R-00-08-10-10A1 - 8/10/2000RESOLUTION NO. R- 00- 08- 10 -10A1
WHEREAS, the City Council desires future development in the
Palm Valley area to preserve and enhance resources such as creeks,
parks, and historic buildings, and seeks to retain and enhance the
public availability of such resources, and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires development in Palm Valley
to improve connectivity and ease of access reducing congestion and
allowing easier provision of community services, and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to encourage diverse
housing opportunities, and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to develop architectural,
building articulation, site -plan and streetscaping standards to
enhance the overall City appearance, particularly along key
corridors, and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to protect the function of
the City's arterial roadway system by adopting land use and access
policies that concentrate high intensity land uses, minimize strip
development, and limit direct driveway access and curb cuts along
major roadways, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with these intents, the City Council
wishes to adopt the Palm Valley Area Planning and Design Study,
Now Therefore
K, \WPDOCS \RESOLUTI ROOB1QA1.WPD /ec
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK,
TEXAS,
That the City Council hereby adopts the Palm Valley Area
Planning and Design Study, a copy of which is attached hereto and
incorporated herein for all purposes.
The City Council hereby finds and declares that written notice
of the date, hour, place and subject of the meeting at which this
Resolution was adopted was posted and that such meeting was open to
the public as required by law at all times during which this
Resolution and the subject matter hereof were discussed, considered
and formally acted upon, all as required by the Open Meetings Act,
Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, as amended, and the Act.
RESOLVED this 10th day of August, 2000.
ATTEST:
"'ANNE LAND, City Secretary
2
City of Round Rock, Texas
Memorandum
Date: August 8, 2000
To: Bob Bennett
From: Joe Vining, AICP
Subject: Palm Valley Area Planning and Design Study
Attached is a revision of the Palm Valley Area Planning and Design Study (August,
2000). The following changes have been made to the June 2000 report presented to
City Council on July 25th.
On Maps:
• Listed "Business Park" as a use specifically allowed for the entire area south
ofUS79
• The Kenney Fort area allows for "pedestrian access to the Kenney Fort
Historical Area"
• Nodes have been added to the future Joe DiMaggio Street and at the eastern
corner of Dell Diamond
• Removed "commercial access service road" on US 79 and clarified that
interior collector streets may be needed
• Extended buffer to edge of water treatment plant
In Text:
• Removed references to MOKAN except as a boundary of the Palm Valley
Area
• Removed language concerning access streets to US 79. Clarified that local
collectors will be needed and that access to US 79 will be limited
• Per discussions with Public Works Department, changed language such as
"interchanges" with "intersections"
Date: F August 4, 2000
Subject: City Council Meeting — August 10, 2000
Item: 10.A.1. Consider a resolution adopting the Palm Valley Area Planning and
Design Study. Staff Resource Person: Joe Vining.
Palm Valley Area
Planning & Design Study
August, 2000
Prepared by the Palm Valley Planning Group
POLYGON SOUTH
KENT BUTLER & ASSOCIATES
MC /A ARCHITECTS
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING
Prepared for the City of Round Rock
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Palm Valley Planning and Design Study
1. INTRODUCTION
2. AREAWIDE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS
2.1 Planning Sub -areas
2.2 Urban Activity Centers
2.3 Planning Areas and Design Guidelines
3. NATURAL, HISTORIC AND OTHER RESOURCE PRESERVATION
GUIDELINES
4. PLANNING AND DESIGN GUIDELINES
4.1 Street Layout and Design Guidelines
4.2 Site Planning and Urban Design Guidelines
4.3 Infrastructure Planning and Design Guidelines
4.4 Building Design and Related Considerations
5. PUBLIC ACTIONS
6. SUMMARY /CONCLUSION
7. APPENDICES
7.1 Working with Stakeholders in Palm Valley
7.2 Glossary of Technical Terms
7.3 Place- making Survey
7.4 Workshop Participants
7.5 References Cited
7.6 Poster: Natural, Historic and other Important Resources
7.7 Poster: Planning and Design Guidelines
1. INTRODUCTION
This report describes the activities and findings of several
community -based workshops in the spring of 2000 and
recommends future land use planning and design guidelines for
Palm Valley, located within Round Rock, Texas. The report is
accompanied by posters that illustrate the ideas stemming from the
citizen workshops and the recommendations of the Palm Valley
Working Group, which was contracted to conduct this study for the
Round Rock Planning and Community Development Department.
This report is intended to be a framework for the development of
zoning regulations, development guidelines, planned unit
development incentives, and public actions and investments by the
City of Round Rock. They build upon the community's vision as
developed through the Round Rock General Plan 2000 and through
the Palm Valley area planning workshops.
Railroads
Streets
More streets
N Streams
MI Reservoirs
Eli Palm Valley Area
The Palm Valley area is approximately 2,315 acres in eastern Round
Rock, bordered on the west by the abandoned Missouri- Kansas
(MoKan) right -of -way; on the north by County Road 113 (Old
Settlers Blvd.); on the east by County Road 122 and the Round Rock
ETJ; and on the south by Brushy Creek.
Current major features and facilities include Old Settlers Park, the
US 79/Palm Valley Blvd. corridor, the Union Pacific railroad line
parallel to US 79, the abandoned MoKan right -of -way, historically
significant farmhouses and buildings, the Palm Valley Lutheran
Church and cemetery, the floodplains and greenways of Brushy and
Chandler creeks, the Dell Diamond baseball complex, including the
Round Rock Convention Center, and very limited low- density
residential development north of US 79.
In April, 2000 the Round Rock Planning and Community
Development Department produced a background report titled,
"Existing Conditions of the Palm Valley Area." This report
describes and documents a variety of important features of the area,
including existing land uses, historic features, utilities, existing and
proposed transportation options, natural features and topography,
existing and proposed future land uses, and zoning and subdivisions.
In March, 2000 the City of Round Rock contracted with the Palm
Valley Planning Group, comprised of Scott Polikov (Polygon
South), Kent Butler (Kent Butler and Associates), Milosav Cekic
(MC /A Architects), and Pix Howell (Concept Planning and
Development). The Planning Group organized and conducted a
series of planning and design workshops and generated support
graphics and reports, culminating in this report and two large- format
posters. These products are intended to assist the Planning and
Community Development Department in the adoption of zoning and
other mechanisms for guiding and inducing desirable and compatible
development in the area. A combination of planning for future
development and conservation of significant human and natural
resources in the Palm Valley area will be needed to accomplish these
goals.
Three workshops were conducted for Palm Valley. The first one, an
evening workshop on April 6, served to introduce the project,
prepare the participants for group participation and group planning
processes, and conduct a visual, place making survey of desirable
and undesirable land uses and activities applicable to the Palm
Valley area. (Refer to the Glossary in the Appendix for definitions of
terms shown in Italics in the report.)
