LBJ/ SKILLMAN URBAN PLANNING INITIATIVESUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLANNING PROJECT

June 19, 2014 City of Dallas Urban Design Advisory Committee Briefing

URBAN DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

Project Background

Tasks & Schedule

Public Involvement

Draft Document

Next Steps

PROJECT BACKGROUND

DART STATIONAREA PLAN

forwardDallasCOMPREHENSIVE

PLAN

DISTRICT 10STRATEGIC

PLAN

2001 2006 2006

LHAIA VISIONNCTCOGTRAFFIC

MODELING

ENVIRONMENTALIMPACT REPORT

2007 2008 2009 2011

NCTCOGSUSTAINABLEPROJECTS

APPLICATION

TxDOTCONSULTATION

PRELIMINARYENGINEERING

District 10 Plan and forwardDallas! Comprehensive Plan

• The District 10 Strategic Area Plan (2006)Identifies the LBJ/Skillman area as “Focus Area #2: Forest/LBJ/Central Triangle”, with a specific implementation item to develop “A plan that guides the development of an urban neighborhood providing opportunities for innovative development that achieves the community’s vision.”

• forwardDallas! Comprehensive Plan (2006)The city-led, citywide comprehensive plan identifies the LBJ/Skillman area of Dallas as having significant future Transit-oriented Development opportunities around the DART LBJ/Skillman station.

Skillman Corridor TIF District• The TIF District was created in 2005

to provide a source of funding for public improvements.

• The District’s catalyst project is the Lake Highland Town Center (LHTC) planned as a $350 million mixed-use development connecting to the Lake Highlands DART Station.

• The LBJ/Skillman DART station area has also been identified as a priority for encouraging transit-oriented development.

• The Lake Highlands Public Improvement District (LHPID) was created in 2008 by property owner petition and provides supplemental services to the area including security patrols, maintenance of some TIF funded improvements, and marketing efforts.

Community-led Effort in the LBJ/Skillman Gateway AreaConcerns about the TxDOT “Flyover” for Skillman at LBJ/I-675

• A confusing local roadway network currently exists tied to an area history of evolving local and regional development projects

• TxDOT had proposed a flyover bridge to address traffic flow in the LBJ/Skillman intersection; however, residents and others expressed concerns.

• A citizen effort lead by the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association (LHAIA) with pro-bono assistance from planning/engineering professionals lead to a “LBJ Skillman Gateway” alternative concept plan to reconfigure the intersection to not only address traffic flow but provide better access to encourage redevelopment of underutilized property and opportunities for pedestrian connections.

LBJ SKILLMAN AERIALS

1942 1972 1984

Community Efforts in the LBJ/Skillman Gateway (con’t)

• The “LBJ Skillman Gateway” alternative concept plan centered on a reconfiguration of the at-grade streets at the Skillman/IH-635 bridge intersection has been generally accepted as the preferred alternative by TxDOT.

• A reconfigured LBJ/Skillman Interchange based on the preferred alternative is now in the schematic engineering and environmental assessment phase.

• In 2010, the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ (NCTCOG) Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved $44.8 million for their third Sustainable Development Program Call for Projects, including $1 million for planning projects in both the eastern and western TxDOT Districts.

• Total LBJ/Skillman Urban Planning Initiative project funds = $125,000.

• Grant proposal summary: The study will help determine future land use, development scenarios and area zoning options to facilitate TOD-oriented development, improved area pedestrian and transit linkages, and identify area opportunities for new trails, open space and land development.

NCTCOG’s SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING PROGRAM

• The LBJ/Skillman Urban Planning Initiative study was funded through the NCTCOG’s 2009-2010 Sustainable Development Call for Projects due to:

– Potential to develop underutilized land and vacant retail near DART light rail station

– An isolated DART station needing improved connectivity to the area

– Identify recommendations tied to two possible outcomes/scenarios:

• Recommendations with no TxDOT realignment changes (interim solution until the completion of TxDOT realignment)

• Recommendations with TxDOT realignment building on the assumption that the TxDOT accepted alternative will move forward

– Examine other elements needed to encourage more sustainable land uses, and bicycle, pedestrian, and transit connections improving air quality.

