After the long 3.5 hours the Richardson City Council and City Plan Commission devoted to updating the Comprehensive Plan, there were three comments that stuck with me.
Joe Corcoran: "I do think that if the Comp Plan was just, hey, here's five reinvestment zones, I kind of consider it a little bit a failure, not to be dramatic. But it's important to talk about all this other stuff as well."
Joe Costantino: "I'm not for less studying, I'm just like, understanding how some of the other bullet points are going to be fleshed out...How are those other areas going to be studied?"
Dan Barrios: "I'd like to see that whatever comes out of this is something that hopefully is an award-winning plan. We have a lot of great things in Richardson, and I hope this is one of those things we can add to it. Because it'll either be great or we're going to look back 10 years from now and go 'Wow, where did we go wrong?' "
Source: The Wheel.
In last week's meeting, it seemed abrupt to me to go directly from "Preliminary Strategic Issues Identified to Date" to "Preliminary Reinvestment Areas." Out of all the issues, why was "Reinvestment Areas" the one topic that was covered first? I speculated on an answer to that in "How Comprehensive is the Comprehensive Plan?" Regardless, here's the full list of "other stuff" the consultants eventually have to look at, sooner or later.
- Land use
- Mobility/Transportation
- Community Facilities
- Other Infrastructure (water, wastewater, solid waste)
- Neighborhoods and Housing
- Parks, Recreation and Open Space
- Natural Environment
- Enhancement/Reinvestment Areas
- Economic Development
Even if all the "other stuff" gets covered somewhere, some how, some time, are they the sum total of what will go into the Comp Plan update? The second place I looked for more issues is in Richardson's existing "Comprehensive Plan" from 2009. That is organized into ten components, or Elements, that discuss various aspects of Richardson. I've put an asterisk after elements that have a more-or-less one-to-one correspondence to one of the Strategic Issues arising from the recent community meetings.
- Background
- Demographics
- Land Use *
- Transportation *
- Urban Design
- Neighborhoods *
- Community Facilities *
- Parks and Recreation *
- Environment *
- Economic Development*
Two of the 2009 elements that stand out as missing from the strategic issues identified in 2023 are "Demographics" and "Urban Design." It's essential that the 2023 update process devotes time and attention to these topics. They need to find a home on the planning calendar and in the final document.
Finally, I turned to my new in-house expert in many matters, ChatGPT. Asking it to wear its city planner hat, I asked it a question. As usual, it came up with an answer fast.
The Wheel: "You are a city planner. What criteria do you look for in a city's long-term comprehensive land use plan?"
ChatGPT: "As a city planner, when developing a long-term comprehensive land use plan for a city, there are several key criteria that I would consider to ensure the plan is sustainable, functional, and meets the needs of the community. Here are some important factors to consider:
- Community Input: Engaging with the community and involving residents, businesses, and stakeholders in the planning process is crucial. Understanding their needs, aspirations, and concerns helps to create a plan that reflects the values and preferences of the people who live and work in the city.
- Land Suitability: Assessing the suitability of land for different uses is important. Consider factors such as topography, soil quality, flood-prone areas, and natural resources to determine appropriate land uses and minimize environmental impact.
- Infrastructure and Transportation: Evaluating the existing infrastructure, transportation networks, and future needs is essential. Planning for efficient transportation systems, public transit, pedestrian-friendly areas, and bike lanes can reduce congestion and promote sustainability.
- Housing: Ensuring a diverse range of housing options is available is essential for a balanced community. This includes affordable housing, mixed-use developments, and housing that accommodates different demographics and income levels.
- Economic Development: Considering economic opportunities and promoting a diverse range of industries can help create job opportunities and strengthen the city's economic resilience.
- Environmental Sustainability: Integrating environmental considerations into the plan is vital. This includes protecting green spaces, promoting sustainable building practices, and incorporating renewable energy sources.
- Historic Preservation: Recognizing and preserving the city's cultural heritage and historic landmarks can enhance the sense of identity and continuity for residents.
- Public Services and Facilities: Ensuring adequate access to essential services such as healthcare, education, public safety, and recreational facilities is crucial for a well-functioning city.
- Zoning and Land Use Regulations: Developing appropriate zoning regulations and land use policies can guide development and ensure compatibility between different land uses.
- Resilience and Climate Adaptation: Considering the potential impact of climate change and implementing measures to enhance resilience can help mitigate risks associated with extreme weather events.
- Public Spaces and Green Areas: Designing public spaces, parks, and green areas can improve the overall quality of life for residents and promote community interaction.
- Future Growth and Expansion: Anticipating future growth and identifying suitable areas for expansion helps to manage development in a sustainable and organized manner.
- Accessibility and Inclusivity: Designing a city that is accessible to people with disabilities and considers the needs of all residents promotes inclusivity and social equity.
- Long-Term Vision: The plan should have a clear and realistic long-term vision that considers the city's future needs and aspirations, typically covering a period of 20-30 years.
- Flexibility: While a comprehensive plan sets a direction, it should also be flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving needs over time.
By incorporating these criteria into the comprehensive land use plan, cities can work towards creating a more livable, sustainable, and vibrant community for current and future generations."
Source: ChatGPT.
A few items identified by ChatGPT are missing from Richardson's planning effort, either in 2009 or in today's Comp Plan update, at least as far as I've seen so far.
Historic preservation: The only references to "historic" in the 2009 Comp Plan mention four historic cemeteries, the historic McKamy Springs, and the historic downtown. The references are in different places and none is specifically concerned with preservation. This is an oversight. It needs to be corrected in this update. Even if Richardson doesn't have any districts worthy of being designated historic, with special protection, and I'm not saying it does or doesn't, the question should receive attention and the City's position on the question should be documented in the Comp Plan.
Climate adaptation: There is no greater long-range issue facing us all than climate adaptation. The City needs to have a top-down planning process that addresses climate change. It should be its own chapter in the updated Comp Plan.
Zoning: It's all well and good to argue that a long-range Comp Plan is a different beast than a book of zoning ordinances, but the two are intertwined. The former should drive the latter. The Comp Plan should set specific goals for the City's zoning ordinances, including but not limited to things like ADUs and parking ratios. Those specific goals should serve as direction for the legal experts to codify into ordinances.
Flexibility: City Manager Don Magner said something at the July 31 City Council meeting that ought to be enshrined in the Comp Plan itself, or maybe even in an ordinance.
There will be certain parts of this Comp Plan that we need to revisit almost on an every other year basis, probably like we do with your Council Goals, just to stay relevant...If we don't really embrace that, and make this a living document by looking at the different chapters, and refreshing them at the appropriate rhythm, rather than just waiting another 10 or 12 years, then it'll be very outdated very quickly.Source: Don Magner.
Cover all that and you just might be on your way to an award-winning Comp Plan. For that, you'll also have to look at comp plans from other cities that have already won awards for planning. I haven't done that. That's left as an exercise for the reader (and the City).
"Dan's wish for success,
Richardson's greatness showcased,
A plan to cherish."
—h/t ChatGPT
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