The second workshop was held all day on Saturday, April 8 during
which the participants focussed on natural and historic resources and
their preservation needs. The third workshop was held all day on
Saturday, April 15, at which future land use planning and issues of
compatibility and mixed -use development in key locations were
considered for the Palm Valley area.
This report and the accompanying posters represent the Palm Valley
Working Group's synopsis of the workshops and a specification of
strategies for consideration by Round Rock, as it proceeds with
detailed land use planning and the development of appropriate
development guidance measures for the area.
2. AREA -WIDE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
CONCEPTS
This section of the report provides a framework for dividing Palm
Valley into sub - areas, each with distinct characteristics and
development potentials. Future growth in Palm Valley is
recommended to be concentrated within a series of urban activity
centers, also described in this section. Finally, a series of specific
design guidelines are recommended for each sub -area. The
guidelines are presented briefly on an oversized map located at the
end of this section. The following two chapters then provide
considerably greater detail on each of the recommended design
guidelines for the sub -areas of Palm Valley.
2.1 Planning Sub -areas
Palm Valley can be divided into eight distinct sub - areas, each with
its own set of resources, growth opportunities, and constraints. The
purpose of identifying the sub -areas is to allow the planning and
development of each area to proceed under a coherent theme of
growth and a specific set of design guidelines. The following two
chapters of this report will present resource preservation and
planning and design guidelines, consistent with these themes.
The eight sub -areas and their respective development themes are as
follows:
• Northwest Residential Sub -area: Bounded by the MoKan right -
of -way, County Road 113, Old Settlers Park, and Chandler
Creek.
• Old Settlers Park and Creek Greenways: Bounded by the Old
Settlers Park boundary and the 100 -year floodplains of the
creeks.
• Northeast Residential Sub -area: Bounded by County Road
113, County Road 122 and the Round Rock ETJ, the US 79
corridor, Chandler Creek, and Old Settlers Park.
• Dell Diamond Sub -area: Bounded by Old Settlers Park,
Chandler Creek, and US 79.
• US 79 Corridor: Bounded by a zone just south of the Union
Pacific railroad line and approximately 100 feet north of the
north right -of -way boundary.
• Brushy Creek Southeast Sub - area: Bounded by US 79, Brushy
Creek, and a north -south line running south of Old Settlers Park.
• Kenney Fort Sub - area: Bounded by Brushy Creek, the old
MoKan right -of -way, US 79, and a north -south line running
south from Old Settlers Park.
• Palm Valley Lutheran Church Sub - area: Bounded by MoKan
right -of -way, Chandler Creek, Old Settlers Park, and US 79.
2.1.1 Sub -area Development Patterns
The pattern of urban growth in each of the eight sub -areas is
recommended to follow a certain theme of land use over the next
couple of decades. These themes or patterns are offered with the
intention of guiding development in ways that will preserve existing
critical resources of the sub -area and also encourage new
developments to conform in certain ways to the physical features and
resources that define these sub -areas.
The Northwest Residential Sub - area today is rural - residential in
character, with a large -lot subdivision and at least one working farm.
The city should adopt guidelines to retain and preserve the feeling of
openness and visual access to Old Settlers Park, Chandler Creek, and
other vistas. The public boundary and accessibility of Old Settlers
Park should be respected when new developments are planned. The
existing low- density subdivision in this sub -area should be
acknowledged in any subdivision layouts abutting its borders. The
prominence and cultural significance of the views of Palm Valley
Lutheran Church should be acknowledged and incorporated into the
design of new subdivisions.
Higher intensity residential uses including multi - family development
will be appropriate along the rights -of -way proposed arterials in this
area. Traffic generated by such higher intensity uses should be
oriented as much as possible towards these major roadways and
away from single - family neighborhoods. It is possible that taller
multi - family buildings will buffer housing to the east from some of
the noise from these arterials.
Old Settlers Park and the Brushy and Chandler Creek
Greenways are keystones of the natural and cultural heritage in
Palm Valley. Their natural beauty and recreational value are critical
resources for all the citizens of Round Rock. If adjoining
developments are sited and designed to respect these resources, then
they will forever remain vital resources. Careful planning of new
streets and trails in and adjoining these areas will enhance their value
as connective corridors between the neighborhoods and commercial
districts of Palm Valley.
The Northeast Residential Sub -area today is mostly agricultural,
but is appropriately located to become mostly suburban - residential in
character, particularly considering the recent subdivision platting
activity on a significant share of the vacant land (Ryan's Crossing).
This area is not immediately bordered by low- density subdivisions
and should be platted at low to moderate densities (2 -8 lots per acre).
Subdivision platting in this sub -area needs to respect and provide for
significant setbacks from Old Settlers Park and Chandler Creek, as in
the case of the Northwest Residential sub -area. The intersection of
County Road 122 and US 79 is designated in this planning
framework as a future urban activity center, serving the residential
neighborhoods in eastern Palm Valley and southeast of Palm Valley.
Buffering of non - residential uses in the activity node at CR 122 and
US 79 from single - family residential uses to the north will be a
necessity.
The Dell Diamond Sub - area is already the most economically
active area in Palm Valley. Future development in this relatively
delimited area (bounded by Old Settlers Park and US 79 will likely
be urban in character. Concept planning for this area during the
Palm Valley workshops resulted in a mixed -use development center
in the northeastern portion, bordering on the Chandler Creek
floodplain and greenway. The green spaces near this area and the
ready access to the Dell Diamond offer unique opportunities for
pedestrian - friendly retail activities, including restaurants, a hotel,
shopping, and higher density residential uses.
The US Highway 79 Corridor is designated as a separate sub -area
because it requires special attention on account of the safety, noise,
and accessibility constraints imposed on pedestrian- friendly, livable
neighborhoods in Palm Valley. It will be necessary to consider this
corridor, including the Union Pacific (UP) railroad line, as a
restricted zone for the above stated reasons. The recommended
corridor width, including the UP railroad line and parallel
landscaped buffers, is at least 300 feet. Curb cuts for future
commercial projects and residential subdivisions must be limited to a
minimum of locations. Advanced planning is needed to establish a
minimum of pedestrian ways to cross under the right -of -way.
A local access street extending along the northern right -of -way of
US 79 is needed to serve the Northeast Residential, Dell Diamond,
and Palm Valley sub -areas safely and conveniently. Similarly, a
counterflow road on the south side, parallel to and set back from the
UP railroad line, should be considered as a means of providing safe
transportation and ease of access to commercially developable land
in this area.
Right -of -way requirements for the intersections at Arterial A,
County Road 122, and possibly in the Dell Diamond/Convention
Center area need to be identified and addressed for each of the
abutting sub - areas. Planning and layout of loop roads that
interconnect the major corner parcels of these intersections can
provide for efficient access around the area.
