1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:09,560
 All right, welcome everyone. We do have a quorum present, so I call this meeting of

2
00:00:09,560 --> 00:00:21,560
 the Denton Code Review Committee to order at 1110 on October 19, 2020. I'm going to

3
00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:25,840
 go ahead and because there's one presentation for all these items, I'm going to open all

4
00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:33,160
 the items so that we can kind of interconnect between them. Item A is introduction of the

5
00:00:33,160 --> 00:00:40,360
 Development Code Review Committee and key staff members. Item B, receive a report, hold

6
00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:48,040
 a discussion on the objective of the Development Code Review Committee. Item C, receive a report,

7
00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:52,380
 hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding future Development Code Review Committee

8
00:00:52,380 --> 00:00:59,640
 meeting schedule and item D, receive a report and hold an overview discussion of proposed

9
00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:05,680
 code amendments. Ron, it's all yours. Thank you, Chair. I'm going to start the presentation

10
00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:14,680
 and once I have it up, Scott will go ahead and start the introduction. So give me a second

11
00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:26,640
 here. Okay, I'm turning it over back to Scott. Good morning. I'm Scott McDonnell. I'm the

12
00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:32,680
 Director of Development Services. Glad to be here this morning. Today we're beginning

13
00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:39,680
 the process to review amendments to the 2019 Denton Development Code. In the process of

14
00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:45,080
 doing this, we're going to utilize the Development Code Review Committee, which is made up of

15
00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:52,440
 three of our council members and three of our P&Z commissioners. John Ryan is the Chair,

16
00:01:52,440 --> 00:02:00,720
 Keely Briggs, Vice Chair, Chris Watts, and Andrew Rozell from the Planning Zoning Commission,

17
00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:05,440
 Margie Ellis, and I'd like to welcome Mr. Tim Smith. He is new to the committee. All

18
00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:11,200
 of the previous members served when we went through the process of going from the 2002

19
00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:19,040
 to the 2019. Our goal in this is really just as we've used this for over a year now, we've

20
00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:24,600
 got a good flavor for what's working, what's not. We've got some non-conformities. Ron

21
00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:30,240
 will kind of take us through that. I'd also like to mention we have several staff members

22
00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:36,760
 on the call, some of those being our Planning Director, Richard Canone. Ron, as you'll be

23
00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:44,360
 introducing himself shortly, we have our City Engineer, Becky Davini, Ken Schmidt, and I

24
00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:49,600
 don't know if you can see these faces, but certainly if you can, you can wave, and Ken

25
00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:55,720
 Schmidt is our Development Facilitation Manager. All of these folks have been working through

26
00:02:55,720 --> 00:03:04,880
 and using the code. Our City Attorney is also on the call, Erin Leal, Cynthia Kirchhoff.

27
00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:10,800
 And then I'd like to introduce, we have two new staff members who are working on staff's

28
00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:16,740
 behalf. Planning staff as well as legal staff need a little bit of augmentation as we go

29
00:03:16,740 --> 00:03:23,840
 through this. We have worked through with Borges Law Firm, and we have Robin and Christian,

30
00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:29,160
 which I'm going to allow them to introduce theirself to just help us with best practices

31
00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:35,020
 as we review what we have, where we're going, and what some other municipalities are doing.

32
00:03:35,020 --> 00:03:37,200
 And if you don't mind, I'd like to start with Robin.

33
00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:43,720
 Hey, my name's Robin Miga. I've been a planner for about six years. Most of that time was

34
00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:48,720
 spent on staff with the city. Most recently, I did join the Borges Law Firm, where I serve

35
00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,520
 as a planner, and I've been doing this for about two years. I've worked with some of

36
00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:57,880
 the fastest growing cities in Texas, so I have a lot of experience with trying to figure

37
00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:03,520
 out how we're maneuvering through new UDCs and best practices. Christian?

38
00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:08,520
 Good morning. My name's Christian Rosas. I'm one of the attorneys here at the Borges Law

39
00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:15,120
 Firm. I've been practicing municipal law for about seven years. I work at the Office of

40
00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:21,000
 the Attorney General, and also as an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Laredo. At

41
00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:24,800
 the Borges Law Firm, we've helped a lot of municipalities like Battlestrop and Dripping

42
00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:32,900
 Springs review and revamp their development code, so I'm excited to be part of the team.

