City Master Plan

1. City Master Plan Castroville Horizons Prepared by: Frie Planning & Development Concepts for the City of Castroville

2. Castroville Introduction Castroville Horizons Chapter 1

3. Castroville Horizons Master Plan Overall Planning Process: • Based on APA award-winning San Marcos Horizons Master Plan. • Submitting Castroville Horizons Master Plan for San Antonio APA award. • Innovative approach to traditional Comprehensive Plan. • Substantial public involvement and community consensus building. Components of the Plan: • Where are we today as a community? (Castroville Today - existing conditions) • What are the forces shaping our future? • (CastrovilleTrends- current growth trends) • Where do we want to go as a community? • (CastrovilleTomorrow– vision, goals and objectives) • How do we get there? • (CastrovilleActionPlan- turning vision into reality)

4. Castroville Horizons Master Plan Castroville Today • Research existing conditions for the City and its ETJ. • Update and revise existing Comprehensive Plan (1991). • To develop future plans, it is important to understand the existing conditions that have shaped the community. Castroville Today section includes: • History of Castroville • Regional Setting • Natural Environment • Built Environment • People of Castroville

5. Castroville Horizons Master Plan Castroville Trends • Research existing growth trends affecting the City and its ETJ. • Analyzing past and future trends is a critical step in the planning process. • A community that wishes to determine its future must first understand the trends that are influencing its growth. • Only then can an appropriate plan of action be undertaken to change that into a future more desired by the citizens. Castroville Trends section includes: • Population Trends • Demographic Trends • Construction Trends • Utility Trends • Rural Land Trends • San Antonio and Medina County Development Projects • Castroville Trends – Implications for Planning

6. Castroville Horizons Master Plan Public Involvement • Formed a City Council appointed 36-member Master Plan Task Force in August that represented the City Boards/Commission and majority of major organizations. • Master Plan Task Force identifies reasons why Castroville is a unique place and list issues that threaten Castroville. • Create focus groups explored specific issues such as: transportation and land use; community and public facilities; economic development and historic preservation and downtown area. • Focus groups developed citizen’s goals for the future on each specific issue. • Developed and adopted a Vision Statement for the City of Castroville on 12/1/08 which is the overall image of how the community wants to look in the future. • Master Plan Task Force developed preliminary Castroville Horizons Tomorrow Plans.

7. Castroville Horizons Master Plan Castroville Tomorrow • Based on community’s Vision Statement and Citizen’s Goals. • Helps guide orderly future growth of the City. • Enhances City officials’ decision making process. • Includes set of policies to guide future development of Castroville. • Policies are based on the Vision Statement and citizen’s goals developed by the MPTF. Castroville Tomorrow plans can include but are not limited to: • Major Thoroughfare Plan; • Future Land Use Plan; • Community and Public Facilities Plan; • Historic Downtown Plan; and • Economic Development Plan.

8. Castroville Horizons Master Plan Castroville Action Plan • Implementation tools to help achieve the community’s Vision. • Specific steps and action items that turn the vision of Castroville into a reality. Public Hearings/Adoption Process • MPTF meetings and 30-day public comment period in March. • Public hearings prior to adoption of the Castroville Horizons Master Plan by the P&Z and City Council in April and May.

9. Castroville Tomorrow Castroville Horizons Castroville Action Plan

10. Castroville TomorrowVision Statement • We, the members of the Master Plan Task Force, envision Castroville as a City that: • Plans and Manages our Growth; • Focuses and Promotes Tourism; • Protects our Historic Past; • Encourages Economic Development and the Creation of an Economic Development Corporation; • Promotes, Protects and Enhances our Unique Environmental Setting; • Provides Adequate Public Areas to include Parkland, Walkways and other Recreational Venues; • Preserves and Promotes our Alsatian Heritage; • Aggressively Pursues Voluntary Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction Expansion and Annexation; • Encourages and Coordinates a Regional Comprehensive Thoroughfare Corridor Development Plan; • Preserves and Enhances our Downtown Historic District; • Protects our Fertile Farming Medina River Valley; and • Encourages a Diverse Range of Housing for our People to Live Here at all Stages of their Lives.

