northwest metroport chamber mayors’ roundtable · 2010-10-13 · assembled to provide technical...
TRANSCRIPT
Northwest Metroport Chamber Mayors’ Roundtable
Natalie Bettger
Deborah Humphreys
August 6, 2010
Designing Livable Communities
About NCTCOG
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) serves a
16-county region of North Central Texas, which is centered
around the two urban centers of Dallas and Fort Worth.
The Transportation Department, one of eight NCTCOG
departments, supports the Regional Transportation Council (RTC).
The two form the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO),
which guides transportation policy for the twelve-county
Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA).
The MPO serves the region by developing transportation plans
and programs that address the complex needs of the rapidly
growing Dallas-Fort Worth area.
About NCTCOG
NCTCOG has over 230 member governments including 16
counties, numerous cities, school districts, and special
districts
Recently expanded MPA from 9 to 12 counties
Geographically the 2nd largest MPA in the nation
Larger than 34 states in population with 6.6 million
residents
Larger than 9 states in land area
NCTCOG16 County Region
NCTCOG Metropolitan Planning Area
Boundary
Overview
How do you measure a livable city? What are the
indicators?
What does design have to do with it?
What can Cities do to create more competitive and
livable communities?
Human Health Indicators
Health–Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, mental
health
Social–Crime, education, isolation
Environmental–Air quality, water quality, brown
fields
1999
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2008
(*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)
2008
1990
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%
Source: CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Sustainability – Assigning Value to
the Future Energy
consumption
Renewable
resources
Land-efficient
development
patterns
Cultural Identity- Values, Culture
and Tradition
Natural setting
Historical and cultural preservation
Events and traditions
What does design have to do with it?
Postwar urban planning- systems and efficiency driven
What does design have to do with it?
Infrastructure to support sprawl
What does design have to do with it?
Regulations that control sprawl
What does design have to do with it?
Results do
NOT vary…
The Ten Principles of Smart Growth Mix land uses.
Take advantage of compact design.
Create a range of housing opportunities and choices.
Create walkable communities.
Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong
sense of place.
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical
environmental areas.
Strengthen and direct development toward existing
communities.
Provide a variety of transportation options.
Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective.
Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in
development decisions.Source: http://www.smartgrowth.org
Make Existing Places Thrive
Strategy Tools & Policies
Invest public and private funds in
existing places
•Fix-it-first
•Historic Preservation and the Main Street Approach
•Parks and natural resource areas as destinations
•Streets and streetscape improvements
•Targeted new development
Encourage private sector investment
•Infill development incentives
•Overcoming barriers to infill
•Redevelopment readiness certification
•Split-rate tax
Build on past community investments •Adaptive reuse
•School rehabilitation
Foster economic development in
existing downtowns
•Local business survey
•Business recognition program
Source: Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities
Make Existing Places Thrive
Historic Main Street
Parks as a destination
Make Existing Places Thrive
Streets and streetscape improvements
School rehabilitation
Create Great New PlacesStrategy Tools & Policies
Update strategic and policy documents
to accommodate new growth through
compact and contiguous development
•Visioning
•Places worth preserving
•Designated growth areas
•Infrastructure grid and transportation options
•Distinctive local character
Reform policies to make it easy for
developers to build compact, walkable,
mixed-use places
•Policy alignment
•Walkability
•Parks and open space
•Traditional neighborhood development
•Form-Based Codes
•Context-sensitive design
•Green street design
•Low-impact development
Recognize and reward developers
that build great places using smart
growth and green building approaches
•Smart growth recognition programs
•Green building
Source: Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities
Design is an Integrative Activity
Parks and
Open Space
Community
driven sense
of place
Multi-modal
transportation
options
Restoration,
multi-use
developments,
density
Design is an Integrative Activity
Making places – space, activity and path
Sensory-driven planning
Adaptable to the place – culturally relevant
Process for Creating Healthy
Communities
The Planning Process – vision, policies,
regulations and implementation
The Political Process – high level support
pushes favorable regulatory bills
Planning
Plans
Regulations
Zoning/Guidance
Vision Implementation
The Planning Process
The Political Process
The Political Process
Providing Choice
Capturing Community Values – it is a qualitative question
Alternative mode split – transit, bicycling, walking
Providing Choice – Community Values
Providing Choice – Great
Neighborhoods
Putting it all together Pedestrian orientation
Neighborhood friendly streets and paths
Transportation
networks and
interconnected streets
Parks and open space
Mixed uses
Neighborhood centers
Buildings and spaces
of human scale
Relegated parking
Affordability with dignity
Redevelopment
Site planning that respects terrain
Next Steps
1. Conduct an assessment of current
conditions.
