executive director’s recommendation€¦ · zoo entrances, which will submitted for commission...

Executive Director’s Recommendation Commission Meeting: June 7, 2018

PROJECT National Zoological Park Supplemental Perimeter Fencing National Zoological Park 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC

SUBMITTED BYSmithsonian Institution

REVIEW AUTHORITYFederal Projects in the District per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d)

NCPC FILE NUMBER 7986

NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER2.00(38.40)44752

APPLICANT’S REQUESTApproval of preliminary and final site development plans

PROPOSED ACTIONApprove comments on concept design

ACTION ITEM TYPE Staff Presentation

PROJECT SUMMARY The Smithsonian Institution (SI) has submitted for Commission review site development plans for supplemental perimeter fencing at the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Washington, DC. The NZP currently has three public vehicular entrances and 13 pedestrian entrances. In an effort to improve overall security and visitor safety, the SI is seeking to reduce the number of pedestrian entrances to three: 1) Connecticut Ave, 2) the Bus Lot Drop-off, and 3) the Lower Zoo. In the future, an entry would also be provided at the Central Parking Facility. Work began on this effort in 2012, when perimeter fencing was reviewed and approved by NCPC for much of the site (NCPC File #: 7039). The current Visitor Control and Security Checkpoint project seeks to expand this work—including the extension of perimeter security and the construction of security checkpoints, which will be submitted in multiple phases.

The current phase of the project includes supplemental security fencing around the facility perimeter. Three types of fencing are proposed: 1) eight-foot black ornamental pedestrian metal fencing, 2) eight-foot black ornamental vehicular-rated metal fencing, and 3) 12-foot, wire-topped, black vinyl-coated chain-link fencing. The pedestrian ornamental fencing is currently used in visible locations throughout the zoo, and is considered the campus standard. The vehicular-rated fence type is new. It is largely similar to the pedestrian ornamental fencing, with increased post sizes and horizontal reinforcing channels and cables to meet crash rating standards. The applicant has indicated that ornamental fencing is being used in any area that can be observed by or comes into contact with zoo visitors, and that chain-link fencing is being used in heavily wooded areas or areas hidden from view. The fencing is not anticipated to impact archeological resources, and an engineering field study will be conducted prior to final design, ensuring that the fencing can be installed with minimal impact to existing mature trees or important vegetation.

Executive Director’s Recommendation NCPC File No. 7986

The SI plans to submit the security checkpoints and associated fencing in future phases of the Visitor Control and Security Checkpoint project.

KEY INFORMATION • The NZP currently has 13 pedestrian access points, and is planning to streamline access to

three entrances: 1) Connecticut Ave, 2) the Bus Lot Drop-off, and 3) the Lower Zoo. • This perimeter security fencing is the first phase of a larger Visitor Control and Security

Checkpoint project. Future phases include security checkpoints and associated fencing at zoo entrances, which will submitted for Commission review as a separate project.

• The current project proposes ornamental pedestrian fencing, ornamental vehicular-rated fencing, and chain-link fencing. Overall, 4,347 linear feet of fencing is proposed.

• In general, ornamental fencing is being used in any area that can be seen by the public, and chain-link fencing is being used in areas hidden from view. However, the submission indicates that a small section of chain-link fencing along North Road would be visible from public areas.

• The applicant has noted that the alignment of the new perimeter fencing would be designed to have minimal impacts on the natural environment, and would be placed to avoid impacts to historic resources. Existing perimeter fencing is not historic.

• Six new pedestrian and nine new vehicle entry gates are proposed along the perimeter fencing, which will primarily allow staff access for maintenance and operations.

• The submission that proposed gates would be a combination of swing and slide gates, but does not specify which gates would be used at which locations. More information is needed for future reviews.

RECOMMENDATION Supports the supplemental perimeter fencing project, which is intended to streamline the number of access points to the National Zoo and reduce the possibility of vehicular ramming at vulnerable areas. The project would close the gaps in the existing perimeter fencing, much of which was previously approved by the Commission as part of a perimeter containment project. Notes that this is a concept review for supplemental perimeter fencing, which is the first phase of a larger Visitor Control and Security Checkpoint project for the National Zoo, and that visitor screening checkpoints and associated fencing will be submitted for Commission review in future project phases. Notes that proposed ornamental fencing would be consistent with existing ornamental fencing, and that new vehicular-rated fencing would be similar in style. Requests that the applicant consider either moving the segment of chain-link fencing that is visible along North Road back into existing vegetation, or using ornamental fencing at this location, which has been used in other visible areas of the National Zoo.


Notes that the existing perimeter fencing at the National Zoo is not historic, and that the installation of new fencing would have no adverse effect on adjacent historic sites, including Olmsted Walk and Beach Drive. Requests additional information regarding any potential impacts that the new fencing might have on existing trees, as well as places where new plantings may be added. Notes that the perimeter fencing proposal includes nine new vehicular gates and six new pedestrian gates that will be used by National Zoo staff for operations and maintenance purposes, and that these would be either swing gates or slide gates. Requests a site plan that denotes types of gates that would be installed at each proposed location, and updated renderings that show the placement of the gates along the perimeter fence line.

