The City Council is informed that -...

RESOLUTION NO. 16- 132

A RESOLUTION REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 11- 234 AND REPLACING IT IN ITS

ENTIRETY IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE COMMUNITY PLANNING BLUEPRINTINITIATIVE.

The City Council is informed that:

WHEREAS, the City Council adopted by Resolution No. 14- 096, the City of Las

Cruces Comprehensive Plan 2040, which calls for the use of appropriate planning

efforts for specific issues and areas; and

WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 11- 234, the Community

Planning Blueprint Initiative, to establish an additional planning tool to create lower level

policy documents within the Comprehensive Planning Framework; and

WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to the Community Planning Blueprint

Initiative, as outlined in Exhibit " A", attached hereto, are designed to enhance and

facilitate the appropriate use of the Blueprint planning tool; and

WHEREAS, on September 22, 2015, the Planning and Zoning Commission

voted 4- 0- 0 to recommend approval of the proposed amendments.

NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the governing body of the City of Las

Cruces:

I)

THAT the Community Planning Blueprint Initiative, as shown in Exhibit "A",

attached hereto and made part of this Resolution, is hereby adopted.

II)

THAT approval is based on the findings contained in Exhibit " S" ( Findings and

Comprehensive Plan Analysis), attached hereto and made part of this Resolution.

nq

THAT Resolution No. 11- 234, the Community Planning Blueprint Initiative, is

hereby repealed.

IV)

THAT the Community Planning Blueprint Initiative as shown in Exhibit " A" will

serve as the planning process for the creation of individual Blueprints.

V)

THAT City staff is hereby authorized to do all deeds necessary in the

accomplishment of the herein above.

DONE AND APPROVED this 21 day of December 2015.

APPROVE .

yor

ATTEST:

VOTE:

I err( r MayorMiyagishima: Aye

Councillor Gandara: Avef ; Councillor Smith: Ave

Councillor Pedroza: AveCouncillor Eakman: Aye

Councillor Sorg: Aye

Councillor Levatino: Aye

ellPMovedb Smith

Seconded by: as k..

APPROVED S TO FORM:

City Attorney

EXHIBIT " A"

Community Planning Blueprint Initiative

Purpose

A Community Planning Blueprint ( Blueprint) is a policy plan for a defined area within theCity's planning jurisdiction that further elaborates and promotes the vision of the City'sComprehensive Plan. A Blueprint planning effort is intended to address only a fewissues unique to a particular geographic area or that require an atypical set of analyses

and actions. The Blueprint can be developed for any location, but focuses on planningneeds and issues for a specific area such as a neighborhood, a corridor, or other unique

place. It can include residential, commercial, industrial, or a mix of land uses.

Individual Blueprints may serve as policy guides for City Council, Planning and Zoning

Commission, City staff and the public and articulate the goals for the area regardingland use, economic development, aesthetics and urban design, resource protection,

transportation and community services and/or the preservation of valued communityresources.

The Blueprint planning process is provided as a planning option other than the full-scaleneighborhood or corridor plan process. A Blueprint requires less analysis and detail

than a neighborhood or corridor plan, thus allowing for faster completion than these

other more robust planning processes. However, not every area or neighborhood in LasCruces will be appropriate for such a plan. The expectation is that this type of plan will

be used for areas that are in transition, facing expanded development pressures, areconcerned with maintaining their character, or other specific issues. However, a result

of the Blueprint planning process may be the recommendation that the geographic areaand its issues are more suitable for an area plan or corridor plan effort.

Community Planning Blueprints are policy documents adopted by resolution of the CityCouncil and therefore are not development regulations or laws. Individual Blueprints

will act as policy guides for activities within their called out boundaries. A Blueprint willfunction to provide more fine-grained, in- depth analysis and direction tailored

specifically for an area and its unique challenges or circumstances.

Community Planning Blueprint Initiative- 1-

Objectives

The Community Planning Blueprint Initiative is designed to:

Achieve the goals and policies of the City's Comprehensive Plan;

Ensure consistency with the Mesilla Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization' sMetropolitan Transportation Plan, and provide information for future updates to

this transportation plan;

Provide a conceptual planning tool to evaluate and address fiscal impacts,neighborhood and stakeholder concerns, public improvement needs, or

community vibrancy and stability issues;

Identify characteristics, features, or conditions that need to be replicated,

preserved, or enhanced throughout the defined community;Consider needs, challenges and opportunities for an area, neighborhood,

corridor or place in an expedited manner,

Improve city, resident, property owner, business, and stakeholder relationships;

Identify and propose remedies for zoning and land use conflictsDevelop future land use plans for small areas, where applicable.

Framework

The Blueprint process should be considered a Level 2 ( Policy Plans) planning process

under the Las Cruces Comprehensive Planning Framework ( see Figure 1). Level 2

policy plans are intended to address community issues and planning needs for a

specific geographical location or policy area. It could consist of a report, a policy paper

a/ k/ a white paper), a full- fledged ( but narrowly-tailored) planning document, or any

other form of communication that is able to be referenced going forward and isappropriate to the needs at hand.