11. Major Thoroughfare Plan

12. Major Thoroughfare Plan

13. Major Thoroughfare Plan Highlights The Major Thoroughfare Plans contains a classification system which includes the following functional classes of roadways: Arterials 13 miles existing 16 miles proposed US Highway 90, FM 471N, FM 471S, Marbach Road, Rolling Green Drive north of US Highway 90, Explorer Drive and Serene Hills Parkway. Collectors 0 miles existing 15 miles proposed FM 1343, CR 4516, Mexico Street, Washington Street, Geneva Street, Houston Street, River Trail, River Bluff, Old Hwy. 90, Alsace Avenue, San Jacinto Street, Alamo Street, Florence Street, Lorenzo Street, Madrid Street, Paris Street, Constantinople Street, Lower La Coste Road, Village Path and Country Lane Local Streets 28 miles existing 0 miles proposed Historic Downtown Main Streets 0 miles existing 1 mile proposed Paris Street from Hwy. 90 to Fiorella Street and Fiorella Street from Hwy. 90 to Paris Street.

14. Major Thoroughfare Plan Polices • General Transportation Planning • Regional Planning • Mobility • Traffic Flow • Alternative Modes of Transportation

15. Major Thoroughfare Actions • The City will review the Major Thoroughfare Plan every three years beginning in 2012. • The City will incorporate the Major Thoroughfare Plan into the Capital Improvements Program process. • The City will revise the Subdivision Ordinance to implement the policies in the Major Thoroughfare Plan. • The City will implement a Major Thoroughfare Plan amendment process for any development project that requests a revision to the Major Thoroughfare Plan. • The City will create at least four attractive “City Gateways” into Castroville, which provide aesthetically pleasing and informative entrances into the city, as shown on the Major Thoroughfare Plan on Highway 90, FM 471N and FM 471S. • The City will require right-of-way dedication and construction of all Major Thoroughfares by subdivider as indicated in the Subdivision Ordinance. • The City will perform traffic counts annually and evaluate the need for transportation related improvements and include in the Capital Improvements Program process.  • The City will prepare a Transportation System Management Plan which includes improvements such as removing on-street parking where feasible, restrictions on driveway access, improvements in intersection signalization, adding right-turn lanes, adding continuous left-turn lanes, and elimination of blind corners. • The City will work with the Texas Department of Transportation, Medina County, San Antonio and surrounding municipalities to coordinate Major Thoroughfare Plans. • The City will coordinate a Regional Comprehensive Thoroughfare Corridor Development Plan.

18. Future Land Use Plan Highlights Discourages of development along the Medina River and within the 100 year flood plain. Encourages a more diverse range of housing types, more parks and allows industrial land uses surrounding the Castroville Municipal Airport. The Castroville Horizons Future Land Use Plan for the city and ETJ cover 20 square miles and includes: Master Plan Future Land Use Land Acres Percentage Single Family Residential 7,428.53 57% Duplex/Townhome/Manufactured Home Residential 509.95 4% Apartments/Condominiums 617.23 5% Commercial (Retail – Office) 1,137.07 9% Industrial 474.99 4% Public/Institutional 709.84 5% Parks/Open Space/Preserve 1,639.18 13% Right of Way 340.87 3% ________ ________ GRAND TOTAL 12,857.66 100%

19. Future Land Use Plan Polices • General Land Use • Parks/Open Space/Preserves/Flood Plains • General Residential • Medium/High Density Residential • Residential Neighborhood Revitalization and Protection • Commercial • Industrial • Infrastructure

