Comprehensive Master Plan 2035

222 Pages·2014·63.1 MB·English

THE
ALVIN
PLAN
CITY OF ALVIN, TX
2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
Acknowledgments
CHAPTER 1
Introduction and Vision
About the Alvin Comprehensive Plan .................................................1-2
Stages of the Planning Program ..........................................................1-2
Value of the Plan Development Process .............................................1-3
Figure 1.1, Regional Context Map ...............................................1-4
Insights from Alvin’s Citizens ............................................................1-5
Land Use and Character (Aesthetics) ...........................................1-5
Parks and Recreation ....................................................................1-5
Growth Strategies .........................................................................1-7
Public Facilities and Services .......................................................1-7
Mobility ........................................................................................1-8
Benefits of the Plan .............................................................................1-8
Envisioning the Future ........................................................................1-9
The Visioning Process ..................................................................1-9
Our Vision ..................................................................................1-10
Organization of the Plan ...................................................................1-11
Sidebars
Plan Influence ......................................................................................1-3
Why Plan? ...........................................................................................1-5
TOC-1
History of GIS in Alvin .......................................................................1-6
Visioning .............................................................................................1-9
CHAPTER 2
Community Snapshot
Location of the Community ................................................................2-2
Figure 2.1, Location .....................................................................2-3
History of the Community ..................................................................2-3
Alvin and the Railroad ........................................................................2-5
Growth of Brazori County ..................................................................2-6
Historic Population Changes ...............................................................2-6
Table 2.1, Historical Population, 1930-2010 ................................2-7
Projected Change in Population ..........................................................2-7
Implications of Population Growth .....................................................2-8
Comparison Communities ..................................................................2-9
Population Characteristics ..................................................................2-9
Figure 2.2, Median Age ..............................................................2-10
Figure 2.3, Percentage by Age ....................................................2-10
Figure 2.4, Ethnic Composition .................................................2-11
Figure 2.5, Ethnic Origin ............................................................2-11
Household Composition....................................................................2-12
Figure 2.6, Household Size ........................................................2-12
Table 2.2, Persons per Household ..............................................2-13
Income and Poverty ..........................................................................2-13
Table 2.3, Median Household Income ........................................2-13
Table 2.4, Change in Poverty Status ...........................................2-14
Housing Occupancy and Tenure .......................................................2-15
Table 2.5, Housing Occupancy ...................................................2-15
Housing Affordability .......................................................................2-16
Table 2.6, Housing Affordability ................................................2-16
Educational Attainment .....................................................................2-17
Figure 2.7, Education Statistics ..................................................2-17
Figure 2.8, Alvin ISD Boundaries. .............................................2-17
Table 2.7, Education Statistics....................................................2-17
Figure 2.9, Educational Attainment ............................................2-19
Figure 2.10, Alvin ISD Enrollment History ...............................2-20
Employment ......................................................................................2-21
Table 2.8, Statistics by Economic Sector ...................................2-21
Sidebars
Alvin Facts ..........................................................................................2-4
Alvin Facts ..........................................................................................2-7
CHAPTER 3
Land Use and Character
Purpose ................................................................................................3-1
Context ................................................................................................3-2
Issues Involving Land Use ..................................................................3-4
Compatible, Cohesive & Sustainable Future Commercial
Development ...............................................................................3-4
TOC-2
Compatible, Shovel-Ready Industrial Sites ..................................3-4
Quality, Affordable Residential Development, a Variety of
Housing Choices and Livable Neighborhoods ...........................3-5
Figure 3.1, Households by Type, 1940-2012 .........................3-5
Figure 3.2, Average Household Size: 1940-2012 ..................3-5
Figure 3.3, Median Age at First Marriage by Sex:
1890-2012 ............................................................................3-5
Figure 3.4, Percent of Households with one Person:
1960-2012 ............................................................................3-5