Community Planning Blueprint Initiative - 2-

Cemmutlty

MuniApei

ommunl Codeheracter

Capital

Improvements

eEconomic Plan

e Prosperityy .._.. y

Budget

Sustafmble

Growth Stretegic

Plan

pere[ lonaSupport

Level

Level 1 level 2 I mple mentation

Comprehensive Plan Policy Plans Tools

Figure 1: Comprehensive Planning Framework


Criteria for Initiating Blueprint Planning Areas

The first step in the Blueprint process is for the requesting parties to present informationto Community Development staff to support a determination to proceed. For staff toreach this determination, all of the following criteria must first be met:

1. The proposed planning effort would address issues which cannot be addressedthrough other available planning or implementation processes such as a rezoningeffort or capital improvement plan,

2. It directly supports an objective detailed in the Blueprint objectives;

3. There has already been outreach and involvement with critical stakeholders,

4. The planning area boundaries must be clearly defined;

5. The request should be consistent with any approved plan in place for theproposed area.

The community group or other entity initiating a Blueprint planning process must meetwith Community Development staff in a pre-application meeting to clarify the abovepoints and to go over the Blueprint Planning Process Application Form. If all of thecriteria are not met, or if it is determined that there are other, better ways to deal with

the area or issue under consideration, the Blueprint application will be either returned to

the requesting parties for additional information or denied. The denial by staff is notsubject to an appeal process.

Blueprint Design

Each individual blueprint will generally include the following parts:

1. Plan Boundaries: A clear definition of the limits of the planning area and a shortsummary of why that boundary was selected.

2. Issue, Challenge, Opportunity Identification: A paragraph or two explaining thereason( s) for the Blueprint, list of the issues, challenges, or opportunities

identified, and the existing conditions and circumstances demonstrating the need

for the Blueprint. The critical issues to be addressed by the Blueprint visionstatement and policies should be identified. Topics may relate to one or more of

the following subjects:

a. Land Use and Site Design ( zoning, buffering and transitions, aesthetics,landscaping, access management, signage, drainage).

b. Urban Services ( infrastructure improvements, schools, transit, recycling)


c. Special Needs ( codes enforcement, graffiti remediation, ADA,

neighborhood empowerment)

3. Vision Statement. This is a sentence or short paragraph that states what the

community wants to see in the future for the subject area.

4. Goals. Strategies and Actions: Identify the policies and strategies for livabilitythrough public and private investment, physical improvements or preservation

strategies for valued resources in the planning area. The strategies and actions of

the Blueprint must directly or indirectly support the city' s Comprehensive Planpolicies,

5. Maps: A map showing the boundaries of the Blueprint area shall be provided.

Photos and other graphics may be included to convey the character of the areaand to demonstrate suggested design elements.

6. The Blueprint product should be limited to discussing and providing policies,strategies and actions to address the defined goal of the Blueprint. The Blueprint

process is not designed to address items of a more general, all-encompassingnature.

7. For topical Blueprints, the format may vary.

Plan Development

Once a Blueprint request is accepted, the process will proceed as follows:

1. Establish defined boundaries for the Blueprint;

2. Collect initial data for analysis ( i. e. maps, demographics, zoning, ownership),

3. Identify potential issues, challenges and/ or opportunities that are important to theBlueprint area;

4. Notify the area residents and property owners of the Blueprint area pursuant tothe Citizen Notification Policy Manual for the City of Las Cruces CommunityDevelopment Department, as amended;


5. Hold at least one public involvement event, e. g. SWOT exercise (Strengths,

Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats), visioning session, charrette, public inputmeeting, etc.;

6. Analyze the identified challenges and opportunities, and refine maps as needed;

7. Present the analysis and maps for the Blueprint in a public setting with affectedparties and general public;

8. The approval of specific Blueprints will follow the standard plan adoption process

of public input, staff preparation, public review, Planning and Zoning Commissionrecommendation and City Council adoption.

Implementation

After the City Council adopts a Blueprint by Resolution, it will be used to assist the CityCouncil, Planning and Zoning Commission, City staff and the public in reviewing permitapplications, managing quality of life initiatives, and promoting well- plannedneighborhoods and distinct places within the plan area. A Blueprint can facilitate or lead

to:

A policy guide for public and private development & redevelopment projects.

An evaluation tool for grant applications, zone changes, subdivisions, planned

unit developments, special use permits, variances and construction site plans.

A mechanism to empower public involvement.

A means to assure appropriate provisions for public and social services.

An amendment to development regulations ( e. g. zoning, subdivision, designstandards).

A publicly funded infrastructure project.

The formation of a Neighborhood Watch or similar public safety program.

Another program, project or activity beneficial within the plan' s boundaries.


The intent of a Blueprint is not to:

Negatively impact an existing property right ( e. g. prohibit a permitted use of a lotor the subdivision of land).

Create a development moratorium.

Delay or postpone a pending development application ( zone change, zoningvariance, infill, subdivision).

Preclude the requirements of the City' s Zoning, Subdivision, and other

development codes, plans, and regulations, especially as it relates to the

processes for changing the zoning on, subdividing of, or construction of an

allowed use or building on the property.

Change an existing/ approved master plan, subdivision or zoning classification.

Circumvent the variance process.


