Council Planning & Public Works Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Planning & Public Works Committee met on November 1, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., with Farmer presiding. The committee considered four agenda items during the meeting: a Paving Program Update, 2012 Comprehensive Plan Goals & Objectives, Street Tree & Tree Protection Ordinance, and Items Referred to Committee. All four items were deferred for future consideration. The committee took one motion and vote during the meeting and heard one public comment.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on November 1, 2011:

• Farmer
• Ellinger
• Gorton
• Kay
• Ford
• Blues
• Lawless
• Beard
• Martin
• Henson
• Sennett

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn. Beard moved to adjourn the meeting, and Martin seconded the motion 1:15:42. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded abstentions.

Public Comment

Ralph Rochelle addressed the meeting regarding Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives 20:55.

Rochelle highlighted economic challenges in Fayette County, noting that child poverty has accelerated at a rate four times faster than the state average. He emphasized the need to attract high-paying manufacturing jobs as a strategy to improve economic outcomes for the region.

Rochelle presented data on tax revenue, pointing out that rural land generates low tax revenue for the city. He argued for a combined approach to land use planning, specifically proposing that residential and manufacturing land uses be integrated to increase city revenue and support economic development goals.

Appointments

The following individuals were appointed to the Working Group on Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives:

• Knox von Noggle
• Todd Johnson
• Darby Turner
• Margaret Graves

Contested Items

Funding for Road Repaving

Council members engaged in a heated discussion regarding the process for securing additional road paving funds from the state. The primary disagreement centered on whether a formal council resolution should be submitted to request state funding. Council Member McCord advocated for this approach, pointing to successful precedent under the Fletcher administration. Other council members expressed concerns about the timing of such a request and the absence of a formal commitment from the state, suggesting uncertainty about the viability and effectiveness of pursuing funds through this method.

Urban Forestry and Tree Planting

Council members raised significant concerns about the long-term sustainability of the city's street tree program. The contested issues included poor species selection for planting locations, inadequate space allocated for tree growth, and insufficient funding for ongoing maintenance and replacement of trees. The discussion also addressed the threat posed by the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that threatens ash tree populations. Council members highlighted the financial burden placed on homeowners to maintain trees on their properties, indicating disagreement about how costs and responsibilities should be distributed between the city and residents.

Re Paving Program Update

Staff provided an update on the 2012 repaving program 0:00. At the time of the meeting, 55% of resurfacing work was complete, with 45% of the budget expended.

Key Discussion Points

The staff indicated that formal requests to the state for additional funding would be necessary. A memo was being prepared by staff to be sent to Frankfort regarding funding needs.

Council members Wente, Martin, Sennett, and McCord participated in the discussion and raised several concerns about the road maintenance program:

• Long-term road maintenance planning and sustainability
• Crack sealing procedures and their effectiveness
• The absence of a coherent, comprehensive maintenance plan

Outcome

The agenda item was deferred, indicating that further discussion or action on the repaving program update would be taken up at a future meeting.

2012 Comprehensive Plan Goals & Objectives

The committee discussed the revised 2012 Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives 18:09. Chair Farmer proposed establishing a working group to revise and blend the new version of the plan with the previous one. The working group would include members from the planning committee and staff.

The proposed timeline for the working group's efforts included delivering a revised product by February, with council action anticipated by March. This schedule would allow for public input between the February delivery and March council action.

Ralph Rochelle provided public comment during the discussion, emphasizing the need for high-paying jobs and economic equity to be prioritized within the comprehensive plan.

The agenda item was deferred, with no final action taken at this meeting.

Street Tree & Tree Protection Ordinance

25:17

Council Member Martin introduced this discussion item, drawing inspiration from a visit to Greenville, South Carolina, to explore long-term urban forestry planning strategies for the community.

Key Discussion Points

The committee addressed several interconnected challenges related to street trees and tree protection:

• Tree Survival and Species Selection: Participants discussed the importance of choosing appropriate tree species and ensuring their long-term survival in the community.
• Funding Mechanisms: The group explored potential funding approaches, including a proposed $4 annual donation per household to support tree programs.
• Maintenance Requirements: Long-term maintenance needs were identified as a critical component of successful urban forestry.
• Pest Management: The emerald ash borer was highlighted as a significant threat to local tree populations.

Participants and Perspectives

Council Member Martin, along with committee members Quirley, Angelucci, Henson, Beard, Blue, and Stennett, engaged in the discussion. Staff representatives and members of the Tree Board participated, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive planning.

Key Recommendations

Staff and Tree Board members stressed the importance of:

• Long-term planning for urban forestry initiatives
• Public education efforts to build community support
• Sustainable funding mechanisms to support ongoing tree programs and maintenance

Outcome

The matter was deferred, indicating that further discussion, research, or development of proposals would occur at a future meeting.

Items Referred to Committee

1:09:48

The committee reviewed several items that had been referred for further consideration and discussion.

Re-Harboring Animals in Residential Areas Ordinance

The committee examined the Re-Harboring Animals in Residential Areas ordinance, which remained under review. Concerns were raised about the burden this ordinance would place on animal control. Committee members also identified a need for more nuanced definitions within the ordinance to address specific situations and clarify enforcement expectations. The Chair and Rochelle participated in this discussion. The committee agreed to continue working on this issue and scheduled a follow-up report to address the identified concerns.

Other Referred Items

The committee also addressed several additional items:

• Utility pole placement
• Addressing ordinance
• Downtown Traffic Management Revitalization Study

Outcome

The items were deferred for continued review and development, with plans for future reports and additional work on the ordinances and studies under consideration.