Figure 3.5, Children under 18, living with Mother only, by
Mother’s Marital Status: 1968-2012 ....................................3-6
Downtown Enhancement and Economic Reinvigoration ............3-7
Figure 3.6, Downtown Alvin, Aerial Photograph ..................3-8
Figure 3.7, Downtown Land Use ...........................................3-9
In Anticipation of the Grand Parkway: Integrated
Transportation Planning and Land Use Planning .......................3-9
Figure 3.8, Grand Parkway Segment Map ...........................3-10
Figure 3.9, Segment B Recommended Route ......................3-10
Convenient Access to Commercial/Retail / Institutional
Development Offering A Wider Range Of Choices ..................3-12
Figure 3.11, Retail Trade Area .............................................3-12
Kendall Lakes Light Industrial Park ....................................3-12
Figure 3.12, Kendall Lakes Light Industrial Park .........3-13
Heritage South Mixed-Use Development ............................3-13
Figure 3.12, Heritage South, Plan .................................3-13
Figure 3.13, Heritage South, Conceptual Rendering ....3-13
Cardon Group Development ................................................3-13
Hospital Complex And Skilled Nursing Facility .................3-13
Figure 3.14, Cardon Group Development .....................3-14
Figure 3.15, Hospital Complex .....................................3-14
Appearance Enhancement And Community Attractiveness .......3-14
Effective Plan Implementation and Prudent Use of
Development Regulations .........................................................3-16
Goals and Objectives of the Community ..........................................3-18
Goal 3.1 ......................................................................................3-18
Goal 3.2 ......................................................................................3-21
Goal 3.3 ......................................................................................3-28
Goal 3.4 ......................................................................................3-29
Goal 3.5 ......................................................................................3-31
Goal 3.6 ......................................................................................3-33
General Principles .............................................................................3-34
Community Character .......................................................................3-35
Character Considerations ..................................................................3-36
Community Form ..............................................................................3-36
Types of Character ............................................................................3-37
Urban Character .........................................................................3-38
Auto-Urban Character ................................................................3-38
Suburban Character ....................................................................3-39
Rural Character ...........................................................................3-41
TOC-3
Managing for Future Development ...................................................3-41
Land Use Compatibility .............................................................3-42
Policies for Future Development ......................................................3-42
General .......................................................................................3-42
Residential Development Policies ....................................................3-44
Commercial / Office Development Policies .....................................3-45
Sidebars
What is the relationship between land use planning and
transportation planning? ..................................................................3-11
Figure 3.10, Transportation’s Role in Land Use ........................3-11
Buffering of Incompatible Uses ........................................................3-15
Screening ...........................................................................................3-16
Marginal Development and Code Compliance Issues ......................3-17
Quality Neighborhood Design ..........................................................3-23
Maps
Map 3.1, Existing Land Use and Full City Limits ..............................3-3
Map 3.2, Existing Land Use, Detail ....................................................3-3
Map 3.3, Development Performance Zones .....................................3-32
CHAPTER 4
Parks and Recreation
Purpose ................................................................................................4-1
City of Alvin Parks Administration.....................................................4-3
Parks Master Plan .........................................................................4-4
Interests of the Community .................................................................4-4
Preservation of Open Space and Conservation of Resources. ......4-5
Balanced, Convenient and Accessible Parks ................................4-6
Figure 4.1, Population Age by Percent (%) ...........................4-7
Linking Parks, Schools, and Neighborhoods ...............................4-9
Implementation and Management: Coordination, Collaboration,
and adequate Funding ...............................................................4-10
Goals and Objectives of the Community ..........................................4-12
Goal 4.1 ......................................................................................4-12
Goal 4.2 ......................................................................................4-18
Goal 4.3 ......................................................................................4-21
Figure 4.3, Proposed Bike System Plan ...............................4-22
Figure 4.4, Alvin Land Use ..................................................4-24
Goal 4.4 ......................................................................................4-25
Inventory of Facilities and Spaces ....................................................4-26
Classification of Parks .......................................................................4-27
