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Ord. 1306 2006-09-25ORDINANCE NO. 1306 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, APPROVING THE OLD TOWNSITE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN AS A GUIDE FOR PRESERVING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, ATTRACTIVENESS AND SAFETY IN PEARLAND; CONTAINING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A REPEALER CLAUSE AND EMERGENCY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, on July 31, 2006 and September 11, 2006, the City Council conducted workshops to establish goals and objectives for the future development of the Old Townsite; and WHEREAS, accommodating anticipated growth while preserving a sense of community in the Old Townsite is critical to the City's proper development; now, therefore, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS: Section 1. That City Council hereby adopts the Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit "A", as a guide for accommodating anticipated growth while preserving a sense of community in the Old Townsite. Section 2. Savings. All rights and remedies which have accrued in favor of the City under this Chapter and amendments thereto shall be and are preserved for the benefit of the City. Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid, unconstitutional or otherwise unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof. ORDINANCE NO. 1306 Section 4. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed but only to the extent of such conflict. Section 5. Emergency. The City Council hereby declares that a public emergency exists for adopting the Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan as the orderly development of the Old Townsite bears directly upon the health, safety, and welfare of the citizenry; therefore this Ordinance shall be passed finally on its first and only reading and shall take effect immediately upon its passage and approval by the City Council Section 6. Effective Date. The Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval on first and only reading. PASSED and APPROVED ON FIRST AND ONLY READING this the 25th day of September, A. D., 2006. ATTEST: UNG TY S RETAR APPROVED AS TO FORM: DARRIN M. COKER CITY ATTORNEY 2 _crr OF PPA LAN1J, TEX H3 STUDIO OCTOBER 2005 E ,: INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND & PURPOSE PROJECT OBJECTIVE PLAN ORGANIZATION THE PLANNING PROCESS HISTORY ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS PROJECT CONTEXT URBAN DESIGN ANALYSIS CONCLUSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN OVERVIEW DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES CONCLUSION OLD TOWNSITE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN OVERVIEW DISTRICT PLAN COMPONENTS DISTRICTS & RECOMMENDATIONS IMPLEMENTATION OVERVIEW REGULATING THE PLAN FINANCE ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN & PHASING APPENDICES ANALYSIS OF'EXISTING CONDITIONS SUMMARY OF PUBLIC MEETINGS PaJc121?`ur. "fEX,T CHANGES SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE AT CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT REGULATING CODE OPINION OF PROBABLE COST FINANCE ACTION PLAN O i d T Qw n s ite D ow n tew n Development D i s t r rt Plan VOLUNTEERS MAINTAINING ANNUAL PLANTERS VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATING IN A CLEANING DAY EVENT VOLUNTEERS MAINTAINING LANDSCAPE ALONG THE STREET The key to the implementation is for the community and the City to be proactive utilizing the tools provided by the Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan. Most important is to commit and dedicate the necessary financial resources to create a public/private development entity.lcd bya District Coordinator. The tools are the Development a ..�„��....,...,��a��. Strategy Framework Plan, the Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan, the Regulating Code, the Finance Action Plan, and the Implementation Action Plan. The implementation of the Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan for Pearland will be ongoing for 15-20 years. Improvements need to be made in a proactive manner that is responsive to the niche market the plan is addressing. Anticipating trends, looking for opportunities, monitoring implementation and development, and evaluating and adjusting the vision and plan are all part of taking ownership of a downtown. Continuous improvement requires a feeling of ownership and pride, not just the celebration of success. Therefore, the community should set a high priority on improvements supporting public investment that is consistent with the development/ redevelopment goals of Old Town. This provides the first step to encourage private improvements and reinvestment. Redevelopment begins with the development of the enclosed plan but depends on commitment to achieve the vision. The leadership of the implementation of the Old Town Downtown Development Plan should occur through public/ private partnerships. The City should work with stakeholders and private developers to move this plan forward. In this manner, the City should support creating neighborhood organizations comprised of volunteers, residents, and business owners for the two primary residential districts. To implement the New Town Center, the plan suggests the creation of an Old Townsite Development Corporation or similar entity. The ultimate implementation of the plan will occur through a number of means including: marketing, public relations and community outreach; raising funds from public (federal, state, and local) and private sources (residents, business owners, developers); proactive focused direction in implementing the plan or doing so through other entities; and the managing of the districts. Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan ACTIONPLAN&PHASING The community and the City should follow the phasing strategy set forth in the Action Plan & Phasing (detailed in the following pages), but should be poised to modify strategies based on projects that might be proposed by the private sector in the near or distant future providing they meet the intent and objectives of the plan. The City should also coordinate its planned actions with the work of other State, District, and City departments and be ready to refine its schedule to be responsive to the activities of others. In essence, implementation should proceed in the order recommended yet the schedule should remain flexible to accommodate changing conditions, especially where there are opportunities to share construction and administration costs. REGULATINGTHEPLAN The intent of the Old Town Pearland's form based regulating code (under separate cover) is to promote an excellence in street types being 4he p }in al factor of the code. In addition to regulating the form of buildings, the code sets fa regula}ions to ens a high n ality of streetcnape and building construction. The City has adopted a regulating code to assist with the plan. As with any zoning code, the regulating code for the Old Townsite can be altered to accommodate the vision. The regulating code, also contains guidelines for development. The regulating plan categorizes various streets each with their own particular code requirements. These codes, in association with the Old Town Downtown Development Plan, aims to promote Old Town Pearland as a walkable, pedestrian friendly district. The mixed -use district promotes multiple types of development, resulting in a downtown that will attract a variety and diversity of people. The full Old Townsite Downtown Development District Regulating Code can be provided by the City of Pearland Planning Department. Regulatory Plan 91 Proposed Changes to Page 94 - as per Council's suggestions on September 11, 2006. The red text indicates additions, the strike out indicates deletions. It the Council approves these text changes the original pdf document will be modified as shown here. FINANCE ACTION PLAN - TRANSIT PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR OPINIONOF PROBABLECOST OLD TOWNSITE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN $144MILLION Major Thoroughfares $31.8 Million Neighborhoods $40.1 Million Town Center $39.4 Million Parks & Drainage $32.7 Million OLD TOWNSITE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN WITH MINIMUM ON -SITE WATER RETENTION AND PARK SYSTEM $119MILLION Major Thoroughfares $31.8 Million Neighborhoods $37.9 Million Town Center $39.4 Million Parks $9.9 Million The opinion of probable cost is conceptual in nature, is intended to serve as a guide, and does not reflect actual costs. FINANCEACTIONPLAN Therefore uetomized strategy ated for the City of Pearland the Finance Action Plan (under separate cover) that addresses the following items over a five year timeframe. The Finance Action Plan i-s finance strategy will serve as a conceptual template guideline for elected officials, City staff, and the community over the near term as these entities move forward with the near term as these entities move forward with the revitalization of the Old Town Site and create a New Town Center. Critical elements in implementation would include: 1. Maximizing the impact of local share investments and protecting local value (federal advanced spending authority). 2. Consensus within the community and elected leaders to see this vision through to completion. 3 Availability of infrastructure Maximizing the impact of local share investments and protecting local value (federal advanced $p riity) e,i •tical elemen+j n of New Town Center from the Old Town Site ultimately will be dependent upon consensus within the n nity and elected leaders to s e this vision through to completion. The full Old Townsite Downtown Development District Finance Action Plan can be provided by the City of Pearland Planning Department. The opinion of probable cost, being conceptual in nature, is inherently assumption driven. All prices are in March 2005 dollars and as a result, no estimation for escalation has been included nor for site acquisition. (For more detail, please see the document entitled Opinion of Probable Cost - Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan). These are significant public improvement costs for a city the size of Pearland. Accordingly, successful implementation of the plan will require a strategy targeting a phased implementation of the core public improvements. Most importantly, the citizens and taxpayers in Pearland will be best served by maximum leverage of local investments to generate federal and state funds. 