43
00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:36,960
 Thank you both. Thank you both for being here. While we've got the faces up, I think I may

44
00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:41,600
 just run back through the introduction so people know names with faces. And I'd also

45
00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:46,760
 like to mention Sarah Hensley, our Deputy City Manager, is also on the call and ultimately

46
00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:52,800
 responsible for the work that we do in development services. So thank you, Sarah, for joining

47
00:04:52,800 --> 00:05:13,560
 us. Again, the Chair is Mr. John Ryan, Berkele Briggs, Mayor Chris Watts, Andrew Rosell,

48
00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:23,980
 Commissioner Marge Ellis, and Commissioner Tim Smith. Anyone else that'd like to say

49
00:05:23,980 --> 00:05:30,680
 anything else? If not, I'll let Ron take over and run through, or I guess I have maybe one

50
00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:51,440
 more slide, I'm sorry. I'm pulling it up for you, Scott. Thank you. Okay, so the objective

51
00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:59,480
 of the Development Code Review Committee, DCRC, is that we're looking to get counsel

52
00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:05,120
 in planning and zoning commission direction on what we need to take to the full bodies

53
00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:11,780
 in order to amend the code. So we work through this, staff, professional staff bring forth

54
00:06:11,780 --> 00:06:18,480
 recommendations, reviews other municipalities, looking at some of the legislative changes

55
00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:23,720
 that have occurred, and we'll provide options as well as making recommendations for the

56
00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:29,240
 committee to work through. Once the committee completes their work, they'll be making recommendation

57
00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:35,760
 to again, planning and zoning commission and city council for their ultimate discussion

58
00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:43,480
 and consideration approval. We're going to have these meetings just to continue to get

59
00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:48,240
 that direction and to make sure our direction is as current as possible. Knowing that it's

60
00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:53,680
 been a year of utilizing the code, our planning and zoning as well as councils had an opportunity

61
00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:59,720
 to work through it. They've heard from the development community and our citizens and

62
00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:03,320
 just an ideal time for us to make sure that we're updating and we're as current as we

63
00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:11,000
 can be. So with that, I will turn this over to Mr. Ron Mangida. This is a fairly informal

64
00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:18,120
 process. I want to make sure that any of the DCRC members, if they have questions or comments,

65
00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:22,360
 can either raise their hand or feel free to speak up. I want to continue to try to keep

66
00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:27,160
 this as fluid as possible. We have a lot of material to cover in a short period of time

67
00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:36,160
 and have all the hopes to get it done. So thank you and Ron, take over, sir.

68
00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:43,040
 Thank you, Scott. As Scott mentioned, we do have a lot to cover in a short amount of time

69
00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:48,360
 and we really want to get started. We're excited to get started. But before we do, we wanted

70
00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:56,280
 to have this organizational meeting with the DCRC to get input as far as when our meetings

71
00:07:56,280 --> 00:08:02,440
 are to be scheduled. As you all know, as part of this effort, our meetings will be virtual.

72
00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:08,640
 It will be recorded and it's actually being displayed on our website as we speak. Folks

73
00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:13,720
 will be able to, if they wanted to come back and watch the DCRC meetings similar to any

74
00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:21,680
 other published or recorded meeting, they can. They'll have the availability to do that.

75
00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:29,180
 So again, these meetings will be virtual and recorded moving forward until decided otherwise.

76
00:08:29,180 --> 00:08:37,960
 So the first question to the DCRC, and I'm going to ask Chair Ryan to help with this,

77
00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:42,040
 is weekly meetings. I know that in the past we've had weekly meetings and I think it's

78
00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:47,720
 beneficial if we start with weekly meetings and that may change. But how does everyone

79
00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:52,840
 feel about weekly meetings? Again, because we want to cover a lot of stuff, we feel that

80
00:08:52,840 --> 00:09:00,600
 we need weekly meetings. So I'm going to turn it back to Chair Ryan and kind of get a consensus

81
00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:03,000
 on weekly meetings.

82
00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:13,080
 Any comments? Council Member Briggs? I'm fine with the weekly meetings.

83
00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:21,880
 Anyone else? I guess, Ron, one of the questions I have is since we've gone to this virtual

84
00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:27,080
 where the city's only doing one meeting per week that's being recorded or one meeting

85
00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:32,520
 per day, which means our schedules are kind of all over the place for those of us that

86
00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:38,200
 are on multiple committees. I can't really say I'm always good on Wednesday, but I've

87
00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:43,120
 got at least one day each week that I can do it. Is there a way to kind of work around

88
00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:46,840
 the other committee meetings and have the different days?

