Comprehensive Master Plan - City of Alvin

facts & figuresLand Useand community character decisions. The outcome of this process and theability of the City to exact control over its future development lie in theimplementation of land use and growth policies and the method of regulationand enforcement.Each element of this Comprehensive Plan is inherently interrelated as eachinfluence and is influenced by the other elements. Therefore, the concepts ofland use and community character are integral to other components of theplan. For instance, the transportation system provides access to land fordevelopment, which effectively determines the use and density of land. Theprovision or lack of utilities can dictate the amount, location, and timing ofdevelopment. Design and development character impact communityaesthetics and, thus, the internal and external perceptions held by arearesidents and those considering investment in the community. Proximity topublic facilities can impact public health and safety at specific locations and,as a result, impact the development potential of an area.Land Use Comments• Direct developmentdowntown• Cookie‐cutterdevelopment – nocreativity• Quality development• Appearance ofdevelopment• Pass zoning/land useordinance• Keep zoning simple• Preserve current landuse• Increase buildingsetbacks• Land use mechanism• Don’t grow too fast• Low income housing• Sufficient land for parksand recreation• Alternatives to zoning• Impact of S.H. 35 andGrand ParkwayimprovementsISSUES involving Land Use • • •Based upon the analysis of the existing land use character, examination ofexpected future growth and development trends, assessment of the factorsinfluencing the pattern of development, and the input of communitystakeholders, the issues confronting the community may be summarized bythe following broad categories:‣ Compatible and cohesive future development – The pattern ofexisting development generally reflects a community that has grownoutward from its historic center (downtown) and the railroad.Nonresidential development is primarily located along the principaltransportation arteries of S.H. 6 and Business 35, which is increasinglyoccurring along the S.H. 35 bypass. Larger nodes of commercialbusinesses are located at major intersections, such as the Wal‐Mart centerat the S.H. 35 Bypass and S.H. 6 and the Kroger shopping center at thebypass and F.M. 1462. Business 35/South Gordon Street is linedcontinuously with strip commercial development from S.H. 6 souththrough Downtown to South Street and continuing on to its merger withthe bypass. The depth of commercial frontage extends generally one ortwo blocks from South Gordon Street, with many instances ofencroachment into the adjacent neighborhoods. Along the line betweenresidential and nonresidential development, the land use is transitioningfrom single‐family homes to office and retail conversions, such asApril 1, 2005Page 3-2