LBJ/SKILLMAN URBAN PLANNING INITIATIVEPROJECT CONTEXT

LBJ/SKILLMAN URBAN PLANNING INITIATIVEPROJECT PURPOSE

The purpose of the LBJ/Skillman Urban Planning Initiative is to identify redevelopment and new transit oriented development opportunities to promote sustainable living, positive social and

economic opportunities and increase safety throughout this strategic City of Dallas focus area.

THE PROJECT PLANNING TEAM

• Karla Weaver, NCTCOG

• Patrick Mandapaka, NCTCOG

• David Schleg, City of Dallas

• Luis Tamayo, City of Dallas

• Sue Hounsel, City of Dallas

• Steve Biba, DART

• Susan Morgan, Lake Highlands Area Improvements Association

• Don Scarborough, Lake Highlands Area Improvements Association

PROJECT REVIEWCOMMITTEE MEMBERS

• Residential Representatives Les Hall (Copperfield HOA Crime Watch Chair)

Kathy Stewart(LH Improvement District Land Use Chair)

Don Scarborough(Lake Highlands Area Improvements Association)

• Business RepresentativesCindy Causey(Copperfield HOA Crime Watch Chair)Kylie Louthan(Regional Manager, Knightvest Property Management)Jill Goad(Director, Feed Lake Highlands)

• Lake Highlands PID Executive DirectorRebecca Range

• TIF Board Member RepresentativeAlan Walne

ADVISORYCOMMITTEE MEMBERS

THE CONSULTANT TEAMOmniplan – Lead Consultants

KIMLEY HORN ASSOCIATES GRAM TRAFFIC TOWNSCAPEINFORMATIONASSOCIATES

RICKERCUNNINGHAM

TASKS & SCHEDULE

PROJECT TASKS & SCHEDULE

TASK 1Process Initiation (Aug. 2012)

TASK 2Preliminary Research and Data Collection (Sept. - Oct. 2012)

TASK 3Current & Future Market & Development Conditions (Oct. – Dec. 2012)

TASK 4Community Visioning Event (Jan. 2013)

TASK 5Post Community Visioning Event Analysis/Preliminary Implementation Recommendations

(Feb.- March 2013)TASK 6

Community Workshop, Findings & Final Renderings (Apr. 2013 – May 2014)TASK 6A

Urban Design Subcommittee Review (June - July 2014)TASK 7

Final Plan, City Plan Commission and City Council Action (July – Aug. 2014)

PUBLIC OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT

• Media Outreach and Community Survey

• Community Visioning Event – Held January 2013

• Follow-Up Community Open House – Held May 18, 2013

PUBLIC OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENTSummary

• Website on‐line Late November 2012• Media release about survey and Community Visioning Event (CVE)   November 29, 2012• Email blast to area HOA’s and other area stakeholders concerning CVE  December 5, 2012• Postcard mailer sent for CVE  January 3, 2012• Follow‐up calls to apartment and condo managers  Dec 2012/Jan 2013• Community Visioning Event  January 17, 2013• Survey distributed to area elementary schools  Jan/Feb 2013• Survey/Questionnaire closed (839 responses total)  February 15, 2013• Lake Highlands Advocate Magazine articles  Dec 2012/Jan/Feb 2013• Dallas Morning News article  Jan 7, 2013• Community Area Organization presentations (4)  Jan/Feb 2013

• Email blast to area HOA’s and other area stakeholders  regarding May 2013 Open House  April 29‐30, 2013

• Postcard mailer sent for May 2013 Open House  May 1, 2013• Website notice for May 2013 Open House posted  May 1, 2013• Open House Event  May 18, 2013

Media Outreach and Coverage

• NCTCOG/City of Dallas Media Release• Dallas Morning News• Lake Highland Advocate• Neighborhood Association Newsletters

Community SurveyNovember 2012 – February 2013

Community Survey Outreach– Survey Monkey – On-line Survey – DART Platform Outreach – December 11, 2013

• Over 150 surveys distributed by project staff to DART evening commuters

– Distributed via PID office to Area Business-owners, Neighborhood Associations, Crime Watch Groups and interested individuals.