89
00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:53,040
 Certainly. I think once we establish that a weekly meeting is something that the DCRC

90
00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:57,600
 is willing to do, we can start to look at the calendar. So the next question that I

91
00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:04,680
 have on the slide is what day of the week we would like for this meeting to occur.

92
00:10:04,680 --> 00:10:07,320
 Let me go back to my screen.

93
00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:16,720
 Ron, and to Council Member Ryan's point, so we do have some restrictions on the when,

94
00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:24,360
 and so it can't conflict with what DTV needs to be able to do. So I think if we can at

95
00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:30,520
 least get the feedback and the input from the committee on preferences, we'll go back

96
00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:37,920
 between the City Secretary's office and DTV and line out what's available. And then we

97
00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:44,840
 may send out a survey monkey or a zoomerang and nail that down to make sure whatever we

98
00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:50,320
 can get that would be static. So it's consistent as to when we're going to have it, it won't

99
00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:57,080
 conflict with what DTV needs.

100
00:10:57,080 --> 00:11:01,040
 And I would say generally speaking, Wednesdays or Fridays are fine, are the best days for

101
00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:09,640
 me unless there is another city meeting going on at the same time or on that same day.

102
00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:11,640
 Which day did you say, John?

103
00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:24,640
 Wednesdays or Fridays? Well, when would these start? I mean, just

104
00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:30,040
 like whatever this week and then if we schedule it to be next week and then so forth, so on.

105
00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:35,280
 Try to do it consistently. Chris, if we can just find it a time that would work for most

106
00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:42,560
 everyone that we could do this and then again, trying to be as static as possible for DTV

107
00:11:42,560 --> 00:11:48,120
 and not bounce around. So just looking for what our best options might be.

108
00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:57,320
 What yeah, Fridays at least, I mean, obviously I'm limited in my scope of so I don't know

109
00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:05,120
 how much y'all want to add me into that. But my next two Fridays are pretty much taken.

110
00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:18,480
 So yeah, I got to get a new draft in 27. Hey Rosa, Rosa, yes, you're unmuted.

111
00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:25,160
 I am so sorry. I was supposed to be muted. My apologies.

112
00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:32,200
 No worries. Yeah, so I and then my Thursdays, I mean,

113
00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:42,320
 I've got big board meeting on the the 20. What is that? 22nd. But the Thursday after

114
00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:50,600
 so I don't know if I'm gonna be much help. And because I said I don't mean I don't but

115
00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:55,000
 November 3rd is coming up so it only be I don't want to impact when y'all meet based

116
00:12:55,000 --> 00:13:02,000
 upon my schedule because it's so so are Wednesdays okay for you, Chris or Wednesdays bad?

117
00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:08,280
 Well, we'll kind of drill into that I guess if if Wednesday gets you to a day versus a

118
00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:13,360
 Friday, john had mentioned Wednesday and Friday being a preference so I don't know if yeah

119
00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:21,720
 Wednesdays Wednesdays are okay in the afternoon. Yeah, I say afternoon, lunch or after. Yeah.

120
00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:28,600
 Yeah. And also saying Wednesdays as I'm going back

121
00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:34,120
 through my calendar a little bit more that's when mobility is meeting on on one of the

122
00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:41,840
 Wednesdays and on the other one. So as I look through it, I'm actually okay on on Mondays

123
00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:48,200
 as long as we're not going past about three o'clock. Councilmember Briggs.

124
00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:56,080
 Yeah, I was gonna make the comment about mobility as well one of those days and then the economic

125
00:13:56,080 --> 00:14:01,480
 development Partnership Board is also on a Wednesday. I think it's the second Wednesday

126
00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:06,320
 of the month the mobility seems to be the last Wednesday of the month. I'm in the same

127
00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:13,480
 boat as the mayor I may or may not have very many meetings with this group but for the

128
00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:21,440
 next few weeks. I'm okay on Wednesdays and Fridays and Mondays we have generally that's

129
00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:29,000
 when our Committee on the environment meets but that's only one time for the month.

130
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:37,960
 Scott, I'd like to mention every other Monday or at least two Mondays a month PV also meets

131
00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:44,800
 on Mondays. Okay. Thank you, Becky.

