Land Development Code Update Advisory Committee Meeting #1 September 14, 2017 We Dream Big and Deliver
Agenda 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Purpose and Objectives 3. Why Now? 4. Strategic Objectives 5. Work Plan 6. Zoning 101 7. Issues 8. Next Steps 2
2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES 3
Zoning is Subject to the Laws of Nature One way to state the Second Law of Thermodynamics is: Nature proceeds from the simple to the complex, from the orderly to the disorderly, from low entropy to high entropy. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is remarkably relevant to zoning codes Increasing entropy is natural Reducing entropy requires work All codes ultimately reach a critical stage of complexity 4
Critical Stage Creates Opportunity for Reform Opportunity to UPDATE and ALIGN the LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE with the vision of the COMPREHENSIVE PLAN and other ADOPTED PLANS 5
Arvada Comprehensive Plan Implementation Vision Code Market 6
Arvada Comprehensive Plan Implementation Vision Code Market We Dream Big 7
Arvada Comprehensive Plan Implementation Vision Code Market We Dream Big And Deliver 8
3. WHY NOW? 9
Why Now? Current Code (2008) Zoning districts and standards are dated and no longer implement City plans and strategic objectives Difficult to navigate and search related provisions are dispersed Requires certain level of expertise to understand Minimal graphics Incremental updates resulted in inconsistencies and duplications Code Reform Objectives Implement City policies related to land development Create appropriate zones and standards to deal with significant change and anticipated growth Enhance predictability and clarity in development review and approval Be customer-friendly / well organized Present a simple, easy-to-use Code, with graphics to convey information 10
Trends 1 Land Use 2 Transportation 3 TOD and Infill Millennials and Baby Boomers with small households seek higherquality units near amenities and transit Parking reductions due to transit and other modes Modular and other factorybuilt construction techniques Shared bicycles/cars, Expanding beyond increased use of ride the ½ mile radius for sharing (e.g., Uber and Lyft) TOD due to biking to stations Autonomous cars Smart City (electric vehicles, parking) New mixed-use development in traditionally retail corridors 11
DRCOG and Mile High Compact Mile High Compact (2000) Regional planning and growth commitment by 46 communities representing 90% of the DRCOG region s population Each community committed, as a part of Metro Vision, to work in a coordinated manner to accommodate projected growth 12
Population Growth in the Region The Denver Region is projected to grow: Approximately 1.16 million new residents and 600,000 new jobs by 2040 (DRCOG Metro Vision) Jefferson County s growth will be slower than some other counties (e.g., Adams, Arapahoe) Jefferson County will add approximately 110,000 residents by 2040 13
Arvada s Growth Continued population growth almost 11,000 new residents between 2010 and 2016 (10% increase) High proportion of one- and twoperson households (approx. 63% combined) Projected 2035 pop n: 141,000 Projected build-out pop n: 154,000 Source: Census Annual Population Estimates 14
TOD Percent Complete or In Progress 29% 90% 88% 79% Sheridan TOD Olde Town TOD Arvada Ridge TOD Ward TOD Completed - 19% Projects Underway - 10% Opportunity Sites - 71% Completed - 68% Projects Underway - 22% Opportunity Sites - 10% Completed - 70% Projects Underway - 18% Opportunity Sites - 12% Completed - 0% Projects Underway - 79% Opportunity Sites - 21% 15
Evaluate Opportunities for Transit-Supportive Development Development opportunities along corridors Sheridan Ralston Opportunities for land use coordination with Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County Approx. 26,000 Arvada residents (23% of our population) live within 1 mile of a light rail station 16
4. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 17
Key Objectives of Land Development Code (LDC) Update: 1. Implement the 2014 Comprehensive Plan and other City Plans 2. Implement City Council Strategic Results 3. Streamline development review process 4. Update, simplify, and modernize the LDC 5. Update the zoning map 18
Objectives 1. Implement the 2014 Comprehensive Plan & other City Plans 62 of the 153 policies in the Comprehensive Plan relate to LDC update Accommodate full build-out growth (approx. 154,000) Address changing demographics Coordinate land use, transportation (including pedestrian and bicycle), Olde Town, transit framework and TOD development, and sustainability objectives Ensure compatibility among different land uses 19
Objectives 2. Implement City Council Strategic Results Promote compatible infill development in urban centers and corridors Respond to changing housing preferences by providing for a diversity of housing types Encourage attainable housing for seniors 20