The Brushy Creek Southeast Sub - area will accommodate a mix of
uses, mostly urban mixed -use or commercial /industrial in character
and intensity. The historic Telander and Reid farmhouses must be
carefully considered in new development plans. Compatibility and
preservation of selected views of the houses are important site
planning considerations. A traditional neighborhood design (TND)
and/or a transit- oriented development (TOD) would be appropriate at
some distance away from the regional wastewater plant, integrating
residential and mixed -uses in a pedestrian - friendly manner. Access
across US 79 needs to be addressed, particularly in the area near Dell
Diamond and the convention center, both for vehicular and
pedestrian movement. Long -range planning for commuter rail needs
to be considered in terms of access to a station location, commuter
car parking, and pedestrian movement across US 79.
In order to address compatibility issues for land adjacent to the
wastewater treatment, light manufacturing or industrial uses are
appropriate, given the possible concerns about views, odors, or
trucks entering and leaving the plant site.
Notwithstanding the high visibility afforded by US 79 for highway
frontage property, new development should be buffered from
highway noise and traffic and from the UP rail line, and be served by
new local access streets. Finally, considerable public access to
greenways along Brushy and Chandler creeks need to be provided,
including the use of single- loaded boundary streets. Residential
uses would be suitable along the north side of the road, with the
Brushy Creek greenway along the south side.
The Kenney Fort Sub -area, similar to the Brushy Creek Southeast
sub -area, can support a mix of uses, mostly urban in character and
intensity. The south side of US 79 is suitable for commercial and
mixed -use developments. A mixed -use urban activity node should
be planned along Arterial A within this sub -area, with attention to
provision for safety and ease of access for pedestrians and other
transportation modes. The US 79 -UP rail line corridor will need to
be buffered as new development is proposed on the northern edge of
this sub -area.
The southwestern quadrant of the sub -area, near the old Kenney Fort
site and along Brushy Creek, is a prime location for cultural/historic
and recreational development. As in the other sub - areas, pedestrian
and vehicular access to the creek greenway should be addressed in
the layout of boundary streets, leaving some street segments single -
loaded and open on the greenway side, affording visual and
pedestrian access to Brushy Creek.
The Palm Valley Lutheran Church Sub - area is situated in one of
the most imminently developable locations for mixed -use
commercial development. The future connections of US 79 with
planned arterials will provide opportunities for the planning of urban
activity nodes. Noise and safety considerations of the US 79
corridor and other arterials will need to be addressed by planting
significant landscape buffers and providing access to highway
corridor developments.
2.2 Urban Activity Centers
A framework of urban activity centers, or nodes, at which
commercial and service activities will naturally aggregate, should be
established at the outset of planning for Palm Valley. Market
demand for such locations can naturally lead to the establishment of
major commercial nodes without public intervention. Nonetheless,
proactive public planning and provision of an orderly framework for
design of some of the key infrastructure, as well as coordinated
spatial planning for construction of private developments, can result
in more successful and economically attractive places to work, shop,
eat, seek entertainment, and the like.
Accordingly, it is envisioned that activity nodes will be developed
along US 79 at the following locations:
• Arterial A
• County Road 122, and possibly
• Dell Diamond/Convention Center /future commuter rail stop.
In addition, urban activity nodes should be planned in association
with future developments at the following approximate locations:
• Arterial A, midway between US 79 and Brushy Creek
• South of the Dell Diamond, midway between US 79 and Brushy
Creek
• North of US 79, near Chandler Creek
The poster titled, Community Planning and Design Guidelines shows
the location of these nodes. Ideally, the layout of each urban node
will be comprehensively developed and dense in pattern. They will
vary in size, ranging perhaps from as little as 10 -20 acres to as much
as 50 -100 acres. No determination of desirable or likely size has
been made. The nodes will likely be developed incrementally over
many years as Palm Valley builds out and the area population
increases. Consequently, it will be important to plan the traffic
circulation, storm drainage and other underlying patterns for each
urban node.
9
It is incumbent on the City to establish a set of standards to preserve
and provide open spaces and civic facilities in such areas, both by
public and private initiative. The sense of human scale and the
overall quality and attractiveness of these urban centers will not be
lost if organizing standards for their design and development are
adhered to by individual developers.
Specifically, connector street layouts can be important parts of the
roadway infrastructure, tying together all the quadrants of major
intersections. Pedestrian - friendly connections between development
sites need to be required, because they are all to frequently ignored
and are almost impossible to construct after development is
completed. Monuments, significant architectural features, or
consistently designed landscape treatments are needed to help in
defining a unique sense of place and an organizing theme for the
many physical elements in these urban nodes.
2.3 Planning Areas and Design Guidelines
The following map illustrates the eight planning areas and briefly
outlines the major planning and design guidelines recommended for
each sub -area. The specific planning and design guidelines are more
fully described and explained in the following two chapters of this
report. The Glossary, located in the Appendix, also is useful in
explaining some of the terms used in these guidelines.
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'RESIDENTIAL, - _
� ResidenNal:area, —
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,
• RURAL RESIDENTIAL WITH
LIMITED SERVICES
'RURAL RESIDENTIAL STREETS
'LARGE LOTS
• DEEP BACK YARDS (OPEN)
• CLUSTER DEVELOPMENTS
'PRESERVE RANCHETTES AND
WORKING FARMS
'PRESERVE CLUSTERS OF
LARGE MATURE TREES
• URBAN - MIXED USE (30% COM)
• ARTERIAL A ROAD - PARKWAY
• MED DENSITY RES STREETS
•COMMERCIAL MAIN STREET STDS
• SMALL AND MED LOTS
•BUILD -TO -LINE
' TRADITIONAL BLDG DESIGN
• GATEWAY A 79 AND MO-KAN
• VIEW CORRIDORS TO AND
FROMP.V LUTHERAN CHURCH
'ACCESS TO GREENBELTS
• CONNECT TO NEIGHBORHOODS
US HWY 79 CORRIDOR
• 300' ROW OR GREATER
INCLUDING RAILROAD ROW
LIMITED ACCESS ROAD
'BUILDINGS ADJOINING HWY
SERVED BY LOCAL STREETS
'MAJOR LANDSCAPE BUFFER
• LIMITED NUMBER OF GRADE
CROSSINGS
'BUSINESS PARK
• URBAN - MIXED USE (30% COM)
'TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD
DESIGN DEVELOPMENTS
• COUNTERFLOW ROAD FOR COM
ACCESS
• MED DENSITY RES STREETS
• COM MAIN STREET STDS
• SMALL AND MED LOTS
• SINGLE LOADED BLVD ALONG
CREEK GREENWAYS WITH
AMPLE PUBUC ACCESS TO CREEKS
• BUILD TO PROPERTY LINE
•BACKYARDS SIDEYARDS AND
COURTYARDS
ALLEYS
• PEDESTRIAN NETWORKS
• TRADITIONAL BLDG DESIGN
• KENNEY FORT DISTRICT
