Shandrian Jarvis provides an overview of urban planning. She has over 16 years of experience in transportation planning and holds an MS in City and Regional Planning. She discusses that urban planning involves designing the built environment and decision making processes for public policy. Planning ensures infrastructure, protects public health and the environment, and allows for community input. The main implementation tools discussed are comprehensive planning, zoning, subdivision regulations, site planning, and building permits.

1. Planning 101
Shandrian Jarvis,AICP– Development Services
September 14, 2016

2. About Me
 BA Geography, Spatial Analysis and Demographics, UT Austin
 MSCRP,Transportation Planning, UT Austin
 APA/AICP Since 2003
 16 years urban planning experience:
 Long-RangeTransportation Plan
 StatewideToll Road Initiative
 FHWA MPO Certification
 NEPA Analysis, Environmental Justice
 Development Review and Permitting

3. About Me

5. What is Urban Planning?
 Design of
Built
Environment
 Decision-
Making
Process for
Public Policy

6. Why Is It Important?
 Protect public health, safety, welfare granted by US andTexas
Constitutions and City Charter
 Provide adequate infrastructure, including:
 Water
 Transportation
 Parks/Open Space
 Public Service (police, fire, EMS)
 Affordable Housing
 Preserve elements that are important to the community
 Clean water and air
 Natural/Environmentally Sensitive Areas
 Historic places
 Social equity/environmental justice

7. How Is It Done?
Comprehensive
Planning
Small Area Planning
Corridor Planning
Neighborhood Planning
Strategic
Planning
Capital
Improvements
Planning

8. Strategic Planning
 Focused, short-term planning
that identifies:
 Mission of organization
 Internal strengths and weaknesses
 External opportunities and threats
 Future possible scenarios over next
3- 5 years; and
 Specific goals and objectives to
achieve mission

9. Capital Improvements Planning
 CIP is a plan for the investment of public funds in public
infrastructure
 Identifies construction projects (streets, drainage,
water/wastewater, parks, etc.)
 Typically 1, 5, and 10 year increments
 Serves as a guide for the budgeting of funds

10. Comprehensive Planning
 Enabled by Chapter 213 of the
TxLGC
 OverallVision for City
 Long-range, 10- 20 years
 Comprehensive (geographical,
physical, economic, social)
 Collaborative
 Continuous

11. Comprehensive Plan: Process
Rational Planning Method

12. Who is Involved?
 Elected and appointed
officials
 City staff
 Property Owners and
Residents
 Business Owners
 Neighborhood
Associations
 Special Interest Groups
 Or…EVERYONE!

13. Comprehensive Plan: Components
 Future Land Use Map
 Transportation/Mobility
Plan
 Utility Infrastructure Plan
 Community Facilities/ CIP
 Public Safety
Improvements
 Economic Development
Strategy
 Parks and Open Space
Plan
 Affordable Housing
Strategy
 Historic Preservation Plan

14. Planning 101
14 / 21
Implementing the Comprehensive Plan

15. Typical Land Development Process
Zoning
Subdivision
(Platting)
Site
Plan
Building
Permits
Certificate of
Occupancy
InspectionsAnnexation

16. Annexation
 Annexation is the process by
which a municipality expands
its boundaries
 Cities over 100K have a 5-mile
ETJ
 Annexation is generally
required to extend city services
(Police, Fire, EMS) and voting
privileges, and taxing authority
to an area
 Rules for annexation are found
in Chapter 43 of the TxLGC

17. Zoning
 Zoning is the tool by which cities
regulate land use
 Authority and rules for zoning are
found in Chapter 211 of the TxLGC
 Carried out in accordance with the
comprehensive plan
 Applies only to full-purpose limits of
city; not ETJ
 P&Z recommendation; approval by
CC

18. Zoning
 Purpose:
 Provide beneficial and appropriate
development
 Protect character of an area
 Minimize land use incompatibility
 Allow for highest and best use of property
 A zoning ordinance typically includes:
 Regulations with a list of allowable uses,
density, height, and setbacks requirements
for each district
 Zoning Map by district

19. Zoning
19 / 21
 A zoning designation that permits the intended use is
required before a project can proceed;
 Rezoning may be needed if the proposed use does not
fit into the existing zoning district.

20. Subdivision
 Municipal subdivision regulations are found
in Chapter 212 of TxLGC
 Refers to the division of land into one or
more parts for purposes of sale, transfer, or
development
 Used to regulate:
 Lot and street patterns
 Right of way, easements and public utility
improvements dedication
 Parkland dedication

21. Subdivision
 Subdivision approval grants “legal lot” status, which is
required before any improvements can be made on a
lot
 P&Z must approve if the subdivision meets all local and
state requirements

22. Subdivision: Plat
Product of the subdivision
process is the final plat.
Things to remember about the
final plat:
 Legal document
 Recorded with the County
Clerk’s office
 Never expires once recorded

23. Subdivision: Applications
 Types of subdivision applications:
 Conveyance Plat
 Concept plan (GDP)
 Preliminary plat
 Final Plat
 Minor plat
 Amending plat
 Re-plat
 Development plat

24. Subdivision: Exceptions
 No plat required if:
 Existed in current configuration before lot came into city; or
 Existed in current configuration prior to subdivision
ordinance (1960); or
 Meets exception criteria found in Chapter 212 of TxLGC
(over 5 acres and no utility extensions needed)

25. Site Planning

26. Site Planning
 What is a Site Plan?
 A set of engineering and
architectural drawings that shows
the layout of a proposed site. It is
required for multi-family and non-
residential developments.
 What can you regulate?
 Building placement
 Building appearance, architectural
standards
 Landscaping and buffering
 Circulation
 Parking location
 Signage
 Driveway access
 Dumpster location

27. Site Planning
 Why is it important?
 Ensures that the project complies with development
codes and standards;
 Allows for detailed site review and better coordination
between disciplines which helps to identify issues and
resolve potential conflicts that could result in delays
 Provides for predictability and helps to streamline the
building plan review;
 Allow site to proceed with lateral improvements

28. Building Plan Review

29. Building Plan Review
 Review is for the design elements and code compliance for all architectural,
structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life safety aspects of the
project.
 Permits are required for:
 New construction
 Alterations to existing buildings
 Additions
 Repairs
 Accessory structures
 Fences
 Signs
 Monuments

30. Building Plan Review: CO
 A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is a product of the
building plan review. Document allows a business to
occupy and operate at a specific location. Required
for:
 New use or structure
 Tenant change
 Change in use

31. Putting It All Together
 Understand what urban
planning is
 Know importance of a
comp plan
 Identify tools for comp
plan implementation
 See the city as we see
it…

32. Sources
 Planning and Zoning for New Hires. David R. Gattis, FAICP, CFM, ICMA-CM. Deputy City Manager
of Benbrook, TX. 2016 Building Professional Institute Presentation.
 City of Austin Planning and Development Review. Annexation and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
Planning. http://www.austintexas.gov/content/1345/FAQ/2087
 Texas Local Government Code. Chapter 211. Municipal Zoning Authority. 2014.
 Texas Local Government Code. Chapter 212. Municipal Regulation of Subdivisions and Property
Development. 2014.
 Texas Local Government Code. Chapter 212. Municipal Regulation of Subdivisions and Property
Development. 2014.
 Will Schnier, P.E. Big Red Dog Engineering and Consulting. Land Subdivision: A Practical Guide
for Central Texas. http://www.bigreddog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Will-Schnier-Land-
Subdivision_A-Practical-Guide-for-Central-Texas-October-29-2010.pdf