Corridor Beautification Partnership December 6, 2016 Lindsey Guindi, Director of Strategic Projects Lindsay Hackett, Staff Planner Stephanie Doland, Staff Planner
Corridor Beautification Partnership FY 2017 Allocated Funding $100,000 New program Similar structure to: Downtown Improvement Program Life Safety Grant Grant Guidelines: Boundaries Character Zones Grant Allocation/Criteria Qualifying Improvements Submittal Requirements Review Board Timeline
Relation to Comprehensive Plan By the late 1960s Texas Avenue had superseded Downtown Bryan as the central business district for the entire region. Such unregulated growth has resulted in a development pattern that exists today. Subsequent to the unregulated growth, age, obsolescence, deferred maintenance has created an unhealthy business environment that in many areas is unsightly. As has been identified during the public engagement process, current conditions along the Texas Avenue corridor is perceived as an obstacle to the future success of the community.
Relation to Comprehensive Plan To address the above issues, the following actions should be considered: Offer matching grants and incentives for exterior maintenance and landscaping of existing buildings not within redevelopment focus areas. Create a theme for the corridor. Develop appearance standards that match the desired theme. Consolidate lots where possible to create larger regional retail and office establishments. Create pedestrian and bicycle linkages to adjacent neighborhoods. To assist in traffic management along Texas Avenue, cross access and shared driveways should be required where possible. All types of retail uses are desired and restaurants are encouraged.
Proposed Character Zones
Corridor Beautification Partnership College Station to Villa Maria Distance: 1.3 miles Approx. 65 parcels Mixture of zoning: primarily retail RNC (North Oakwood) Existing land use retail and office
Proposed Character Zones Villa Maria to Coulter Distance: 1.38 miles Approx. 65 parcels Mixture of zoning: retail primarily commercial Existing land use: retail and commercial
Proposed Character Zones Coulter Dr to SH-21 Distance: 2.15 miles Approx. 125 parcels Mixture of zoning retail commercial south college business downtown civic residential district Existing land use Institutional, office, commercial
Proposed Character Zones SH-21 to SH-6 Distance: 3 miles Approx. 125 parcels Mixture of zoning: retail commercial industrial residential district agriculture Existing land use primarily residential
Boundary Options Option 1 Revolving eligibility Proposed Character Zones College Station to Villa Maria 65+ parcels Villa Maria to Coulter 125+ parcels Coulter to SH-21 65+ parcels SH-21 to SH-6 125+ parcels Option 2 Entire Corridor Open application for all properties in Bryan adjacent to Texas Avenue Option 3 Any combination of options 1 & 2 Change boundaries
Grant Allocation Criteria Amount requested vs. Impact of project (efficiency use of dollars) Increase to ad valorem tax and sales tax Visibility to intersections Visibility from Texas Ave Occupancy of vacant buildings Creation of jobs Improvement to dilapidated buildings Consolidation of properties/ Parcel Size Increased compliance to City of Bryan Code of Ordinances
Grant Allocation Smaller projects Larger quantity of small impact projects Example: sign replacement, parking lot striping Larger projects Fewer quantity of larger impact projects Example: façade renovation, landscaping renovation, driveway closing Must meet economic development goals and objectives, such as: Meet minimum increase in taxable value, or Increase number of jobs High Impact Low Impact
Landscaping/Irrigation Improvements Encouraged: Parking lot screening Local drought-resistant vegetation (xeriscaping: seen to the right) Planters and planter boxes High efficiency irrigation systems (buried or drip systems) Landscaping at base of signage Discouraged: Non drought resistant landscaping Landscaping that blocks vehicular line-of-sight Sprinkler based irrigation By Jeffrey Beall - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41849718
Building Material/Façade Improvements Encouraged: Finished masonry or equivalent Decorative concrete, native stone, brick/brick veneer Cement Fiberboard (hardiplank) Stucco Glass (particularly at the pedestrian level) Window security film Discouraged: Vinyl, wood fiber hardboard, oriented strand board, plastic, or fiberglass siding EIFS (synthetic stucco) Metal sidings of any kind (excluding roofs, awnings, and canopies) Unfinished cinderblock Un-textured concrete finishes Glass mirrored at more than 20%
Parking/Circulation/Access Improvements Encouraged: Compliant parking lot standards and access Improved internal circulation New parking lot striping Wayfinding signage Landscaping in end islands ADA Improvements Increase to required number of ADA spaces Crosswalks Ramps Discouraged: Spot filling pot holes instead of repaving entire parking area Unseen improvements to back of property Unnecessary/oversized curb cuts Unimproved surfaces Crushed granite Limestone Gravel http://www.all-ritesealcoating.com/portfolio_category/parking-lotstriping/#prettyphoto[gallery678]/0/
Signage Improvements Encouraged: Compliance with Sign Ordinance Removal of abandoned signs Replacement of outdated signs Recessed lighting Externally illuminated signage and lettering Internally illuminated signs with opaque field and translucent letters Landscaping around freestanding signs Discouraged/Prohibited: Off premises signs Temporary signs Snipe signs Rooftop signs Flashing, blinking, revolving, digital, video or traveling lighted signage Internally illuminated signs External reflectors Window signs
Existing Land Uses Encouraged: Parking at rear of structure Landscaping Along Texas Avenue Screening parking, dumpsters Storage area limited to 10% of total lot (or at rear of building) Vehicles undergoing repair to be stored indoors Increased compliance with development standards Discouraged: Outside storage Outside display Display/parking vehicles in the setbacks View of damaged vehicles from Texas Ave ROW Temporary/portable structures
Submittal Requirements A completed application form Comprehensive photos of existing site conditions A narrative of the project describing the work to be completed Drawings/plans detailing the proposed improvements (PDF format) Two (2) itemized cost estimates from two independent sources Current tax certificate showing no delinquent taxes for the property Owner s certification and proof of ownership
Review Board Application Review Board Economic Development Transportation Engineering Chief Building Official Planning
Timeline December 6, 2016 Council Workshop Presentation January 10, 2017 CAF to Council February 6, 2017 Open application (Monday) March 17, 2017 Close application (Friday) April 25, 2017 Staff makes recommendations to Council End April 2017 Notifications mailed out
Summary Grant Guidelines Boundary Options Character Zones Entire Corridor Hybrid Version Grant Allocation/Criteria Landscaping & Irrigation Building Materials & Façade Parking, Circulation & Access Signage Improvements Existing Land Uses Qualifying Improvements Smaller Projects Larger Projects Submittal Requirements Review Process Staff Review Board Council Approval Timeline Application Deadline
Discussion and Questions