Community SurveyContent

Project Background and Survey Instructions

Zipcode for Reference- Respondent in the study area?

Questions with MultipleResponses Allowed

Additional Comments or Questions

Community Visioning EventJanuary 17, 2013 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Forest Lane Academy

Workshop Format Summary• Introductory Remarks from Councilmember Jerry Allen• Project Background Presentation• Breakout Visioning Work Session

– Facilitator-led work group discussion– Document questions, comments– Use of area maps for

documentation• Share Work Session Results

– Each Work Group presentedissues, concerns and solutions discussed within their group.

Community Visioning EventExcellent Turnout and Productive Workshop

Community Visioning EventJanuary 17, 2013 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Forest Lane Academy

• Attendance: 130 (estimate)• Summary of Findings from CVE:

– Support for mid- to high-density at DART station and LBJ/Skillman intersection

– Desire for more single family housing– Concern about apartment complexes

• Safety• Walkability• Need for open space/green space

– Interest in “quality” retail and restaurants– Concerns about area crime

• DART station and area retail area crimes

– Support for multi-modal thoroughfares• Bike lanes• Trailways• Confirms support of the City Bike Plan

Community Open HouseMay 18, 2013 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Forest Lane Academy

Open House Format SummaryTwo Sessions – 9am - 11 am and 11 am -

1 pm• Open Remarks (15 minutes)• Presentation (Project Background,

CVE Findings)• Breakout Sessions

– Community Linkages/Recreation– Commercial– Residential– Transportation

• Q&A

Community Open HousePreliminary Visioning

Based Upon January, 2013 Community Visioning Event

Community Open HouseRecommended Planning Vision

Based Upon January, 2013 Community Visioning Event

Community Open HouseMay 18, 2013 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Forest Lane Academy

• Attendance: 56 (estimate)• Summary of Findings from Open House:

Confirmation of priorities identified at the January 2013 Community Visioning Event

– Mid- to high-density at DART station and LBJ/Skillman intersection acceptable

– Preserve and Enhance existing single family housing in the area

– Improve the safety and quality of life at area apartment complexes

• Safety• Walkability• Need for open space/green space

– Pursue “quality” retail and restaurant development in the area

– Address area crime at the DART station, neighborhoods and area retail centers

– Develop area multi-modal thoroughfares• Bike lanes• Trailways

Draft Document Overview

• Provides a background of the study area in context of its historic development and current condition

• Documents the project’s extensive public input undertaken to‐date

• Identifies and documents, through graphic illustrations, targeted Strategic Opportunity areas 

Draft Document Recommendations

• Provides two illustrative master plan visions, one with TxDOT realignment change, one without 

• Documents mobility recommendations for new streets, pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations

• Identifies the need for open space and other quality of life components as redevelopment occurs  

• Includes drawings showing potential massing of buildings , pedestrian atmosphere and architectural character

Draft Document Illustrative Rendering

Draft Document Strategic Opportunity

Vision Areas– Strategic Opportunity areas were 

selected for their strategic location, public input from the community events and surveys, and their potential to be a catalyst for redevelopment in the core focus area and larger study area as a whole. 

– Included with the Strategic Opportunity areas are renderings showing the possible massing and potential architectural character for each targeted site as well as photographs of similar developments as a point of reference.

– Implementation tools identified to aid in guiding progress towards the Strategic Opportunity area visions

NEXT STEPS

C U R R E N T L Y S C H E D U L E D

• Urban Design Subcommittee – July 2014

• UDAC Action – July 3rd

• City Plan Commission – July 2014

• Project Briefing –July 10th

• CPC Action – July 24th

• City Council Action - August 2014

PROJECT CONTACTS:

Patrick Mandapaka, PhD, AICPSenior Transportation Planner

NCTCOGOffice: 817.704.2503

pmandapaka@nctcog.org

Luis TamayoSenior Planner

Sustainable Development and ConstructionCity of Dallas

Office: 214.670.5404luis.tamayo@dallascityhall.com

Questions