Objectives 3. Streamline development review process Update processes and procedures Simplify Code language and create more predictability and clarity in development review and approval Reduce the time from concept to completion / explore potential for additional delegation to administrative review 21
Objectives 4. Update, simplify and modernize the LDC Review type and number of zoning districts (e.g., PUD) Promote mixed-use and infill development Promote increased densities where appropriate Address new and emerging housing and business types Improve LDC s overall organization, format and graphical presentation 5. Map the new/revised zoning districts 22
Committees and Groups Advisory Committee Arvada residents provide oversight and direction Technical Committee Staff representatives involved in development review Focus Groups Seven focus groups to provide early input on specific topics Project Team Core staff team provides project management; consultant team provides specialized knowledge and experience 23
Public Outreach Outreach and public engagement strategies: Committees and focus groups Community open houses Website Meeting notices and minutes Issue papers and surveys Public review and comment on Code modules Information on remapping Social media and newsletters 24
5. WORK PLAN 25
The Work Plan CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS Project initiation Code Modules preparation and public review Draft Code development and public review Remapping of zoning districts Code completion and approval 26
The Work Plan CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION 1 Project Initiation phase: WORKSHOP Identify priority topics and code format Launch website and participation program Project initiation Update 2015 strategic Code assessment Modules (add preparation emerging issues and City public priorities) review Meet with committees and update PC and Council Draft Code development and public review Remapping of zoning districts PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS Code completion and approval 27
The Work Plan CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP 2 Advisory Committee Process, Issue Discussion and Code Module Preparation: Committee process & iterative Project initiation drafting Draft Code development and Code Modules preparation Meet regularly with public review and public review Committees Remapping of zoning districts 3 Planning Commission and Council updates 3 community open houses PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS Code completion and approval 28
The Work Plan CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP Project initiation Code Modules preparation and public review PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS 3 Iterative, Collaborative Drafting of Draft Code and Draft Code Public development Review and of Draft Code Code completion public review Create public draft code and approval Present to Advisory Committee Remapping of zoning districts and the public for review 29
The Work Plan CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP Project initiation Code Modules preparation and public review 4 Remapping of zoning districts Draft Code development and public review Remapping of zoning districts PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS Code completion and approval 30
The Work Plan CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP Project initiation Code Modules preparation and public review Draft Code development and public review Remapping of zoning districts PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS 5 Public Hearings and Code Adoption completion Planning Commission & and approval Council workshop, Commission recommendation Council adoption 31
The Work Plan CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP Advisory Committee to meet six times PLANNING COMMISSION & CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS Project initiation Code Modules preparation and public review Draft Code development and public review Remapping of zoning districts Code completion and approval 32
6. ZONING 101 33
Zoning 101 What is Zoning? Defines the appearance and character of Arvada Identifies residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural categories Defines uses and identifies development standards Zoning Map for eastern section of Arvada 34
Zoning 101 Euclidean zoning Single-use zoning, divided into residential, commercial and industrial zoning districts Form-based zoning Focus on the scale, design and placement of buildings Hybrid zoning Blend of Euclidean, Form-based, Performance and Incentive zoning Residential Industrial Commercial Agricultural 35
Challenges for Zoning Guiding incremental change Implementing City plans Balancing public interests and private interests Provide the infrastructure for all properties and residents (roads, utilities) Support the health, safety and welfare of community 36
