Council Meeting Preview – February 7, 2012
This council meeting is unofficially dedicated to my little boy Francis who turned one on Monday. Though he started intentionally throwing his pacifier over his crib in the middle of the night, only to immediately cry about it, thus waking up the entire house, he is still the future of our city…
Today’s city council meeting begins with a Work Session at 3pm, by a Regular Session at 6:30pm in City Council Chambers. Click here for the agenda of today’s meeting. Here are some things that might interest you:
GAS DRILLING MORATORIUM
Perhaps the most anticipated item on tonight’s agenda will be a proposed 120 day moratorium on new gas drilling and production permits. The goal is to give the Gas Well Task Force, city staff, and City Council the time to adequately re-work the current ordinance. Embarking on a new ordinance presupposes the realization for the need for new regulations in order to protect the health and safety of our citizens. Permits that have already been submitted will be allowed to continue. Submitted permits, however, that require Special Use Permits will be put on hold by this moratorium. The reason for this is that SUPs allow the council to add conditions that could be informed by requirements in the new ordinance. This moratorium is a good move and I will be supporting it.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN?
We will be hearing a final update on the Sustainability Plan during our Work Session. This is a great document with a lot of vision for the future of Denton. You can find out more information here or find the latest draft of the plan in the back-up materials to this week’s council agenda.
TWU NEIGHBORHOOD RESOLUTION
TWU has continued its pursuit of acquiring properties in the surrounding historic neighborhoods despite widespread neighborhood concern. As a result, and in line with their charge as a commission, the Historic Landmark Commission has drafted a resolution aimed at arguing for the preservation of this important neighborhood. The council has been asked to weigh in on the policy implications of this resolution. I’ve been clear on my position on this issue. For more background, check out this report I provided to the City Council this past summer.
QUAKERTOWN PARK SIDEWALKS AND TRAILS
I’ve long maintained that the amenities present in the general vicinity of Quakertown Town are among the best in town, and certainly the most friendly to families. Within walking distance, families can go to a great park, a city pool, a city library, city hall, the civic center, and the historic square. Despite all this, this area is rather inaccessible for pedestrians (especially pedestrians with strollers and tricycles). All this is about to change… One important item on the consent agenda is requesting an approval of a bid to put in sidewalks and walking paths in the park. Check out a concept drawing of the park trails here. This is great news for District 1.
As always, if you thoughts on any of this or other questions, feel free to contact me at kevin.roden@cityofdenton.com or 940-206-5239.