94 Old n AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION powilimPle) The Pearland Reporter News 2404 South Park Pearland, Texas 77581. State of Texas Brazoria and Harris Counties I, Llayd Morrow, hereby certify that the notice hereby appended was published in. THE REPORTER NEWS, a newspaper of general circulation in Brazoria, Harris and Galveston Counties, for / issues, as follows: No. / Date 4- V. 0 . • 20 No. - . Date 20 No. • Date .20 No. .Date 20. z • No. Date 20 Subscribe and 'sworn to before me this 20 OS- p Mega 41.01 FO so ' iiiiit • ,01...""" `!: LAURA ANTI EMMONS ..::,,A , .i. • • Notary Public, State of Texas -. • Commission Expires 09-09-200644, 411,,,,,if.44:14,....KIcita,lb :Alt *WA,* gm, it. 4, * 0 V.'S...VS.42- • - day of Laura Ann Emmons, Publisher Notary Public, State of Texas AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION The Pearland Reporter News 2404 South Park Pearland, Texas 77581 State of Texas Brazoria and Harris Counties I, Lloyd Morrow, hereby certify that the notice hereby appended was published in THE REPORTER NEWS, a newspaper of general circulation in Brazoria, Harris and Galveston Counties, for / issues, as follows: No. 1 Date S 20 No Date 20 No. Date 20 No Date 20 No. Date 20 s. • t•Abh A ANN EM M®NS Notary Public, State of Texas • fission Expires 09-09-2006 Comm it r•�..f Subscribe and sworn to before me this CFO Laura Ann Emmons, Publisher Notary Public, State of Texas c� fb, Ilia. f " 4r Published April 26, 2006 and May.3, 2006 NOTICE OF A JOINT PUB- 1 LIC HEARING OF THE j CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE s CITY OF . PEARLAND, TEXAS { 1. OLD TOWNSITE. ORDINANCE Notice is hereby given that on May 15, 2006, at 6:30 p.m., the City Council and ' Planning and . Zoning' Commission of the City of Pearlarid, in Brazoria, Hams r and Fort Bend Counties, r Texas, will conduct a joint ' public hearing in the Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland, Texas, on the request of the, City of ° Pearland, for approval of the Old Townsite Ordinance, generally affecting proper- ties on the North Side of Walnut Street, on the South Side of.Orange Street, on the West Side of Galveston Street, and on the East Side of Mykawa Road. At said hearing all interested parties shall have the right and opportunity to appear and be heard on the subject. Is/ Theresa Grahmann Senior Planner AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION The Pearland Reporter News 2404 South Park Pearland, Texas 77581 State of Texas Brazoria and Harris Counties I; Lloyd Morrow, hereby certify that the notice hereby appended was published in THE REPORTER NEWS, a newspaper of general circulation in Brazoria, Harris and Galveston Counties, for ( issues, as follows: No / Date 5 / 7 20 No Date 20 No. Date 20 No Date 20 No. Date 20 Subscribe and sworn to before me this / day of 20 0(10 LAURA ANN EMMONS Notary !Olin, State of Texas Commission Expires 09-09-2006 Laura Ann . Emmons, Publisher Notary Public, State of Texas e /fLi . Np. /Sa6 Published May 17, and ;May 24, 2006 NOTICE OF A JOINT PUB- ; LIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE ; PLANNING AND ZONING I COMMISSION OF THE CITY, OF ,PEARLAND, TEXAS _ OLD TOWNSITE ORDINANCE Notice is hereby given that on June 5, 2006, at 6:30 p.m., the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission.of the City of Pearland, in Brazoria, Harris and Fort Bend Counties, Texas, 'will conduct a joint public hearing in the Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland, Texas, on the request of the City of Pearland, for approval of - the Old Townsite Ordinance, generally affect- , ing properties on the North Side of Walnut Street, on the South Side of Orange 'Street, on the West Side of Galveston Street, and on the East Side of Mykawa Road. At said hearing all interest- ed parties shall have the right and opportunity to appear and be heard on the subject. Isf Theresa Grahmann Senior Planner - 'AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION The Pearland Reporter News 2404 South Park Pearland, Texas 77581 State of Texas grazoria and Harris Counties I,. Lldyd Morrow, hereby certify that the notice hereby appended was published - in THE REPORTER NEWS, a newspaper of general circulation in Brazoria, Harris -- - and Galveston Counties, for / •issues, as follows: .., , - 4 No: i Date cr-_24/ • - %,.. 20 No. • Date No. Date 20 . . No Date No. Date 20 20 Subscribe and•sworn to before me this 2 (.AURA ANWEMMONS Note, Public, State ot Texas COmmieslon Expires 09-09-2006 day of 20 Laura Ann ons, Publisher Notary Public, State of Texas De40 /30,4 n nen; .11/I C n CI r Published May 17, and May 24, 2006 NOTICE OF A JOINT PUB- LIC HEARING OF THE 1 CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIO.N OF THE j CITY OF PEARLAND, 1 TEXAS OLD TOWNSITE ORDINANCE Notice is hereby given that on June 5, 2006, at 6:30 p.m.,.the City Council and ' Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of a Pearland, in Brazoria, Harris and Fort Bend Counties, Texas, will conduct a joint public hearing in the Council Chambers of City ,Hall, located at 3519 Liberty -J Drive,, Pearland, Texas, on 1 the request of the City of Pearland, for approval of the : Old Townsite Ordinance, generally affect- ing properties on the North Side of Walnut Street, on the South Side of Orange Street; on the West Side of Galveston Street,'and on the East Side of Mykawa Road. ; I 'At said hearing.all interest- ° ed parties shall have the right and opportunity to appear and be heard on the subject. /s/ Theresa Grahmann Senior Planner ,Published Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, 2005 -NOTICE OF -A JOINT • (PUBLIC HEARING OF THE ,CITY COUNCIL AND THE ' RLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE :ITV OF PEARLAND, TEXAS )LD TOWN DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN Notice is hereby given that on October 17, 2005, at 6:30 p.m., the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Pearland, In Brazoria, Harris land Fort Bend Counties, Texas, will conduct a joint public, hearing in the 1. Pearland Center Auditor- ' ium; located:'at 2319. North Grand Boulevard, Pearland, i exas, on the requestof the City of Pearland for approval of the overall development plan for the " Old Town Downtown District. At said hearing all interest- ed parties shall have the ,; __right and opportunity to appear and be heard on the subject. /s/ Theresa Grahmann Senior Planner AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION •The Pearland Reporter News 2404 South Park Pearland, Texas 77581 State of Texas Brazoria and Harris Counties 4 ' I, Lloyd Morrow, hereby certify that the notice hereby appended was published in THE REPORTER NEWS, a newspaper of general circulation in Brazoria, Harris and Galveston Counties, for / issues, as follows: No. / Date id - 5- 20 -425:- of No Date 20 No. Date 20 No. .Date 20 ' No. Date Subscribe an 20 OC :frap Oldi ie. reve. e ae,is te-te•,.." Te!'411- 20 "Wig didi4 FO LAUR.A ANN EMMONS Notar, -'ublic, State of Texas Commis iri Expires 09-09-2006 4.10111401*,..4'0,ri*.• ' a• jetfo,30.4 day of t064- Laura nn Emmons, Publisher Notary Public, State of Texas Published Sept. 28 and Oct. I 5, 2005 NOTICE OF A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE I CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS OLD TOWN DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN . ' Notice is hereby given that on October 17, 2005, at 6:30 p:m., the City .Council and Planning and Zoning I Commission of the, City of 'I Pearland, in Brazoria, Harris and Fort Bend Counties, I Texas, will conduct a joint public hearing in the Pearland Center Auditor- ium, located at 2319 North Grand Boulevard, Pearland, Texas, on the request of the City of Pearland for approval of the ,overall development plan for the Old Town Downtown District. At said hearing all interest- ed parties shall have the right and opportunity to , appear and be heard on the subject. , is/ Theresa Grahmann Senior Planner Li CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS OLD TOWNSITE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN H3 STUDIO OCTOBER 2005 2 r r r CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS Tom Reid, Mayor Bill Eisen, City Manager Richard F. Tetens Councilmember Woodrow "Woody" Owens Councilmember Charles Viktorin Councilmember Larry R. Marcott Councilmember Kevin Cole Councilmember Nick Finan, Executive Director of Community Services Lata Krishnarao, Planning Manager Theresa Graham, Planner OLD TOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Stacy Adams Justin Brantley Luther Cunningham Sheryl Greiner Peggy Long Mickey Mark Carolyn McCoy Jack McGuff III Alma Nolen Brenda Riggs David Smith Carl Talbot PROJECT TEAM H3 Studio, Inc. John T. Hoal, Ph.D., AICP, Principal Laura L. Lyon, Project Manager, Senior Designer Mara M. Perry, AICP, Urban Designer Bryan Taylor Robinson Douglas K. Schuette Jason Easter The Goodman Corporation Barry Goodman, President Rick Beverlin, SeniorAssociate Carl Sharpe, Senior Associate Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan r �J r r INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND & PURPOSE PROJECT OBJECTIVE PLAN ORGANIZATION THE PLANNING PROCESS HISTORY ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS PROJECT CONTEXT URBAN DESIGN ANALYSIS CONCLUSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN OVERVIEW DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES CONCLUSION OLD TOWNSITE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN OVERVIEW DISTRICT PLAN COMPONENTS DISTRICTS & RECOMMENDATIONS IMPLEMENTATION OVERVIEW REGULATING THE PLAN FINANCE ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN & PHASING APPENDICES ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS SUMMARY OF PUBLIC MEETINGS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE AT CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT REGULATING CODE OPINION OF PROBABLE COST FINANCEACTION PLAN Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan 4 E T : 7 I' r fl [11 AERIAL OF EXISTING OLD TOWNSITE PUBLIC MEETING DISCUSSION PUBLIC MEETING BACKGROUND & PURPOSE The purpose of this document is to describe and illustrate the overall vision for the Old Townsite in Pearland, Texas and enable the City, property owners, and citizens to make informed decisions about future developments and enhancements. The plan was developed to address the issue of a lack of an identity for Pearland and its downtown. The plan capitalizes on the existing assets of the area while providing a framework for the future development of the downtown as well as a lack of economic and social vitality. The plan suggests the use of a public/private partnership to implement the plan and therefore increase the economic viability of the area and to develop the identity for Old Town Pearland. The changes and improvements outlined in this document will require careful coordination so that the City may continue the development of the Old Townsite. THE PROJECT OBJECTIVE The objective was to develop a consensus Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan that outlines design and development strategies to increase the economic vitality of the downtown area and results in a new image and sense of identity for downtown Pearland. PLAN ORGANIZATION The plan first provides a profile of the Old Townsite that summarizes the history and existing conditions of the area. Thereafter the plan addresses the future development of the area at two scales. First, the Development Strategy Framework Plan provides the organizational concepts that should guide the project area while taking into account the adjacencies. The second scale is the Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan. All the components of this urban design plan build upon the established framework. Finally, an implementation strategy is detailed, that is supported by an opinion of probable cost, finance action plan, regulatory plan and regulating code (under separate cover). 1 Old Townsite Downtown Development District P! a n THE PLANNING PROCESS l Community participation was the key to this planning process. Participation by the Old Townsite residents, community leaders, business owners, elected officials, and city staff brought many issues and ideas to the table and helped facilitate the development of the enclosed plan. The appointed Stakeholder Advisory Committee held five meetings throughout the process. Three well -attended public meetings were held within the Old Town project area at the community college. In addition, there were three city council workshops, over thirty stakeholder and developer interviews, and constant review and input from the city staff. In the course of the interviews and public meetings, the community shared their perceptions of the opportunities and challenges of the area and their vision for the future of the Old Townsite which has been incorporated. The planning process to complete this plan consisted of four phases. The four phases produced the following products: URBAN DESIGN ANALYSIS Including an analysis of the existing conditions of the Old Town to provide a baseline of information of the city's infrastructure and needs (including: History, Topography & Hydrology, Landscape, Building Analysis, Access & Circulation, Parking, Infrastructure, Political and Financial Jurisdictions, Land Use & Zoning in coordination with the Comprehensive Plan, Current Plans & Proposals) and An Analysis of the historical evolution and Summary Urban Design District Analysis of the Old Town site GOAL STATEMENT & PRINCIPLES The Goal Statement describes the role, character, and importance of the Old Town and downtown. A series of development principles which provide greater guidance on the site specific manner in which to realize the goal DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN Specific principle recommendations for improvements to the Old Town that are integrated into specific proposals OLD TOWNSITE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN Including an Implementation Strategy and a Finance Action Plan. REVIEW OF PUBLIC MEETING FEEDBACK PUBLIC MEETING DISCUSSION PUBLIC