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Planning & Zoning
Commission |
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Agenda
Request |
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Agenda
Of: |
6/26/08 |
Agenda
Request No: |
II B |
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Initiated
By: |
sabine somers-kuenzel, aicp director of planning |
Responsible
Department: |
planning |
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Presented
By: |
sabine somers-kuenzel, aicp |
Assistant
planning director: |
n/a |
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Additional
Department. Head (s): |
n/a |
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Subject
/ Proceeding: |
city of sugar land
comprehensive plan workshop |
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Exhibits: |
chart – comprehensive plan;
excerpts from comprehensive
plan including land use plan |
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Clearances |
Approval |
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Legal: |
n/a |
Director of planning: |
sabine somers-kuenzel, aicp |
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Recommended
Action |
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Receive workshop presentation and provide input as needed. |
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Executive
Summary |
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This workshop has
been scheduled to allow staff to present information regarding the City of
Sugar Land Comprehensive Plan, focusing on the Economic Development
components. Included are relevant
excerpts from the adopted Comprehensive Plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission is charged under the City of Sugar Land City Charter with making recommendations for Master Plans and the Comprehensive Plan, and also how those plans interrelate to rezonings and development proposals. File No. 0009896 |
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Exhibits |
chapter two
Process to Update the
Comprehensive Plan
In 2000, the City of Sugar Land recognized the need to update the existing 1993 Comprehensive Plan due to the City’s increasing growth and pending plans to annex undeveloped land. The City’s former practice of annexing existing planned communities resulted in a population that had almost doubled in ten years. These significant changes led officials to revise the existing Comprehensive Plan in order to prepare the City to address future growth.
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1993 Comprehensive Plan Statistics |
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Population |
24,529 |
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Land Area |
12.88 square miles |
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Vacant Land |
44% |
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2005 Comprehensive Plan Statistics |
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Population |
70,758 |
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Land Area |
29.08 square miles |
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Vacant Land |
16% |
Source: 1993 City of Sugar
Land Comprehensive Plan; Land Use Inventory Survey, July 2004; City of Sugar
Land Population Estimates and Projections 2005
The Plan’s update focused on setting a new vision with goals, objectives, and strategies (Chapter Five) that would support the changes developing in Sugar Land at the present time and those changes anticipated in the future. Establishing new goals occurred as a first step in the development and update of the entire Plan. City officials have identified the need to implement the Plan on a citywide level and have incorporated other master plans into the Comprehensive Plan. These master plan updates and coordination efforts have been ongoing throughout the past few years.
In particular, the Land Use Plan (Chapter Six) also required significant changes. Patterns in residential and commercial development had quickly outgrown the existing plan, and market forces required an overall City policy to respond to anticipated development pressures. The Land Use Plan needed to be revised in a fashion that would guide the City for the upcoming 20 years. Therefore, after Chapter Five was adopted into the Comprehensive Plan, the Land Use Plan was updated as the next step.
Update of Goals, Objectives, and Strategies
In the spring of 2001, City Council members drafted various Guiding Principles to serve as a broad agenda for the update of the Comprehensive Plan. Later that year, Council passed a resolution to establish a Steering Committee that would then create 13 goals and objectives (Chapter Five) from the Guiding Principles to better direct the universal vision of the Comprehensive Plan. For almost a year, this Steering Committee met on a weekly basis, reviewing each principle thoroughly, drafting specific goals and associated objectives and strategies to address each specific Guiding Principle, and then continuously reporting the progress of each goal as it was drafted to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to City Council.
Council released a draft of the 13 Goals, Strategies, and Objectives (that would become Chapter Five of the Comprehensive Plan) to the public in September of 2002. A Community Summit was held that October for Council to present recommendations and receive public comment. Council gave the ultimate approval of the 13 Goals, Objectives, and Strategies, and Chapter Five of the Comprehensive was officially adopted in January of 2003.
Update of the Land Use Plan
The implementation of a Land Use Plan directly effects the development of other facility master plans and the City’s ability to ensure a consistent approach to development practices. In the summer of 2003, the City’s Land Use Plan Update began with the preparation of a “givens” map that illustrated areas of established land use or vacant areas where land use decisions were already approved. From this map, the remaining vacant/ undeveloped areas without a specified land use were identified for the revision of the Land Use Plan. Associated text for each decision area was prepared and incorporated into Chapter Six of the Comprehensive Plan.
In the fall of 2003, public input (Phase I) was solicited for each decision area, and then presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission for comments and recommendations. With further revision and analysis, the City again solicited public input (Phase II) before opening discussions to a public hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission. After the Planning and Zoning Commission became aware of the renewed citizens’ interest in two decision areas, the Commission directed additional public input (Phase III). Throughout the summer of 2004, City staff worked to compose a final Land Use Plan supported by the citizens. The final Land Use Plan was adopted as Chapter Six of the Comprehensive Plan in November 2004.
