Title
Urban Design Standards (B)
Explanation
At their October 6, 2016 regular meeting, the Commission directed the formation of a team to evaluate existing utility design and construction standards for urban redevelopment areas. The team consisted of planners, engineers, landscape architects, and construction managers representing GRU, Planning, Public Works, CRA, Alachua County and the development community. This item was referred to the General Policy Committee, where direction was given for staff to benchmark other communities’ development standards; evaluate alternative standards in urban areas; evaluate City/GRU policies and requirements to identify areas in standards to facilitate urban development. Since that time, the team has been working collaboratively to evaluate alternative standards in urban areas, codify recommendations previously presented to General Policy Committee and research what it takes to consistently achieve the City’s streetscape vision outlined in the new land development code. At the General Policy meeting on January 11th, 2018, the committee referred the following topics to the team for further consideration:
• Establishing a permanent development collaboration team
• Developing options for conflict resolution
• Aligning the Land Development Code and GRU design standards
• Evaluating a hierarchy approach to the Land Development Code and related standards
• Developing a public approval process for future revisions of GRU standards
Staff returns today to present the team's findings and potential ideas for committee consideration.
Recommendation
The General Policy Committee:
1) Hear a presentation from staff;
2) Provide direction as appropriate;
3) Remove the item from the General Policy Committee referral list.