2. Engage in a collaborative visioning
process to help the community
determine what it wants to be
like in the future.
3. Develop and implement policies
that will enable the community to
achieve its vision.
What is NCTCOG doing to make North
Central Texas more livable?
NCTCOG Bicycle and Pedestrian
ProgramDeveloped to address the various activities related to implementing bicycle and pedestrian facilities as an alternative mode of regional transportation. Tasks include:
Providing technical assistance to local governments and communities
Coordinating regional planning events
Promoting multi-modal planning at the local level
Assisting with the prioritization of federal and local funds allocated for facilities
Creating safety programs and outreach materials
Mapping existing and planned multi-use trails and on-street bicycle routes
Sponsoring workshops and conferences
Collecting and compiling facility user numbers
Calculating the air quality benefits accrued after constructing facilities in the region
The Regional Veloweb
Concrete surface
Design speed of 25 miles per hour
Recommended width of 12 feet to accommodate a variety of users
Grade separated crossings
Few, if any, signalized or stop sign intersections
Easy access from roadways, particularly on-street bicycle routes
Easy access to common trip destinations
A 644-mile interconnected network of off-street trails designed to provide
safe efficient mobility to pedestrians and cyclists.
Design Considerations:
The Regional Veloweb Map
The Regional Veloweb The existing Regional Veloweb map was developed in 1997.
Currently updating the Regional Veloweb to include in the Mobility 2035: The
Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
The Regional Veloweb was designed to create regional connections and
increase bicycle and pedestrian transportation mobility and accessibly.
Recommended routes and trails included in the Regional Veloweb are
considered high priority projects and are often used as part of the evaluation
process when funding becomes available for various Regional Transportation
Council (RTC) programs.
Regional Veloweb in the Communities of the
Northwest Metroport: Existing Conditions* City of Justin Currently no planned City Trails or Regional Veloweb alignment.
City of Haslet
Planned Regional Veloweb alignment runs along Henrietta Creek.
City of Roanoke No City trail plan, but Planned Regional Veloweb alignment runs along
Henrietta Creek.
Town of Northlake Planned Regional Veloweb alignment runs along Henrietta Creek.
Towns of Trophy Club City trail plan with existing trails, but currently no planned Regional Veloweb
alignment or planned connections to the Regional Veloweb.
Towns of Westlake City trail plan with existing trails, but currently no planned Regional Veloweb
alignment or planned connections to the Regional Veloweb.
*According to NCTCOG data and acquired City plans.
Regional Veloweb in the Communities of the Northwest
Metroport: Possible Future Connections Map - DRAFT
Regional Veloweb in the Communities of the
Northwest Metroport: Possible Future Connections
City of Haslet
Existing Planned Regional Veloweb route.
City of Justin
Proposed connection to the Town of Northlake beginning at the City
Municipal Complex Park, south on Pafford Ave, east on 1st
St./Downe Rd to the planned Town of Northlake alignment.
City of Roanoke
Two possible connections: 1) alignment following the existing Union
Pacific Railroad along US Hwy 377 with connections in the north to
the Planned Regional Veloweb through Roanoke Park, and in the
south to the Town of Westlake (possible alternative would be to utilize
the Cade Branch Denton Creek alignment); 2) alignment in the north
to the Planned Regional Veloweb, through Roanoke Park and east
along Schooling Rd. to the Town of Trophy Club. *According to NCTCOG data and acquired City plans.