Land Development Code (2008) Consists of: Zoning Subdivisions Process Parks Some engineering standards Construction 37
7. ISSUES 38
LDC Assessment (2015) Tailor LDC provisions for different contexts new development, redevelopment, infill, and expansions Focus on compatibility, practicality, economic viability Emphasize essential elements of community character Evaluate the number of zoning districts / consolidate zones Encourage housing diversity / market responsiveness Evaluate possibilities for parking flexibility Restructure and simplify procedure / more administrative Reorganize and refine LDC provisions 39
Issues The following slides present a list of issues that the Project Team would like to explore during development of the new Code: 1. Zoning Districts and Land Use Are current zones working? Why so many zones (are they different enough to matter)? Which zones should be dropped or consolidated? Why so many P.U.D.s? Is there a better way for Arvada? Can Clear Creek zones be simplified (IGA renegotiated)? How should the new list of land uses be applied in new zones? Are any adjustments needed in existing zones? How do we address the sharing economy and business use of the home? 40
Issues 2. Development Standards Infill compatibility What does compatibility mean in different places in the City? Can it be defined so that compliance = compatibility? Are there areas of the City that could accommodate more than 35 feet in building height? Form vs. function? In what areas, if any, is the form of development more important than its use? In what areas, if any, is the form of residential development more important than its density? 41
Issues 2. Development Standards Parking Are current parking ratios appropriate? Are there opportunities for reducing parking requirements (e.g., TDM, remote parking, parking studies, shared parking, on-street credits, transit orientation, etc.)? If so, where should they apply? How should Olde Town parking be addressed? 42
Issues 3. Housing Should it be easier to develop neighborhoods that include a variety of housing types? Should new types of housing be allowable in existing neighborhoods (and if so, where)? To what extent does the City want to regulate aesthetics of housing? How (and where) does the City best accommodate specialized or emerging housing types, such as group homes, co-housing, tiny homes, cottages, micro-apartments, and so forth? How can opportunities for attainable housing be improved? 43
Issues 4. Sustainability and Quality of Life Are current standards for water quality and stormwater detention appropriate and consistent with Colorado water law? Could standards be improved to reduce flood risks in a reasonable way? Are there opportunities to promote low-impact development, and if so, should it be promoted (or required)? Should parks and recreation / amenity standards be adjusted depending upon the context of the development (e.g., small urban parks, tot lots and play fields)? 44
Issues 4. Sustainability and Quality of Life Should the City investigate ways to promote / require investments in public art, identities for specific areas, or landmarks? Should the City explore its approach to exterior lighting? Are the City s landscaping and buffering requirements working, and if not, how could they be improved? Should the LDC address renewable energy (at a variety of scales)? 45
Issues 5. Fees Should fees and dedications be recalibrated / clarified? Should exactions and impact fees be recalibrated / clarified? 6. Process What decisions should be delegated to the City s professional staff? What decisions should be delegated to the Planning Commission? Who should be the final appellate body for administrative appeals, how many bites at the apple should there be, and who should be entitled to appeal a decision on an application for development approval? 46
Issues 7. Interdepartmental Coordination How do development objectives relate to other department policies (e.g., tap fees, engineering preferences for utility placement in rights-of-way, etc.)? What should be in the LDC, as opposed to other codes and standards (e.g., engineering standards, floodplain management ordinances, building codes, business license codes, liquor license codes, etc.)? 47
Issues Are there any other issues? 48
8. NEXT STEPS 49
Homework Identification of emerging issues Geography of areas of stability vs. areas of change Defining compatibility Identifying tolerance for building height in various areas of the City Adapting to changing interests and demographics Promoting alternative travel modes / multimodal travel Identification of the good, the bad, and the ugly in Arvada and the region 50
Next Steps City Council and Planning Commission workshop on October 9 Next Advisory Committee meeting on December 7 City Council and Planning Commission workshop on January 22, 2018 Review changes to the revised assessment Confirm Council supports approach and priorities 51
Questions? 52