20. Future Land Use Plan Actions • The City will review the Future Land Use Plan every three years beginning in 2012. • The City will complete a city-wide rezoning process to comply with the Texas Local Government Code that zoning regulations must be adopted in accordance with a master plan. The City will annually adopt the official zoning map by ordinance. • The City will revise the C-G Business District (historic) to the T-C Town Centre (historic) zoning district. • The City will revise the zoning and subdivision ordinances to implement the policies in the Future Land Use Plan. • The City will develop a hybrid zoning code which maintains the traditional zoning ordinance (land use compatibility) and adds form-based zoning techniques (which concentrates on design-based elements such as context, scale, design, Alsatian architectural style and character). • The City will revise the Subdivision Ordinance to prohibit development within the 100-year floodplain, require public land dedication and develop hike and bike trails in the floodplain. The City will revise the Subdivision Ordinance to allow for transfer of development rights within the 100-year floodplain. • The City will aggressively pursue voluntary inclusion of properties surrounding the City of Castroville, from the ETJ of La Coste north to FM 1957, into the extended ETJ of Castroville and secure that land as future development prospects under the influence of Castroville and to increase the opportunity for Castroville to secure future groundwater rights.

21. Future Land Use Plan Actions • The City will pursue Texas Local Government Code, Section 212.172, ETJ Development Agreements which allows City’s regulation of land uses, environmental and development ordinances. • The City will revise and update the Impact Fee Ordinance in compliance with Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 395. • The City will complete a Highway 90 Corridor Overlay District to combine the Castroville Design Criteria for Commercial Buildings Located in the Commercial Districts along U.S. Highway 90, Section 9. Business/Residential Transition Area of the Zoning Ordinance and include attractive “City Gateways” into Castroville, which provide aesthetically pleasing and informative entrances into the city. • The City will complete an agreement with Medina County regarding subdivision regulatory authority in the ETJ according to Texas Local Government Code Chapter 242. • The City will prepare water, wastewater and drainage master plans to implement the policies in the Future Land Use Plan. • The City will revise and publish population estimates and forecasts annually. • The City will initiate a program to amortize nonconforming signs and amend the comprehensive sign ordinance to include the extra-territorial jurisdiction as allowed in the Texas Local Government Code, Section 216.003 and 216.902. • The City will prepare and adopt a Watershed Ordinance to control water quality throughout the City and extra- territorial jurisdiction.

23. Community and Public Facilities Plan Highlights • The key element of the Community and Public Facilities Plan is the location of a proposed Castroville • Municipal Centre to be located at the future intersection of Serene Hills Parkway and Rolling Green Drive. • The Castroville Municipal Centre will include a Castroville Multi-Use Community Center, fire/EMS • station, police station and a community library. • Parks/Open Space/Preserves; • Castroville Regional Park and future expansion; • Three future Community Parks; • Future Castroville Multi-Sports Community Complex; • Houston Street Sports Park; • Koenig Park; • September Square; • Houston Square; • Proposed Hike and Bike Trails along the east and west side of the Medina River and within the 100 year flood plains located throughout the city and ETJ;  • Medina Valley EMS Station and Castroville Volunteer Fire Station including proposed Fire/EMS Station; • Castroville Police Station including proposed Police Station; • Castroville City Hall; • Castroville Colonies Living History Center; • Castroville Public Library including proposed Castroville Community Library; • American Legion Hall; • Future Castroville Multi-Use Community Center; • Braden Keller Community Center; • Steinbach House (Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center); and • Castroville Municipal Airport.

24. Community and Public Facilities Plan Policies • Parks/Open Space/Preserves/Flood Plains • Fire Protection • Police Protection • Schools • Cultural Facilities and Resources • Castroville Municipal Airport

25. Community and Public Facilities Plan Actions • The City will review the Community and Public Facilities Plan every three years beginning in 2012. • The City will coordinate the implementation of the Community and Public Facilities Plan with all infrastructure master plans. • The City will incorporate the Community and Public Facilities Plan into the Capital Improvements Program process. • The City will prepare a Parks and Recreation Plan to be adopted as an element of the Community and Public Facilities Plan. • The City will develop a Sidewalk Improvement Program to be incorporated into the Capital Improvements Program. • The City will work with the Medina Valley Independent School District to ensure adequate infrastructure is coordinated with the future location of schools in accordance with the MVISD Strategic Plan. • The City will develop a future Town Centre at the proposed intersection of Serene Hills Parkway and Rolling Green Drive to include a Castroville Multi-Use Community Center, Castroville Community Library, fire/EMS station and police station.

