DEPARTMENT: Planning
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Bridgett White, AICP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the SA Tomorrow Sub-Area Planning Process
SUMMARY:
The Planning Department will provide a briefing on the SA Tomorrow Sub-Area Planning Process, which implements the SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The SA Tomorrow Sub-Area Planning Process is the development of 30 area plans that implement the City of San Antonio’s SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in 2016. The Comprehensive Plan serves as the City’s long range growth policy document, while the sub-area plans outline specific recommendations related to land use, focus areas/corridors, mobility, public space, and housing that align with the City’s overarching vision. The sub-area plans are intended to ensure a more effective, efficient, and coordinated structure for planning across the city. The plans are being completed in five phases with six plans per phase, and will create a consistent and cohesive Future Land Use Map for the entire city when complete.
To date, five sub-area plans have been adopted by City Council: the Brooks Area Regional Center, the Midtown Area Regional Center, the UTSA Area Regional Center, the Medical Center Area Regional Center, and the Downtown Area Regional Center. The Planning Department is currently working on the sixth Phase 1 plan (the Westside Community Area) and all of the Phase 2 plans: the Port San Antonio Area Regional Center, the Texas A&M-San Antonio Regional Center, the Highway 151 / Loop 1604 Area Regional Center, the Northeast I-35 / Loop 410 Area Regional Center, the Eastside Community Area, and the Southeast Community Area.
COVID-19 disrupted the Department’s in-person public engagement efforts, delaying completion of these plans. In response, the Department has turned to virtual engagement including virtual Planning Team meetings, Community Meetings, and Digital Design Workshops; and expanded online resources such as pre-recorded bi-lingual presentations and materials, digital draft plan content, and online comment submission through the project websites.
Once draft plans are published, the Planning Department will host final Planning Team and Community Meetings and accept and consider public comment on the drafts for approximately 4 months prior the start of the adoption process. The adoption process is expected to begin in September 2021, with final City Council consideration occurring in December 2021 and January 2022. Phase 3 planning will begin in November 2021, with public engagement kicking-off in early 2022.
ISSUE:
This is a briefing to provide an update on the status of the SA Tomorrow Sub-Area Planning Process.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.