Collection and Analysis of Base Information
Collection and analysis of population data provides the base information for estimates and projections of future growth and the impacts of this growth. A detailed Land Use Inventory was conducted in the City’s extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) (2003) and within City limits (2004) to determine existing land use and areas for potential future development. Population estimates were updated through monthly building permit summaries and compared to the finding of the Land Use Inventory in 2004. The inventory, associated maps, and detailed reports will continue to be updated each year.
The Land Use Inventory is instrumental in projecting the City’s ultimate build-out capacity in terms of population and in terms of land area. This information in combination with existing General Plans for areas under development can assist the City in determining specific areas of growth that will call for more infrastructure and utilities. Population projections are made annually in 5-year increments and revaluated to better understand future trends in growth and development.
Incorporation of All master plans
A Comprehensive Plan is most effective in delivering a consistent approach to planning when it incorporates other applicable city functions. The City of Sugar Land is fortunate to have the in-house resources to conduct much of the update work for these first six chapters, allowing for optimal local familiarity and consistency. In-house resources allow for updates to continue in a more reasonable timeframe than previous occurrence.
Many cities use their Comprehensive Plans as a tool in land use planning, thoroughfare planning, and in reviewing development cases. The City of Sugar Land has the opportunity to implement the Comprehensive Plan in its entirety, crossing into other City functions. Incorporating other master plans therefore is an important feature of the City’s overall comprehensive planning efforts.
CHAPTER FOUR
Development Constraints,
Opportunities, and Projections
B.
B.Economic Development
The purpose of analyzing the employment of the City, and the basic industries which provide that employment, is to evaluate the present economic conditions of Sugar Land and to establish the course of action necessary to ensure the long-term economic health of the City. An Economic Development Plan, included as an element of the Comprehensive Plan, was created and adopted in 2001 to facilitate a sustainable business environment and again ensure the highest quality of life for residents. This Plan should serve as a reference for related development programs and economic activity to promote balanced land use in support of a diverse economy within the City.
The Comprehensive Plan includes the organization of land uses and the related infrastructure necessary to support the City, including its employment and commercial base. This is important because much of the revenue that is required to support public goods and services in turn supports basic industries and commerce that drive future development. Thus new jobs equal growth, which supports residential development. The actions the City takes to enhance its economic base are critical to a sound future.
Percent of
developed land for residential, commercial and industrial use
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74% |
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Commercial |
17% |
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Industrial |
9% |
Source: 2004 Land Use
Inventory Survey
Employment and Industry Base
Sugar Land’s employment base has shifted from manufacturing in the 1980’s to professional services, health, education, and management services in 2000’s. Today Sugar Land holds a strong and diverse economic base in industries such as Energy and Natural Resources, Electronics, Biotechnology, and Financial Services. Further industrial analysis proves Sugar Land is best suited for research and development, corporate headquartering, and executive/professional employment opportunities (Angelou Target Industry Analysis and Site Assessment Study, January 2002). The Sugar Land Business Park (north of US Highway 59 and US 90A intersection) and other commercial areas throughout the City are home to several private employers such as Schlumberger Oilfield Services, Fluor Corporation, Unocal, Nalco and Methodist Hospital.
Table
18: Shifts in Employment by Industry
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Shifts
in Employment by Industry |
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1980 |
1990 |
2000 |
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Agriculture and Mining |
7.66% |
6.69% |
4.46% |
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Construction |
9.09% |
6.41% |
4.75% |
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Manufacturing |
24.14% |
11.90% |
11.05% |
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Wholesale Trade |
5.74% |
6.87% |
5.39% |
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Retail Trade |
10.56% |
12.76% |
11.16% |
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Transportation, warehousing, and utilities |
6.45% |
5.69% |
4.25% |
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Information |
NA |
NA |
2.46% |
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Finance, insurance, real
estate, & leasing |
7.94% |
9.00% |
8.92% |
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Professional, scientific, management,
administrative and waste services |
NA |
3.30% |
14.92% |
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Educational, health, and social services |
12.30% |
16.68% |
21.44% |
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Arts, entertainment,
recreation, accommodation and food services |
8.54% |
8.68% |
4.93% |
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Other |
5.57% |
9.38% |
3.87% |
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Public administration |
2.00% |
2.64% |
2.40% |
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Source: US Census 1980, 1990, and 2000
The following table shows Sugar Land’s employment by occupation in comparison to national, state and surrounding area totals.
Table
29:
Employment by Occupation 2000
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Employment by
Occupation 2000 |
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United States |
Texas |
Houston |
Sugar Land |
Fort Bend |
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Management/ professional |
33.65% |
33.34% |
33.86% |
56.82% |
44.38% |
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Service Occupations |
14.86% |
14.63% |
15.68% |
7.43% |
11.22% |
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Sales/ office |
26.69% |
27.24% |
26.45% |
27.15% |
27.67% |
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Farming, fishing, and forestry |
0.73% |
0.67% |
0.14% |
0.15% |
0.27% |
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Construction, extraction, maintenance |
9.45% |
10.92% |
11.00% |
3.48% |
7.56% |
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Production, transportation, and material moving |
14.62% |
13.20% |
12.87% |
4.97% |
8.90% |
Characteristics of the Economy and the City
Sugar Land has been characterized as a residential community for high-income families that are working in the Houston area but seeking a more suburban community. Sugar Land’s income base and highly educated professional population, in combination with large tracts of land available for developing, have ensured strong economic development potential. The City’s professional and executive employee base will also attract new industries and commercial investment. New development projects that have been recently annexed into the City will support the City’s Economic Development Plan by providing mixed land uses that accommodate both residential and commercial growths.
