Town of South Padre Island, Texas Comprehensive Plan 2008 April 2006 February 2008
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Town of South Padre Island, Texas Comprehensive Plan 2008 April 2006 February 2008 DedicationDedication Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee A process that started in April of 2006 and was completed February 2008 Wendy Hauschildt Steve O’Neal Nancy Marsden Lucinda Wierenga Leah Thrash Clayton Brashear David Horton John Gieseking Lori Wells Troy Giles Sally Robey Mary Helen Flores Glenn McKinlay Liz Money Patricia Hernandez‐Edelstein Aldermen May 2007 – May 2008 Robert N. Pinkerton, Jr. – Mayor Kirk Mills, Mayor Pro‐Tem Phillip Money Jo Ann Evans Courtney Hayden Tara Rios‐Ybarra Aldermen May 2006 – May 2007 Robert N. Pinkerton, Jr. – Mayor Richard Ridolfi, Mayor Pro‐Tem Phillip Money Jo Ann Evans Jim Hoff Tara Rios‐Ybarra Aldermen May 2005 – May 2006 Robert N. Pinkerton, Jr. – Mayor Richard Ridolfi, Mayor Pro‐Tem Fred Mallett Kirk Mills Jim Hoff Tara Rios‐Ybarra City Staff City Manager Dewey Cashwell City Planner Cate Ball Public Information Officer Jason Moody April 2006 February 2008 TableTable ofof ContentsContents Chapter 1 – Planning Framework Page Purpose.........................................................................................................1 Plan Development.......................................................................................2 Mission Statement.......................................................................................3 Public Involvement.....................................................................................4 Use of Plan ...................................................................................................4 Summary of Goals.......................................................................................5 Planning Area..............................................................................................7 Chapter 2 – Town Profile History ..........................................................................................................9 Purpose.........................................................................................................9 Population Trends.....................................................................................10 Demographics............................................................................................12 Chapter 3 – Land Use Premise .......................................................................................................27 Quality of Life............................................................................................27 Economic Development ...........................................................................27 A Sense of Place.........................................................................................28 Preservation ...............................................................................................28 Inseparably Connected.............................................................................28 Policies ........................................................................................................29 Goals ...........................................................................................................30 The Ideal.....................................................................................................31 Chapter 4 – Mobility Purpose.......................................................................................................33 Public Issues...............................................................................................34 Goals and Recommendations..................................................................35 April 2006 February 2008 ChapterChapter 11 PlanningPlanning FrameworkFramework Town of South Padre Island Comprehensive Plan This Comprehensive Plan document sets forth the Town of South Padre Island’s vision for its future physical and economic development. It is designed to give form to the general statement of vision by specifying the necessary steps to accomplish the vision and realize tangible outcomes. Sound planning is equally important for the Town Aldermen, land owners, residents, and the millions of recreational visitors who are attracted to the Island’s beaches and abundant natural resources. Most importantly, this plan is intended to accommodate the Island’s future growth and seize its economic development opportunities in a manner that is both livable and sustainable. Purpose Why is this plan important? As it is discussed throughout this report, South Padre Island has and continues to experience growth through land development, visitor travel, and redevelopment of existing areas. It is recognized by the Island residents and leaders that it has finite resources. Based upon recent trends, that future growth could exacerbate existing problems well before the Year 2025. The intent of this Comprehensive Plan is to neither end nor accelerate growth, but to anticipate and appropriately manage it so that the Town government, other public agencies, and the private sector are well‐ equipped to: 1. Maintain the highest quality community living environment; 2. Protect and enhance neighborhoods for Town residents; “Sustainable development 3. Invest in appropriately‐scaled infrastructure improvements; is positive socioeconomic change that does not 4. Provide for the safe, efficient movement of people and goods; undermine the ecological 5. Protect the quality of the natural environment and conserve and social systems upon natural resources; and which communities and 6. Provide adequate public facilities and services. society are dependent.” Source: South Padre Island Plan, 2010 February 2008 Traffic and Access Management.............................................................42 Pedestrian and Bicycle Routes and Crossings ......................................45 Thoroughfare Plan ....................................................................................46 Private Issues .............................................................................................47 Goals and Recommendations..................................................................47 Chapter 5 – Parks and Resources Purpose.......................................................................................................49 Issues...........................................................................................................50 Goals and Recommendations..................................................................51 Parks and Recreation................................................................................57 Legal Issues................................................................................................61 Chapter 6 – Growth and Infrastructure Purpose.......................................................................................................63 Growth and Development Issues ...........................................................64 Water and Wastewater.............................................................................69 Annexation.................................................................................................71 Disaster Recovery......................................................................................73 Chapter 7 – Economic Development Purpose and Methodology ......................................................................76 Trends Affecting Economic Development ............................................76 Economic Development Goals ................................................................90 Arts, Culture & Historical Preservation ..............................................104 Arts.........................................................................................................104 Historical Preservation........................................................................106 Island Culture.......................................................................................107 Miscellaneous Matters............................................................................108 Conclusion ...............................................................................................108 Chapter 8 – Implementation Purpose.....................................................................................................109 Priority Goals...........................................................................................110 Plan Amendment ....................................................................................114 Conclusion ...............................................................................................114 ii February 2008 Chapter 1 The most important aspect of this Comprehensive Plan is to help Town leaders in evaluating future development proposals and deciding if “To have a vision means to they appropriately reflect the Town’s goals and vision for the future. look ahead: to imagine the future. The ability to Plan Development imagine or dream the future – to create in our The planning process was a 24‐month undertaking involving minds something beyond community stakeholders who represent the diversity of the Island and our present reality – is a its leadership. A 12‐person Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee distinctly human skill. History has shown that seeing (CPAC) was assembled to lead the process and offer input to ensure something in the mind’s that the plan reflects the values and priorities of the Town. The eye is often the first step to committee met often throughout the process to review previous actually