Nap Infonnabon
®
r,j 2f --
OW SETTLERS PARK
• PRESERVE EDGES BY
LARGE SETBACKS
• KEEP RURAL OPEN SPACE
CHARACTER
• PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE
TRAILS
• NEW ROADS RURAL
IN CHARACTER
• EASY PUBUC ACCESS TO
PARKS AND GREENBELTS
NORTHEAST RESIDENTIAL
• SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL
LIMITED COM (5% - 10%)
• CLUSTER DEVELOPMENTS
• MED DENSITY RES STREET
• MAIN STREET COMMERCIAL
AT US 79 CROSSING
• MED AND LARGE LOTS
• BUILD -TO -UNE
• FRONTYARDS, BACKYARDS
• ALLEYS AND AUX BUILDINGS
• PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
• TRADITIONAL BLDG DESIGN
DELL DIAMOND
• URBAN MIXED USE REFER
TO BRUSHY CREEK SOUTHEAST
STDS
• LARGE COM LOTS WITH SMALL
LEASE SPACES
• POSSIBLE RAIL TRANSIT
STATION
"CROSSING US 79 AT GRADE
• MAJOR LANDSCAPE
BUFFER ALONG US 79
• BUSINESS PARK
• URBAN - MIXED USE
• TRADITIONAL NBHD DESIGN
• MED DENSITY RES STREETS
• MAIN STREET COM STDS
• SMALL AND MED RES LOTS
•BUILD -TO -UNE
• BACKYARDS, SIDEYARDS,
COURTYARDS
HISTORICALLY INSPIRED
BLDG DESIGN
'BUFFER AT TREATMENT PLANT
• SINGLE LOADED STREETS WITH
PUBUC ACCESS TO
BRUSHY CREEK
• PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
• BREAK LARGE PROJECTS INTO
SMALLER COMPONENTS
1000 0 1000 2000 Feet
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PALM VALLEY PLANNING AREAS AND DESIGN GUIDELINES
3. GUIDELINES FOR PRESERVING NATURAL,
HISTORIC AND OTHER IMPORTANT
RESOURCES
The guidelines and recommendations for preservation of natural and
historic resources stem in part from the visions and consensus
formulated during the Palm Valley citizen workshops. As shown on
the poster titled, Natural, Historic and other Important Resources,
public access to open space and recreational resources will be
increasingly important as build -out proceeds in Palm Valley.
Development or enhancement of open space resources must strive to
make them safe and amenable to pedestrian traffic by children and
elders, and to accommodate a wide range of recreational and other
activities. Adjacent development can be designed to preserve the
small town or rural scale. The scale of Large structures should be
broken down into smaller components. The public and pnvate zones
of yards and residential streets in lower density neighborhoods
adjoining parks, trails and historic resources can be designed so as to
maintain a feeling of openness.
The following guidelines are recommended for the preservation and
enhancement of historic, natural and other important resources of
Palm Valley:
Historic and other important cultural resources:
• Establish site planning standards to protect park boundaries from
encroachment of buildings, lighting, fences, and other private
resources. Adopt large rear yard set -back requirements for lots
abutting Old Settlers Park. Require some single- loaded streets
along park boundaries in adjoining neighborhood to protect the
openness of park edges and provide public access.
• Establish view protection corridors to Palm Valley Lutheran
Church steeple, historic farmhouses, portions of Old Settlers
Park, and other historic and cultural sites to protect the visibility
of heritage resources in Palm Valley. The gently sloping terrain
in Palm Valley may result in some possible future losses of the
scenic views of these and other historic and natural resources.
Utilize historic themes for the design of public amenities,
building upon the agricultural and pioneer heritage of Palm
Valley.
• Include signage or monumentation at points on major roadways
to announce trail access points and to establish gateway entry
points into Palm Valley.
• Preserve the opportunity for a possible future commuter rail
service on the Union Pacific rail line and a Palm Valley rail
station by designating a station site, commuter parking areas, and
multiple access points for adjoining developments. Plan for and
require the reservation of pedestrian corridors that will integrate
commuter rail traffic into adjacent development.
• Encourage the adaptive reuse of historic structures in a manner
that faithfully retains their architectural history and character.
• Designate and plan for a public /cultural heritage area on the
Brushy Creek greenway near the historic Kenney Fort site.
Include signage, and possibly additional historic structures, and
consider acquiring additional land to establish a
tourist/recreational district in this area.
• Require landscaped buffers along US 79 on both sides and in the
rights -of -way of selected other major roadways. Make the tree -
lined boulevards and arterial streets become defining features of
Palm Valley.
Natural and open space recreation resources:
• Develop a comprehensive pedestrian/bicycle trails and sidewalk
plan for Palm Valley to ensure connectivity within and between
all new residential subdivisions, commercial districts, creek
greenways, parks and school sites, and public rights -of -way at
the edges of Palm Valley.
• Preserve public access to creeks and greenways by avoiding
privatization of access. Require single- loaded streets and the
dedication of pedestrian/bicycle paths between buildings and Tots
in locations near greenways as land is platted and developed.
12
• Construct a connective network of linear trails along Chandler
and Brushy creeks, including minor tributaries to Chandler
Creek.
• Dedicate or acquire additional creekside lands to establish
neighborhood park sites and shared park- school sites.
• Plan for and acquire highway crossing right - of - way for
pedestrians/bicyclists under US 79 in the vicinity of Chandler
Creek.
• Explore all opportunities for establishing pedestrian paths when
infrastructure corridors are sited and constructed.
• Establish storm water detention and water quality protection
requirements to protect Chandler and Brushy creeks from
excessive erosion and siltation in Palm Valley.
13
4. PLANNING & DESIGN GUIDELINES
A primary task of all urban architecture and landscape design is the
physical definition of street and public spaces of shared use.
Individual buildings and other architectural objects should be
seamlessly linked to their surroundings, natural and man -made. This
issue is more important than style: the importance of a building, in
terms of urban design, is in its relation to the street and to the town
as a whole.
To establish the architectural character of a place the following
components must be clearly defined:
• Type of street — residential or commercial, which type residential
and/or which type commercial
• Size of lots — smaller Lots define a tighter public space and a
more continuous street edge, while larger lots dissipate the edge
(which can be appropriate for some streets).
• Setback lines — Change this term to "build -to" lines. With
setbacks the buildings are experienced as isolated sculptural
objects; build -to lines make buildings a part of the definition of
the public realm. At least 60% of the buildings should be
constructed at the build -to line, and 20% of those withinl0 feet
of the property line.
• Building design — The character and design of buildings should
reflect an architecture of place. This kind of architecture
concerns itself with historical continuity and uses historical
precedents for guidance and inspiration, not for quick imitation
and/or idle repetition.
The following guidelines are recommended for use by the City of
Round Rock as incentives, planning guidelines for developers and
builders, or regulatory standards to be adopted in a variety of ways
as outlined in the following section of this report.
