The purpose of this workshop is to provide an update on work completed since the July 19th City Council/ Planning and Zoning Commission joint workshop to discuss the mixed-use code. The joint workshop focused on a Development Code update which included two new zoning districts – Mixed Use Regional (MU-R) and Mixed-Use Neighborhood (MU-N) – which were being proposed to implement Regional Activity Centers (RAC) and Neighborhood Activity Centers (NAC) designated by the 2018 Land Use Plan. Several members of the public spoke during the workshop’s public comment period, and then staff presented the proposed new districts. After discussion with staff, the City Council provided staff direction to focus on their top two priorities: Imperial and Lake Pointe.
Since that time, staff has been evaluating the draft mixed-use code with this direction in mind. Though Imperial will continue to be processed utilizing a Planned Development District, the draft mixed-use code has been revised and adapted to ensure the future success of the Lake Pointe redevelopment. For example, staff removed references to the Mixed-Use Neighborhood (MU-N) district and further refined other elements of the Code. This workshop will focus on Sections 2-118 through 2-122; the remaining sections will be provided prior to the next workshop, during which the Commission will discuss those sections. A clean copy and a redline copy of the selected sections are attached. The redline copy shows the changes made since Public Draft #2, which was reviewed during the July 19th joint workshop.
Additionally, the City Council recently received a presentation from Planned Community Developers on a concept for the redevelopment of the Fluor campus in Lake Pointe. This is an opportunity to see how the site could be redeveloped into a mixed-use walkable area. The City Council presentation slides are attached.
During the workshop, staff will review several necessary steps to prepare Lake Pointe, specifically the Fluor campus, for future redevelopment opportunities: adoption of a Development Code update, which will establish a new mixed-use zoning district; rezoning of the Fluor campus in Lake Pointe to the new mixed-use zoning district; and revisions to the Areas of Change section of the Land Use Plan. Additionally, this will be an opportunity for the Commission to review initial revisions to the Code based on feedback received from the City Council and provide input to staff.
Community Engagement
Over the past year, staff has utilized numerous opportunities to present the City Council’s top priority – redevelopment – to the community. The mixed-use code has also been shared and comments were received throughout this year. Those opportunities included physical and digital partnerships through digital media, including social networks, local newspapers, and the city website. As of September 2023, staff has presented City Council’s top priority for redevelopment and supporting data to over 800 attendees across 30+ community meetings such as HOA and interest groups and at city-sponsored events like Fall Fest in September 2022, Food Truck Friday at Memorial Park in June 2023, and two pop-ups with residents at local Sugar Land businesses. Code feedback has been received through numerous engagements, including two developer round tables, multiple HOA meetings, a citywide Town Hall, and direct comments through an interactive web tool called Konveio. Additional public comment was received during the May 9 and July 19, 2023 City Council/ Planning and Zoning Commission joint workshops. Staff has revised the draft mixed-use code based on the feedback received through these various channels.
Land Use Plan Background
City Council adopted an update to the City’s Land Use Plan (the “Plan”) on August 7, 2018 (Ordinance No. 2119). The Land Use Plan is Chapter 6 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and is intended to guide the development and redevelopment of Sugar Land into the future. It does so by outlining policy direction and guidance for making land use decisions and reaching the City’s long-term vision. An essential element of the long-term vision is the creation of Regional Activity Centers and Neighborhood Activity Centers (RACs and NACs). The purpose of the mixed-use code is to carry out development and redevelopment of these areas over time. For additional information, the Land Use Plan can be viewed by visiting https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/544/Land-Use-Plan.
Next Steps
Following this workshop, staff will continue to refine the draft Lake Pointe mixed-use code based on input from the Planning & Zoning Commission. The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a second workshop on October 26th to review in greater detail the remaining sections of mixed-use code. Then, the Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to City Council on the Development Code amendment. Staff will also seek the Commission’s recommendation on the rezoning of Fluor campus in Lake Pointe and changes to the Land Use Plan at the same meeting. The Commission’s review will take place on or after November 14th, 2023.