Planning & Zoning Commission

Agenda Request

Agenda Of:

11/10/09

Agenda Request No:

ii-a

Initiated By:

sabine somers-kuenzel, aicp planning director

 

Responsible Department:

planning

 

Presented By:

sabine somers-kuenzel, aicp planning director

&  regina morales,

economic development director

 

Assistant Planning Director:

n/a

 

 

additional dept. head:

regina morales

economic development director

Subject / Proceeding:

conceptual plan for 300 acres at us highway 59 and university boulevard

workshop

Exhibits:

excerpts from council report (10/20/09) ,  telfair general plan excerpt

Clearances

Approval

Legal:

n/a

 Planning director:

sabine somers-kuenzel, aicpsabines initialsc

Recommended Action

Receive presentation and discuss.

Executive Summary

In this workshop we will brief the Planning and Zoning Commission on the conceptual plan for the 300 acre property currently owned by Newland Communities at both the north and south intersections of US Highway 59 and University Boulevard.  This area was included within the 1000 acre Visioning study that took place during 2007.  Any future zoning requests for the area will involve review and recommendations from the Commission to the City Council.  Attached are excerpts from a City Council workshop report discussed on October 20, 2009, from the approximate area of the 300 acres within the adopted Telfair General Plan.

 

File :R:\Planning\AGENDAS\FY 2010 PZ\111009\Conceptual Plan for 300 Acres at US 59 & University Blvd 111009.doc

Exhibits

Excerpts- City Council Meeting Report for October, 20, 2009

Agenda Item IX B

300 Acre Conceptual Plan – Workshop

 

The City of Sugar Land has experienced tremendous growth in the last 25 years and is continually recognized as one of the top communities in the U.S, leading the way in the region for corporate development, tax revenue growth and jobs.  The City has a long history of partnering with the private sector which has led to the successes we have experienced to date, but we must keep a weather-eye on the future to ensure our brightest days remain ahead.  With that mindset, success for the City in the future will hinge not only on new development, but on the continued relevance of our community within the region, particularly as a destination location.

 

The US59 Corridor is an important part of the future success of Sugar Land with the intersection of University Blvd and US59 being the last remaining commercial tract in our community.  The question is not whether or not it will develop, but how it will develop and whether or not there is a role for local government to play in shaping that future.  The City of Sugar Land, through a lengthy public input process, has developed a vision for that property and has recognized that achieving this vision will require significant public investment and support.  The City is therefore proposing to make a significant public investment in this area to create its entertainment district.

 

In advance of that goal, the City began a joint planning effort in January 2009 through a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Newland Communities and Means-Knaus Partners to develop a conceptual plan for the roughly 300 acres surrounding the US59 / University Blvd intersection, including the City’s 95 acre option tract.  Since January, the City and Newland have participated in several planning workshops, each providing input that has led to the creation of the current draft plan.  This draft conceptual plan is based in large part on the visioning document adopted by the City and anticipates the location of the concert venue and hotel/convention center as catalysts for the development of a multi-use environment that promotes attraction of corporate investment and job creation. 

 

The draft conceptual plan that will be reviewed with the City Council has been developed based upon the following objectives for the 300 acre tract:

 

            Indoor Concert Venue

            Hotel / Convention Center

            Additional Supporting Hotel Development

            Reserved site for a Cultural Arts Center

 

 

Excerpt- Adopted Telfair General Plan:

Approx. Location of 300 Acre Area