14
4.1 Street Layout and Design Guidelines
Perhaps the most important aspect of planning and designing new
neighborhoods and commercial districts is in establishing the
character of public places, most notably, the streets. Streets provide
a conduit for travel, but also provide the critical place for a multitude
of encounters of economic and social function.
The Palm Valley area will require a variety of street types and
designs to accommodate a wide range of anticipated densities and
land uses. Alleys may be feasible and appropriate for traditionally
designed neighborhoods in the Northeast Residential or Brushy
Creek Southeast sub -areas. Residential streets for rural as compared
to suburban neighborhoods should be designed for the anticipated
density and traffic volumes. Along creek greenways and park
boundaries, single - loaded streets with parking on at least one side
will be appropriate and should be specified. Larger streets should be
laid out to serve as "connectors" rather than collectors, providing
choice and flexible access into and through neighborhoods and
commercial areas and between more distant built -up areas. The
Planning and Design Guidelines poster illustrates some of the
applicable concepts in the design of streets in residential and
commercial districts.
The following street design guidelines are recommended for
adoption within Palm Valley:
• There should be a catalog of street section designs, perhaps six to
ten in number, representing enough variation in design and
function to efficiently and affordably serve different housing
densities and commercial development intensities and patterns.
A catalog of streets will also aid in the establishment of a
diversity of public spaces within the different future land uses of
Palm Valley. Some, but not all, of the recommended street
categories are as follows:
• Rural residential street with wide right -of -way for open
channel drainage, low residential densities
15
Rural Residential Street
• Medium- density residential street with curb and gutter
sections, on- street parking, street trees or planting strips, and
sidewalks
• Commercial "main street" for mixed -use districts, with
parking on two sides, wide sidewalks, and shallow build -to
lines. The main street design should be required within all
urban activity centers and in mixed -use areas within Palm
Valley.
• Arterial street with a rural design, divided by a landscaped
median, consistent with the openness of Palm Valley.
Note: The City's street classification and design standards
already include three of the above types: the rural, medium
density residential, and arterial street types. Specific design
standards should be established for the narrow residential street
with alleys and the commercial "main street" so they can be
included in the planning and design of subdivisions and
commercial developments in Palm Valley.
• For all street types and dimensions, establish an appropriate
proportionality of building heights in relation to street widths, to
create streets as places (broadly defined to include both the street
right -of -way and building set -back area). The intent is to avoid
too wide a space, in that it encourages high -speed traffic, causes
a loss of scale, and discourages pedestrian activity and the
desirability to occupy the space.
• Plan for the arrangement of "connector" streets instead of
"collector" streets, allowing for easier, safer movement between
and through neighborhoods and commercial districts.
Connecting streets as opposed to higher speed collector streets
are easily served by public transit service if it becomes available
in the future.
16
Medium- density
• Narrow residential street with alleys for utility service Residential Street
(garbage collection) and garage access
Main Streets
• Small pedestrian paths should be constructed between buildings,
from the street to the rear parking lots of buildings, in mixed -use
districts and urban activity nodes.
• Plant street trees to establish shading and encourage walking and
to create a narrower proportionality effect .
• Design the curb return radius of residential and main streets to be
significantly reduced (as little as five feet) to facilitate safe
pedestrian crossings at intersections and to discourage high-
speed turning in pedestrian areas.
• Outdoor activities on commercial streets should be encouraged
(e.g., sidewalk cafe dining) as a matter of public policy.
• On- street parking should be allowed on all streets except for
arterial streets and highways.
• Lay the street patterns in new developments in a way that frames
views of major buildings, cultural features, or natural features.
Framing of vistas is one of the primary principles in town
building. This strategy makes orientation easier, connects a place
into a coherent and interesting pedestrian experience, and
increases a sense of belonging.
• Pedestrian networks should be located along or visible from all
streets. They provide clear, comfortable, and direct access to
commercial areas, parks and recreation areas. Primary pedestrian
routes and bikeways should be bordered by residential fronts,
public parks, plazas, or commercial uses. Routes through parking
lots or at the rear of residential development should be avoided.
4.2 Site Planning and Urban Design Guidelines
The purpose of the following guidelines is not the design of a
particular street or object but an overarching goal of creating a
livable place. Place, for our purposes, can be defined in at least two
ways. In a more narrow sense it is a comfortable physical enclosure
of human scale and texture, defined by buildings and/or landscape
elements. In a wider sense, a place represents a pattern or set of
17
(IVIIAS
patterns of relationships and behaviors, which increases our sense of
belonging in the life of a community.
To provide proper guidance to developments with the creation of a
place as described above as the final result, the following types of
tools are necessary to define:
Type (and size) of neighborhood
• Rural with limited services
• Suburban with mixed -uses (limited commercial, up to 30% of
area)
• Mixed -use urban with substantial commercial (from 30% to
70% of area)
Type of street
• Rural residential (narrow streets, open back yards)
• Medium- density residential
• Urban main street within commercial and mixed -use areas
• Alleys (on some street types)
• Other: connector streets, arterial streets, industrial streets,
streets on greenways, etc.
• Non - vehicular network: sidewalks, pedestrian and bike trails
Type and size of lot (residential or commercial)
• Small
• Medium
• Large
Usage of lot
• Front yards, back yards, side yards, courtyards
• Auxiliary buildings (in some circumstances)
Setback
• Change building "set -back lines" to "build - lines"
Building design
• Define architectural components appropriate for the area.
The following three subsections present more details on the
recommended site planning, building massing, and urban design
guidelines for Palm Valley than that presented in the Planning Areas
and Design Guidelines figure.
18
4.2.1 Site Planning Guidelines
• Address the siting of buildings in relation to the street, parking,
and private yard. Building fronts should be easily accessible by
pedestrians from the street or sidewalk.
• Build to the street and use courtyards in commercial districts and
high- density residential areas.
• Provide for a public space in front of the building line that is
protected from the street through the use of planting strips or
other vertical amenities (e.g., trees, lighting standards) and on-
street parking.
• Parking and vehicular circulation should be subordinate to
pedestrian access to buildings.
• Internalize parking or establish parking lots in the rear or sides of
buildings instead of the front. (This is not to say, however, that
on -street parking should be eliminated.)
• Integrate uses within a walkable neighborhood or district using
consistent themes, such as traditional neighborhood
development, transit - oriented development, or mixed -use district.
• Protect view corridors as a strategy in laying the street patterns in
new developments, in a way that frames views of major
buildings or cultural or natural features (see Street Layout and
Design Guidelines, above).
4.2.2 Building Massing and Design Guidelines
• Address building massing by breaking large structures into a
series of smaller units and places. Break building facades into
smaller components to bring them into the human scale.
• Building fronts should utilize porches, awnings, arcades,
colonnades, entries and windows (unmirrored glass at and
19
directly above street level) to encourage pedestrian activity on
the street.
• Allow residential accessory buildings and alleys, and encourage
front porches and rear garages.
• Establish zoning standards for, and allow vertical zoning (e.g.,
retail on the first floor and residential or office on the second and
possibly third floors) within urban activity centers.