Regional Veloweb in the Communities of the
Northwest Metroport: Possible Future Connections
Town of Northlake
Proposed connection to the Planned Veloweb route following the
Denton Creek alignment.
Town of Trophy Club
Proposed connection going west along Schooling Rd, connecting into
the City of Roanoke and following the proposed connection to the
Planned Regional Veloweb route.
Connection south to the Town of Westlake beginning at existing trail
in The Highlands and south on Trophy Club Dr. / Westlake Pkwy. to
proposed alignment in the Town of Westlake.
Town of Westlake
Proposed connection to the City of Roanoke following the alignment
of Marshall Branch Denton Creek east to existing City trail.*According to NCTCOG data and acquired City plans.
Policy Actions for the Regional Veloweb Local governments should: include the Regional Veloweb and connections to the Regional
Veloweb in all transportation planning documents, Preserve right-of-way for future trail expansion and
development, especially in master planned development locations within proximity to the Regional Veloweb,
connect local facilities to the Regional Veloweb, and be responsible to the Regional Veloweb plan and implement
new points of access to add continuity to the Regional Veloweb.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
and the Regional Veloweb
Various options for facilitating accessibility to the Regional Veloweb include the following on-street treatments, in addition to off-street trails:
shared-use lanes,
dedicated bicycle lane,
cycle tracks,
wide outside lanes, and
shoulders.
On-street facilities can be explored by the community for a variety of transportation purposes, including trips to work, to the local store, to the park, etc.
On-street facilities are a great option at a sustainably less cost than the typical multi-use trail.
NCTCOG Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
and Education Outreach ProgramDeveloped to provide Regional bicycle and pedestrian safety and education outreach
2001 “I Count/Yo Cuento” Campaign
National Bike to Work Day Campaign
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee (BPAC)
Create outreach materials which
include: Regional Maps, Brochures,
and Pamphlets
Host training/education events
Participate in and present at various
Regional events
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee (BPAC) Assembled to provide technical expertise, public outreach support,
review of regional bicycle and pedestrian planning, and assistance in
the selection of bicycle and pedestrian projects funded by the
Regional Transportation Council and the Executive Board of the
North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) on an
as-needed basis.
Member designation through the Surface Transportation Technical
Committee (STTC).
Consists of 51 members including local cities, counties, and
transportation providers.
Quarterly meetings open to community members and interested
parties.
NCTCOG Sustainable
Development Funding ProgramRegional Transportation Council (RTC) Local Funds
RTC has programmed over $80 million towards projects that improve air quality within the Region under the following Programs
Local Air Quality (LAQ) Program
6 bicycle and pedestrian projects selected in the 2005-2006 Call for Projects (CFP)
Sustainable Development Program
• Since 2001, the SD Program has
funded an additional 93 Sustainable
Development Planning and
Infrastructure projects
Regional Toll Revenue (RTR) Funds
Additional Sources of Funding Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program
TE offers funding opportunities to help expand transportation choices and
enhance the transportation experience through 12 categories of non-traditional
activities related to the surface transportation system, including:
pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and safety programs,
landscaping and scenic beautification, and
preservation of abandoned railway corridors, including conversion and use
for pedestrian and bicycle trails.
The Enhancement Program has allocated more than $125 million in funds to the DFW region through 2005
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) brought $43,480, 971 to the Region for Stimulus Enhancement Projects
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
Projects funded under this program must demonstrate an air quality benefit
Additional Sources of Funding, cont. Surface Transportation Program – Metropolitan Mobility (STP-
MM)
Flexible funding that may be used by states and localities for a variety of projects
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) Trail Grants
TPWD administers the National Recreational Trails Fund in Texas under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This federally funded program receives its funding from a portion of federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles.
Questions
Natalie Bettger
Senior Program Manager
(817) 695-9280
Deborah Humphreys
Transportation Planner II
(817) 608-2394
NCTCOG Bicycle and Pedestrian Homepage:
http://www.nctcog.org/trans/sustdev/bikeped/
Contact Information