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Special Town Council Meeting - Announcements, Proclamations, and Presentations
Briefing- Comprehensive Land Use Plan Kickoff
Presentation & Group Introductions:
Staff briefed Council and Committee Members on the Comprehensive Plan, explaining that a big part of the process is developing a common vision. Key stakeholders, including members of the business community, development community, representatives from the HOAs and apartment communities have attended listening sessions. The first Steering Committee meeting was held on Monday, March 20th. Staff explained that this special joint meeting is another opportunity to receive input from the community.
Representative introduced the project team and presented an overview of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan, explaining that the plan is a 20-30 year framework for Northlake’s future. At the core of this plan is the Comprehensive Land Use Map, which will be used as a guide to conceptualize where different development types will be located in the future. Additional topics the Comprehensive Land Use Map will include are transportation, utilities, infrastructure, environment, and community character.
Representative explained that this will be a yearlong process. Representative reviewed the four planning phases, explaining that the Town is embarking on Phase Two (the Visioning Process). Scenario planning, including outlining ways Northlake can grow in the future, is slated for later this spring. Phase 3 will include the development of the future land use plan along with its associated policies and action strategies. A draft plan will be presented in the fall, with the adoption expected at the end this year.
Representative reviewed the final deliverables which will include the land use plan, an annexation strategy, economic strategy, town center small area plan, and an implementation strategy. A market analysis will be performed to assess what types of economic forces, retail and other market demand exists in order to develop an economic strategy.
As part of the process, the project team will focus on a town center small area plan. This process will give community members the opportunity to decide on a logical location for a town center.
Representative explained that the implementation strategy will serve as a checklist to put the community vision into action.
Representative stated that since 2010, the town has experienced over 600% population growth. The population is expected to reach 46,440 by 2045. The Comprehensive Plan can help direct how and where that growth will occur.
Representative reviewed the planning area, stating that Northlake is approximately 32 square miles including town limits and ETJ. A significant portion of Northlake is within the floodplain, which can either be a constraint or an opportunity. Northlake is 65% residential and 35% nonresidential with 45% of its land remaining unannexed.
Representative explained that the project team will develop a community profile, examining key statistics. Northlake's current median age is 38, with a median household income of $112,472. 73% of Northlake's residents own their home, and the average commute time is 27.4 minutes, indicating that most residents are traveling outside of Northlake to work.
Exercise One: Current Conditions (Strengths & Weaknesses & Challenges)
Representative requested that Council and Committee Members come up with one word to describe Northlake today.
For Exercise One, the group was asked to consider Northlake’s strengths using the following questions as prompts:
- What contributes to Northlake’s Quality of life?
- What makes Northlake unique compared to its peers?
- What are the Town’s biggest assets?
Group was asked to consider Northlake’s "Weaknesses and Challenges" using the following questions as prompts:
- What limitations or disadvantages does the Town face?
- Are there areas for improvement?
- What are the major constraints in Northlake?
Group shared and discussed their answers.
Exercise Two: Character Context
Group was asked to define the "Character Context Zones" in Northlake today: Rural, Suburban and Urban.
Group was asked how they would like to see the Character Context Zones evolved in Northlake over the next 20+ years.
Group shared and discussed their answers.
Exercise Three: Priories & Vision
Group was asked to consider Northlake's Priorities and Vision using the following questions as prompts:
- What are the top priorities or issues Northlake will have to address over the next 20 years?
- How do you see Northlake changing over the next 20 years?
- What do you think will have the greatest influence on shaping the direction of Northlake's growth and development?
- Share one word or phrase to describe your Vision for Northlake in 20 years.
Group shared and discussed their answers.
Representative explained that this input is critical to define visions and priorities for the Comprehensive Plan, and added that there will be more community-facing engagement efforts during the visioning phase.
All engagement opportunities will be announced on the project website: northlakenext.com.
Representative added that additional time with Town Council and P&Z will be requested moving forward. Workshops and steering committee meetings will be held throughout this entire process.
Council noted that the vision similarities within the group are encouraging and thanked everyone for their help with this process.
Special Meeting was adjourned.
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