PROJECT REVIEW TIMELINE

Previous actions

July 2012 – Preliminary and final approval of containment fencing, which included a master plan amendment that analyzed the route of the proposed fence February 2010 – Concept review of containment fencing November 2008 – Approval of the National Zoological Park Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan

Remaining actions (anticipated)

– Preliminary and final approval of supplemental perimeter fencing project – Approval of future phases of the Visitor Control and Security Checkpoint project, including security checkpoints and associated fencing

PROJECT ANALYSIS Executive Summary Staff has evaluated the submitted materials and finds that the proposed perimeter security fencing would help improve visitor safety and clarify points of entry and exit. Improvements would also help the National Zoological Park (NZP) meet the goals of its master plan, which include streamlining visitor entries to better control access, and is consistent with a master plan amendment that was approved in July 2012 to guide perimeter security improvements. Therefore, staff recommends that the Commission supports the supplemental perimeter fencing project, which is intended to streamline the number of access points to the NZP and reduce the possibility of vehicular ramming at vulnerable areas. The project would close the gaps in the existing


perimeter fencing, much of which was previously approved by the Commission as part of a perimeter containment project.

Analysis

The supplemental perimeter fencing project at the NZP proposes the construction of 4,347 linear feet of fencing that will serve reduce the number of access points to the zoo and improve visitor security. The current fencing project is one of several that have been proposed and implemented at the zoo. The first layer of fencing at the NZP is a chain-link fence that runs along its outer perimeter, with gaps at Rock Creek and Harvard Street. During a reaccreditation process required by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, this fence was found deficient because it was not continuous, and therefore not able to contain zoo animals in the event of an escape, or to fully protect the zoo animals from surrounding wildlife. To address these concerns, the Smithsonian Institution (SI) proposed a secondary containment fence, which was reviewed and approved by the Commission in July 2012. The current project would close the gaps from previous fencing projects to secure the inner perimeter. This will allow the zoo to streamline visitor access to the three main entrances—Connecticut Ave, the Bus Lot Drop-off, and the Lower Zoo.

The current perimeter fencing project is the first phase of a larger Visitor Control and Security Checkpoint project, which will eventually include security checkpoints at each of the main zoo entrances. The security checkpoints and associated fencing will be submitted for Commission review and approval as a separate project in future phases. As part of the current project, three fence types will be constructed—eight-foot black metal ornamental pedestrian fencing (625 feet), eight-foot black metal ornamental vehicle-rated fencing (2,352 feet), and twelve-foot black vinyl-coated chain-link fencing (1,370 feet). The ornamental pedestrian and chain-link fencing are consistent with existing fence types at the zoo, and the vehicular-rated fence, though a new fence type, is similar in style to the ornamental pedestrian fencing.

The applicant has indicated that ornamental fencing is proposed in any area that can be observed by or comes into contact with zoo visitors, and that chain-link fencing is being used in heavily wooded areas or areas hidden from view. Areas with chain-link fencing include the segment of fence line along North Road across from Parking Lot C—the location of a proposed future Central Parking Facility that has received early concept approval from the Commission. A short segment of temporary chain-link fencing is also proposed along the inside of existing Parking Lot B. The SI will eventually be converting this parking lot to exhibit space, after which the temporary fencing will be removed. Both of these areas are generally heavily wooded with steep topography, but the submission indicates that a small section of chain-link fencing along North Road would be visible from public areas. Accordingly, staff recommends that the Commission requests that the applicant consider either moving the segment of chain-link fencing that is visible along North Road back into existing vegetation, or using ornamental fencing at this location, which has been used in other visible areas of the NZP.

The applicant has noted that the alignment of the new perimeter fencing would be designed to have minimal impacts on the natural environment, and would be placed to avoid impacts to historic resources. It is not anticipated to impact any archeology, and an engineering field study will be


conducted prior to final design, ensuring that the fencing can be installed with minimal impact to existing mature trees or important vegetation. Further, existing knee walls and planter areas near zoo entrances are not listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The DC State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has indicated that the project would have no adverse effect on adjacent historic properties, such as the zoo’s Olmsted Walk or Beach Drive. While staff is satisfied that the fencing will not impact historic properties, more information is needed to understand general impacts to existing trees, as well as any proposed mitigation. Accordingly, staff recommends that the Commission requests additional information regarding any potential impacts that the new fencing might have on existing trees, as well as places where new trees may be added. In addition to fencing, the applicant is proposing six new pedestrian and nine new vehicle entry gates, which will primarily allow staff access for maintenance and operations. While the applicant notes in the submission that these gates would be a combination of swing and slide gates, the submission does not specify which gates would be used at which locations. More information is needed to determine the visual impacts of these gates, particularly in areas that are easily visible from public areas. Accordingly, staff recommends that the Commission requests a site plan that denotes types of gates that would be installed at each proposed location, and updated renderings that show the placement of the gates along the perimeter fence line.