• Public buildings and institutions should occupy important points
in the development layouts, be truly unique in their design
(different from private structures), and create meaningful endings
to long or special vistas.
4.2.3 Urban Design Guidelines
• Mark entrances to neighborhoods with defining architectural
features.
• Establish uniform street edges in retail and commercial areas.
Establish consistent build -to lines on each side of main streets.
• Screen unattractive portions of commercial lots and districts
(e.g., garbage containers, freight loading areas).
• Establish standard design specifications for street lighting on
various categories of streets or in certain commercial districts.
• Establish minimum standards and recommended materials for
street and parking lot landscaping.
• Create retail signage standards, consistent in style and
representative of Palm Valley architectural themes (see Building
Design Considerations, below).
20
4.3 Infrastructure Planning and Design
Guidelines
The placement of utility lines, storm drainage facilities, and public
buildings and facilities such as schools and parks are decisions that
can profoundly shape the patterns of future growth. Their physical
and visual appearance can have a profound positive or negative
impact on the beauty and desirability of a neighborhood or
commercial district. Accordingly, several specific recommendations
are made in this section regarding the construction and placement of
new community infrastructure in Palm Valley.
• Construct electrical lines underground or in the least possible
intrusive ways and locations.
• Consider "utility corridors" along collector and arterial roadways
for future telecommunication, wastewater reuse, and other utility
service functions. By bundling several infrastructure
components in the same corridor, considerable land area is
conserved and the overall appearance of the community is not
visually degraded.
• Encourage developers to participate in area wide drainage and
storm water management plans. A regional approach to storm
water detention and water quality management provides
opportunities for public - private participation or incentives for
urban development styles. Utilize grass -lined swales for rural
type roadways and incorporate green space /trails as they
approach existing greenways and creeks.
• Identify school sites and adjoining park sites. Consider city -
school district cooperative acquisitions for park and school
properties, such as in areas adjoining greenways, so that safe
pedestrian and bicycle connections are provided new schools,
parks, and neighborhoods.
• Develop special signage standards for Palm Valley, applicable to
builders and merchants as well as the City of Round Rock.
21
4.4 Building Design and Related Considerations
The historical architectural precedent worth adopting as guidelines
for future actions in Palm Valley is the building tradition which has
produced some of the best quality places in this part of the world,
over the last century — the Pioneer style. It is characterized by the
following:
• Front porches, back porches, wrap- around porches,
add -on porches, cut -out porches
• Stone walls of various stone coursing
• Gable end roofs, some hip roofs, occasional hip -gable
• Pitched roofs with multiple pitch angles
• Galvanized metal roofing
• Dormer windows
• Pronounced stone chimneys
• Breezeways between parts of buildings
• Courtyards
• Small add -on structures
• Exterior stairs to upper levels
• Exposed rafters at eaves
• Rock fences
• Arbors
The Pioneer style should be suggested, to encourage a coherence of
theme and to ensure retention of the character of Palm Valley and
specific neighborhoods through time.
Even very detailed guidelines and ordinances do not guarantee an
expected interpretation or a desired result in terms of building
design. Planning staff should have a mechanism in place to help
interpret the guidelines as well as review individual projects or
developers' prototypical designs for the area. The city may choose
to employ a design professional or engage a third -party professional
or, in the case of developers who produces detailed guidelines, allow
the developers to specify their own design professional to interpret
and approve the building design.
22
5. PUBLIC ACTIONS
Implementation of the preceding guidelines for Palm Valley can and
should take a variety of forms, ranging from voluntary incentives to
regulatory standards to financial investment strategies. In this
section a few of the many public actions that could be taken are
outlined for the purposes of discussion and possible action by the
City of Round Rock.
Adopt new zoning districts and overlay zoning districts.
Many of the planning and design considerations resulting from this
study and the making of the General Plan 2000 may be implemented
through zoning standards. Additionally, some of the standards that
would be applicable to more than one type of district may be enacted
as overlay districts that would apply to a larger area, possibly to the
entire Palm Valley area. Many if not all of the provisions in sections
3 and 4 of this report could conceivably be adopted through zoning
regulations.
It may be appropriate to adopt a series of overlay zoning districts for
each sub -area. For example, the US 79 corridor as an overlay would
restrict access points and provide for buffers from the right -of -way.
Another overlay district would establish standards for natural,
historic and other sites and corridors in Palm Valley, providing for
buffers, view corridors, public access areas, and architectural
compatibility standards. Other overlay districts might apply to the
remainder of the Palm Valley area.
Consider special financing districts for the construction of public
infrastructure and urban amenities.
The City of Round Rock or consortia of development interests may
consider the establishment of Public Improvement Districts, Road
Districts, or other special districts for the development of
infrastructure, including utilities, roadways, bridges serving multiple
developments, urban parks, street landscaping, monumentation and
other gateway features, or even in construction cost - sharing for
certain streets in Palm Valley.
23
Allow the use of density transfers within or between developments.
The City of Round Rock may also consider allowing developers to
make density transfers, whereby the location or intensity of
development on a property may be restricted for various reasons, but
the owner or developer is allowed to transfer the right to develop at
an even higher intensity to another location. The right to move
density around is usually limited and documented carefully, either
elsewhere on the property or onto another property within a
designated planning district or area. The reasons for considering
such density transfers may include the desire to achieve: (1)
conservation of certain critical resources; (2) lower intensities of
development in certain sensitive areas where traffic or noise or
pollution would be very detrimental; or (3) higher intensities in other
areas where little or no physical or cultural constraints exist.
Develop general criteria for the execution of planned unit
developments (PUDs).
Planned unit developments are negotiated contractual commitments
involving both the developer and the city whereby the developer
agrees to carry out certain actions or adhere to certain principles and
standards during the course of a short or long - term development.
Usually, there is consideration on both sides of the PUD. A public
action or financial investment or waiver of certain standards might
be made by the city in consideration for certain commitments or
performance by the developer or builders in a development.
Alternatively, the city may not participate in the development, but
approve the PUD because of the public benefits afforded by the
proposed project. Given the complexity and duration of mixed -use
development projects that are contemplated in this report, it would
be beneficial if the city established general criteria that could be
made known to development interests when projects are proposed in
Palm Valley. These PUD criteria will be particularly in key areas,
such as urban activity nodes, where the city intends to facilitate
construction of infrastructure serving more than just one
development.
24
6. SUMMARY /CONCLUSION
As the City and developers of Palm Valley formulate plans and
respond to market demands, our vision, if not stated clearly and
concisely, may become blurred and we all may carry out our
separate plans. Out of fear not to appear rigid and unrealistic in our
planning, we may end up watering down the vision of what our
place ought to be and respond only to the pressures and reasoning
of the market place and the practicality of the moment. Sometimes
it makes sense to step back and take a look at our development
practices from a wider perspective and ask fundamental questions
about the way we want ourselves and our children to live. Visioning
exercises are an excellent opportunity to do just that.