Table 4.1, Park Guidelines..........................................................4-27
Table 4.2, Inventory of Existing Parks, Recreation, Open
Spaces, and Trail Systems .........................................................4-28
Mini “Pocket” Parks ...................................................................4-29
Neighborhood Parks ...................................................................4-30
Community Parks .......................................................................4-31
Table 4.3, Park Amenity Inventory ......................................4-32
Regional Parks ............................................................................4-33
TOC-4
Open Space Areas .......................................................................4-33
Resources versus Needs ....................................................................4-34
Current Needs and Projected Future Demands ..........................4-34
Table 4.4, Park and Recreation Needs .................................4-35
Service Areas of Parks ......................................................................4-35
Joint Use of Areas and Facilities .......................................................4-37
Sidebars
Parks and Recreation Accomplishments Since 2005 ..........................4-2
“Playful City USA” .............................................................................4-3
Alvin’s Park History ...........................................................................4-4
Goals of the 2006 City of Alvin Parks Master Plan ............................4-5
Thelma Ley Anderson Family YMCA ................................................4-7
Bicycle Facility Design Guidelines ....................................................4-8
Public-Private Partnerships ...............................................................4-10
The Benefits of Parks in Advancing the Development of
Healthy Communities ......................................................................4-11
Figure 4.2, Proposed Blue Trails Route along Mustang Bayou ........4-13
Ecotourism: Economic and Conservation Benefits ...........................4-15
The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) ...............................4-16
The Central Flyway ...........................................................................4-17
A Region Rich in Conservation Efforts ............................................4-18
Parkland Dedication Ordinance: Key Features .................................4-19
Development and Project Feasibility ................................................4-20
Active vs. Passive Recreation ...........................................................4-21
Elderly Mobility and Alternatives to Cars ........................................4-23
Available Funding Techniques: .........................................................4-24
Techniques for Design and Placement of Interpretive Signage
along Trails ......................................................................................4-25
Life is Better in a State of Travel ......................................................4-26
Maps
Map 4.1, Park System Plan .................................................................4-5
Map 4.2, Parks Service Area Needs ..................................................4-17
CHAPTER 5
Growth Strategies
Interests of the Community .................................................................5-5
Efficient Utilization of Public Facilities and Services ..................5-5
Sequential Pattern of Development, Timed to Occur Concurrent
with the Provision of Adequate Public Facilities and Services ..5-6
Sustaining The Provision Of Quality Municipal Services .........5-11
Goals and Objectives ........................................................................5-16
Goal 5.1 ......................................................................................5-16
Goal 5.2 ......................................................................................5-18
Goal 5.3 ......................................................................................5-20
Goal 5.4 ......................................................................................5-24
Sensible Future Development ...........................................................5-25
Growth Policies ..........................................................................5-25
Managing Growth .............................................................................5-27
TOC-5
Infrastructure Provision ....................................................................5-27
Annexation and Municipal Boundaries ............................................5-29
Annexation Policies ....................................................................5-30
Annexation Criteria ....................................................................5-31
Municipal Boundaries ................................................................5-31
Sidebars
Conventional Growth Management Methods .....................................5-4
Preserving Choices: Principles of Smart Growth ...............................5-6
Managing Growth and Development in the ETJ ................................5-8
What is “Low Impact Development?” ..............................................5-12
What are Impact Fees? ......................................................................5-19
What are traffic sheds? ......................................................................5-20
Maps
Map 5.1, Floodplain and Surface Water..............................................5-6
Map 5.2, Water Storage and Distribution System ...............................5-8
Map 5.3, Alvin Wastewater Collection and Treatment System ..........5-9
Map 5.4, Stormwater Drainage Infrastructure ..................................5-11
CHAPTER 6
Implementation
Elements of Successful Implementation .............................................6-2
Plan Implementation Methods ......................................................6-3
Plan Administration ......................................................................6-5
Key Stakeholders in Plan Implementation ..........................................6-6
Planning Commission ...................................................................6-6
Action Task Force .........................................................................6-7
