Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Services and Sustainability
CM/ ACM: Mario Canizares, 349-8535
Date: September 11, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding Denton Development Code Subchapter 17 Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs).
Body
BACKGROUND
On August 14, 2017 the Committee on the Environment (COE) directed staff to revise proposed amendments to the permitted uses listed for Undeveloped floodplain ESAs. The latest revision is intended to only allow the construction of new roadways within floodplain ESAs to those roads identified on the Mobility Plan. The amendment will allow the approval of those roads as long as the disturbed areas are restored to minimize erosion and promote the recovery of the Environmentally Sensitive Area and subject to the Director of Environmental Services approval. Any encroachments into Undeveloped floodplains ESAs caused by new roads not shown on the Mobility Plan would require the approval of an alternative ESA plan.
Staff is of the opinion that the permitted uses listed for Riparian buffer and Water-related habitat ESAs should also be revised to be consistent with the changes made to Undeveloped floodplains as Riparian buffers and Water-related habitats are frequently nested inside floodplains.
All proposed changes are shown as redlines in Exhibit 1. A clean version of the proposed changes is provided as Exhibit 2. The proposed changes will not require changes to other subchapters of the Denton Development Code.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
June 6, 2016: Presentation to the COE regarding Amendments to Subchapter 17
August 1, 2016: Presentation to the COE regarding code corrections to Subchapter 17
September 12, 2016: Presentation to the COE regarding code language clarifications to Subchapter 17 Part 1
October 3, 2016: Presentation to the COE regarding code language clarifications to Subchapter 17 Part 2
December 5, 2016 Presentation to the COE regarding code language additions to Subchapter 17 Part 1
January 17, 2017: Presentation to the COE regarding code language addition (Part 2) and policy changes (Part 1) to Subchapter 17
February 6, 2017: Presentation to the COE regarding code language policy changes to Subchapter 17 Part 2
March 6, 2017: Presentation to the COE regarding code language policy changes to Subchapter 17 Part 3
April 3, 2017: Presentation to the COE regarding code language policy changes to Subchapter 17 Part 4
August 14, 2017: Presentation to the COE regarding all proposed changes to Subchapter 17
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: Sustainable & Environmental Stewardship
Related Goal: 5.4 Manage land use and preserve open/natural spaces
EXHIBITS
1. DDC Subchapter 17 redline version
2. DDC Subchapter 17 clean version
Respectfully submitted:
Kenneth Banks, Ph.D.
General Manager of Utilities
Prepared by:
Deborah Viera, AICP
Assistant Director of Environmental Services