New retail development within Sugar Land has increased the sales tax revenue significantly over the past 10 years. In 2001, Sugar Land’s total taxable retail sales were estimated over $1 billion (Angelou Target Industry Analysis and Site Assessment Study, January 2002). To date, sales have continued to increase steadily and are expected to follow the same trend for the next several years as City attracts more business and commerce.
The City’s Economic Business Plan offers business incentives to incoming commercial interest. Various programs have been established to encourage commercial expansion by reducing business costs. A business start-up program is available for new companies.
Implications for the Future
The implications for future growth and development of the City as a result of the trends in employment and commerce are as follows:
· To maintain a competitive advantage within the Houston Region and maximize economic development, the City will need to utilize vacant land for commercial and industrial uses, not just for residential development.
· To attract the emerging businesses, the City must set the stage for further economic development by enhancing its quality of life through ongoing improvements to its infrastructure; through rational design of its land use patterns; through maintaining a full range of City services.
· The City will need to continue to provide quality educational opportunities for all age groups. The latter will include addressing the need for quality higher education and adult continuing educational opportunities, as well as providing the best in preschool, primary and secondary education.
Sugar Land Regional Airport
The Sugar Land Regional Airport is a City owned facility serving corporate and general aviation. It enhances economic development potential for the City and is entirely self-sufficient. However, certain necessary limitations exist adjacent and within proximity to the airport relative to height and land use restrictions. Noise impacts should also be taken into consideration in areas close to the airport.
Comprehensive Plan
Goals and Objectives:
Excerpt for
Economic Development Goals
Goal
Two: Economically Sustainable City
Promote a vibrant, diversified economy that enhances the quality of
services while maintaining a competitive tax rate.
Objectives and Strategies:
I.
The City should continue the application of
sound financial management practices and policies.
A.
Complete the City’s long range financial
plan; review and update on an annual basis.
B.
Establish financial policies for fiscal
decision making; review and update on an annual basis. The cost of initiatives should be born by
those that benefit.
II.
The City should work to stabilize the City’s
sources of revenue.
A.
Diversify the existing commercial tax base of
office, warehouse, assembly and manufacturing businesses through implementation
of the City’s economic development plan.
B.
Actively promote existing retail centers.
C.
Define economic development initiatives and
aggressively pursue development and redevelopment. Investigate opportunity to create a business
incubator for targeted industries. Consider
opportunities to promote and affect future development (i.e. own land,
annexation, partnerships, etc.)
D.
Review and evaluate current fee structure to
ensure that the beneficiaries from services bear an appropriate share in the
cost of those services; make amendments as necessary.
E.
Using fiscally conservative assumptions, set
a property tax rate that, together with other city revenues, is adequate to
ensure the funding of the City’s basic needs assuring quality service delivery
and maintenance of infrastructure.
Goal Two: Economically
Sustainable City (Continued)
Promote a vibrant,
diversified economy that enhances the quality of services while maintaining a
competitive tax rate.
Objectives and Strategies:
III.
The City should promote a vibrant, diverse
economy, through effective land use planning, to ensure a predictable, reliable
revenue stream for basic/essential city services.
A.
Utilize the Economic Development Plan that
includes strategies for addressing targeted business development; retention and
expansion of current businesses; and the City’s involvement in recruitment,
tourism, and retail development.
B.
Partner with the development community to
positively influence development for the long-term benefit of the City.
C.
Ensure that land use decisions are consistent
with the City’s Long Range Financial Plan.
D.
Encourage and support the development of new
and existing market place destinations that provide places for people to stay,
to shop, to eat and to be entertained.
Goal Three: Effective Land Use
Achieve a balanced and orderly
use of land that will preserve and enhance the quality of life within Sugar
Land while developing a diverse and sustainable city.
Objectives
and Strategies:
I. The City should update the Future Land Use Plan for the City and its ETJ, along with development codes and zoning practices for implementation.
A.
Provide
adequate areas as necessary to achieve an appropriate balance of residential
and nonresidential land uses. Provide
for arrangement of future land uses in a manner that minimizes land use conflicts.
B.
Establish requirements for adequate infrastructure
and public facilities to ensure orderly growth.
II. The City should recognize that commercial and other non-residential development are necessary for a sustainable economy and reserve adequate areas for commercial development.
A.
Develop
detailed small area plan for State-Owned Tracts, identifying areas for mixed
nonresidential uses that benefit from highway, airport and utility
infrastructure.
B.
Preserve
adequate and appropriate areas for commercial, office, and industrial uses
consistent with the City’s Economic Development Plan and that supports
the City’s Long Range Financial Plan.
C.
Ensure
that incompatible land uses are buffered through zoning patterns and
development policies.
Adopted City of
Sugar Land- Land Use Plan:
