TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 
Harlingen's Vision 
Public Involvement Process 
Commitment to Implementation and Updating 
How the Plan was Developed 
How the Plan is Organized 
Survey Instrument 

CHAPTER 2 – DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 
Introduction 
Historic Background 
Population and Growth 
Populations Projections 
Demographics 
Households and their Characteristics 

CHAPTER 3 - LAND USE 
Comprehensive Planning Study Area 
Existing Land Use Inventory 
Future Land Use Plan 
Land Use Goals and Objectives 

CHAPTER 4 - TRANSPORTATION 
Purpose and Overview 
Other Related Transportation Plans and Studies
Relationship of Transportation Element and Metropolitan Transportation Plan 
Functional Classification of Thoroughfares 
Existing Transportation System 
Existing Roadway Characteristics 
Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios 
Rio Grande Valley International Airport 
Railroads 4-33 Port of Harlingen and Harlingen Barge Channel 
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities 
Intercity Bus Service 
Public Transit 
Major Traffic Generators 
Thoroughfare Development Requirements and Standards 
Constraints to Thoroughfare Development
Standard Roadway Cross Sections
Transportation Goals and Objectives 
Plan Amendment Process

CHAPTER 5 - ZONING, SUBDIVISION AND ANNEXATION 
Review of Existing Ordinances 
Zoning Ordinance 
Subdivision Regulations 
Annexation 
Zoning, Subdivision and Annexation Goals and Objectives 

CHAPTER 6 - ENVIRONMENT 
Environmental Setting 
Resource Protection Programs of the Federal Government 
Environmental Goals and Objectives 

CHAPTER 7 - PARKS AND RECREATION 
Purpose and Overview 
Previous Parks & Recreation Plans and Studies 
Public Input 
Existing City Parks and Recreation System 
Standards for Development of Parks and Recreation 
Needs Analysis for Parks and Recreation 
Summary of Key Recreation Needs 
Master Plan Recommendations 
Parks Goals and Objectives 

CHAPTER 8 - DRAINAGE 
Storm Drainage and Flood Protection 
Storm Drainage Improvements 
Existing Drainage Conditions 
Coordinating Agencies 
Flood Plain Management Requirements 
Identified Flood Hazard Areas 
Floodplain Management 
Drainage Improvements Completed and Remaining Needs 
Drainage Goals and Objectives 

CHAPTER 9 - WATER AND WASTEWATER 
Introduction 
Harlingen Waterworks 
Water Supply 
Wastewater System 
East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation 
Water System
Sanitary Sewer System 
Military Highway Water Supply Corporation 
Conditions of Existing Facilities 
Wastewater System 
Water and Wastewater Goals and Objectives

CHAPTER 10 – HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS 
Housing 
Housing Stock and Conditions 
Housing Characteristics 
Affordable Housing 
Neighborhoods 
Neighborhood Associations 
Housing Goals and Objectives 
Neighborhood Goals and Objectives 

CHAPTER 11 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
Economic Analysis 
Major Employers 
Industry Trends and Projections 
Industrial Development 
Retail and Construction Trends 
Economic Goals and Objectives 

CHAPTER 12 – PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 
Measures of Success 
Major Plan Elements 
Proposed Implementation Actions of Goals & Objectives for Each Plan Element 
Land Use 
Transportation 
Zoning, Subdivision and Annexation 
Environment 
Parks & Recreation 
Drainage 
Water & Wastewater 
Housing & Neighborhoods 
Economics 
Capital Improvements Planning and Budgeting 
Capital Improvements Program Process
Role of CIP in Planning and Management 
The Continuing Planning Process 
Citizen Participation in Continuing Planning 

Illustrations

Figure 
Number                  Title

1-1          City of Harlingen City Limits & ETJ 

2-1          State of Texas and Cameron County Showing Location of Harlingen 
2-2          City of Harlingen and Surrounds Census Tract Map 
2-3a        Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZ) Area Surrounding Harlingen 
2-3b        Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZ) in Harlingen 
2-4          Population Density by TAZ 
2-5          Percent Change in Population by Census Tract 1990-2000
2-6          Age and Gender Pyramid City of Harlingen – 2000 Population 
2-7          Households by Type 2-18

3-1         Existing Land Use Map
3-2         Table of Existing Land Use for Harlingen, Texas 
3-3         Existing Land Use Percentage Pie Chart 
3-4         Future Land Use Plan 

4-1         Functional Classification – Access vs. Movement
4-2         Functionally Classified Thoroughfare Network 
4-3         Long Range Thoroughfare Plan 
4-4a       Standard Roadway Sections
4-4b       Standard Roadway Sections (more lane configurations) 