EXHIBIT " B"

Planning and Zoning Commission Recommended Findings for Case CPB- 15- 03

1. The Community Planning Blueprint amendments are in conformance with, andsupported by, Comprehensive Plan 2040 Section 1. 6 Planning Framework. Thissection identifies Community Planning Blueprints as Level 2 planning documentswhich " draw from the individual chapters of the comprehensive plan and describe

more detailed policy regarding a specific issue or geographic area."

2. Comprehensive Plan 2040, Section 10.2 Actions, supports the continued adoption of

Community Planning Blueprints for areas called out within the Comp Plan or CityStrategic Plan.

3. Comprehensive Plan 2040, Section 10. 2 Actions, calls for regular updates to technical

plans ( Level 2 plans) "prepared by or for the City in order to more accurately identifyand respond to the changing needs of the community."

4. The City Council has adopted three Community Planning Blueprints: EI Paseo, EastMesa, and South Jornada. These Blueprint planning efforts completed thus far haverevealed a need for refinements to the Blueprint planning process, as proposed.

ATTACHMENT " A"

Community Planning Blueprint InitiativeStF kethFOUgh indicates proposed deletion. Underline indicates proposed

insertion.]

Purpose

A Community Planning Blueprint ( Blueprint) is a policy plan for a defined area

within the City's limits planning jurisdiction that beGornes a component further

elaborates and promotes the vision of the City's Comprehensive Plan. A Blueprintplanning effort is intended to address only a few issues unique to a particular

geographic area or that require an atypical set of analyses and actions. The

Blueprint- t can be developed for any location, but focuses on planning needs andissues for a specificureaTh'^ '^^ be- such as a

neighborhood, a corridor, or other unique place. It can include residential,

commercial, industrial, or a mix of land uses.

Individual Blueprints may serve as policy guides for City Council, Planning and

Zoning Commission, City staff and the public and articulate the goals for the area

regarding land use, economic development, aesthetics and urban design,

resource protection, transportation and community services and/ or the

preservation of valued community resources.

This-initiative The Blueprint planning process is provided as a planning option

other than the full- scale neighborhood or corridor plan process. A Community

Planning Blueprint requires less analysis and detail than a neighborhood or

corridor plan, thus allowing for faster plan completion than these other more

robust planning processes. The nten' R to address the needs of neighborhoods,effort. However, not

every area or neighborhood in Las Cruces will be appropriate for such a plan.The expectation is that this type of plan will be used for areas that are in

transition, facing expanded development pressures, are concerned withmaintaining their character, or other related specific issues. However, a result ofthe Blueprint planning process may be the recommendation that the peographic

area and its issues are more suitable for an area plan or corridor plan effort.

Community Planning Blueprints are policy documents adopted by resolution of

the City Council and therefore are not development regulations or laws are no


will function to provide more fine-grained, in- depth analysis and direction tailored

specifically for an area and its unique challenges or circumstances.

Objectives

The Community Planning Blueprint Initiative is designed to:Achieve the goals,, abjeGt Yes and policies of the Ci ' s

Comprehensive Plan with an ^ n^ h^^'^ OR the GF^•• ah Manage^-^^'

nnfn of the Land Use Flmment,

Ensure consistency with the was Mesilla ValleyMetropolitan Planning Organization' s Metropolitan

Transportation Plan currently titled Transport 2040 Plan andprovide information for future updates to this transportation plan;

Provide a conceptual planning tool to evaluate and address fiscalimpacts, neighborhood and stakeholder concerns, public

improvement needs, or community vibrancy and stability issues,Identify characteristics, features, or conditions that need to be replicated,

preserved, or enhanced throughout the defined community;Consider needs, challenges and opportunities for an area, neighborhood,

corridor or place in an expedited manner;

Improve city, resident, property owner, business, and stakeholderrelationships;

Identify and propose remedy remedies for zoning and land use conflicts;

Develop future land use plans for small areas, where applicable.

Framework

The ''^ r^^ R••^' ty Plann ; g Blueprint I^'....., a..f'••^ ropcess-GaRshould be considered a

th .trvel Level 2 ( Policy Plans) planning process under the Las Cruces

Comprehensive Planning Framework (see Figure 1). Level 2 Th' ra level policy

plans are intended to address community issues that apply to all areas of the Git••and planning needs for a specific geographic location or policy area. 2Asp- A

Blueprint Gan hn developed for a • Ionnf' nR ' Nu t m stn the nrn as a third

level plan However, in It mate use is more. in Ian^ vi th n fn urth level PIaRA: nn

Perls and .^ n far a n ern nnnnrn^ h'^ nI location It could consist of a report

a policy paper (a/ k/ a white paper) a full- fledged ( but narrowly-tailored) planning

document or any other form of communication that is able to be referenced going

forward and is appropriate to the needs at hand.


1

Thle GarAsAws ty Olann:e.. B' Ue...:. h Ie a'. N'., inGludes the Pwpase, Objetfiy

olap Ring er..,,...wedii CL. er. r:.. t Des:,. r, Plan ne„ elappirlerN Impir...sentat'o

Prinr't'Zat a and SupwinaPy. Th'.. At atiye Finust fret be a ed by the G t..

