The Commissioner — Summer 2005

Commissioner's Voice

Frisco, Texas, Planning and Zoning Commission

By Stephen Hulsey
Member and Chairman, 1999-2005

In 1999 when I was appointed a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission in Frisco, I thought I knew everything there was to know about city planning. After all I am an architect by training; my education would substantially benefit the city. I soon came to find out what complex issues were involved in the planning and zoning process and how every decision made will affect the future of the city, forever. Serving on the commission for the fastest growing city (of its size) in Texas is truly a daunting task.

The planning staff led us through the process, and helped us understand the issues and protect the rights of the citizens and landowners. We learned what we could and could not do, how to rewrite and craft ordinances, and how to craft public policy. Watching the staff work through different types of issues with different groups almost every week in order to craft a city plan for the perfect place to live was extremely educational.

I learned that I was appointed to look into and predict the future, and to implement a plan to make Frisco a great place to work and live for everyone, not only for the next five, but for the next 50 years. "Crystal ball gazing" is truly a science and we owe a lot to our staff. We were building a city as we planned and worked through every single zoning case.

During my service on the commission the city grew from around 10,000 to almost 80,000 citizens. I now realize just what we have done and our awesome task. We set a plan in place and implemented it. We helped in the development of everything from a comprehensive plan — now being updated — to a minor league baseball complex, a regional mall, many residential neighborhoods, and everything in between, in addition to rezoning the downtown. I have been honored to serve the citizens and help in my small part to develop the future Frisco.

As my term on the planning and zoning commission comes to end and other commissioners are appointed, here is my advice.

1. Ask questions and understand the issues. In order to make informed decisions you must know what and how your decision affects the particular property and the neighbor's property, as well as the entire city. Ask your city staff for help.
2. Protect the interests of all: the landowners as well as the citizens. Your duty and responsibility is to represent everyone in the city.
3. Make the hard decisions. Having the courage to make the right decision based on all the facts in the face of adversity is the true test of a leader. Stand true to your convictions.
4. Solicit input from your friends and neighbors and get them involved in the public process. After all, the decisions you will make affect them as much as it affects the landowner or developer.
5. Enjoy the process and the time you are asked to serve your citizens and your city. It is truly educational and inspirational. You should be honored to serve.