132
00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:52,480
 Any other comments or input. The chair, what I think we can do from what

133
00:14:52,480 --> 00:15:05,000
 I've heard is look at the meeting room schedule, obviously, as well as DTV and look at Wednesdays

134
00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:13,360
 afternoon and Fridays as far as availability and then we'll go from there but again, looking

135
00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:18,040
 possibly Wednesdays as a static meeting and or Friday as a static meeting.

136
00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:26,680
 I'll have Charlie Charlie Rosendahl send out a survey monkey to all six of you and we'll

137
00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:32,040
 line out in coordination with the city secretary's office DTV and then kind of the basis of that.

138
00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:38,540
 I think the other part would be length of time or is is the committee comfortable with

139
00:15:38,540 --> 00:15:45,560
 a two hour meeting like we were doing to the past and over lunch is that an issue the 12

140
00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:53,080
 o'clock window is that a problem for anyone. It can be for me if it's on a Wednesday.

141
00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:58,600
 Okay. Yeah, that's fine.

142
00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:07,920
 Margie can't hear you. Okay, sorry. Can you hear me now? Yeah, okay.

143
00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:14,000
 I assume the quorum is made up of the three council people as in the past. Is that correct?

144
00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:22,740
 That is correct. Okay.

145
00:16:22,740 --> 00:16:28,920
 Anyone else? Alright, I guess we'll just watch for that survey monkey to come out and take

146
00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:34,300
 it from there. And then I heard that two hours is fine and

147
00:16:34,300 --> 00:16:40,120
 over lunch is a possibility. Just again, depending on what day but a two hour timeframe, we may

148
00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:44,920
 not use all two hours, but it gives us a little bit more time if we need to pass that first

149
00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:51,080
 hour if we needed to address a certain important topic.

150
00:16:51,080 --> 00:17:01,080
 Okay. Okay. I think that we've basically got what we need as far as the day of the week.

151
00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:05,700
 The start time, it depends on the schedule, but we'll definitely see if we can establish

152
00:17:05,700 --> 00:17:12,080
 a standing meeting if possible and time as well. Looking at a minimum or at least two

153
00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:17,680
 hours, no more than two hours. So agendas obviously need to be posted 72 hours prior

154
00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:22,680
 as similar to the other boards and commissions or committees. Presentations will be made

155
00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:31,920
 by staff and of course discussion with the DCRC. We'll also have minutes as part of these

156
00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:38,480
 meetings so that those will be available if we need to refer back to them.

157
00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:47,480
 The idea is to have a presentation that's consistent so when we bring forward our proposed

158
00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:53,280
 or recommended code amendments, some of you have seen this presentation before, just identify

159
00:17:53,280 --> 00:18:00,800
 what the current rule is or what we have to buy from or buy and at least list the issues

160
00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:07,640
 that we have that are causing the code amendment, what we have currently in the DDC and then

161
00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:14,760
 the options that we have available and then staff's recommendation as we bring forward

162
00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:21,040
 these code amendments, as well as additional slides will be presented during these presentations

163
00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:28,800
 to help illustrate again what we are trying to get input from, from the DCRC. So that

164
00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:37,240
 will be part of the presentation similar to what you guys have seen with past code amendments.

165
00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:41,960
 I know that there were some folks that may have missed this presentation, but I just

166
00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:47,200
 wanted to go through this and just more of a refresher and/or some information for you

167
00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:54,120
 all regarding the DDC amendments. So why are we doing it today now? Obviously, there are

168
00:18:54,120 --> 00:18:59,300
 non-conformities that were created with the 2019 DDC and we want to continue to address

169
00:18:59,300 --> 00:19:03,960
 those non-conformities. We want to align with new regulations or requirements that were

170
00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:09,920
 passed by state law, specifically House Bill 3167. So some of these code amendments will

171
00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:17,360
 reflect that. We continue to provide improvements in our development review process and we want

172
00:19:17,360 --> 00:19:23,640
 to make sure that those improvements are codified in our DDC so that when we are referencing

173
00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:30,360
 our requirements or standards in our process, it is codified for not just the development

174
00:19:30,360 --> 00:19:37,200
 community but the general public as well. And we continue to look and hear from folks

175
00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:42,680
 that have feedback and input regarding DDC, the general public, development community,

176
00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:50,080
 PNZ, and city council. So we want to make sure that we address those issues with a required

177
00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:59,600
 code amendment if that is the resolution. We have identified a list of four categories

178
00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:06,320
 of code amendments. The first one is priority changes. The second one is substantive changes.