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Economic Plan

Prosperity

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Figure 1: Comprehensive Planning Framework


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Criteria for Initiating Blueprint Planning Areas

The first step in the Blueprint process is for the requesting parties to present

information to Community Development staff to support a determination to

proceed. For staff to reach this determination, all of the following criteria must first

be met:

1. The proposed planning effort would address issues which cannot be

addressed through other available planning or implementation processes

such as a rezoning effort or capital improvement plan:

2. It directly supports an objective detailed in the Blueprint objectives;

3. There has already been outreach and involvement with critical

stakeholders:

4. The planning area boundaries must be clearly defined:

5. The request should be consistent with any approved plan in place for the

proposed area.

The community group or other entity initiating a Blueprint planning process must

meet with Community Development staff in a pre- application meeting to clarify

the above points and to go over the Blueprint Planning Process Application Form.

If all of the criteria are not met, or if it is determined that there are other, better

ways to deal with the area or issue under consideration. the Blueprint application

will be either returned to the requesting parties for additional information or

denied. The denial by staff is not subiect to an appeal process.

Blueprint Design

Each individual blueprint faF a 6peGiAG geGqFaphiG aFea will generally include the

following parts:

1. Plan Boundaries: A clear definition of the limits of the planning area and a

short summary of why the that boundary was selected.2. Issue, Challenge, Opportunity Identification: A paragraph or two explaining

Expla the reason( s) for the Blueprint; list of

the issues, challenges, or opportunities identified; and the existing

conditions and circumstances demonstrating the mpeFta Ge a need forthe '' emm •^ g Blueprint The critical issues to be addressed bythe Blueprint vision statement and policies should be identified. Topics

deRtif ad Test likel ••••"' may relate to one or more of the followingsubjects:

a. Land Use and Site Design ( zoning, buffering and

transitions, aesthetics, landscaping, access management,signage, drainage)


b. Urban Services ( infrastructure improvements, schools,

transit, recycling)c. Special Needs ( codes enforcement, graffiti remediation, ADA,

neighborhood empowerment)

3. Vision Statement. This is a sentence or short paragraph that states what

the community wants to see in the future for the subject area.

4. Goals. Strategies o^''^•• o^ and Actions: Identify the

policies and strategies for livability through public and private investment,

physical improvements or preservation strategies for valued resources in

the planning area.

d . 6^^^

i StFate..:.. R Rgtpd here ., ' ntended to ^ ' dee til'^ andpr .. at '

eStM^^ FAPFGVeFReRt and the ^ ti" .,tdeo s for the

planningarea—The strategies and actions of the Blueprint must directly or

indirectly support the city's Comprehensive Plan policies.

5. Maps and-Graphics. A map

Portray the concepts and Ideas described by showing the boundaries ofthe Blueprint area shall be provided. Photos and other graphics may be

included to convey the character of the area and to demonstrate

suggested design elements.

6. The Blueprint product should be limited to discussing and providing

policies, strategies and actions to address the defined goal of the

Blueprint. The Blueprint process is not designed to address items of a

more general, all-encompassing nature.

7. For topical Blueprints, the format may vary.

Plan Development

Once a Community Planning Blueprint request is acceptedand Ata# is

author zed to begin the Process, the following actions will be initiated theprocess will proceed as follows:

1. Establish defined the pre! minary boundaries for the Blueprint;

2. Collect initial data for analysis ( i. e. maps, demographics, zoning,ownership);


3. Identify potential issues, challenges and/ or opportunities that are

important to the Blueprint a' te based on development aGt v ty, res deere^ t or other need area;

4. Notify the area residents and property owners of the Blueprint area

pursuant to the Citizen Notification Policy Manual for the City of Las

Cruces Community Development Department, as amended Initiative

threugh adopted PWb1iG invalvement processes ( i. e. Gharettes, pub' G

meetings, or GtheF mearts);

5. Hold at least one public involvement event, (e.g. SWOT exerciseStrengths, Weaknesses. Opportunities & Threats), visioning session,

charrette, public input meeting et . ,

6. Analyze the identified challenges and opportunities, and refine maps

based on publiG rivelvemen as needed;

7. Present the analysis and maps for the Blueprint (e. g. Gharette finding

review) in a public setting with affected parties and general public;

6. The approval of specific Blueprints will follow the standard plan adoption

process of public input, staff preparation, public review, and Gendust-a

f........' ^ hl'.. heaF n^ h•, seFe the Planning and Zoning Commission feFa

recommendation W the City Council adoption.