An important part of the Palm Valley visioning process has been a
realization that in building the future Palm Valley Community we
need to strike a "delicate balance between elements of the vision
which should not be compromised under any circumstances on one
hand, and today's market place on the other. These core concepts,
our primary strokes on the land so to speak, are the strongest
determinants of the type and character of the place Palm Valley
will become.
In the world of short institutional memory and in the absence of a
single person or a small group of people holding the sacredness of
the vision, it is crucially important to identify and make public
those components that are at the heart of the way of life we want to
promote and consequently of the physical form we want our town
to have.
The Palm Valley Working Group finds the following concepts,
stemming from the Palm Valley visioning process, worth
considering to be guiding principles in building the future of this
community:
1. Regarding preservation and enhancement of natural
resources, Old Settlers Park, creek parks and greenways,
networks of trails, and the historic character appropriate for
this climate and region should be maintained in the face of any
future development. This will ensure the creation of a place
which endures time and develops its own character.
25
2. Make Palm Valley a family of neighborhoods. Carefully
determine the size, the content (land uses) and the position of
neighborhoods in relation to nature and to each other. The basic
principle should be to provide opportunities for satisfying most of
our daily needs within our neighborhood within a reasonable
walking distance. Empirical evidence suggests that the ideal
walking time to meet most of our daily needs should be less than
10 minutes (approximately one half mile or less).
3. Provide a multiplicity of connections within and in between
neighborhoods. This is an essential principle which provides
multiple ways of getting places, reduces congestion, and allows
easier provision of various community services - postal service,
EMS, police, fire protection, etc. It also makes it possible to design
narrower street pavements as well as design intersections with
tighter curb return radii, contributing to pedestrian safety and
character.
A network of pedestrian and bike paths needs to become an
integral part of the community mobility pattern. Children walking
to school safely, people walking to neighborhood shops or for
recreation, and the reduction of car trips thus can become a real
possibility.
4. Mix uses whenever possible. For urban pedestrian life to thrive
there needs to be at least two to three different uses within a small
urban area. The amount, adjacency, and continuity of uses along the
street edge is very important. Vertical zoning is an ideal means to
make this principle work - public or commercial uses on the street
level, other uses above. A logical extension of this concept is that
buildings must interact with community life on the street level
(easily regulated through guidelines).
5. In addition to large projects, encourage small incremental
projects from within the community. These kinds of projects are
necessary to provide small business opportunities and ultimately
contribute to a healthy economic and social diversity within the
Palm Valley area.
6. Whenever possible, break large projects into smaller
components. This is a key strategy for keeping a small town scale
26
and character. Instead of creating gigantic buildings and objects,
either horizontally or vertically, this approach encourages creation
of a series and variety of places and thereby promotes and creates
the public realm through private development.
7. Create planning policies that require the community to
periodically review the realization of its vision for Palm Valley.
Perhaps every five years, after a sufficient number of projects has
been built, the City and the Palm Valley community should
reassess its vision, land use plans and development regulations,
and make adjustments if necessary. Communities and cities are
not designed and built quickly or at one point in time; they are a
reflection in physical form of our culture and as such they change
and grow over time.
4
27
PRESERVE AND CFEATE
IMPORTANT VIEW CORRIDORS
UTILIZE SETBAOS TO PROTECT
EDGES OF OLD SETTIETS PARK
PRESERVE OPPOROAITI FOR
POSSIBLE FUTURE COMMUTER RAIL
UTILIZE HISTORIC THEMES TOR THE
DESIGN OP PUBLIC AMENITIES
PRESERVE ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERS,'
DEFINING IHPROPRIATE BUILDING TYPES
1.„ii="44'1•-■
Community representatives built upon the kg objectives of the
Round Rock General Plan by participating in the Palm Valley
Commonly Planning and Design Workshops. The preservation
and enhancement guidelines represented on this board emerged
as preferential standards for development in Palm Valley a.
GN TRANSITIONAL AREAS TO PRESERVE DISTINGTION BETATEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES (LANDSCAPING. FRONT PORCHES. SIOEWAI16)
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other Important TCSOUTCCS, as presented on this board, is an recommendations concerning different aspects of resource
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VallcycommunV detalkd explanation refer to thc Palm Valley Area Planning and
Design StudyReport.
NATURAL, HISTORIC AND OTHER INPORIANT RESOURCES
Palm Valley Area Planning and Design Study
City of Round Rock. Texas- Spring. 2000
Prcpared by(
Palm Valk, Winkled Group
(Polyien South, 1111A1, KV)%, CD&P)
PROMOTE PROMINENCE OF
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the PalmValleyara.
ALLOW MEET PAPRIAG
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spedal places that endure over u me
PLANNING AND DESIGN GUIDELINES
Palm Valley Area Planning and Design Study
City of Round Rock. Terns - Spring, 2000
Prepared by
Palm Valkp Wended Group
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5
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Images on this board are a visual representation of a detailed set of
recommendations concerning different aspects of planting and
ig for the study arcs Fa a more detalled °planation of
concepts and ideas b hlndrecommendations, refer to the Palm Valley
Area Planning and DesignSlsdyReport.
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7. APPENDICES
7.1 Working with Stakeholders in Palm Valley
The Palm Valley area study was a collaborative effort involving a
diverse group of interested citizens who attended one or more of a
series of three workshops, at which future options and planning
strategies were presented and evaluated. The City's Planning and
Community Development Department notified citizens who had
participated earlier in the General Plan 2000, residents of in the Palm
Valley area or adjoining neighborhoods, consultants who had
professional involvement in the future growth and development of
Palm Valley, and a number of civic - minded citizens of Round Rock
at large. Some 52 citizens attended one or more of the workshops.
7.1.1 General Plan 2000 Objectives
The City's adopted General Plan 2000 is the official policy
document guiding long -range planning and community development
in the City of Round Rock. It provides the legal basis for Round
Rock zoning and subdivision regulations as well as other
development regulations. Specific goals focus on historic
preservation, transportation, development standards, open space
preservation, and zoning issues. Round Rock citizens identified the
need for the Palm Valley Area Plan through the public involvement
process for the General Plan 2000. Several goals were identified that
apply to new development in Palm Valley.
For the Palm Valley area, Round Rock's General Plan 2000 supports
the following:
• Developing an Area Plan and a Palm Valley Overlay District
for the Palm Valley Boulevard Corridor to protect the
corridor's unique physical, historic, and cultural resources; and
to provide an opportunity to create a gateway into the City.
(General Plan pp. 5 -6 to 5 -9)
• Blending land uses to promote easy access to work and
shopping from residential areas. (General Plan Objective 1.5) A
blending of different land uses helps limit the length and
28
frequency of certain automobile trips, encourages bicycle and
pedestrian trips, and limits congestion.