26. Community and Public Facilities Plan Actions • The City will revise the Subdivision Ordinance to accept a fee in lieu of parkland dedication to acquire parkland for the Castroville Multi-Sports Community Complex, Castroville Regional Park expansion and community parks at the approximate locations shown on the Community and Public Facilities Plan. • The City will revise the Subdivision Ordinance to prohibit development within the 100-year flood plain, require public land dedication and develop hike and bike trails in the flood plain. • The City will develop a Comprehensive Emergency Services Plan that will include 911 expansion, wider streets and center lanes for emergency vehicle access. • The City will work with the Federal Aviation Administration to implement the Castroville Municipal Airport Master Plan.

28. Historic Downtown Plan Highlights • The Historic Downtown Plan considers: • reinforcing the Historic Downtown's economic vitality; • preserving the Alsatian historic character of Historic Downtown; • revitalization and redevelopment of historically significant buildings; • enhancing the tourism potential of Historic Downtown; • enhancing local activity centers and their physical relationships; • improving the main entrances to the Historic Downtown; • improving the circulation and parking; • improving the visual appearance and identity of the area; • upgrading utility systems; and • upgrading the quality of life. • The Historic Downtown Plan includes: • Town Centre; • National Register Historic District; • Proposed Local Historic District; • Historic Downtown Main Streets; • Historic Downtown Gateways; and • Highway 90 Corridor Overlay District.

29. Historic Downtown Plan Policies • General Historic Downtown • Land Uses • Historic Preservation • Aesthetics • Alternative Modes of Transportation • Economic Development

30. Historic Downtown Plan Actions • The City will review the Historic Downtown Plan every three years beginning in 2012. • The City will incorporate the Historic Downtown Plan into the Capital Improvements Program process. • The City will adopt a Local Downtown Historic District. • The City will create attractive Historic Downtown Gateways as shown on the Historic Downtown Plan on Highway 90 at the Fiorella and Paris Streets intersections and improve signage to the downtown area. • The City will improve the Fiorella and Paris Historic Downtown Main Streets to include improving these streets and expanding them to include sidewalks, trees and landscaping, benches, street lights, hanging banners, street clocks, decorative utility covers, etc. • The City will revise the C-G Central Business (Historic) zoning district to T-C Town Centre (Historic) zoning district. • The City will work with organizations such as TxDOT, Texas Historical Commission, Keep Texas Beautiful, etc. to secure grants to implement the Historic Downtown Plan. • The City will complete an Urban Design Plan as an element of the Historic Downtown Plan to improve the aesthetics and character of the Historic Downtown area. • The City will prepare a sidewalk improvement program to replace and/or improve existing sidewalks in the Historic Downtown area.

31. Economic Development Plan Highlights Economic development focuses on important aspects of a community that are provided by the private sector - employment opportunities, businesses serving residents, growing tax base and companies that are involved as corporate citizens in the community's activities and decision-making. Local governments (such as cities, counties or school districts) can support the economy through land use planning, education and training programs, provision of adequate and appropriate infrastructure and the provision of incentives. The economic development policies balance support for existing businesses and industries with efforts to attract specifically targeted new industries. They establish policy for the city's involvement and recommend actions that may be taken by the City of Castroville, recommended Castroville Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), Medina County or the Medina Valley Independent School District as well.