CONFORMANCE TO EXISTING PLANS, POLICIES AND RELATED GUIDANCE Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital As noted in the analysis above, NCPC staff has reviewed this proposal for compliance with relevant guidance and has determined that it is not inconsistent with the policies established in the Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. In particular, the project is supported by policies in the Federal Environment, Historic Preservation, and Urban Design Elements. National Historic Preservation Act The SI has included documentation from the DC SHPO that indicates that the supplemental perimeter fencing project would have no adverse effect on historic properties. Because it has approval authority in review of this project, NCPC has its own responsibility to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act. NCPC is designating the Smithsonian Institution the lead agency for compliance with NHPA. National Environmental Policy Act The SI does not have an independent responsibility to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); however, because the Commission is approval in review of this project, NEPA compliance is required. To meet its NEPA responsibility, NCPC is able to apply a categorical


exclusion for the proposed fencing project (§601.12 [2]), which allows for “approval of the installation or restoration of minor site elements, such as but not limited to…fences.” Staff does not anticipate any outstanding concerns that would preclude application of a categorical exclusion.

CONSULTATION Coordinating Committee Without objection, the Coordinating Committee forwarded the proposed supplemental perimeter fencing project to the Commission with the statement that the proposal has been coordinated with all participating agencies. U.S. Commission of Fine Arts The Smithsonian Institution plans to submit the supplemental perimeter fencing project for review at the July 2018 meeting of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. ONLINE REFERENCE The following supporting documents for this project are available online:

• Project Synopsis • Submission Materials

Prepared by John Gerbich 05/17/2018

POWERPOINT (ATTACHED)

Smithsonian Institution

Site Development Plans

NCPC File #: 7986National Zoological Park

Supplemental Perimeter Fencing3001 Connecticut Ave, NW

Washington, DC_______________

2

Project Information

Project summary:The Smithsonian Institution (SI) has submitted for Commission review site development plans for supplemental perimeter security at theNational Zoological Park in Washington, DC. The National Zoo currently has three public vehicular entrances, and 13 pedestrian entrances. In aneffort to improve overall security and visitor safety, the SI is seeking to reduce the number of pedestrian entrances to three: 1) Connecticut Ave,2) the Bus Lot Drop-off, and 3) the Lower Zoo. In the future, an entry would also be provided at the Central Parking Facility. Work began on thiseffort in 2012, when perimeter fencing was reviewed and approved by NCPC for much of the site (NCPC File #: 7039). The current Visitor Controland Security Checkpoint project seeks to expand this work—including the expansion of perimeter security and the construction of which will besubmitted in multiple phases.

The current phase of the project includes supplemental security fencing. Three types of fencing are proposed: 1) eight-foot black ornamentalpedestrian metal fencing, 2) eight-foot black ornamental vehicular-rated metal fencing, and 3) 12-foot, wire-topped, black vinyl-coated chain linkfencing. The pedestrian metal fencing is used throughout the zoo, and are considered the campus standard. The vehicular-rated fence type isnew. It is largely similar to the pedestrian ornamental fencing, with increased post sizes and horizontal reinforcing channels and cables to meetcrash rating standards. Overall, ornamental fencing is being used in any area that can be observed by or comes into contact with zoo visitors.Chain link fencing is being used in heavily wooded areas or areas hidden from view. The fencing is not anticipated to impact archeologicalresources, and an engineering field study will be conducted prior to final design, ensuring that the fencing can be installed with minimal impactto existing mature trees or important vegetation.

The SI plans to submit the security checkpoints and associated fencing in a future phase of the Visitor Control and Security Checkpoint project.

Commission meeting date: June 7, 2018

NCPC review authority: 40 U.S.C. 8722(b)(1) and (d)

Applicant request: Preliminary and final approval of site development plans

Delegated / consent / open / executive session: Consent calendar

NCPC review officer: Gerbich

NCPC File number: 7986

3

Project Location

4

Pedestrian and Vehicular Entrances

Existing Future

5

Existing Fencing

6

Site Plan

7

Proposed Ornamental Fencing

8

Example Fencing

Pedestrian Fence Vehicular-Rated Fence

9

Example Gates

Swing Gate

Pedestrian Gate

Slide Gate

10

Segment 1 – Connecticut Avenue to Visitor Center

11

Segment 2 – Visitor Center to Bus Drop-Off

12

Segment 3 – Panda Plaza and American Prairie

13

Segment 4 – Parking Lot B

14

Segment 5 – Animal Exhibits to Lot C

15

Segment 6 – Power Plant

16

Segment 7 – Mane Service Yard to Amazonia

executive director’s recommendation€¦ · zoo entrances, which will submitted for commission...

Documents