AGENDA #1

memorandum

to:Mayor and Town Council

from:W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

subject:Planning Department Workload Update

date:October 12, 2005

PURPOSE

This report recommends work priorities given the present workload and staffing in the Planning Department.  We request feedback from the Council about any adjustments needed.

BACKGROUND

Planning Director Roger Waldon retired on May 31 and Long Range Planning Coordinator Chris Berndt retired July 31.  We also temporarily lost the services of another planner who was on parental leave for several months.  In addition to those losses, we received two additional resignations: one of our Long Range Principal Planners resigned to accept employment as a Planning Director in another state; and our Administrative Secretary resigned to pursue other interests. 

We have arranged staff assignments to make the best use possible of existing resources, and we are proceeding to fill vacant positions.

Attached is a report on how we propose to organize the Planning Department.  We recommend that the new structure be effective as of November 1, 2005.

DISCUSSION

On June 15, 2005, the Council provided guidance on work items that were of the highest priority at that time.  We will appreciate further guidance and direction.  As a beginning point for the Council conversation, we recommend that the staff focus on the highest priority items and defer several items as shown below.

Work Items of Highest Priority:

• Downtown economic development initiatives (Planning Department to provide resources and assist the Manager)
• Neighborhood Conservation Districts (work underway)
• Community Goals/Process for Horace Williams Property (continuation)
• Long Range Transit Master Plan
• Affordable Housing Task Force to investigate the addition of inclusionary zoning provisions to the Land Use Management Ordinance (currently recruiting for the Task Force)
• Monitor/Evaluate Land Use Management Ordinance
  • recent legislative changes mandate a review of the Ordinance this fall with Ordinance amendments this winter/spring (please refer to the attached memorandum from the Town Attorney)
  • Bicycle and Vehicular Parking Adjustments to Land Use Management Ordinance
  • Demolition by Neglect Provisions for the Land Use Management Ordinance
  • Establish Park/Ride in 15-501 North Corridor (exploring land purchase options)
• Downtown transit transfer study

Work Items We Continue to Recommend for Delay

• Rogers Road Small Area Plan (work to begin upon completion of the four Neighborhood Conservation Districts next July)
• Tree Ordinance Changes
• Transfer of Development Rights
• Comprehensive Parking Strategy
• Advisory Board review of Comprehensive Plan Goals
• Land Use Management Ordinance amendments regarding the floor area definition, stormwater/erosion control, changes to alternate buffer provision, Planned Development lot size, and  dark skies/lighting changes

We will continue to communicate with the Council to report progress and make further adjustments in our work focus as desired by the Council.

CONCLUSION

We will appreciate the Council’s further guidance if we need to make adjustments in our proposed priorities.

ATTACHMENTS

1. June 15, 2005 Memorandum regarding Planning Department Workload (p. 3).

2. Planning Department related Goals from September 12, 2005 Memorandum (p. 6).

3. Memorandum from Ralph Karpinos regarding Legislative Changes (p. 32).

4. Proposed Planning Department Reorganization (p. 34).