P&Z gives thumbs up to update to the Kerrville 2050 Plan

The Kerrville Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday approved the conceptual plan for the city’s 2050 plan update, recommending it for adoption by the City Council. The commission’s positive feedback followed a presentation outlining the comprehensive update process and key elements of the revised plan.

The special meeting was held for the specific purpose of considering and taking final action on the discussion and recommendation of the 2050 update to the City Council. Drew Paxton, director of Development Services, noted that the City Council had funded the update, and the final draft was ready for review.

Caitlyn Admire from Freese and Nichols, the prime planning and design firm, presented an overview of the work completed over the past year. The update built upon the existing 2018 comprehensive plan by revising areas such as the housing analysis, community snapshot, vision, goals, market analysis, land use, thoroughfare plan and implementation items. A significant focus was the integration of sustainability and resilience throughout all chapters.

The update includes the first two small area plans for areas previously identified as catalyst areas in the 2018 plan: the Nimitz Lake Area Plan and the Downtown Plan. These plans involved detailed assessments, specific priorities and frameworks for land use, connectivity and open space.

Key takeaways from the updated plan include a demand for 2,000 to 2,500 new housing units, highlighting housing affordability as a major issue. Updates to the thoroughfare plan include designating West Main Street as a local road/minor collector and extending Olympic Drive as a major collector. The Nimitz Lake plan aims to activate the riverfront for development or recreation, balance mixed-use and commercial uses, improve access and protect natural features. The Downtown plan focuses on improving and expanding the core area west of Sidney Baker Street, enhancing safety and connectivity, using character areas for targeted investments and adding parks and river access.

Commissioners provided brief positive feedback on the plan’s comprehensive nature and noted the smart decision to separate the Nimitz Lake and Downtown areas for planning. One commissioner mentioned an upcoming downtown festival in October that aligns with the plan’s concepts.

Following the discussion, the commission unanimously approved a motion to recommend the 2050 plan update to the City Council. The plan is scheduled to proceed to the City Council for adoption consideration June 10.