9. Adoption hearing by the City Council at a regular C06IRG I meetog.

indiv dual Commun ty Planning Blueprint efforts are intended to be completedn.: lh:., d W a . RARth.. fFe Fn : n t At:.... L. .............. . lotion by the ol..n.. iRg a^ d7el; ^ G^

Blueprints w 11 be prepared, reviewed and approved as ndividual plans. The

public input, staff preparation, public Planning and Zoning CnFn... 1.... ....p r

n

r


Implementation

After the City Council adopts a Gommun ty Plann Ing Blueprint by Resolution, it

will be used to assist the City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, citystaff and the public in reviewing permit applications, managing quality of life

initiatives, and promoting well- planned neighborhoods and distinct places

within the plan area. A Cemmualty Ranniag Blueprint can facilitate this as orlead to:

A policy guide for public and private development & redevelopmentprojects;

An evaluation tool for grant applications, zone changes,

subdivisions, planned unit developments and construction site

plans;

A mechanism to empower public involvement;

A means to assure appropriate provisions for public and social services;

A pre! minary step prior to a neighborhood or Gorr der plan and overlay

zoning diStF Gt;

An amendment to development regulations ( zoning, subdivision, designstandards),

A publicly funded infrastructure project;

The formation of a Neighborhood Watch or similar public safety program;

Another program, project or activity beneficial within the plan' sboundaries.

The intent of a Gammu^' ty Plann; g Blueprint is not to:

Negatively impact an existing property right (e.g. prohibit a permitted useof a lot or the subdivision of land);

Create a development moratorium;


Delay or postpone a pending development application (zone change,

zoning variance, infill, subdivision),

Preclude the requirements of the City's Zoning, Subdivision, and other

development codes, plans, and regulations, especially as it relates to the

processes for changing the zoning on, subdividing of, or construction of an

allowed use or building on the property,

Change an existing/ approved master plan, subdivision or zoning

classification:

Circumvent the variance process.

Morittzation

Several locations throughout the community have already been Identified as ripe

for a Community Planning Blueprint. On an annual basis, the Planning and

Zoning Commiss on w 11 nonsider All areas that currently exist as a pr oritized13' yep/ pt and all n AFPAS that have been suggested for a QI nt The n

aFeaS • be suggested by Fes dents or stakeheldps f6... gh the G P18t GR G

ap app! Gat GR fGFFR if Fequested by a PFGpe Fty ownaF They may algn he

suggested by staff, o 4 7 Gammiss:en F the r:6, Geunnll as d Fe Gtpd And

pFiGFit zed th. a ah the Staten G Plan The Community Deyelapmei; t Depa. tment

will keep a last throughout the year of areas for cons derat on. ( See Append x ifoa 1 st of potent al areas-)

SUFRFRaFy

A C; GPR RUR:ty olanniRg BluepFnt :s a r Fat pal Gy plan that Gan be developed

location. The i3luepr nt is prov ded as a plann ng opt on in lieu of a full scale

neighborhood OF Gorr der plan process. individual Blueprints may serve as

POI Gy guides for City CounG 1, Planning and Zen ng Comm 66 OR, G ty sta# and

the PUM G and articulates the goals for the area regarding ' and use, Pconemiedevelopment and transportation and s pity s


Append x 1

e. eas Zed n ate <n. a GGFAm sty Olann: nn Elklen. lna May n11de hilaFe n94 1: s; ted ae:

IPeseB-Cnr: am p1n2,. tihoAvenue-Go: deF

US% n.LOCast Gateway bAS- GFUGes- Co6IRtFV lAb

LAS Gr'-'GPsDa^ n West Mesa ( Non a FPO.^U' Rdustria;

P. k ) vain \ nn. n nnro 5; RReFna onnn6 Blvd n ehmaR

Mes" aPArk-CemaxaatyGniter S. Ma n c a1yWl , nom

leap Hpe.NVelley fe.• C. South of .un_a ienda-AGrn.ln nn. es


ATTACHMENT " B"

City of Las CrucesPEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

INTER- DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM

TO: Planning & Zoning Commission

FROM: Srijana Basnyat, Senior Planner

DATE: September 14, 2015 FILE NO. M- 15- 200

SUBJECT: Amendments to the Community Planning Blueprint Initiative

RECOMMENDATION: Approval

CPB- 15- 03: A recommendation to City Council to approveamendments to the Community Planning Blueprint Initiative.

BACKGROUND

On June 6, 2011, upon recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, theCity Council approved Resolution No. 11- 234 to adopt the Community Planning BlueprintInitiative. This initiative was intended to allow for the creation of lower level plans within

the City's comprehensive planning framework. Such plans or " blueprints" would have amore agile process than a conventional area plan and could focus on emerging issues inspecific geographic areas in the city.

Since that time, City Council has approved, upon recommendation of the Planning &Zoning Commission, three ( 3) Blueprints: EI Paseo, East Mesa, and South Jornada.During the process of initiating, developing and adopting these Blueprints, as well as otherpotential Blueprint queries, staff has been able to evaluate the process and recognize

areas in the original " initiative" document that could be further refined.

The following summarizes the key changes that are being proposed:

1) Clarification of the nature and purpose of Blueprints within the revised

comprehensive plan framework ( Comprehensive Plan 2040), as well as the

circumstances under which it would not be an appropriate planning tool.

2) Addition of a set of criteria to be met in order for an area or topic to be accepted

and processed as a Blueprint. The previous Blueprint Initiative did not establish

guidelines for evaluating a proposal in order to determine if a Blueprint was theappropriate response to a given set of conditions, nor did it specify whatinformation should be provided by the requesting party to allow staff to considerthe request. These steps are now included.