179
00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:12,760
 These are ones that we are looking for the DCRC to provide feedback and direction to

180
00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:17,520
 staff. We also have a set of code amendments that are referred to as the criteria manual

181
00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:22,200
 transfers. These are specifically texts and language and standards that are currently

182
00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:28,360
 in the criteria manual that we feel should be in the DDC. And then the last item, not

183
00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:33,480
 a high priority but something that we need to address are non-substantive changes, just

184
00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:40,920
 corrections, references that need to be included or were incorrectly referenced, and also any

185
00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:48,880
 additional language that would provide clarity as to make it clear to understand. I'm going

186
00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:54,920
 to go and share us a working document that we have and that we will be forwarding to

187
00:20:54,920 --> 00:21:06,800
 the DCRC. It is our list of code amendments, and as you can see, the references or the

188
00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:13,880
 document itself, you have it. You'll see that it's color coded, similar to what you've

189
00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:20,680
 seen in the PowerPoint slide. Anything black is non-substantive. Anything that is in purple

190
00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:26,760
 are criteria manual transfers. Anything that is green is what we've identified as substantive

191
00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:32,520
 changes. And then anything red are our high priority. And you can see as I scroll here

192
00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:36,280
 that as we look- Just talk about number one. Explain number

193
00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:42,440
 one. Number one, for example, is just one of those non-substantive changes. The reference

194
00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:49,200
 that we have in the DDC is wastewater, and it's separated. The right reference to this

195
00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:57,400
 is one word versus two words. So that is just a cleanup or a correction that we have identified.

196
00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:02,400
 And again, this is one of many. I think the majority of these code amendments are similar

197
00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:07,800
 in this nature, that they're just corrections. The same with number two.

198
00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:13,720
 I'm sorry, Ron. Also explain that each of those sections, each of those are numbered

199
00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:20,600
 out, and we'll get to what section it is when we get to those, but also we have the rationale,

200
00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:24,240
 so please. Correct, correct. So this is obviously, it's

201
00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:27,960
 numbered, and it's throughout the DDC, so it's not just one section. It's throughout

202
00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:34,200
 the DDC. This correction would apply. The same with this number two. We have a change

203
00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:38,920
 in the term site plan to zoning compliance plan, and that is the term that we're currently

204
00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:44,040
 using as part of our development review process, so we want to make sure that what we're telling

205
00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:51,640
 folks is consistent and is included in the DDC. Number three is more of a substantive

206
00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:58,080
 change, because we're changing the requirement for pre-applications currently, or as part

207
00:22:58,080 --> 00:23:04,560
 of the 2019, it's required to have a pre-application. However, we are changing that to a recommendation

208
00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:09,880
 rather than a requirement, so that is something that we will need from the DCRC as far as

209
00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:16,640
 direction, and again, we have the reasons associated with each of these. I'm gonna scroll

210
00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:23,760
 down so we can see ones that are per the section. So here's an example where you have the reference

211
00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:30,400
 section where we're amending section 1.3.4. What is being changed? Again, based on the

212
00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:36,880
 color, this is a substantive change, so we require or we want to hear from the DCRC to

213
00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:44,320
 move forward, and again, as you've seen, there's a reason to why these code amendments are

214
00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:50,320
 requested or recommended. Sometimes it's just a cleanup and part of the reasons why we're

215
00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:56,440
 doing code amendments. Sometimes there's some specific reasons why it needs to be changed.

216
00:23:56,440 --> 00:24:02,060
 So again, I won't go through this whole list. It's about 85 pages. There's a number of amendments

217
00:24:02,060 --> 00:24:08,780
 that are listed here and categorized. What we plan on doing is sending this to you all

218
00:24:08,780 --> 00:24:13,880
 in the near future with a big draft on it because it's still a draft, and it will give

219
00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:19,120
 you an idea of some of the items that we would like to bring forward, and again, it'll be

220
00:24:19,120 --> 00:24:26,120
 organized as we move forward by those categories that we've just summarized a little bit in,

221
00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:30,780
 which I will be sharing with you in a few seconds here. So does anybody have any questions

222
00:24:30,780 --> 00:24:36,400
 with regards to this document? Again, it is our working document, but we really wanted

223
00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:42,320
 to share it with you all so that you have an idea in advance of what staff is thinking.

224
00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:49,760
 Obviously, it will be a draft. All of this will be draft until we hear and get obviously

225
00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:53,520
 the direction and ultimately the consideration from the full council.

