Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Capital Projects
CM/ ACM: Mario Canizares
Date: June 13, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report, hold a discussion and provide direction regarding the procedure to assess the need and make minor updates to the Mobility Plan and associated Roadway Component Map.
Body
BACKGROUND
The Mobility Plan including the associated Roadway Component Map is the guiding document for the development of Denton’s street network. It is also listed as one of the City-wide Topical Plans in the Denton Plan 2030 document. Denton Plan 2030 is the long-range plan for City of Denton growth, development and redevelopment. The topical plans listed in Denton Plan 2030 pertain to specific subject areas or aspects of the city’s functionality and are applicable city-wide.
At the local level for the City of Denton, the Mobility Plan is an integral part of the layout of streets during the development review process. Also, the plan allows for the coordination of local roadway extensions with TxDOT plans and improvements. Finally, the plan is the starting point for road projects that make their way into the Capital Improvement Program.
At the regional level, the Mobility Plan provides the basis for the City’s priority projects to be included in long range planning processes and possibly to be funded in partnerships with private developers, NCTCOG, Denton County and TxDOT.
The Mobility Plan will not be realized as a result of a single decision or action. Rather, it is the cumulative result of a number of decisions spanning various entities and years.
The Roadway Component Map part of the Mobility Plan is not meant to represent a precise geometrical location of future street alignments in Denton. Instead, it is a layout of the street network used to identity existing and future roadway connectivity needs and uses. Precise alignments of future roadways or the expansion/extension of existing roadways will be determined as part of the final roadway design process. Minor alignment differences between streets shown on the Roadway Component Map and the final actually constructed roadways are not considered to represent nonconformance with the Mobility Plan.
Denton Plan 2030 describes processes for amending, monitoring and updating the plan and associated topical plans. Denton Plan 2030 states that the plans should be evolving, working documents that will guide the city in making decisions. Also, the plans should provide for reasonable flexibility in interpretation, but to have relevance over time, they should be kept current but should not be subject to continuous amendment as a result of developments in progress.
Denton Plan 2030 recommends major updates should be made to the Mobility Plan at least every five years. That being the case, when it is deemed necessary, it is recommended that interim minor updates associated with minor roadway alignment changes during the final roadway design process can be incorporated through a process less extensive than is required for a major five-year update. This less extensive process is recommended to include consideration and recommendation by the Mobility Committee and then consideration, approval and adoption of ordinance by City Council.
OPTIONS
1. Recommend approval of the proposed minor update process for the Mobility Plan including the Roadway Component Map.
2. Deny approval of the proposed minor update process for the Mobility Plan including the Roadway Component Map.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the minor update process for the Mobility Plan regarding minor roadway alignment changes that occur during the final roadway design process. The minor update process is recommended to include consideration and recommendation by the Mobility Committee and then consideration, approval and adoption of ordinance by City Council.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Minor updates to the Mobility Plan including the Roadway Component Map will occur on an interim basis as deemed necessary by staff.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
Mobility Committee consideration on June 13, 2017.
FISCAL INFORMATION
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision. The foundation for the plan is the five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence; Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Public Infrastructure
Related Goal: 2.2 Seek solutions to mobility demands and enhance connectivity
DATE SCHEDULED FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL
June 13, 2017
EXHIBITS
1. Current 2015 Mobility Plan
2. Proposed Minor Update to the 2015 Mobility Plan
Respectfully submitted:
Chad A. Allen, P.E., C.F.M.
Interim City Engineer