MEETING Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan 6 1980 TRAIN DEPOT LEAVES ITS SITE WEST OF THE TRACKS 1913 BROADWAY BUSINESS DISTRICT 1915 HURRICANE DEVASTATION ON BROADWAY HISTORY In 1892, William Zychlinski bought 2,560 prime acres of land surrounding the Mark Belt outpost along the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe rail line. Zychlinski platted out the original town site in 1894 and named the east west streets of Walnut, Pear, Broadway, Jasmine, Plum, and Orange. The north -south streets were named Austin, Pearland, San Antonio, Washington, Texas, Sacramento, Main, Houston, Grand, Park, and Galveston. A year later, the Southern Homestead Company took over the promotion of Pearland to people in the farm -belt states. The area was promoted as having fertile land bringing people from many Midwestem states to settle in Pearland. Early on, a business district formed at the intersection of what is now Main and Broadway. Basic businesses such as a hardware store, general store, lumber yard, printing office, and a hotel served the needs of the community. A four -room wooden schoolhouse and the railroad depot also graced this burgeoning village. The catastrophic hurricane of 1900, one of the worst natural disasters in the Gulf Coastal Plain, if not North America, destroyed nearly all of the early town of Pearland. The population was cut by almost three quarters and only a third of the children retumed to school after the mass exodus. To bring people back to the area, the Allison -Richey Land Company began promoting a new development, Suburban Gardens, a model community west of the railroad tracks. fifteen later, many new residents had moved in to repopulate the area. Many changes had occurred due to blight and weather. Farmers, unable to grow oranges, pears, or strawberries, had to choose new, staple crops. Figs became the area's new staple while cattle, hay, and family -owned dairies were growing economies. A two-story high school was completed in 1912 and roads were constructed connecting Pearland to other nearby communities. A second hurricane from the Gulf of Mexico blew through Pearland in 1915. The damage to the town was as disastrous as the 1900 hurricane. The top of the new high school was destroyed, and homes and businesses were scattered in little pieces across the fields and town site. Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan OLD TOWNSITE ORIGINAL PLAT SEPTEMBER 1894 PEARLAND ON THE CENTURY ATLAS MAP 1897 SEPTEMBER 1894 TOWN OF "PEAR -LAND" MAP Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan SUBURBAN GARDENS HOTEL 1950S PEARLAND COMMUNITY OF WHITE FRAME HOMES re The migration of people out of Pearland was also just as bad as in 1900. Both the hay and cattle industries dwindled due to these unforeseen circumstances, and the fig industry was the only one to grow due to a new processing plant in Pearland. Modernization and infrastructure began during this rebuilding of Pearland. In 1917, telephone lines were strung, and a public phone booth erected. By the late 1930s, with the discovery of oil outside Pearland and the rise in rice production, Pearland was doing well economically. Pearland became the location for dance halls and beer joints. Throughout the 1940s, Pearland grew slowly back to approximately the same population as in 1900, before the hurricane. By 1949, the city took its first steps towards becoming a town with the development of the Brazoria County Water Control and Improvement District Number Three. This helped to generate the funding for a water and sewer system. In the 1950s, the Lions Club became responsible for a number of improvements including garbage collection, sidewalk improvements, and streetlights. In 1960, with triple the 1940 population, the city now had a mayor, city council, and city marshal. After the incorporation of the city in 1959, the City of Pearland began a slow continual growth outward of both land and population. The train station in the Old Town closed and was later moved off site in 1980. In 1987, moving from the Old Town area, City Hall relocated to Liberty Avenue along with the train depot, currently the location of the Chamber of Commerce offices. In general, the pattern of high growth continues and as the Houston area grows, the City of Pearland is becoming an increasingly desirable location. Old Townsita Downtown Development District Plan tJ 1935 PEARLAND GARAGE A MOUNTED CONTINGENT IN THE FOUNDER'S DAY PARADE 1948 NEW BUILDING OF R. KLIESING'S CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SUPERINTENDENT H.C. °JUD" JOHNSTON IN THE FIG PLANT Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan I7 r 10 PEARLAND WATER TOWER PEARLAND JUNIOR HIGH WEST PEARLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY PROJECT CONTEXT Fifteen minutes from Houston, Texas, Old Town Pearland is located just east of the physical center of the City of Pearland and at the crossroads of SH 35/ Main Street, running north -south and FM 518/ Broadway Street, running east -west. The center of the Old Townsite, from the original platting of the City in 1894, is this Broadway and Main Street intersection. Along the northern edge of the study area, the Old Town drainage ditch system runs east -west, with a southern turn on Mykawa Road. On the southern boundary, Mary's Creek, the area's largest drainage collector runs, west -east to Old Dixie Farm Road. Today, Main and Broadway, the two primary commercial corridors, and the railroad tracks dissect the area into four quadrants. The quadrants are comprised of a variety of uses: commercial, retail, residential, and institutional (in the form of schools and faith -based institutions). Old Town also contains the original Grand Boulevard, which runs north and south through both eastern quadrants. The entire western edge of Old Town is residential neighborhoods. The eastem edge of Old Town is bounded by an institutional area with the educational campuses of multiple public schools continuing with strip commercial and residential beyond. Light industrial uses and vacant land (the old Pearland airport) are located to the north and the southeast, respectively. These quadrants of Old Town, due to their separation by non -pedestrian friendly streets and the barrier of the train tracks, have developed individual combinations of land uses and character. The northwest quadrant and southwest quadrants are primarily residential and are bordered to the east by the railroad tracks. The Broadway Street corridor running east -west between the two quadrants, contains most of the non-residential uses. The northeast and southeast quadrants are more mixed -use in nature and are also separated by the Broadway Street corridor and bounded to the west by the railroad tracks. Main Street also runs north - south through the two quadrants. The northeast quadrant is the location of most of the institutional uses with some residential. Old T o w n s i t o Downtown Development District P! a n •-9 1 OLD TOWNSITE BASE MAP r r Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan *h 17, 12 OLD TOWNSITE BASE MAP CURRENT DRAINAGE AT MARY'S CREEK IN PEARLAND SWALES IN THE OLD TOWNSITE URBAN DESIGN ANALYSIS OVERVIEW Pearland's original town site is one of many nineteenth century train depot townships engulfed by large -lot development, infiltrated by commercial strips, and subjected to commuter traffic derived from the 120,000+ people living within a five -mile radius of the area. Old Town site itself has approximately 1,100 residents, with 400+ households and 400+ additional housing units within the less than one square mile original plat. It measures approximately 0.65 by 0.64 of a mile and almost all of the area is within a ten minute or a one-half mile walking distance of Broadway and Main. The Old Town is now divided into four isolated areas — two neighborhoods west of the railroad and two mixed -use districts east of the railroad. Currently, there are zoning & design codes that do not address the unique qualities of Old Town. Thus, much of its original character has been lost and the visual boundaries have blurred with adjacent areas. As a result, the downtown has lost its identity, becoming a resultant of railroad and arterial dissections. TOPOGRAPHY & HYDROLOGY The Old Town area is relatively flat and is located within the 3000 square mile gulf coastal plain. The overall elevation of the city ranges from 45 to 65 feet above sea level. Brazoria Drainage District #4 has jurisdiction within the project area. According to FEMA, there is currently no flood plain within the boundaries of the Old Town site, however there is a floodplain located just south of the site. In the Old Town site, the high points of the area follow the rail line through the center of the site. Low points are located in a few key areas including the southeast quadrant of the site. There is an existing swale system in place throughout much of the Old Town site. The area is severely lacking in drainage facilities for detention and retention, especially north of Orange Street, along the west of the railroad and along Mary's Creek to the south. Many of these areas flood in times of severe rain and there remains standing water for some time after. Mary's Creek, a tributary of Clear Creek and one of the City's major drainageways, cuts through Pearland to the east. Currently, the flood plain is over a mile wide in areas west of S.H. 35. Further Old T e w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan f 1 t r t r r r r r r r 3 SCREEN CAPTURE OF CITY S FEMA MAP FROM WEBSITE FEMA MAPS SHOWING NO FLOODPLAIN WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE OLD TOWN SITE old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan 14 TREES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY STREET TREES PLAYGROUND IN ZYCHLINSKI PARK upstream in the upper end of the watershed, the flood plain is more contained where the creek has been channelized. The flood plain also narrows downstream from S.H. 35. A secondary drainageway is the Old Town Ditch, running parallel north of Orange Street and turning perpendicular at Mykawa Road. LANDSCAPE/OPEN SPACE The Old Town has an abundance of existing trees on privately owned land. The area is populated by many species of trees with canopies extending over the streets. Existing trees on residential lots shade many of the neighborhood streets. However, the two most prominent thoroughfares are sorely lacking trees and overall there is very little public landscape. Within the project area, seven trees have been identified as being historic. There is currently no official protection for these trees other than mitigation requirements. Other historic trees are located outside the project area. On a broader scale, there is very little formal or informal open space located within Old Town. As a whole and even with the somewhat recent addition of Independence and Centennial Parks — comprising 96+ acres, the City is below the standards of park and open space according to NRPA standards of 10- 12 acres per thousand people. In regards to national/regional standards, as well as residents' needs, the Old Townsite is lacking in mini or pocket parks, neighborhood parks, parkways, linear parks, and adequate drainage facilities. Only one small park, Zychlinski Park is located within Old Town, however, it is not owned by the City. It is a small-scale park that is not designed for public gatherings or events. The park has recently been upgraded and has walking paths, a children's playground and a basketball court. The next closest parks are Centennial Park in the southwest, and Independence Park located to the southeast of Old Town. These are larger scale parks, which hold community events. There are some officially marked bike lanes along FM 518 starting at the intersection with SH 35 but they do not continue and connect to the parks. There is an immediate need for the development of a city-wide open space system of trails and greenways that connect the entire City of Pearland together. Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan -17.,Y,M777:;77,n7la;i, I 15 lIETWARTO DRAINAGE DIAGRAM Oid Townsite Downtown Development District Plan OFFICE BUILDING ON GRAND BOULEVARD SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRIP RETAIL ON BROADWAY STREET BUILDING ANALYSIS Building Use The existing zoning in Pearland has led to segregated uses within the Old Town and the city as a whole. The Old Town has a mix of segregated uses including educational, light industrial, and small-scale commercial and retail uses along Main Street and Broadway Street. There is a predominance of institutional uses including a number of religious buildings along Grand Boulevard. Civic uses within the district include: five churches, an Adult Reading Center, the Pearland Neighborhood Center, and the Melvin Knapp Activities Building. Institutional uses include: Alvin Community College, Montessori School of Downtown, First Christian Academy, and the United Methodist Daycare. A few institutional uses are located to the west of the railroad tracks but the primary location for institutional uses is along Grand Boulevard. Residential uses are located primarily to the west of the railroad tracks and in the northeast corner of the site. Old Town is typically comprised of single-family residential consisting of one-story ranch -style homes with a few cottage -style structures. A few two-story apartment buildings, two-family homes and some townhouses are located in the area. Although there is a focus of retail and commercial uses along Main Street and Broadway Street, other small scale retail and commercial uses are scattered throughout the area. Fast food and small scale strip malls make up most of the retail uses along Main and Broadway. Other businesses are located in the southeast comer of the district. Some businesses are located in former residential buildings. Office uses are mixed in with the retail and commercial. Most of the commercial and office uses tend to be in isolated individual buildings. There are very few vacant structures located within the area. Vacant land which is more substantial is scattered throughout the downtown area and ranges from informal parking areas to grass covered open space. The majority of the vacant land is south of Broadway and east of the rail tracks. Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan rw. 'uF;g�irvcra CFt:- rd Oi� &,F(�?ryu�L61 ,ii !:P G �) .Wl CxI.:to lyf BUILDING USE: RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIALIOFFICE BUILDING USE: COMMERCIAL NM Sin 111.11 ME II= IMO 111111111 ISM ISM WIN IMMO ONO IMININ PIM WI Ina Mkt BIM NM 18 ONE AND A HALF STORY APARTMENT BUILDINGS TWO STORY CHURCH SINGLE STORY RESIDENTIAL Building Height Buildings in the Old Town area tend to be single story with very few two or more story structures. Larger religious institutions, a few apartment buildings and townhouses, and a handful of single family residential are two stories or more within the district. These structures are scattered throughout the area and do not form a higher density area. Building Condition Buildings in the downtown range from excellent to poor condition. The mix of building materials and styles varies throughout the downtown. Along Main Street and Broadway Street, the buildings are a larger scale commercial -style construction. Quite a few are stand-alone structures with parking surrounding them. Others are in a strip design with multiple commercial uses in one structure. Many of the homes in the residential neighborhoods have had recent improvements with some due to flooding damage. A number of new homes have been built in the area either on vacant land or in place of an existing structure that was removed. Others have made facade improvements and small additions. POLITICAL & FINANCIAL JURISDICTIONS The Old Town district is located within a few key jurisdictions. The entire area is located within Brazoria County Precinct 3 and within the Pearland Independent School District. Currently there are no TIF or TIRZ districts that effect the area. The Old Townsite is also not located within an empowerment or enterprise zone. However, parts of the Old Town boundaries have extended to include International Free Enterprise Zones. PROPERTY OWNERSHIP The Old Townsite district is primarily made up of parcels of land that are privately owned. There are very few sites that are publicly owned and those are scattered throughout the district. Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan aa • (LXYJ.re:':s.%e tta Cl a .. J:f th,s. rya : C1 a BUILDING HEIGHT: ONE STORY BUILDING HEIGHT: MULTIPLE STORIES c t3 0_ v) 0 n) E V) 0 c 0 rJ N 0 h 0 1111111 EMIR MIN ME INS MIS MIN MEI NM Ma ISM Eft lib lift 111111 11111116 NNW 11111161 20 MAIN STREET/ SH 35 BROADWAY STREET/ FM 518 CENTER TURN LANE ON BROADWAY STREET BLOCKS, LOTS, STREETS & ALLEYS Block Pattern & Lots In 1894, the Old Townsite was originally subdivided in a five by ten block structure with the streets oriented on a north/ south, east/west grid. The original boundaries were Orange, Walnut, Austin, and Galveston. This block structure in Old Town remains. The typical lot size for most of the Old Town site is only 25 feet wide by 125 feet deep (3,125 square feet). Larger residential -sized Tots can be found in the northernmost portion of the northeast quadrant. The generally small lot size has resulted in fragmented land ownership patterns over time making it more difficult to assemble larger tracts for singular uses. Although land ownership patterns have deterred development of a true central business district, they have helped to retain the overall small scale associated with historic town sites. Street Type Based on the existing City comprehensive plan, there are four different types of streets: Major Thoroughfares, Secondary Thoroughfares, Major Collector Streets and Minor Collector Streets. These four street types run through or are adjacent to the study area. In addition to those streets, there are also local neighborhood streets within the district. Thoroughfare streets include: SH 35/ Main Street, FM 518/ Broadway Street, Mykawa Road, and Veterans Drive. Collector streets include: Grand Boulevard, Walnut Street, Orange Street, and Galveston Avenue. Most of the interior neighborhood streets have a 60 foot right-of-way, narrow pavement widths, and open drainage ditches. Grand Boulevard has a 120 foot right-of-way width. This five block long street has a center esplanade that is landscaped in the outer two blocks and used for parking in the middle three blocks. The two major thoroughfares, Broadway/FM 518 and State Highway 35 /Main have 100 foot rights -of - way. Texas Department of Transportation has plans to widen Main Street north of Broadway. Historic Alley Location Alleys were originally platted throughout Old Town. The original plat defined alley rights -of -way as 20 feet wide; however, with few exceptions they have not been paved, Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan I LOCAL ® MAJOR COLLECTOR E MINOR COLLECTOR 8 MAJOR THOROUGHFARE ® SECONDARY THOROUGHFARE 1 ae nuaemea TREET PATTERNS HISTORIC ALLEY LOCATION 21 Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan 22 nI e1 f pr. CROSSWALK ADJACENT TO BROADWAY TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AT STREET INTERSECTIONS BICYCLIST ON TRAIL IN CENTENNIAL PARK AT MARY'S CREEK and several have been abandoned. Residential blocks within the district primarily run north and south with the alleys running down the center of the block. The blocks that end on Broadway have a "t" shaped alley that also runs east and west behind the businesses on Broadway. Many of the alleys are still in existence today but have been unimproved over the years. Several of the alleys have been fenced in as part of rear yards or are seriously overgrown. Very few of the alleys still serve vehicular traffic. ACCESS, CIRCULATION & PARKING Traffic Circulation All streets within the study area are two-way with the exception of a small section leading off of Broadway onto Cherry Street at the intersection with Austin Avenue. Grand Boulevard is separated by a median and parking but functions as a two way street. Very few crosswalks are located within the district. Crosswalks are located on Houston Avenue and Grand Boulevard just to the north and south of the intersections with Broadway. There are also some crosswalks across Galveston Avenue from the schools to parking lots. Two-way stop intersections are predominant throughout the neighborhood allowing through traffic in one direction. Four -foot wide bike lanes are located along Broadway Street east of Main Street. Sidewalks There is no consistent pattern of sidewalk placement or connectivity. Sidewalk width is primarily four feet and located at varying distances from the edge of the street. The northwest quadrant is the most consistent in having sidewalks around full blocks. The southwest quadrant has a number of north -south sidewalks but no full block sidewalks. The area to the east of the railroad tracks has very few sidewalks and their locations are sporadic. Railroad The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad runs through the district coming from the northwest to the southeast. Three at -grade crossings exist at Orange Street, Broadway Street, and Walnut Street. All other east -west street connections have been broken by the railroad and the street O I d T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan 1 1 1 1 23 PRIMEIEUEEITFEZEIEEMMIMZLTIIIELISMIIIOBSTZIZFEYI BIKE LANE F. SIDEWALK It7.11 TRAFFIC,SIGNA1 Fol STOP SIGN CROSSWALK TRAFFIC DEVICES Old Townsite Downtown Development District Flan 24 RAILROAD TRACKS CUTTING THROUGH STREET SYSTEM PARKING ALONG GRAND BOULEVARD PARKING ON GRAND BOULEVARD grid does not continue. Approximately twenty-seven trains per day come through the area. The rail line is located on a high point of district in what is a relatively flat topography. There is currently no potential for grade separation at Broadway due to the close proximity of major intersections such at the one with SH 35. This section of the railroad line is also the location of a switching station which runs alongside the rail line. The FM 518 Corridor Access Management Plan recommends better traffic signal coordination with train signals and long term ITS installation to provide advance warnings for motorists of approaching trains. Parking Due to the existing width of the street, there is no on -street parking within the context of the Old Town area. Most residential units have a driveway and a garage or parking pad. If additional parking is needed, many times people park over the sidewalk area in the front yards. The commercial and retail areas have off-street single -use parking lots. A number of the parking lots located in front of the strip commercial are pull -in parking directly off the street. This configuration usually has more curb cuts and driveways than a typical parking lot. Most off-street parking is in formal paved and striped lots. There are, however, a few informal lots, paved and unpaved, throughout the area. Old Town s i to Downtown D ev el o p rn en t District Plan RAILROAD PARKING Old T o w n s i t e Down t own Development District Plan [71 r_l 411 FVP P 26 INTERSECTION OF MAIN AND BROADWAY STREETS LAND ADJACENT TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS ORANGE STREET CURRENT PLANS & PROPOSALS SH 35 CORRIDOR STUDY The state corridor study is currently proposing widening of the existing right-of-way. The proposal includes expansion of SH 35 to seven lanes of traffic with one of thelanes being a centertum lane. Medians have also been proposed instead of the center turn lane in one option of the study. Some right-of-way acquisition will need to take place in order to develop the proposed corridor plan and it will affect some properties along SH 35. The City is planning on addressing issues such as sidewalks, landscaping, and lighting upgrades along the corridor. SH 35 MAJOR CORRIDOR FEASIBILITY STUDY (BY-PASS) Alignment options are currently being evaluated and one of several alternatives would be to develop a toll road adjacent to the railroad right-of-way. FM 518 CORRIDOR ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN The plan is proposing additional turn lanes at key intersections along FM 518/ Broadway Street. Future boulevard medians have been proposed along some blocks. Consolidation of driveways and signal timing improvements are two other key recommendations of the plan. OTHER PLANS & PROPOSALS The City of Pearland has developed a Thoroughfare Plan. Veterans Drive, Magnolia Road, Orange Street, Walnut Street, and Mykawa Road have been identified for future road restructuring, widening and/or beautification. The City of Pearland has recently completed a Facilities Plan which developed four options on how to address the City's future need for staff, departmental, and police/fire services. At this point in time there has been no formal decision on any of the options. The City is also beginning a parks master planning process. Other initiatives include: Alvin Community College has received a $1 million remodeling grant for their campus on Grand Boulevard; the Pearland Post Office, which is located just outside the southeast corner of the district, is adding a location in the west end of the City; and lastly, in coordination with this plan, a Unified Development Code has been developed for the entire city. Old Townsite Downtown Development District P ert ,r1 rtH ,IknaTer.V.-Am44,0100.7.e5...:P=.1 -4,10,4ten, . I • • CURRENT PLANS AND PROPOSALS EXISTING ZONING DISTR CTS '', v ,!,;];.: 5,, i; • . .'' ,:114 ..,11 i j,. k.::::::;::::::::''111:. . . • .• . . • .. - (,,,,,,•.i f i 4.°A 27 Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan 1.15 r n J 2J L I S PEOPLE IN CENTENNIAL PARK KIDS PLAYING ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET FAMILY IN CENTENNIAL PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The 1999 Comprehensive Plan and the 2004 Comprehensive Plan Update concluded that the Old Town site needed to be addressed in a proactive and unique manner. Some of the key principles and recommendations were: • Reinvent the Old Town as a modem [town center] with a compatible mix of residential and non residential uses. • Utilize the present street & alley grid as a framework. ■ Develop a corridor of large shade trees along Broadway and Main within the limits of the district. • Devise zoning standards that are both more flexible and more sensitive to design issues than conventional zoning. • Identify, preserve and protect historical buildings, which reflect Pearland's heritage. • Recognize and enhance the individual character of each of the four quadrants that comprise the area. • Each neighborhood should contain a central focus area such as a square or park that is of appropriate size and that is centrally located within the neighborhood. • Neighborhoods along {water} should be encouraged to provide parks, walking trails and areas along the waterfront accessible to the public. Lakes should be designed such that they are visible from streets and enhance the character of the entire development. • The district should include a well -planned and integrated mix of residential, business and public/ semi-public uses. ■ Create a unique, inner-city community that contrasts with and provides an altemative to standard land development patterns seen elsewhere throughout the City. • The City should develop a master street tree planting plan. Old T e ran si to C can town Development District P l a n r r LIGHT:RESIDENTIAL Q MEDIUM RESIDENTIAL. HIGH RESIDENTIAL El GENERAL BUSINESS COMMERICAL/OFFICE/RETAIL PARKS & RECREATION VILLAGE DISTRICT ■ PUBLIC/SEMI PUBLIC LIGHT INDUSTRIAL 29 2004 FUTURE LAND USE PLAN 2004 FUTURE LAND USE PLAN - CITY OF PEARLAND Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan 30 n i� 1117' OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT IS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OPEN SPACE CAN FACILITATE CITY DRAINAGE ISSUES PEOPLE ENJOYING CENTENNIAL PARK �ryxcn N D • Acquire public open space along the west side of the railroad to develop a heavily treed landscape buffer. A visual buffer from the railroad would also encourage development of currently vacant lots. • Incorporate smaller sized gathering places within private developments. • Creating meaningful open spaces is important to the overall design of local neighborhoods. Future roads should be planned to enhance the image of the City. Also, the multiple -family dwelling units would have to be provided as part of a mixed use development, wherein retail and/or office uses would be located at least on the ground level with apartment, loft -type residences located on the floor(s) above. • Public spaces such as a park or formalized outdoor space should be integrated into any TND development. CONCLUSION Although their downtown does not exist as one thinks of a traditional downtown, the residents and citizens in Pearland still relate to the Old Town site (Diagram 1) as their City's Center, their downtown. Over the years, citizens have worked towards building off the existing assets to develop businesses and homesteads in the area. While there have been some notable successes resulting from this work, downtown still faces a variety of challenges including the railroad (Diagram 2). Through the analysis of existing conditions and public meetings, the opportunities from which to build upon have been identified, as well as the issues and challenges for the area. These were listed in great detail in the Summary of Public Meetings in the Appendix. As the region grows, Pearland's new outlying residential/ commercial areas to the east, and especially to the west, draw residents and users to the outer ends of the city leaving Old Town bisected, vacuous with a lack of identity and no contemporary appeal (Diagram 3). Therefore, it is perceived as a declining area. Downtown must be more proactive in Old Tewnsite Downtown Development District Plan aro 17 DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 4 DIAGRAM 7 DIAGRAM 2 DIAGRAM 5 DIAGRAM 8 DIAGRAM 3 DIAGRAM 6 DIAGRAM 9 31 Ole T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan r L; DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN 35 Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan 1110 PRINCIPLE 1: MOVE THE RAIL SWITCHING STATION FROM THE CENTER OF OLD TOWN AND PROVIDE SAFE PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR RAIL CROSSING AT ORANGE, BROADWAY AND WALNUT STREETS. Historically, the railroad has been the reason for the establishment of the Old Townsite. The old train depot was the center of activity as the City of Pearland came into being. However, today the railroad and the switching station bisects the Old Town into distinct east and west halves which are difficult to connect. In addition, the impact of the traffic and significant sound pollution suggest that the switching station needs to be relocated. The new location of the switching station should be determined after further study. Currently, there are three streets which cross the railroad tracks. These at -grade crossings need to become pedestrian and vehicular friendly for safe movement from one side of the district to the other. PRINCIPLE 1 The'Death antiLife `iif reaf Atnerica t Cities 3; Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan 38 r PRINCIPLE 2 IA E PRINCIPLE 2: LA DEVELOP WELL -FUNCTIONING WALKABLE TREE - LINED STREETS THROUGHOUT THE OLD TOWN. IN PARTICULAR, RENOVATE MAIN STREETAS A GREAT COMMERCIAL AVENUE; BROADWAY AND WALNUT STREETS AS A ONE-WAY COUPLET SYSTEM WITH MIXED USE; AND IMPROVEALL OTHER STREETS TO TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET AND PARKING DESIGN STANDARDS. MAIN STREET The design of Main Street should fully support the potential urban character and activities of the area. It needs to support relatively high traffic volumes to the Town Center and through the city. The design should accommodate multimodal uses and appropriate built infrastructure to support a urban retail corridor. Buildings should have zero - lot line frontages and on -street parking with no intermediate block curb cuts. For a successful retail corridor, the target speed for the street should be less than thirty miles per hour. Main Street should have a median to the north of the Old Town Ditch and to the south of Walnut Street, but not between. Additionally, through the Old Townsite, there should preferably be only two travel lanes in both directions with on -street parking except at key times when traffic is at its maximum. THE BROADWAY/WALNUT COUPLET Currently, the parallel streets of Broadway/518 and Walnut run east -west through the heart of the Old Town site. The traffic system may be simplified, and expanded capacity, and improved efficiency by redefining Broadway/518 and Walnut as a couplet system. This will result in narrower and more pedestrian friendly one-way east -west streets that facilitate a mix of uses. Mixed use buildings should have zero -lot line frontages and on -street parking along the couplet corridor while the residential areas are set back to match the existing. Old Toi.kosite Downtown Development District Plan 0 DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 4 DIAGRAM 7 DIAGRAM 2 DIAGRAM 5 DIAGRAM 8 DIAGRAM 3 DIAGRAM 6 DIAGRAM 9 31 01e Townsite Downtown Development District Plan r r i C r 32 SANTA FE TRAIN AT THE PEARLAND DEPOT PEARLAND CITY HALL DOWNTOWN FESTIVALS AND EVENTS strengthening its institutions, visual and specialty market appeal and it must broaden the target users that it addresses to do so. At the same time, it must also nurture new uses in existing buildings and update the public infrastructure for use and aesthetics. The existing development, permitting, and regulating process needs to be organized to assure a straight forward process for new or the renovation of existing buildings (Diagram 5). Old Town, though surrounded by residential neighborhoods, does not have a significant residential population. Having a significant number of people living, working, and enjoying a downtown area will help improve the overall business environment and vitality. Downtown residents help provide an atmosphere of activity and occupation that will help to overcome perceptions of crime and safety. The lack of a safe, comfortable pedestrian environment for walking within the downtown or connecting to adjacent neighborhoods can have a negative effect on bringing people back to the area Diagram 4). Services such as grocery stores, drug stores, banks, hairdressers, bakeries, health clubs, doctors offices, restaurants, specialty retail and entertainment venues also need to exist for those choosing to live in or near the downtown. These provide the impetus for residents to begin constructing their social community. They will continue to utilize their lifestyle centers for not only their everyday necessities, but also interactions with others and their personal choices of goods and services. There is a large amount of undeveloped land, however the property holders are many and mostly private citizens, and the parcels tend not to be adjacent. The incentive for the development is "market exclusivity" and an "anchor development of scale" (Diagram 9) to support and assist the incremental change. The market niche that the Old Town could adapt to is a primarily residential town center supported by a civic/government anchor and adjacent Traditional Neighborhood Developments. Old Townsite Downtown Development District Pan r DIAGRAM 10: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES 33 Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Pion n r r rL2 34 OVERVIEW The Development Strategy Framework Plan looks to create opportunities and establish a compelling vision to foster confidence and provide broad direction for mutually supportive and integrated public, private, and community projects in order to create a distinctive, viable Downtown Pearland. DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN The Development Strategy Framework Plan looks to organize future growth for optimal impact on the surrounding area. The overall framework for Old Town Pearland establishes the matrices by which to enhance, develop, integrate and grow the necessary systems to ensure a vital community. Fundamental to any successful urban environment is its organization into links and nodes. A node is a place, building or combination thereof that is seen as a desirable place to go for a particular purpose. A Zink is a route, typically a street that makes a direct and effective connection between two or more destinations. While all elements of an urban area are important in their own right, certain streets are simply more important than others, as are certain places or destinations. The framework seeks to create a healthy community by balancing economic, community and environmental imperatives. Old Town Pearland will now be uniquely placed at the crossroads of a greenway system. Once a vital corridor for rails, this system when revitalized and given access, it can become the recreation and life -enhancing spine for Old Town, and the City. An easily accessible circulation framework is imperative for people and vehicles. Health and safety must be integrated within a broad movement network to include walking, biking, transit and driving. The movement network must include the built system as it connects to the open space and trail systems. The network must connect not only on a community level, but also to a citywide and regional system. In this case, the regional system would be the Mary's Creek, park and trail system, but it will also connect through the Brazoria County system as well. r Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan r r r DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN 35 Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan 36 DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK uires as acritical come ices ° that promote cessibility and .creativi irk"hte integratioiJ that o e neighborhoods and egrates well into mixed vironnenfs because o, The Development Strategy Framework Plan is comprised of six district -scale principles and one city-wide principle. PRINCIPLE 1: MOVE THE RAIL SWITCHING STATION FROM THE CENTER OF OLD TOWN AND PROVIDE SAFE PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR RAIL CROSSING AT ORANGE, BROADWAY AND WALNUT STREETS. PRINCIPLE 2: DEVELOP WELL -FUNCTIONING WALKABLE TREE -LINED STREETS THROUGHOUT THE OLD TOWN. IN PARTICULAR, RENOVATE MAIN STREET AS A GREAT COMMERCIAL AVENUE; BROADWAY AND WALNUT STREETS AS A ONE-WAY COUPLET SYSTEM WITH MIXED USE; AND IMPROVE ALL OTHER STREETS TO TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET AND PARKING DESIGN STANDARDS. PRINCIPLE 3: FOCUSED UPON GRAND BOULEVARD DEVELOP A NEW TOWN CENTER WITH AN INTEGRATED MIX OF USES INCLUDING RETAIL, COMMERC/ALAND RESIDENTIAL USES, COMMUNITY ACTIVITY CENTERS, ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES, PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS. PRINCIPLE 4: INCLUDEA CIVICIGOVERNMENT CENTER AND PUBLIC PLAZA IN THE NEW TOWN CENTER AS AN ANCHOR, GATHERING PLACE AND CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY AT THE SOUTHERN TERMINUS OF GRAND BOULEVARD. PRINCIPLE 5: PROVIDE OLD TOWN WITH A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF INTERCONNECTED NEIGHBORHOOD AND DISTRICT PARKS, TREE -LINED SIDEWALKS, TRAILS, BIKEPATHSAND OTHER OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES WHILE PROVIDING IMPROVED DRAINAGE, DETENTION AND RETENTION FOR THE AREA. PRINCIPLE 6: INTEGRATE EXISTING ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS INTO THE NEW TOWN CENTER AND PROPOSED PARK SYSTEM. PRINCIPLE 7: CONNECT AND INTEGRATE OLD TOWN INTO A CITYWIDE CORRIDOR PLAN BY DEVELOPING A MASTER PLAN FOR MAIN STREET FROM OLD TOWN SITE TO THE BELTWAY AND FOR THE ADJACENT COMMERCIAL AREAS ALONG BROADWAY/518 Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District P! a n r iPAt i PRINCIPLE 1: MOVE THE RAIL SWITCHING STATION FROM THE CENTER OF OLD TOWN AND PROVIDE SAFE PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR RAIL CROSSING AT ORANGE, BROADWAY AND WALNUT STREETS. Historically, the railroad has been the reason for the establishment of the Old Townsite. The old train depot was the center of activity as the City of Pearland came into being. However, today the railroad and the switching station bisects the Old Town into distinct east and west halves which are difficult to connect. In addition, the impact of the traffic and significant sound pollution suggest that the switching station needs to be relocated. The new location of the switching station should be determined after further study. Currently, there are three streets which cross the railroad tracks. These at -grade crossings need to become pedestrian and vehicular friendly for safe movement from one side of the district to the other. PRINCIPLE 1 Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan n I< jf 38 PRINCIPLE 2 PRINCIPLE 2: DEVELOP WELL -FUNCTIONING WALKABLE TREE - LINED STREETS THROUGHOUT THE OLD TOWN. IN PARTICULAR, RENOVATE MAIN STREETASA GREAT COMMERCIAL AVENUE; BROADWAY AND WALNUT STREETS AS A ONE-WAY COUPLET SYSTEM WITH MIXED USE; AND IMPROVEALL OTHER STREETS TO TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET AND PARKING DESIGN STANDARDS. MAIN STREET The design of Main Street should fully support the potential urban character and activities of the area. It needs to support relatively high traffic volumes to the Town Center and through the city. The design should accommodate multimodal uses and appropriate built infrastructure to support a urban retail corridor. Buildings should have zero - lot line frontages and on -street parking with no intermediate block curb cuts. For a successful retail corridor, the target speed for the street should be less than thirty miles per hour. Main Street should have a median to the north of the Old Town Ditch and to the south of Walnut Street, but not between. Additionally, through the Old Townsite, there should preferably be only two travel lanes in both directions with on -street parking except at key times when traffic is at its maximum. THE BROADWAY/WALNUT COUPLET Currently, the parallel streets of Broadway/518 and Walnut run east -west through the heart of the Old Town site. The traffic system may be simplified, and expanded capacity, and improved efficiency by redefining Broadway/518 and Walnut as a couplet system. This will result in narrower and more pedestrian friendly one-way east -west streets that facilitate a mix of uses. Mixed use buildings should have zero -lot line frontages and on -street parking along the couplet corridor while the residential areas are set back to match the existing. Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS A traditional street grid offers an efficient way to address key issues of traffic management and access, while supporting neighborhoods that are pedestrian -friendly and walkable. In the Old Town site, there remains the original street grid from when the town was originally platted in 1894, although most of the alleys are no longer in full use. The strength of the existing street/ alley grid is a significant feature in the area and an important asset for connectivity, access, and identity; and therefore should be retained. The proposed cross section would provide two lanes of travel and on street parking on both sides. The proposed cross section not only provides for underground utility corridors and drainage, but quality street amenities such as shade trees, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings. The new neighborhood streets are designed to improve accessibility and circulation in the neighborhoods while providing access to adjacent residential areas. TYPICAL MAIN STREET CHARACTER IMAGE TYPICAL MIXED USE AVENUE CHARACTER IMAGE 39 Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan n d nr 14' 40 .a.a.o.__.�......,.....�,..r......�..._......�.rw., r.�..kv..; hb..a..a,»��.2'.�..- ....-k.._.._.,r ...,..:. ._.,...e ,.. .,v.,..�i*..� .ua�,..:.+`.� ....: �.. ....,��,_.3..,.0.,....v..,..,..,..yzaErmrac..«_4mm...w...2..1 PRINCIPLE 3 TOWN CENTER CHARACTER IMAGE PRINCIPLE 3: FOCUSED UPON GRAND BOULEVARD DEVELOP A NEW TOWN CENTER WITH AN INTEGRATED MIX OF USES INCLUDING RETAIL, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES, COMMUNITY ACTIVITY CENTERS, ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES, PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS. Given the community's desire to create a vital downtown area and to address the issue of identity, there is a need to complete a project of scale that will become an anchor for the revitalization of this area, hence a new town center. Grand Boulevard, as the community's perceived "heart and spine", is a natural focus for the Old Town community around which a new town center should be developed. The new town center should be located to maximize the potential of undeveloped land; the city/regional connectivity; and traffic volumes associated with Broadway and Main Street. The mix of uses should support a user's daily string of events from morning through the evening while providing a high quality level of public amenities including: public parking, public gathering space, green space, walking environment, community center, educational programs, medical support facilities, shared parking and business services, etc. The active sidewalks and high -quality public spaces will attract and retain customers, as well as the current users from the institutions along Grand Boulevard. Old Town s i to Downtown Development District Pia n ;[1 r r n PRINCIPLE 4: INCLUDE A CIVICIGOVERNMENT CENTER AND PUBLIC PLAZA IN THE NEW TOWN CENTER AS AN ANCHOR, GATHERING PLACE AND CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY AT THE SOUTHERN TERMINUS OF GRAND BOULEVARD. Successful town centers have an anchor that assists the retail component: a library, government center, local museum, major recreation center, entertainment complex and/or specialty supermarket. The anchor needs to generate or attract day and night pedestrian traffic in order to activate and enliven the streetscape and economic environs. Establishing the Old Townsite's connection to the Town Center through the public space of Grand is imperative. The proposed boulevard design begins to change character as it shifts from landscape medians to paving designed for special events and festivals. To reinforce this transformation, the revitalizing new anchor should be placed as the terminus of the southern tip of Grand Boulevard, ending in a large public space/plaza. PRINCIPLE 4 TYPICAL ANCHOR'AND CIVIC PLAZA CHARACTER IMAGE 41 Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan 42 PRINCIPLE 5 NEW PARK WITH DETENTION & RETENTION POND PARK & GREENWAYALONG EXISTING RAIL.CO,RRIDOR z; NEW PARKWITH DETENTI•ON & RETENTION POND;: THE OLDTOWN DITCM NEW PARK WITH DETENTION & RETENTION POND & GREENW A ALONG EXISTING"RAIL CORRIDO INFORMAL PARK/GREENSPACE. ADJACENT TO BROADWAY& Ti ACADEMIC CAMPUSES NEW PARKWITH DETENTION''& RETENTION PONIJ & GREENWA NEWTOWNCENTERPARK„ NARY S CREEK CENTENNIAL PARK & EXPANSION AREA + NEWyTOYUN CENTER PARK WITF DETENTION/RETENTION PONDS` PARK & DETENTION AREA.'; ALONG BROADWA'Y 0 n PRINCIPLE 5: PROVIDE OLD TOWN WITHA UNIQUE COMBINATION OF INTERCONNECTED NEIGHBORHOOD AND DISTRICT PARKS, TREE -LINED SIDEWALKS, TRAILS, BIKE PATHS AND OTHER OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES WHILE PROVIDING IMPROVED DRAINAGE, DETENTIONAND RETENTION FOR THE AREA. The Old Town contains only one existing park. This park, Zychlinski Park, has recently been renovated and upgraded to contain children's playground equipment, a walking path and a basketball court. One on -street bike path is located on Broadway Street but it does not connect to the park. Thus Old Town is substantially short of usable and convenient park space. Recreational amenities and open space are key in the development of the district as a whole. A series of parks should be developed to serve the needs of the residents. These parks should connect to one another, to an overall city-wide parks system through bike paths, trails and tree -lined sidewalks; and should serve as necessary drainage infrastructure for the Old Town. The amenities in the proposed park and open space should cater to the needs of the residents that live nearby. The plan for open space was developed to address issues of drainage, detention/retention as well as to connect to Mary's Creek, the Old Town Ditch, Centennial Park, and future greenways. Multiple options were developed to resolve these issues and provide a system of open space for the Old Townsite as well as the City as a whole. These options are shown on the diagram as open space opportunities conceptually and shall be used as a planning tool only. More detailed studies are needed for exact placement in the future. Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan r j i PRINCIPLE 6: INTEGRATE EXISTING ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS INTO THE NEW TOWN CENTERAND PROPOSED PARK SYSTEM. There are existing residential developments surrounding Old Town and the location of the new Town Center. All of these developments need to be interconnected in order to form a more cohesive viable downtown district with a residential base supporting the entertainment, commercial, retail, and business uses. For example by extending the existing neighborhood street from the east, Church Street, Windsor Road, and Westminister Drive, the Town Center ties into the existing framework of the city as well as allowing access to services and ease of circulation through the district. The original Old Townsite becomes braided into the new town center through the redesign of Grand as a special events space and boulevard terminating into a large civic plaza. Additionally, the park system in turn, becomes connected to a broader network through users and additional on -road linkages. In order to enhance the economic development potential of the new town center, ensure the necessary social, economic and physical connections of existing and future developments to the Old Town; the three tracts of land south of Mary's Creek should be rezoned as traditional neighborhood developments. Traditional neighborhood developments are compact and are also meant to be "pedestrian friendly." and include a mix of housing styles, types, and sizes to accommodate households of all ages, sizes, and incomes. Compact development patterns, promote a more efficient use of land and lower the costs of providing public infrastructure. PRINCIPLE 6 TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET CHARACTER IMAGE TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CHARACTER IMAGE 43 Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan DE 1E PRINCIPLE 7 PRINCIPLE 7: CONNECT AND INTEGRATE OLD TOWN INTO A CITYWIDE CORRIDOR PLAN BY DEVELOPING A MASTER PLAN FOR MAIN STREET FROM OLD TOWN SITE TO THE BELTWAY AND FOR THE ADJACENT COMMERCIAL AREAS ALONG BROADWAYI518 Placing the Old Town within a focused regional -scale context, including transportation corridors, will maximize the potential for success of the project. Adjacent to and within the project area, most of the current corridors have been over zoned for commercial. The Urban Land Institute recognizes that commercial zoning into strip corridors with no end points has become an outmoded and economically unsupportable practice. The Urban Land Institute also maintains that suburban strip commercial areas will remain economically competitive if, and only if, the street and adjacent land uses are considered as a unit. This means the street design supports the adjacent development type; and, thus, the design creates a sense of place and identity. Therefore, is critical for the success of the Old Townsite to plan a series of commercial "pulse nodes" along Main and Broadway such as the New Town Center with the beltway and Broadway/518 as the main entry point for visitors. These pulse nodes should be complementary in nature to the New Town Center. Old T ot n s i t e Downtown Developme n t District Plan 45 CONCLUSION These principles put forth in the Development Strategy Framework Plan provide functional and aesthetic benefits to the Old Town Pearland to be developed further detail in the Old Town Downtown Development District Plan. The benefits emerging through the framework establishes public infrastructure; encourages private investment in retail, commercial, and residential uses; increases densities; and enhances the pedestrian environment. To that end, the framework plan includes a series of public improvement recommendations for neighborhoods, parkland and drainage detention/retention, streets, and pedestrian "streetscape improvements, " which include sidewalks, landscaping, irrigation, lighting, and street furniture. This type of unique site development in Pearland, combined with an aggressive marketing plan to the private sector, would attract infill development of vacant properties for retail, office, and residential uses. Due to the lack of vacant properties within the Old Townsite, the New Town Center should reuse adjacent vacant parcels, such as the Old Pearland Airport, to build the mixed -use specialty destination center at the intersection of the main thoroughfares of the area. The city has a need and desire for development such as this, not only to provide immediate amenities to the residents of Old Town and surrounding citizens, but also to establish a high quality dense residential opportunities for the region, such as townhouses and condominiums. To this effort, create a centralized location for a civic/governmental anchor and the new civic plaza at the southern end of the corridor and create a major park/drainage area at the northern end of the Grand Boulevard corridor. Public open spaces throughout Old Town, and especially in the New Town Center, should be designed to be inhabited, not solely viewed, as well as to give life and urban character to the neighborhood. Existing civic institutions such as the community college and library, existing churches and religious institutions, and the future senior center will also help create a central community focus within the corridor. In the future, scheduling of major community events, parades, and festivals along the corridor will emphasize a sense of place that has been created for Pearland and will serve as an additional marketing/branding identity mechanism for the New Town Center. Additionally, a creation of a transit -pedestrian corridor within the Old Town Site would provide a mechanism by which users could fully experience the capital improvements such as streetscape amenities. Old Tow n s i to Downtown Deve l o p rn e n t District P la n L r r 46 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PLAN GATHERING SPACE CHARACTER IMAGE OPEN SPACE CHARACTER IMAGE OVERVIEW The Old Town must return as the city center with an even more vigorous economy and diversity of uses. It should be the center for live, work, team and play. Comprised of four districts on which to build it's future upon the emotive strengths of the past, the Old Town will emerge as an vital hub for Pearland. With the corridors and the proposed town center, the business sector should gain a key position in professional services and establish itself as the place to be for new innovative start-ups. Old Town should build on it's past role as the center of civic progress. Current conditions within the Old Town include buildings of widely varying type, size, mass and relationship to the street. The overall effect is haphazard and disorganized, but it can change over time as development and redevelopment occur. The intention is to create conditions within which these anticipated changes can occur, as warranted, and, at the same time, create harmony among buildings in the Old Town site. The Old Town Downtown Development District Plan is an illustration of the Tong -term vision of the Old Town that incorporates and integrates all the ideas and principles generated through the community planning process. Four districts have been identified in the plan: the Historic Neighborhood District, the Existing Neighborhood District, the Arts, Culture, and Education District, and the New Town Center. These districts will form a strengthened foundation in and around the downtown and will help re-establish this layer in the urban fabric and support vitality in the downtown. At the same time physical initiatives are ongoing, the social aspects of community must be addressed by developing a "sense of community" for Old Town neighborhoods and districts and by utilizing key buildings, streets, public spaces, parks and recreational amenities. The edges of the commercial districts provide a mixed -use buffer to the neighborhoods. While these business and retail corridors become redeveloped, revitalized, and leveraged from private and public investment, the adjacent neighborhoods will once again begin to be visually and physically reconnected through greening and streetscape improvements. Parking Old Townsite Downtown Development District P!an fi 0 0 I DOWNTOWN, HOUSING AND OPEN SPACE CHARACTER IMAGES t is t ^ 11.3 te. _ i . ‘i! . — -:• r 04,_70- 4,,.:, , , - .....±,.... ,. LL t v Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan r r r r 48 TYPICAL DOWNTOWN CHARACTER IMAGE TYPICAL DOWNTOWN CHARACTER IMAGE TYPICAL DOWNTOWN CHARACTER IMAGE will become integrated within a pedestrian system versus dominant. The Plan will be codified and integrated into Pearland's zoning code using a form -based code consisting of a regulatory plan correlated to urban and architectural codes, and street standards. The form -based codes regulate the type and placement of buildings, the public realm, and streets and parking, factors that influence the character of the town. The Old Town Downtown Development District Plan is based upon the development strategy framework plan consisting of organizational concepts that should guide development in the area. All the components of the plan build upon this framework of Districts, Neighborhoods, Transportation and Open Space. Districts and Neighborhoods are terms used to describe a geographic area in a city by its primary land use types while having a strong locational or historical identity. Transportation encompasses not just vehicular transportation but also all forms of public transportation. Open Space refers to all types of parks, plazas, boulevards and informal spaces connected by pedestrian and bicycle connections through trails and greenways. the plepisbased upon the need to pt ovtde incentive o the market to buildthe type of development tha orresponds to the community's aspirations Old Townsite Downtown Develo R m e n t D i s t r i c t Plan 4- - • OLD TOWN DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN :ffJ , 9 ,•."-," .„. ' . 2 - - • , . 49 1 L Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan 0 0 r r 50 t72..aT.SM:75..-. — =MT_,EW�...r=_:72,.ate ,.. 4..__ 772MZla NEIGHBORHOOD STREET CHARACTER IMAGE OPEN SPACE AND PARKS CHARACTER IMAGE DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE CHARACTER IMAGE DISTRICTS & NEIGHBORHOODS Overlaid on the framework are the four districts each with their own identity and mix of amenities: two distinct traditional neighborhoods; one civic, arts and educational district centered upon the Community College; and one mixed -use walkable traditional town -center with new govemmental and civic buildings. Until a name is selected to demonstrate the unique qualities of each district, they following names will be referenced as: Historic Neighborhood District, Existing Neighborhood District, Arts, Culture, & Education District, and New Town Center. The districts need to further be defined with traditional streetscapes, improvements to existing utilities, and an architectural code for the area. Within the four districts, all the neighborhoods should maintain the good housing stock and redevelop the buildings in poor condition or empty Tots. Downtown must regain its walkable qualities for livability and future sustainability of the quality of life. Select adjacent properties within the north- east quadrant of the town center should become multi -use as live/work, residential on second and third floors to provide density and diversity of use. The schools throughout the project area should be viewed as strong community assets and the necessary aforementioned anchors. They provide the social and high-level of education necessary to attract families to Old Town. As nodes within the system their proximity to the parks and rail corridors, Main and Broadway, and the proposed town center, provide a walkable and complimentary relationship integral to the plan. Through connectivity and linking the residents from these areas to the central businesses and schools, the new town center will become the primary core in which residents can maintain a high-level of use and livability within their own community. Visitors and economic sustainability will be drawn and thrive in such an area. AMENITIES, SIGNAGE & PUBLIC ART Amenities on the street play a critical role in creating an inviting pedestrian experience in a retail district. These amenities can include seating, bicycle racks, trash receptacles, signage and newspaper racks. Seating 01U Townsite Downtown Development District Plan !1* SI c HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT 51 ARTS, CULTURE AND EDUCATION DISTRICT NEW TOWN CENTER DISTRICT Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan 52 nl r r r r INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE ON STREETSCAPE PUBLIC ART IN THE STREETSCAPE ON STREET BIKE LANES expands opportunities for people to use the street, especially in commercial streetscapes. Seating can be in many forms from benches to pieces of public art. Tree grates are an attractive way to protect trees planted in a paved area. Bicycle racks should be provided within the streetscape to encourage bicycle use. Trash receptacles should be easily accessible for pedestrians and trash collection. They must be carefully placed to be unobtrusive yet effective. Newspaper racks and enclosures should serve the public without compromising pedestrian circulation and the appearance of the street. Amenities such as benches, trash receptacles and newspaper racks should be clustered together whenever possible with one grouping per block at the expanded corner of the sidewalk. A clear, coordinated and exciting wayfinding and signage system for pedestrians in Old Town is essential for creating a pedestrian -friendly, distinctive environment. Signs can include maps that identify destinations, public parking locations, or transit. The overall look of the signage should help direct people while also providing a district identity. Public art can provide a community identity to the area. Expressing this identity celebrates what is unique about the community, transforming the ordinary, honoring and valuing the past as well as expressing the direction of the community's future. Public art should become a critical part of buildings and the districts. Art can be incorporated into all aspects of the streetscape in the form of awnings, signage, illumination, sculpture, landscape and storefronts. TRANSPORTATION The transportation framework connects Old Town districts to one another and the rest of the City through a system of streets and gateways incorporated into the existing grid system, with Broadway and Walnut become a couplet system. The street types provide various modes of mobility between districts, around the City and beyond into the region. Collector streets provide a mobility function by connecting to arterial streets while also providing access points to development. Local streets provide access to development fronting onto the streets. This framework recognizes that many of the street types will diversify over time with the redevelopment/development of Old Town. Old T o w n s i t o Downtown Development District P a n r r Nal lr� 0 r?3 J1-1(rIIGHt,0 WAY EXISTING MAIN STREET BELTWAY TO OLD TOWN DITCH SECTION 121T RIGHTOF WAY'; PROPOSED MAIN STREET BELTWAY TO OLD TOWN DITCH SECTION EXISTING MAIN STREET NORTH OF MARY'S CREEK TO WESTMINSTER SECTION 1Q0BQH.TOESVAY' PROPOSED MAIN STREET NORTH OF MARY'S CREEK TO WESTMINSTER SECTION Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan r 54 r 0 r r TYPICAL MAIN STREET CHARACTER IMAGE TYPICAL MAIN STREET CHARACTER IMAGE TYPICAL DOWNTOWN STREET CHARACTER IMAGE STREETS Streets in an urban environment allow for movement, communication and creation of local identity. Streets provide for a variety of types of movement — pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular and transit. Streets are often characterized by uses that abut them, the size of the street, the size of the surrounding buildings, and the design of the individual street environment itself. A good block size for maximizing pedestrian comfort and utility is approximately 250 feet by 350 feet. At 270 feet by 600 feet, Old Town's blocks are larger than optional, but are still a good size for walking. The strength of the existing street grid is a significant feature in the area and an important asset to build upon. A traditional street grid offers an efficient way to address key issues of traffic management and access, while supporting neighborhoods that are pedestrian -friendly and walkable. Streets should be designed for multiple functions and uses with visual interest and diversity. Design recommendations for streetscape improvements and private development should be flexible to allow expressions of individual designs, within the context of the broader plans for the district and respond to special opportunities in building projects or public spaces. The elements in the streetscape that define and separate uses should contribute to the sense of structure and identity in the town center. The streets within the area should be viewed as urban public rooms defined by building edges, and not solely as utilitarian corridors. Streetscape improvements in the public right-of-way should be planned and executed with care taken to maintain a simple and consistent vocabulary of material and design in landscaping, paving, furnishings, and all other fixtures and graphics. These should be unique to the town center. Old T e w n s i t e Downtown Development D i s tric t P! a n EXISTING PEARLAND'STREET PERSPECTIVE PROPOSED PEARLAND STREET PERSPECTIVE 95 Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan 55 r it PARALLEL ON -STREET PARKING OFF STREET PARKING LOT PARALLEL PARKING IN FRONT OF STOREFRONTS PARKING The parking strategy for downtown is to support the existing and future businesses while addressing needs of expanding office and future residential uses. There are three components to meeting the parking needs for the downtown: maximize on -street parking, organize side street parking, and maintain off-street parking. A fourth occurs in the new town center, parking structures attached behind three -to four story mixed use buildings. Additional retail and restaurant development benefits from convenient on -street parking. There are opportunities to increase the number of on -street parking spaces by adding parallel parking and striping on the street for more formal spacing. Side streets can also gain spaces with the relocation of curb cuts to the side streets allowing access from the rear of the lot. These would be done in coordination with the businesses to allow for proper loading and access. Existing lots, both public and private, provide a reservoir of parking within the two blocks immediately adjacent to Grand. With the proper management and understanding of the users, this area will have the proper amount of parking to serve the needs of the employees as well as visitors to the area. The actual demand for parking may be Tess than expected with proper management. With the reconfiguration of existing parking, the need for new parking lots will only occur after full build out of all buildings along the street. Beyond the core of the downtown, there is little need for additional parking since most residences have off street parking or garage locations. Old Tow^site Downtown Development District Plan r r L. • EXISTING GRAND BOULEVARD SECTION (SOUTH) .f.741-,k -;„_,_""isr,"k1L..wrt.IFY18!:_„ 1.0rmtecnit".!M-N-22!:_fx-, _120'RletfrOE.loyAY. , _ ` • = PROPOSED GRAND BOULEVARD SECTION (SOUTH) EXISTING GRAND BOULEVARD SECTION (NORTH) • . 1 PROPOSED GRAND BOULEVARD SECTION (NORTH) 57 • •• , Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan 58 EXISTING BROADWAY STREET PERSPECTIVE PROPOSED BROADWAY STREET PERSPECTIVE PROPOSED BROADWAY STREET PERSPECTIVE Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan r n n EXISTING BROADWAY STREET SECTION PROPOSED BROADWAY STREET SECTION EXISTING WALNUT STREET SECTION (RESIDENTIAL) PROPOSED WALNUT STREET SECTION (RESIDENTIAL) 7.1 Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan EXISTING MAIN STREET PERSPECTIVE PROPOSED MAIN STREET PERSPECTIVE PROPOSED MAIN STREET PERSPECTIVE Old Townsite Downtown Development Dist et Plan EXISTING MAIN STREET SECTION HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD) BUILD TO U' z 5d i 100RICNi OF WAY z BUILD TO 135 9' 11' 11' 11 11' 11' 9 13 5' PROPOSED MAIN STREET SECTION HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD) EXISTING PEARLAND STREET SECTION PROPOSED PEARLAND STREET SECTION 100 RIGHT OF WAY B0' RIGHT OF WAY 40' 30' 20' 10' 0' Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan r r IP r r OPEN SPACE, PLAZA AND PARKS CHARACTER IMAGES Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan r r r r OPEN SPACE, PLAZA AND PARKS CHARACTER IMAGES Old Townsite Downtown Development District Plan c h` B^.:a_C:C: DES "=,S' WALNUT AVENUE -c HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT The Historic Neighborhood District, located in the northwest quadrant of Old Town will remain primarily single-family detached residential while allowing the south border of the district to remain the western edge of the Broadway/Walnut couplet. Infrastructure improvements and connectivity, district identity, and additional amenities for the neighborhood are the primary visible interventions within this district. The district will consist mostly of existing residential with a few new residential developments within the modified original street grid. Minor on -street connections have been made for the purpose of safety, access and linking of the neighborhood streets. Major city-wide connections have been readdressed and a one way couplet system established with Broadway and Walnut. The centralized business and retail corridors along Broadway will provide walkable support services, dining, shopping, and daily business support for the residents of the Historic Neighborhood and the Existing Neighborhood District, as well as the citizens of the Old Town as a whole. In neighborhoods, it is important to address physical infrastructure for utilitarian purposes as well as quality of life issues for the longevity and sustainability of the district. For the Historic Neighborhood District, the neighborhood streets, alleys and connections to adjoining neighborhoods link amenities, which also address drainage issues. Parks and open space will not only handle drainage, detention and retention areas (conceptually located to the north, west, and south of the district) but also become a social amenity including gathering places, recreation, special events, and community identity. The northern edge adopts primarily vacant land to provide an extension of the Old Town ditch and terminate it into a park. This Park will contain a detention/retention pond, designed as a water feature. Although the park will be passive in nature, it may contain amenities for gathering, picnics, walking, and informal recreation. The western edge of the area is bounded by the railroad corridor to be transformed into a linear greenway utilizing the right-of-way to accommodate trails, picnic areas, informal gathering spaces, habitat and eventual drainage to Mary's Creek. • .. tt, • f- T•f rm. Ali i .04 4.41444 ►Ota • uc�`t�ta=w Y m c4Oril]CCACCIOCar.CcAlfilCailOL'raYrllr. �tY'a a..- -.-sY a rr�. �.Y+rl rrY.Ytl[YTY a . rv'/ . •i'tY'T PLAN DETAIL OF HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT 1110 Old T o w n s i t e Downtown Development District Plan CONNECTION TO MYKAWA STREET DEVELOPMENT AT THE END OF THE COUPLET AVENUES R BOUNDARIES Old Town Ditch to Walnut Street; Railroad tracks west to Mykawa Road RECOMMENDATIONS Select a name for the neighborhood and develop a historic district theme, identity and character for the defined area Retain general area as primarily residential with a mixed - use commercial corridor along Broadway Support incremental renovation of existing housing Support the continuation of infill housing including single family, townhouses, and condominiums Complete a detailed study of the drainage issues and complete improvements to rectify drainage problems as a result of existing public sector improvements or natural causes Improve all key neighborhood streets to traditional neighborhood streets standards with one lane in each direction, parallel parking, tree lawn, streetlights and street trees Open, renovate and maintain existing alley system throughout residential area Broadway Street to be a two lane (max, three lane) one way avenue with parking, sidewalks, trees, zero lot line buildings & parking behind buildings Allow for incremental transformation of existing buildings along Broadway Walnut Street to be two lane (max. three lane) one way avenue with parallel parking, sidewalks, street trees, lights, bump -outs and pedestrian crossings Mykawa Road to be extended through to Walnut Street per the comprehensive plan Consider extending Plum Street to provide access to the linear park and neighborhood street connectivity OH Townsite Downtown Development District Flan A