226
00:24:53,520 --> 00:25:00,160
 Ron, if I might piggyback on that. So this document, you'll be sent in its entirety,

227
00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:10,080
 so don't be scared because it's like 85 pages. The 85 pages, the vast majority are just corrections.

228
00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:14,640
 Another part to that is so this document, when it first goes out, will kind of be that

229
00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:22,040
 parent document. We'll keep that as a strike through and comment, so we'll know exactly

230
00:25:22,040 --> 00:25:27,960
 what has changed throughout the entirety. But if we get to a section that we agree on

231
00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:34,320
 how that's to move forward, we'll do a save as each week and send the updated document.

232
00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:41,720
 So as we work through this and we get 10 meetings into this and we want to know what happened

233
00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:47,240
 on a previous item that we'll be able to look at it and see it, but you'll have at least

234
00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:53,660
 the most current decision that was made by this committee before it goes to council and

235
00:25:53,660 --> 00:25:58,080
 ultimately in ordinance form. So it's a working document and just gives

236
00:25:58,080 --> 00:26:10,880
 you a good roadmap of this, the significant changes and what we're going to be doing.

237
00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:13,440
 So I'm going to go ahead and continue with the presentation. I think we've got a couple

238
00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:22,320
 more slides here. Just diving in a little bit more on these categories. The priority

239
00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:30,160
 change topics, some of these I know that the council had discussed in a prior work session.

240
00:26:30,160 --> 00:26:35,400
 We also want to take it to the Planning and Zoning Commission. So batch one is what we're

241
00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:44,800
 thinking of as far as items on the next DCRC meeting to get some input and feedback, which

242
00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:49,160
 will ultimately bring forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission and city council. After

243
00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:57,600
 batch one, we'll dive into batch two. And then again, those will be items that staff

244
00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:03,720
 will be requesting direction from the DCRC, again, ultimately to the PNZ and then city

245
00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:09,560
 council. Substantive changes, there is a number of

246
00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:15,360
 code amendments that are related to these types of code amendments. The first three

247
00:27:15,360 --> 00:27:20,720
 that you see here are ones that the DCRC has already discussed. So I don't anticipate a

248
00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:29,260
 lot of discussion. I know that there was a lot of already directions made and recommendations.

249
00:27:29,260 --> 00:27:33,960
 We just want to summarize that as we move forward with those code amendments. And then

250
00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:40,200
 go into the next set of code amendments as it relates to these categories or these listed

251
00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:45,560
 topics that you see here from subchapter two, which is the administrative and procedures

252
00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:53,000
 section, our subchapter, and then getting into more of the standards and the requirements

253
00:27:53,000 --> 00:28:00,040
 that you see here when it comes to the uses, landscaping, parking, and other site design

254
00:28:00,040 --> 00:28:07,880
 requirements. So again, a lot of these are substantive changes that we just really need

255
00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:12,880
 the DCRC to give us direction so that we can bring forward to the Planning, Zoning Commission

256
00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:21,080
 and city council. These are the criteria manual transfer topics. As you all know, we are working

257
00:28:21,080 --> 00:28:29,720
 and Becky's group has been working on identifying sections of the criteria manual for stormwater,

258
00:28:29,720 --> 00:28:36,400
 water and wastewater and looking at where those language and those requirements are

259
00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:43,680
 better suited and better included in the DDC. And so that is what these code amendments

260
00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:49,160
 will be. It's essentially just introducing those languages from the criteria manuals

261
00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:57,600
 into the DDC. We have similar topics or similar languages and texts from the transportation

262
00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:06,240
 criteria manual, the solid waste criteria manual, and also the electric service standards.

263
00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:11,760
 Wanted to include number six and number seven in this discussion just to provide you with

264
00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:18,360
 an overall comprehensive look at what we're trying to do with our documents that we use

265
00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:26,000
 in reviewing plans and design. We also have specifications and standard details that are

266
00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:31,560
 being currently being reviewed. And my understanding is that this is going to be being will be

267
00:29:31,560 --> 00:29:38,360
 brought forward to the full council for consideration in the near future. But it is a document that

268
00:29:38,360 --> 00:29:47,080
 we also look at when reviewing our plans and design that are submitted to the city. Lastly,

269
00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:52,800
 number seven is a development handbook where there is a lot of our processes that are not

270
00:29:52,800 --> 00:30:00,440
 necessarily in the DDC per se, but are helpful for our general public, our development community,

271
00:30:00,440 --> 00:30:05,280
 and this is something that we're working as well. So ultimately our goal is to have all

272
00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:11,080
 of these included in either to the DDC or part of the criteria manual where it's a little

273
00:30:11,080 --> 00:30:20,880
 bit more concise, less duplicative, and it's easier for everyone to understand. The last

274
00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:26,680
 here is just the non-sensitivity changes, and we saw some examples of that earlier.

