Improvements
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 8
General Recommendations for All Parks
Programmed Space / Support Facilities (Not prioritized)
• Shade Structures; Multi-tier Roof Pavilions for Sun Protection
• Gateways to Each Park
• Focused Tree Planting Program to Ensure Replacement of Old and Dying Trees
• Public Art as Appropriate
General Recommendations for Alf Parks
Natural Areas / Open Space (Not prioritized)
• Informational Signage about Ecology, Habitat Protection, Water Conservation,
Wildlife and Native Plants
• Establish Native Ripararian Plants along Creeks and Drainage Easements
• Soft Surface Trails along Creeks for Nature Exploration
General Recommendations for All Parks
Sustainable Opportunities (Not prioritized)
• Preference for Native Plants
• Integrated Maintenance Program with Minimal Reliance on Chemicals and Pesticides
• Decrease Areas that Need Mowing and Irrigation
• Bio-filtration Swales along Parking Areas
• Ecological Education Programs in Conjunction with BISD
Plan Implementation
FundincLStrateqies
• City Generated Funding Sources
• Governmental Grant Sources
• Private & Quasi Private Funding Sources
Policv and Ordinances
• Ordinance Support for Trail System Development
• Park and Recreation Board
• Various Joint Planning Efforts
Other City Plans
• Comprehensive Plan
• Drainage and Flood Management Plan
• Thoroughfare Plan
Future Plan Uqdates
After brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was to move forward
with recommendations and bring back to Council for final adoption.
RECESS AND BACK TO ORDER
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 9
RECESS AND BACK TO ORDER
Mayor Trevino recessed the meeting at 7:24 p.m. and called the meeting back to order
at 7:29 p.m. with the same Council Members present as recorded and the following staff
members present: Larry J. Cunningham, City Manager; Jared Miller, Assistant City
Manager; Ogden Bo Bass, Assistant City Manager; Karen Bostic, Managing Director;
Patricia Hutson, City Secretary; Monica Solko, Assistant City Secretary; Elizabeth
Reining; Assistant to City Manager; George Staples, Attorney; Mary Peters, Public
Information Officer; John Pitstick, Director of Planning and Development; Mike Curtis,
Public Works Director, Eric Wilhite, Chief Planner.
A.2 IR 2007-123 Discuss the 2007 Comprehensive Plan Update
John Pitstick, Director of Planning and Deveiopment presented a PowerPoint
presentation. Mr. Pitstick explained that the previous Comprehensive Plan was updated
in 2001. The Comprehensive Plan serves as a guide for future development related
decisions, does not directly affect existing zoning and is intended as a 5 to 7 year
guide(ine. Mr. Pitstick discussed the major contributing factors for the changes and
reviewed the updates to the maps.
Major Contributing Factors for the changes:
• Demand for Residential Housinq - Residential infill planned development
ordinance in 2004
• Commuter Raif on the Cotton Belt bv 2012 -
SW to NE Rail Study, environmental impact statement underway
• Loop 820 Improvements -"North Tarrant Express"
support strategies to encourage redevelopment following reconstruction of
highway
Comprehensive Plan Map Updates
• Future Land Use Plan
• Thoroughfare Plan
• Strategic Planning Area Map
• Transit Concept Map
Future Land Use Plan Update:
Mixed Use Districts
Mixed Use One - Core area within walking distance around future rail station or a
unique development that has a significant regional attraction and encourages multi-
modal access
Mixed Use Two - Transitional area compatible with Mixed Use One with linkages to
broader community
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 10
Special Design Standards - Required streetscape and form based building plans that
address relationship between buildings and pubfic realm, form and mass of buildings,
and scale and type of streets and blocks fostering pedestrian activity and a"sense of
place"
Mr. Mike Curtis presented the following proposed changes to the Thoroughfare Plan.
Thoroughfare Plan Update
Three categories of changes include:
1. Updates to the 2001 Thoroughfare Plan.
2. Downgrading of certain streets on the 2007 Thoroughfare Plan.
3. Upgrading of certain streets on the 2007 Thoroughfare Plan.
Category 1 - Updates
• Propose to show Bursey Rd. west of Davis Blvd. and the realignment of
Smithfield Rd. as Major 4 Lane Undivided Collector (C4U).
• Loop 820/SH 121/SH 183 interchange improvements are complete. Propose to
update language to reflect this.
• Propose to show Harwood Road east of Boulevard 26 is as a Minor 6 Lane
Divided Collector (M6D} on the 2007 Plan.
• Propose to remove Windhaven located between Chapman Rd. and Hightower
Dr. from the 2007 Thoroughfare Plan.
• Propose to update Susan Lee Lane between Loop 820 and Maplewood Avenue
to be changed to a residential 2 lane undivided street.
CateAOrv 2 - Downarades
• Propose to downgrade Main Street between Smithfield Road and Davis
Boulevard from a Major 4 Lane Undivided Coflector (C4U) to a Minor 2 Lane
Undivided Col{ector (C2U).
• Propose to change Simmons Road between Main Street and Martin Drive as a
residential street.
• Re-name Simmons Drive south of Mid-Cities Boulevard as Hawk pvenue per
recent City Council action.
• Propose to update Hawk Drive between Ice House Drive and the "curve" located
between the new {ibrary and Walker Creek Elementary School as a Minor 2 Lane
Undivided Collector (C2U}.
Cateaorv 3 - Upgrades
• Propose upgrading Amundson Drive between Main Street and Amundson Road
as a Major 4 Lane Undivided Collector (C4U).
• Propose to establish Weyland Drive between the Access Road on the north side
of SH 183 and Harwood Road as a Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector (C2U).
City Council Minutes
November 5, 2007
Page 11
Propose to extend the Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector (C2U) designation of
Martin Drive to Mid-Cities Boulevard.
Propose to establish Combs Road between Boulder Drive and Rufe Snow Drive
as a Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector (C2U).
Mr. Pitstick highlighted the changes to the Strategic Planning Areas, reviewed the
Transit Concept Map and discussed the implementation strategy.
Comprehensive Plan Document
Updated Maps
Introducing Mixed Use Districts as a new land use
Incorporating previous study recommendations
- Boulevard 26 economic and marketing studies
- Loop 820 Corridor Study
- Smithfield Conservation District
Follow up and Implementation
• Submit Comprehensive Plan to COG, The "T" and TXDOT (Rail station planning,
Loop 820 expansion)
• Contract with Consultants to develop specific regulations for Mixed Use zoning
districts
• Need for update of Home Town thoroughfare plan and regulating pian
• Ongoing implementation of Loop 820 Corridor recommendations
• Ongoing implementation of Boulevard 26 branding and public improvements
• Iron Horse and Smithfield rail station planning and surrounding development
After brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was to move forward
with recommendations and bring back to Council for final adoption.
A.3 Adjournment
Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p. .
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Patricia Hutson, City Secretary