5-1         Annexation Plan 

7-1         Parks and Recreation Master Plan/Recovery Action Plan
7-2         Harlingen Parks and Recreation 2000 Master Plan 

8-1         Drainage and Irrigation District Boundaries
8-2         Flood Hazard Areas 
8-3         Drainage Improvements 
8-4         Drainage Improvement Needs 

9-1         Water CCN’s
9-2         Sewer CCN’s 
9-3         Existing and Proposed Water 
9-4         Existing and Proposed Sewer

10-1       Generalized Housing Conditions 
10-2       Neighborhoods 

11-1       City of Harlingen Employment, Unemployment and Annual Rate Average
11-2       Historical 4A Tax Collections 
11-3       Retail Trade 1990-2000 
11-4       Residential Building Permits 1990-2000 
11-5       Commercial Building Permits 1990-2000 

 

Tables

Table 
Number             Title

2-1         Historical Population of Cameron County and City of Harlingen, 1900 to 2000 
2-2         Growth of Harlingen Compared to County, Region and State 1990-2000 
2-3         Area and Population Density for Cameron County and City of Harlingen 1990 to 2000 
2-4         Population and Population Density by Census Tract 
2-5         Population by Census Tract 1980,1990 and 2000 
2-6         Population Projections for Cameron County 1990-2030 
1-7        Low Population Projections for City of Harlingen 
1-7        Medium Population Projections for Harlingen 
1-7        High Populations Projections for Harlingen 
1-7        Age and Gender Composition for City of Harlingen – 2000 Population 
1-7        City of Harlingen Race/Hispanic Origin 
1-7        City of Harlingen Profiles of General Demographic Characteristics 2000

4-1         Criteria for Functional Classification of Thoroughfares 
4-2         Transportation Needs for 2025

7-1         Recommended Class. and Development Stds. for Local Recreation Parks/Open Space 

9-1         Existing Elevated Storage Facilities 
9-2         Projected Average Daily Water Demand 
9-3         Projected Water Treatment Capacities
9-4         Ground Storage Recommendations 

9-5         Elevated Storage Recommendations 
9-6         Wastewater Flows 
9-7         1994 Wastewater Flows 
9-8         Maximum Monthly Average Flow Projections 
9-9         Future Collection System Deficiencies

10-1      Housing Occupancy Characteristics for Harlingen 
10-2      Profiles of General Demographic Characteristics for Harlingen Households 2000 

11-1      Employment Statistics for Cameron County and Harlingen1990 and 2000 
11-2      Non-Agricultural Employment 1990-2000 
11-3      Employed Persons 16 Years and Over by Industry 
11-4      Establishments by Industry for 1998 by Zip Codes 
11-5      Cameron County Employees, Payroll and Establishment by Industry 1999 
11-6      Cameron County Employees, Establishments and Payroll 1993-1999 
11-7      Major Employers Harlingen – 2001 
11-8       Top-Ranking Industrial Evaluation Sectors for Cameron County 
11-9      Cameron County Workforce Development Board Industry Employment Projections 
11-10    State of Texas Exports to Mexico 2000 

Acknowledgements

 

CITY OF HARLINGEN MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
Honorable C. Connie de la Garza, Mayor
Commissioner J.J. Gonzalez, Place 1
Commissioner Jay Meade, Place 2
Commissioner Jesse Robles, Place 3
Commissioner Chris Boswell, Place 4
Commissioner Richard Rodriquez, Place 5
 
CITY OF HARLINGEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
B. J. Joseph, Chairman*
Tom Mason, Vice Chairman
Armando Elizarde, Commissioner
Chuy Ramos, Commissioner
Charlie Perez, Commissioner
Kathy Dougherty, Commissioner
 
CONTRIBUTING CITY STAFF

          Roy Rodriguez, P.E., City Manager                                               Gabriel Gonzalez, Assistant City Manager
          Michelle R. McCoy-Leftwich, AICP, Planning Director                Tom Wilson, Public Services Director
          Julio Cerda, P.E., City Engineer                                                     Ruben Diaz, Public Works Director
          Ken Mitchell, Finance Director                                                      Brendan Hall, City Attorney
          Sig Cantu, Fire Chief                                                                      Sylvia R. Trevino, City Secretary
          Diana R. Serna, Community Development Director                      Curtis Hill, Senior Planner
          Rod Sanchez, Planner                                                                    Joel Olivo, Planning Technician
          Maria Valencia, Code Enforcement Technician                             Valerie Germany, GIS Technician

 

* This document is dedicated in loving memory to the tremendous efforts and contributions of 10 year Planning & Zoning Commission member with 6 years as Chairman - William “BJ” Joseph. You will be missed BJ!!

Planning & Development |  Harlingen's Vision 2020 Comprehensive Plan 

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