275
00:30:26,680 --> 00:30:33,760
 Again, just typos and correcting references that are obviously were not correct. This

276
00:30:33,760 --> 00:30:40,160
 is the schedule that we are planning on having. Obviously, we are pretty tight in trying to

277
00:30:40,160 --> 00:30:46,000
 get them done, but we want to at least try to get them as much done as possible that

278
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:52,100
 is. There may be some that will have to fall to the next year, but as we continue through

279
00:30:52,100 --> 00:30:57,720
 this effort, we want to make sure that you all know the schedule, and if we need to provide

280
00:30:57,720 --> 00:31:04,040
 updates, we can certainly do that. But we want to tackle the priority changes first,

281
00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:12,240
 get into the substantive changes, and then hitting the criteria manual transfers as well,

282
00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:18,720
 and throughout all this, the non-substantive changes will be discussed throughout our meetings

283
00:31:18,720 --> 00:31:26,440
 that we have with the DCRC. That concludes my presentation, and again, just wanted to

284
00:31:26,440 --> 00:31:33,560
 thank you all for participating in this effort, and as we start to schedule the meetings that

285
00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:38,440
 we have already discussed, we will make sure that you have the information well in advance,

286
00:31:38,440 --> 00:31:43,560
 and we will be presented to you in a clear format so that, again, we can get your input

287
00:31:43,560 --> 00:31:46,560
 in direction.

288
00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:47,560
 >> Councilmember Briggs.

289
00:31:47,560 --> 00:31:55,320
 >> I have a few questions, Ron, going back to the presentation. On page 10, I mean page

290
00:31:55,320 --> 00:32:04,760
 9, I think it had HLC and ZBA listed as composition changes, and I'm wondering, did that or did

291
00:32:04,760 --> 00:32:09,760
 those suggestions come from those boards, or did it come from -- where are those changes

292
00:32:09,760 --> 00:32:10,760
 coming from?

293
00:32:10,760 --> 00:32:16,640
 >> Sure. Let me pull that up so we can see that real quick.

294
00:32:16,640 --> 00:32:21,640
 >> There were legislative changes that are prompting some of this.

295
00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:22,640
 >> Okay.

296
00:32:22,640 --> 00:32:26,840
 >> So for the ZBA specifically, there was a House bill that was passed. We want to make

297
00:32:26,840 --> 00:32:34,000
 sure that the procedure section was included in the DDC as a result. As far as the composition,

298
00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:41,320
 when we tried to amend the DDC back in 2019, there were things that we were going to include

299
00:32:41,320 --> 00:32:47,120
 into the code of ordinances where some of these boards and commissions composition are

300
00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:53,680
 located. However, we felt that it should be further clarified, specifically with the HLC

301
00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:58,840
 as part of the DDC as well. So it's more or less a cleanup, nothing new specifically

302
00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:04,240
 that we're trying to introduce. It's more or less making sure that it's covered in the

303
00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:11,240
 DDC. We'll obviously make sure, and we have meetings scheduled with the ZBA and HLC next

304
00:33:11,240 --> 00:33:15,280
 month in November, and we will be sharing with them some of what we're proposing to

305
00:33:15,280 --> 00:33:20,200
 add into the DDC as it reflects their board and their commission.

306
00:33:20,200 --> 00:33:31,280
 >> Okay. Thank you. Chair, I have one more question. On page 10, about the criteria manuals,

307
00:33:31,280 --> 00:33:37,960
 and just help me remember, because I thought that we had specific direct you to those manuals

308
00:33:37,960 --> 00:33:42,400
 because they're updated more regularly, and so I'm wondering why we're going back and

309
00:33:42,400 --> 00:33:49,960
 integrating those into the text of the code unless I'm misunderstanding something.