3) Elimination of the Prioritization, Summary and Appendix 1 sections. Thesesections contain information in other parts of the document and are no longer

necessary as a) they were intended to provide a starting point for consideration ofBlueprint areas, and b) prioritization of Blueprints have been identified as aresource management and administrative process rather than a regular decision-

making process delegated to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

FINDINGS

1. The Community Planning Blueprint amendments are in conformance with, andsupported by, Comprehensive Plan 2040 Section 1. 6 Planning Framework. This sectionidentifies Community Planning Blueprints as Level 2 planning documents which " drawfrom the individual chapters of the comprehensive plan and describe more detailed policyregarding a specific issue or geographic area."

2. Comprehensive Plan 2040, Section 10. 2 Actions, supports the continued

adoption of Community Planning Blueprints for areas called out within the Comp Plan orCity Strategic Plan.

3. Comprehensive Plan 2040, Section 10. 2 Actions, calls for regular updates to

technical plans ( Level 2 plans) " prepared by or for the City in order to more accuratelyidentify and respond to the changing needs of the community."

4. The City Council has adopted three Community Planning Blueprints: EI Paseo,East Mesa, and South Jornada. These Blueprint planning efforts completed thus far haverevealed a need for refinements to the Blueprint planning process, as proposed.

RECOMMENDATION

Vote to recommend to the City Council the adoption of the amended Community PlanningBlueprint Initiative.

OPTIONS

1. Recommend adoption of the proposed ( amended) Blueprint Initiative.

2. Recommend adoption of the proposed ( amended) Blueprint Initiative with

modifications.

3. Recommend denial of the proposed Blueprint amendments.

4. Postpone action and direct staff accordingly.

NOTE: Decisions must be based on "findings". The findings presented in this report can

be used to support APPROVAL decisions only. Other findings may be based on theComprehensive Plan or other City plans and policies. Findings may also be based oninformation presented at public hearings, information obtained through site inspections,

etc.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is a recommending body to the City Councilregarding plan adoption. The City Council has final authority over plan adoption.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Attachment A: (Amended) Community Planning Blueprint Initiative2. Attachment B: Mark- up Document showing changes to original Blueprint Initiative

cc: Vincent Banegas, Deputy Director`' l

David Weir, Community Development Director

ATTACHMENT " C"

1 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

2 FOR THE

3 CITY OF LAS CRUCES4 City Council Chambers5 September 22, 2015 at 6: 00 p.m.6

7 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

8 Godfrey Crane, Chairman9 William Stowe, Vice-Chair

10 Joanne Ferrary, Member11 Harvey Gordon, Member12

13 BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

14 Charles Beard, Secretary15 Ruben Alvarado, Member

16 Kirk Clifton, Member

17

18 STAFF PRESENT:

19 Katherine Harrison- Rogers, Senior Planner, CLC

20 Adam Ochoa, Planner, CLC21 Sara Gonzales, Planner, CLC22 Mark Dubbin, CLC Fire Department

23 Chris Mount, CLC Fire Department

24 Robert Cabello, CLC Legal Staff

25 Becky Baum, Recording Secretary, RC Creations, LLC26

27 I. CALL TO ORDER (6: 00 p.m.)28

29 Crane: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. The Planning and Zoning30 Commission meeting for the 22nd of September is called to order. Let me31 start as we usually do by introducing the Commissioners present; on my32 far right Commissioner Gordon is the Mayor' s Appointee; on his left33 Commissioner Stowe is, represents District 1 and is also our Vice

34 Chairman; then Commissioner Ferrary represents District 5. I' m Godfrey35 Crane the Chair, and I represent District 4.36

37 II. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

38 At the opening of each meeting, the chairperson shall ask if any member on the39 Commission or City staff has any known conflict of interest with any item on the40 agenda.

41

42 Crane: Let me ask at this point if any Members of the Commission or any43 Community Development people have any conflict of interest with any44 item on tonight's agenda? No one so indicates. It' s appropriate for me to

45 say at this point that for those of you who were present when we46 discussed the case now on Old Business SUP- 15- 01 at our last meeting I

I recused myself because I had a friend who was not present who I thought

2 would be very opposed to the, the proposal. It turned out that shortly after3 that meeting I ran into her and she said she had nothing against it. She is4 essentially neutral on the matter and so I don' t feel that I am under any5 pressure to make a decision one way or the other, any outside pressure.6 So I will not recuse myself for that.

7

8 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

9

10 1. August 25, 2015 - Regular Meeting11

12 Crane: Next item is the Approval of the Minutes for the last regular meeting, 25th13 of August. Does any Commissioner have any adjustments?14 Commissioner Gordon? No. Commissioner Stowe, Commissioner

15 Ferrary, and I don' t either.16

17 Gordon: So I make a motion that we accept the minutes.

18

19 Crane: Mr. Gordon ...

20

21 Ferrary: I' ll second.

22

23 Crane: Moves and Ms. Ferrary seconds that we approve the minutes of the last24 meeting. All in favor "aye"25

26 MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

27

28 Crane: Opposed? None. Is anybody abstaining? No abstentions. So it passes29 four/nothing.30

31 IV. CONSENT AGENDA - NONE

32

33 1. Case IDP- 15- 02: An Infill Development Process ( IDP) application by Fabian34 Erives on behalf of Leo Guzman, property owner, for a studio apartment35 complex located at 1311 Alamo St. and zoned R- 1a ( Single- Family Medium36 Density). The IDP proposes to utilize R-4 (Multi- dwelling High Density &37 Limited Retail and Office) standards and requests a variance from the

38 minimum required parking spaces. The 0. 31 +/- acre property is located at39 the southeast intersection of Idaho Ave. and Alamo St. and is further

40 identified by Parcel ID # 02- 26041. Proposed use: Multifamily residential.41 Council District 3 ( Councilor Pedroza).