City Staff ......................................................................................6-9
Citizens .......................................................................................6-10
Evaluation of the Plan .......................................................................6-10
Plan Amendment Process ...........................................................6-10
Annual Progress Report ..............................................................6-10
Bi-Annual Amendment Process .................................................6-12
Five-Year Update/Evaluation and Appraisal Report ..................6-12
Ongoing Community Outreach and Engagement ......................6-14
Evaluation and Appraisal Report ................................................6-14
Implementation .................................................................................6-16
Implementation Program ............................................................6-16
Table 6.1, Implementation Action Plan................................6-20
Sidebars
Plan Influence ......................................................................................6-3
Types of Amendments .......................................................................6-11
APPENDIX A
Land Use Supplement
APPENDIX B
Development Guidelines
TOC-6
CITY COUNCIL
Paul Horn, Mayor Adam Arendell, District B
Brad Richards, At-Large #1 Keith Thompson, District C
Terry Droege, At-Large #2 Roger Stuksa, District D
Scott Reed, District A Gabe Adame, District E
PLANNING COMMISSION
Darrell Dailey, Position 1 Randall D. Reed, Position 5
Robin Revak-Golden, Position 2 Charles Buckelew, Position 6
Santos Garza, Position 3 Missy Jordan, Position 7
Martin Vela, Position 4 Chris Hartman, Position 8
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Gabe Adame, District D Judy Zavalla, District E
Martin Vela, District A Vicki Ennis, District B
Pat Miller, Alvin ISD Karl Stager, Alvin Community College
Chad Gormly, District D Johnny Wennerstrom, At Large
Missy Jordon, District A Roger Stuksa, City Council
Jay Hawkins, Alvin-Manvel Chamber of Brad Richards, City Council
Commerce Sussie Sutton, District C
CITY STAFF
Junru Roland, Interim City Manager Daniel Kelinske, Parks Director
Dixie Roberts, City Clerk Robert Lee, Police Chief
Bobbi Kacz, City Attorney Brian Smith, Public Services Director
Ron Schmitz, EMS Director Julie Siggers, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Michelle Segovia, City Engineer Larry Buehler, Economic Development Director
Rex Klesel, Fire Chief Sussie Sutton, Development Coordinator Aaron Tuley, AICP, Project Manager
B eginning in February 2014, the citizens and leaders of Alvin
decided to update their Comprehensive Plan. Drafted in 2005, the
Alvin “Crossroads” Plan had largely served its purpose in setting
a trajectory and growth pattern for the community. The development of
the Crossroads Plan was in response to the amount of recent and
expected future development, in addition to several pending
developments and infrastructure improvements that ultimately
contributed to and influenced the pattern and character of new
development. Therefore, a decision was made for the community to
determine a course of action so as to forge the future - on its own terms -
ensuring desirable outcomes. To do so, a shared vision was an essential
first step to guide the community and its leaders in their decision-
making over the next two decades and beyond.
Almost 10 years later, and in response to present growth and
development circumstances, the City has initiated a process to develop

the Alvin "Crossroads" Plan. It is now clear that development emanating
from the Houston metropolitan area will soon impact the daily lives of
Alvin’s citizens. In light of this fact, the plan development process was
designed to enable residents and community leaders alike to come
together and decide how they would like the community to develop,
including critical considerations such as the pattern and sequencing of
development within the city limits and throughout the extraterritorial
jurisdiction, timely provision of adequate facilities and services,
coordination of infrastructure improvements, and community
appearance and character enhancements. The intended result of
this process was to craft a statement of the community's vision,
reflecting the expectations and desires of the residents. This
vision of what the community aspires to achieve is the first step
in charting a strategic path forward to address the complex
decisions facing the community in both the near and distant
future. Rather than simply reacting to events as they unfold, a
shared vision will enable the community to develop a proactive
plan for achieving the ideal future imagined by the community
through this comprehensive planning process.
The Alvin "Crossroads" Plan offers a
strategic policy framework for both the
corporate limits and the City's expansive
extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The
objective of the plan is, therefore, to provide
guidance for decisions relating to the future
use of land, community growth and
provision of infrastructure, and parks and
recreation areas. The horizon of this plan is
the Year 2035.
Alvin is at a "crossroads" in the sense that it
is choosing to embark on a new path - one
that is guided by a blueprint for the future. It
is the intent of this Comprehensive Plan that
the policies and associated goals, objectives,
and recommended implementation
strategies and actions serve as a framework
for community decision-making. To ensure
growth that is both wise and sustainable,
decisions must be based on a formulation of
sound policy and founded by a
comprehensive and integrated approach to
analyzing community issues and identifying
realistic solutions, as set forth in this plan.
The City adopted its current Comprehensive Plan in September
1, 2005. It was recognized that conditions in the community have
changed dramatically since that time, due primarily to ongoing
population growth and development throughout its planning
area. As such, City Council passed a resolution to allow for the
development of this Comprehensive Plan Update. It is the intent
of the City to continue its comprehensive plan program on an
ongoing basis, including development of additional plan