310
00:33:49,960 --> 00:34:00,000
 >> No, you're spot on. We had some concerns that were expressed through legal that some

311
00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:03,040
 of these provisions need to be in the code, and that's why we're going to talk through

312
00:34:03,040 --> 00:34:08,720
 those with the committee. >> Okay. So they'll just be pulled out of

313
00:34:08,720 --> 00:34:15,400
 that and into the code, and then -- >> Correct. We won't necessarily lose anything.

314
00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:21,200
 It's just where's the appropriate document for those components to be. So some of that

315
00:34:21,200 --> 00:34:28,400
 will be in the criteria manual, and others of it will be within the code.

316
00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:33,560
 >> My understanding is that those criteria manuals will continue to be reviewed annually,

317
00:34:33,560 --> 00:34:40,760
 and if there is a need for an ordinance to amend it, that will also be done again as

318
00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:47,060
 needed. >> Okay. Thank you.

319
00:34:47,060 --> 00:34:53,320
 >> I might also suggest, Ron, on the slides, because we are being televised, that people

320
00:34:53,320 --> 00:35:00,200
 may have questions, if -- whether it's your email address or planning@cityofdenton.com,

321
00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:06,280
 that every one of the slides has a line on there that, if you have questions, email this,

322
00:35:06,280 --> 00:35:14,920
 and then we can monitor that as well. So not necessarily as live, but certainly if we have

323
00:35:14,920 --> 00:35:19,680
 individuals that are viewing this, that they're able to easily get to whoever they need to.

324
00:35:19,680 --> 00:35:26,200
 >> We'll make sure that happens. >> Councilmember Riggs?

325
00:35:26,200 --> 00:35:31,800
 >> I just have one last question. I know that in the introductions, we learned about a new

326
00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:36,360
 law firm, and that's helping us. The last time we did this, we had, I think, was it

327
00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:43,440
 Ms. McDonald from a different law firm? Was that -- is she going to be involved in this

328
00:35:43,440 --> 00:35:49,640
 update or no? >> No. I believe we're just going to be using

329
00:35:49,640 --> 00:35:53,840
 Borquez, and I don't know if Erin wants to speak to any of that or not, but currently,

330
00:35:53,840 --> 00:35:57,080
 that's who we're utilizing. >> Okay.

331
00:35:57,080 --> 00:36:02,560
 >> I can answer that, Councilmember Briggs. A lot of the work, as was explained to me,

332
00:36:02,560 --> 00:36:08,280
 were primarily related to actually planning issues, not necessarily legal issues. Robin

333
00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:14,400
 Meagher is an actual planner that happens to work in a law firm, so that's why we went

334
00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:19,760
 to the Borquez law firm, and a lot of the legal issues, you know, we can -- if they

335
00:36:19,760 --> 00:36:24,000
 do arise, we can handle those internally as well.

336
00:36:24,000 --> 00:36:37,080
 >> Okay. Thank you for that. >> Anyone else? Additional questions? Ron,

337
00:36:37,080 --> 00:36:42,720
 did you have anything else, or is that -- >> That's all we have. As far as input needed,

338
00:36:42,720 --> 00:36:52,800
 I think we got as far as the meetings regarding when, how long, and start time and weekly

339
00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:58,840
 meetings. So we'll start to push that as soon as we can get some calendars in place and

340
00:36:58,840 --> 00:37:03,880
 send you all some surveys so that we can get going on these code amendments.

341
00:37:03,880 --> 00:37:09,560
 >> I'd like to just personally, again, thank all of you. Certainly, it was quite daunting.

342
00:37:09,560 --> 00:37:13,760
 We hope this is going to be much more simpler. We hope that the format that we're going to

343
00:37:13,760 --> 00:37:19,640
 provide to you will create that ease, at least that you have, you know, the changes before

344
00:37:19,640 --> 00:37:24,920
 you and the intent of what that is, and certainly give you opportunity to review the material

345
00:37:24,920 --> 00:37:33,240
 in advance. Happy to build the agenda around the committee and, you know, how we move forward.

346
00:37:33,240 --> 00:37:38,680
 Want to make this as fluid and simple as possible and just expedite as much as we can to get

347
00:37:38,680 --> 00:37:43,600
 it done and get it done right. But thank you.

348
00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:49,000
 >> Thank you, Scott. We do have concluding items on here. Anybody have any concluding

349
00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:56,320
 items? All right. Then we will adjourn at 1148. Thank you, everyone.

350
00:37:56,320 --> 00:37:58,480
 >> Thank you, everyone. Thank you.