42

43 2. Case CPB- 15- 03: A request to recommend approval of amendments to the

44 Community Planning Blueprint Initiative Process. The citywide planning area45 consists of all Council Districts.

46

2

I Crane: The next items on the agenda are the Consent Agenda. Let me explain

2 how we handle this. These two items are items which the Community3 Planning Department has decided are probably noncontroversial so4 they' re put together in the Consent Agenda and we, the Commission will5 take a vote on them without any debate. However, if any member of the6 Commission, any Community Development person, or any member of the7 public wishes to discuss either one of these, then we will pull it off the

8 Consent Agenda and put it at the top of New Business. Does anybody9 wish to discuss any, either the two items: IDP- 15- 02 or CPB- 15- 03? No

10 one so indicates, so I' ll hear a motion that the Consent Agenda be

11 approved.

12

13 Ferrary: I so move.

14

15 Crane: Commissioner Ferrary moves. Do we have a second?16

17 Gordon: I' ll, I' ll second.

18

19 Crane: Commissioner Gordon seconds. All in favor" aye."

20

21 MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.22

23 Crane: Opposed? None. So that passes four/nothing.24

25 V. OLD BUSINESS - NONE

26

27 1. Case SUP- 15- 01: Application of Verizon Wireless/Tectonic Engineering on28 behalf of A & E Enterprises Inc., property owner, to construct a new stealth29 wireless communication facility on a property encompassing 1. 552 +/- acres,

30 zoned C- 3 ( Commercial High Intensity) and located on the southwest corner31 of Stern Drive and Agave Drive; a. k.a. 4790 Stern Drive; Parcel ID # 02-

32 22899; Proposed use: 65- foot tall stealth wireless communication structures33 and associated accessory structures. Council District 2 ( Councilor Smith).34

35 Crane: So over the page to Case SUP- 15- 01, application of Verizon Wireless to

36 put up a tower at Stern Drive and Agave Drive and I, 1 have to tell anybody37 here that we discussed this issue last time and we asked the, Verizon to38 check out a couple of things and come back to us with, if at all possible an

39 alternative proposal. Mr. Ochoa's going to talk to us about it. Mr. Ochoa.40

41 Ochoa: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Adam Ochoa, Development Services for the

42 record. Case, first case tonight we' re looking at is Case SUP- 15- 01. It is43 a proposed Special Use Permit for a new wireless communication

44 structure or facility, excuse me, at 4790 Stern Drive. Just to remind you45 where the subject property is located, here in the hash marks about, south

3

City of las Cruces®PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

COUNCIL ACTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PACKET ROUTING SLIP

For Meeting of For Meeting of December 21, 2015

ONimnu RM Rwding Date) Adoption Date)

TITLE: A RESOLUTION REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 11- 234 AND REPLACING IT IN IT

ENTIRETY IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE COMMUNITY PLANNING BLUEPRINTINITIATIVE.

Purchasing Manager' s Request to Contract( PMRC) ( Required?) Yes No

DEPARTMENT SIGNATURE PHONE NO. DATE

Drafter/Staff Contact 528- 3079 12- 3- 1

Department Director Jtn - 528- 3067

Other

Mssistant City Manager/ CAO r jMana ement R Budget Manager

Assistant City Manager/COO

City Attorney 4+ 2( 2-y s=t 5

City Clerk I

Rev. 8/ 2011

City of las Cruces®P E I P L E IELPIII P E I P L E

Council Action and Executive SummaryItem # 9 Ordinance/Resolution# 16- 132

For Meeting of For Meeting of December 21. 2015Ordimnce Fiat Rmding Dab) Adoption Date)

Please check box that applies to this item:QUASI JUDICIAL LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE

TITLE: A RESOLUTION REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 11- 234 AND REPLACING IT IN

ITS ENTIRETY IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE COMMUNITY PLANNING BLUEPRINTINITIATIVE.

PURPOSE(S) OF ACTION:

Adoption of the Community Planning Blueprint Initiative.

COUNCIL DISTRICT: All

Drafter/Staff Contact: DepartmentiSection: Phone:

Srijana Basnyat Community 528-3079

Development/Plan ningand Revitalizatio

City Manager Signature:

BACKGROUND/ KEY ISSUES / CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:

On June 6, 2011, upon recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the City Councilapproved Resolution No. 11- 234 to adopt the Community Planning Blueprint Initiative. Thisinitiative was intended to allow for the creation of lower level plans within the City' s comprehensiveplanning framework. Such plans or " blueprints" would have a more flexible process than aconventional area plan and could focus on emerging issues in speck geographic areas in the city.