32. Economic Development Plan Policies • Economic Development Corporation • Economy and Jobs • Education and Training • Diversification of Economic Base • Tourism • Retail • Business Formation, Retention and Growth • Business Attraction • Airport and Surrounding Land Uses

33. Economic Development Plan Actions • The City will review the Economic Development Plan every three years beginning in 2012. • The City will create a Chapter 4A or 4B Castroville Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), charged with growing the economic base of the City to meet the goals of the master plan and needs of the City. This EDC and the City will have and maintain a professional website to promote its goals and inform the community-at-large. • The City will incorporate the Economic Development Plan into the Capital Improvements Program process. • The City will complete a targeted industries study to determine strategies for attracting the most appropriate sectors of emerging industries to Castroville. • The City will review economic development programs allowed by Texas Local Government Code (TLGC) and Texas Tax Code (TTC): • economic development programs (TLGC Chapter 380); • public improvement districts (TLGC, Chapter 372); • municipal development districts (TLGC, Chapter 377); • neighborhood empowerment zones (TLGC, Section 378.002); • tax abatements (TTC, Chapter 312); • tax increment financing (TTC, Chapter 311); • tax increment reinvestment zones (TTC, Chapter 311); • developer participation agreements (TLGC, Section 212.071); • ETJ development agreements (TLGC, Section 212.172); and • industrial district agreements (TLGC, Section 42.0444 to determine which are most appropriate programs for Castroville. • .

34. Economic Development Plan Actions • The City will complete a Castroville Heritage Tourism Plan which allows tourists to experience the Alsatian architecture and heritage, history, natural environmental features, arts and culture, cuisine, leisure time activities, local custom and events and institutions. • The City will develop Conservation Trusts and Easements {Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 183 and Internal Revenue Code, Section 170 (h)} with landowners within the extra-territorial jurisdiction to preserve the agricultural heritage of the community and the quality of life similar to Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas program. • The City will develop a fiscal impact model to determine the costs of city services and potential revenues in areas proposed for economic development. • The City will complete a Highway 90 Corridor Overlay District to combine the Castroville Design Criteria for Commercial Buildings located in the Commercial Districts along U.S. Highway 90, Section 9. Business/Residential Transition Area of the Zoning Ordinance and include attractive “city gateways” into Castroville, which provide aesthetically pleasing and informative entrances into the city.

36. Castroville Horizons Master Plan Future Population The Medina County development projects once completed will have an estimated population of: Total Lots (1,171) x Average Household Size (2.74) = 3,208 Persons The San Antonio development projects once completed will have an estimated population of: Total Lots and Units (39,631) x Average Household Size (2.74) = 108,589 Persons The future City of Castroville build-out population is estimated at 89,730. This represents a 3,060% increase from the 2008 estimated population of 2,840. Frie Planning & Development Concepts derived the estimated using the following method: Total Lots and Units (32,748) x Average Household Size (2.74) = 89,730 Persons

37. Final Steps in Castroville Horizons Master Plan FriePDC present draft Tomorrow Plan, Action Plan and Master PlanAdoption Process/Timeline to Master Plan Task Force Monday, March 2nd FriePDC present draft Tomorrow Plan, Action Plan and Master PlanAdoption Process/Timeline to Master Plan Task Force Tuesday, March 3rd Begin 30-day public comment period by publishing notice in newspaper, display master plan and maps in City Hall lobby and Public Library, publicize using Castroville Message and Alert System and publish Articles in local newspapers Wednesday March 4th Publish P&Z and CC public hearings schedule in local newspapersMonday, March 16th

38. Public Hearings/Adoption of Castroville Horizons Master Plan End 30-day public comment period. FriePDC compile and summarize all public comments Friday, April 3rd Master Plan Task Force Meeting to review public comments and revise plan Monday, April 6th P&Z public hearing and recommendation to CC Wednesday, April 8th City Council public hearing Tuesday, April 21st City Council public hearing/adoption of Castroville Horizons Master Plan Tuesday, May 5th FriePDC publish adopted Castroville Horizons Master Plan, finalize website and begin Action Plan implementation projects Friday, May 15th

39. City Master Plan Castroville Horizons www.friepdc.com/castrovillehorizons