Central Wichita Falls Revitalization Area Committee Minutes - 04/15/2025 MINUTES
Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee
April 15, 2025
PRESENT:
Ann Arnold-Ogden ♦ Member
Wendy Browder ♦Vice Chair
Councilor Whitney Flack ♦Councilor
Jose Garcia ♦ Member
Mike Mitchell ♦Chairman
Terry Floyd, Development Services Director ♦City Staff
Fabian Medellin, Planning Manager ♦City Staff
Christal Cates, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator ♦City Staff
Brandon Petersen, Plans Examiner ♦City Staff
ABSENT:
Councilor Robert Brooks ♦Councilor
Larry Fox ♦ Member
Andrea Robles ♦ Member
GUESTS:
Cherie Newman, Property Developer ♦Guest
Garrett Copeland, Data Driven Answers ♦Guest
Dylan Jimeniz, KFDX News Channel 3 ♦Guest
Fuago, Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts&Culture ♦Guest
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Mike Mitchell called the meeting to order at 1 :31 p.m.
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Mitchell asked if any members of the public wished to speak. No public
comments were presented.
III. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
Councilor Whitney Flack made a motion to approve the minutes as presented from
April 1st, 2025. Mrs. Ann Arnold-Ogden seconded. Chairman Mitchell asked if there
were any public comments regarding the minutes. There were no public comments.
The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
IV. REGULAR AGENDA
1. Discussion of Adoption Timeline
Chairman Mitchell turned the floor over to staff for discussions on a timeframe to
implement the initiatives contained in the Heart of the Falls Neighborhood
Neighborhood Revitalization Committee 2 April 1, 2025
Revitalization Plan, unanimously adopted by the City Council earlier that day.
Initiatives discussed:
• District Identity & Branding
• Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ)
• Neighborhood Revitalization Area Design Guidelines
• Neighborhood Revitalization Property Maintenance Code
• Zoning Amendments
• Tree Clearing Program
• Bridwell Park Improvements
• Bright Nights, Safe Streets Initiative
• Secure Steps & Rides Initiative
• Enhance Existing Infrastructure
• Neighborhood Beautification Initiative
Staff explained the timeline showed the "Goal Term" of short, moderate, and long
term. The next marker showed was "Completion" and the expected quarter and
year give. Discussion with clarification was given over the entire timeline. Chairman
Mitchell complimented staff and the Committee on all accomplishments over the
past year and felt good about the proposed timeline moving forward.
2. Discussion & Presentation of Proposed Zoning Amendments
Chairman Mitchell stated the next item up for discussion would be the zoning
amendments as an element of the Heart of the Falls Neighborhood Revitalization
Plan. Staff introduced the proposed ordinance "Section 4750 — Heart of the Falls
Neighborhood Overlay District (HFNO). Staff advised the purpose for the overlay
district was to provide regulations to account for the unique layout of the lots and
buildings—like how far they need to be set back from the street or neighboring
properties, where parking goes, and how accessory uses are handled. These rules
go beyond what's normally required in the regular zoning code. To help keep the
neighborhood's character intact, the development guidelines would apply, either
alongside or instead of the usual zoning rules.
Staff stated the overlay district would provide for reduced setbacks for residential
uses and accessory structures, allow for accessory dwelling units by right, require
no parking minimums for commercial uses, set a required parking minimum for new
residential and accessory dwelling units, and allow for alternative paving materials.
Light discussion among staff and the Committee with the question of when could
this be sent to City Council for a vote. Staff advised they would have the ordinance
ready for them to formally vote to recommend to City Council at the next meeting
scheduled for April 29th
V. OTHER BUSINESS
1. Updates
Neighborhood Revitalization Committee 3 April 1, 2025
A. City Council Action on Heart of the Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Plan
Staff advised at the regular City Council meeting held earlier that day the Heart of
the Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Plan was unanimously voted in favor of by the
City Council. Staff advised next steps moving forward and reference the timeline in
the packet handouts.
Ann Arnold-Ogden gave a brief update with the Bridwell Park Futsal Court murals
and stated a revised design had been submitted in which the Design Review Board
had approved and forwarded to the City for approval to move forward with a signed
contract with the artist.
Guest Garrett Copeland, with Data Driven Answers, introduced himself to the
Committee, staff and guests and stated he provided services such as surveys,
ethnography mixed methods, interviews with residents, focus groups and GIS
analysis with Python. He stated his services would cost approximately $3,500 for
two weeks.
VI. ADJOURN
The next regularly scheduled meeting was set for Tuesday, April 29th at 1:30pm at
the Travel Center Conference Room for the plan to be presented in its entirety to the
Commission for recommendation.
Chairman Mitchell adjourned the meeting at 2:27 p.m.
Mike Mitchell, Chairman Date
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• n Medellin, AICP, Planning Manager Date