Since that time, City Council has approved, upon recommendation of the Planning & ZoningCommission, three ( 3) Blueprints: EI Paseo, East Mesa, and South Jornada. During the process ofinitiating, developing and adopting these Blueprints, as well as other potential Blueprint queries,staff has been able to evaluate the process and recognize areas in the original" initiative" document

that could be further refined. On September 15, 2015, the Planning and Zoning Commission votedto recommend the proposed amendments with a vote of 4-0- 0 (three Commissioners absent).

The following summarizes the key changes that are being proposed:

1) Clarification of the nature and purpose of Blueprints within the revised comprehensive plan

framework (Comprehensive Plan 2040), as well as the circumstances under which it would

not be an appropriate planning tool.

Rev. 02/2012

Council Action and Executive Summary Page 2

2) Addition of a set of criteria to be met in order for an area or topic to be accepted and

processed as a Blueprint. The previous Blueprint Initiative did not establish guidelines for

evaluating a proposal in order to determine if a Blueprint was the appropriate response to a

given set of conditions, nor did it specify what information should be provided by therequesting party to allow staff to consider the request. These steps are now included.

3) Elimination of the Prioritization, Summary and Appendix 1 sections. These sections contain

information in other parts of the document and are no longer necessary as a) they wereintended to provide a starting point for consideration of Blueprint areas; and b) prioritizationof Blueprints have been identified as a resource management and administrative process

rather than a regular decision-making process delegated to the Planning & ZoningCommission.

SUPPORT INFORMATION:

1. Resolution.

2. Exhibit "A", Community Planning Blueprint Initiative (Amended).3. Exhibit "B", Findings and Comprehensive Plan Analysis.

4. Attachment A, Community Planning Blueprint Initiative Markup Document.5. Attachment B, Staff Report to the P& Z for CPB- 15- 03.6. Attachment C, Draft Minutes from the September 22, 2015 Planning and Zoning

Commission Meeting.

SOURCE OF FUNDING:

Is this action already budgeted?Yes LJ See fund summary belowNo Ll If No, then check one below:

Budget Expense reallocated from:N/ A Adjustment

Attached Proposed funding is from a new revenuesource i. e. rant; see details below

LJ Proposed funding is from fund balance inthe Fund.

Does this action create any revenuYes LJ Funds will be deposited into this fund:

N/ A in the amount of J_ for

FY

No LJ I There is no new revenue generated bythis action.

BUDGET NARRATIVE

N/ A

Rev. 02/ 2012

Council Action and Executive Summary Page 3

FUND EXPENDITURE SUMMARY:

Fund Name(s) Account Expenditure Available Remaining Purpose forNumber(s) Proposed Budgeted Funds Remaining Funds

Funds in

Current FY

N/ A N/A N/ A N/ A N/ A N/ A

OPTIONS / ALTERNATIVES:

1. Vote "YES; this will repeal Resolution No. 11- 234 and replace it in its entirety with theproposed Community Planning Blueprint Initiative.

2. Vote " NO"; this will reject the proposed Community Planning Blueprint Initiative. Denial ofthe proposed Blueprint Initiative will require new information or facts not identified or

presented during staff review or the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.3. Vote to "Amend"; this could allow staff to make adjustments and/or revisions as deemed

appropriate.

4. Vote to "Table"; this could postpone adoption and allow Council to direct staff accordingly.

REFERENCE INFORMATION:

The resolution(s) and/ or ordinance(s) listed below are only for reference and are not included asattachments or exhibits.

1. Resolution No. 11- 234





Rev. 02/ 2012

CITY COUNCIL

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF DECISION

December 22, 2015

A Resolution Repealing Resolution No. 11- 234 and Replacing it in its Entirety in Order toUpdate the Community Planning Blueprint Initiative.

DECISION

On December 21, 2015 City Council voted to APPROVE Resolution No. 16- 132 by a voteof 7- 0- 0.

FINDINGS

1. The Community Planning Blueprint amendments are in conformance with, and supportedby, Comprehensive Plan 2040 Section 1. 6 Planning Framework. This section identifiesCommunity Planning Blueprints as Level 2 planning documents which " draw from theindividual chapters of the comprehensive plan and describe more detailed policyregarding a specific issue or geographic area."

2. Comprehensive Plan 2040, Section 10. 2 Actions, supports the continued adoption of

Community Planning Blueprints for areas called out within the Comp Plan or CityStrategic Plan.

3. Comprehensive Plan 2040, Section 10.2 Actions, calls for regular updates to technical

plans (Level 2 plans) "prepared by or for the City in order to more accurately identify andrespond to the changing needs of the community."

4. The City Council has adopted three Community Planning Blueprints: EI Paseo, EastMesa, and South Jornada. These Blueprint planning efforts completed thus far haverevealed a need for refinements to the Blueprint planning process, as proposed.

APPEAL

Any person aggrieved by a determination of the City Council may appeal to District Courtwithin thirty (30) calendar days after the final decision of the City Council has been filed withthe City Clerk' s Office.

Srijana Basnya , nior Planner

City of Las Cruces Community Development DepartmentPlanning and Revitalization

The City Council is informed that -...

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