• Continuing the use of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) to
integrate a variety of land uses within a physically compact area.
(General Plan Future Land Use 5.2 Assumptions) Moreover, the
inclusion of "Mixed Land Use" and "Business Park"
designations will provide developers and consumers with greater
development options. (General Plan Future Land Use 5.4 Plan
Features)
• Distributing housing types throughout the City, without
concentrating any particular type of housing within one area of
the City. (General Plan Objective 10.3)
• Developing architectural, building articulation, site -plan, and
street - scaping standards to enhance overall City appearance,
particularly for development along key corridors. (General Plan
Objective 7.3)
• Protecting the function of the City's arterial roadway system
by adopting land use and access policies that concentrate high
intensity land uses, minimize strip development, and limit direct
driveway access and curb cuts along major roadways. (General
Plan Objective 1.4)
• Exploring options for participating in a regional rail system.
(General Plan Objective 1.8)
• Establishing significant entry signs using native materials,
landscaping, and appropriate lighting at the edge of the
extraterritorial jurisdiction on major roadway entrances into
Round Rock; and developing new special districts along major
transportation corridors with increased landscaping, architectural,
and signage standards. (General Plan Objectives 7.1 and 7.2)
7.1 .2 April 6 Kick -Off Workshop and Place- making Survey
The first workshop was an evening session at which several
activities were held. There were 38 citizens in attendance. The
Palm Valley area study objectives were explained and the city and
29
consultant team members were introduced. A two -part annotated
slide presentation was given with the title and objective being to
demonstrate guiding principles for local area planning in the Palm
Valley Area. The first part was titled, "Some Considerations of
Urban Living at the Community Scale," and the second part was
"Land Use and Urban Design Considerations." The objectives of the
presentation were to educate and inform the participants, stimulate
critical thought about likes and dislikes of urban form and design,
and provide a frame of possibilities for further exploration in the
Palm Valley area during the following two workshops.
Following the presentation, a visual Place- Making Survey was
conducted, titled, "Some Considerations of Urban Living at the
Community Scale." A place - making survey is a specifically
formatted visual exercise tailored to involve a diverse audience
which is becoming informed about issues and examples of
community design and the making of great, livable places. In the
place - making survey, participants at the workshop were asked to
preview and critically examine a carefully selected set of slide
images of urban places. Some 36 slides were shown, almost all
being locations outside of Round Rock. Each participant was
requested to provide candid written commentaries on their
impressions, positive or negative, about the slides. This survey is
adapted from the work of Anton Nelessen, who developed the Visual
Preference Survey method (Nelessen, 1994).
The participants' recorded comments were very informative.
Generally, images showing places with pedestrians received very
positive comments ( "calm," "friendly," "inviting. ") Images with
parks and trees received the most positive comments of all images
shown ( "well planned," "appealing," "good idea," "we need open
spaces," "a jewel. ") If an image had any degree of automobile
traffic, it was rather negatively received ( "terrible," bad," "don't
like," "not a pleasant reminder. ") Some single- family housing
images with relatively narrow lot widths received mixed comments
about density ( "too close together," "invites people to meet at the
porch," "good for rental homes. ") But well - planned and designed
multifamily housing received mostly favorable compliments ( "great
old -world village feel," "could walk to the shops," "would work in
this area. ") Images of urban mixed -use districts generally received
very favorable comments, mostly about livability ( "well- planned,"
"concept of melding is good," "like main street shopping,"
30
"appealing. ") The resulting comments from participants as well as
the thumbnail images are included in the Appendix of this report.
This form of "visual exercise" proves to be very helpful in making
all workshop participants think and communicate more clearly and
critically about their likes and dislikes of alternative urban forms,
building types, public places, and the like. The participants were all
the more able to communicate clearly their preferences about urban
environments as a result of the survey, and were prepared to engage
with each other in the upcoming all -day workshops.
Finally, a listing of the eight General Plan objectives which are
described above were passed around to participant teams. Each team
was asked specifically to provide written comments and suggestions
as to the significance of one or two specific objectives, in relation to
Palm Valley. The results of these team sessions were presented
orally at the meeting, thereby giving all participants a better
framework for thinking through and contributing to future planning
of Palm Valley, in the broader context of Round Rock and the
General Plan 2000.
7.1.3 First Saturday April 8 Workshop
The first all -day workshop was attended by 26 citizens representing
a diversity of interests, professions, and neighborhoods. The
primary objectives in working closely with the citizens were
twofold:
• To inventory, describe and make recommendations about the
natural and historic resources of Palm Valley. The collective
memory and expertise of the interested citizens attending made
this a very successful endeavor.
• To understand and explore how alternative land use planning
and guidance strategies might apply to various sub -areas of
Palm Valley. The Palm Valley Planning Group provided a
professional design facilitator to work with each of three teams
in intensive morning and afternoon sessions. Drawings and
detailed notes were produced and later used in the formulation of
the planning and design guidelines contained in the following
sections of this report (see illustrations in Section 4).
31
7.1.3.1 Morning Session: Natural, Historic and Other
Important Resources
The natural and historic resources of Palm Valley were addressed in
the morning session. Workshop leaders made slide presentations
addressing several themes:
• Heritage area and historic building preservation
• Natural area management
• Planning and design of greenways, trails, and urban parks.
Park and open space planning guidelines applicable to city and
county parks were presented so that participants would have
benchmarks against which to measure the adequacy and need for
open spaces in Palm Valley. Nationally accepted standards (area,
population served) for the establishment of parks of different types
were presented and compared against current conditions in Round
Rock and other cities in central Texas.
The participants were then divided into three teams, each addressing
a different sub -area of Palm Valley. The products of the team efforts
were resource inventories, maps showing the heritage resources and
team discussion notes, land suitability analyses, and specific
suggestions as to how existing human and natural resources in Palm
Valley can best be preserved and additional greenways and park sites
can be planned and provided. The collective knowledge and
expertise of the participants made this workshop very informative
and useful in making area -wide planning recommendations.
Among the many points raised by the teams in this session are the
following:
Heritage Resources
• Chandler Creek and floodplain/greenway
• Chandler Creek and floodplain /greenway
• Brushy Creek and floodplain /greenway
• Springs along creeks
• Existing working farms
• Clusters of large, mature trees, north and south of US 79
• Existing rural residential areas (ranchettes)
32
• Palm Valley Lutheran Church and cemetery
• Views of Palm Valley Lutheran Church
• Historic farmhouses —Warner Reid House (1908), Israel -
Telander House (1885), Palm House
• Historic Kenney Fort site
• Possible identification and designation/commemoration of the
historic Double File Trail
• Possible commemoration of the historic train depot site (since
removed)
Issues of Land Suitability and Conservation of Heritage
Resources for Future Development
• Location and extent of property expansion of Old Settlers Park
• Disposition of the existing working farm (possible living heritage
resource)
• Uses alongside Old Settlers Park and creeksides which would be
complementary in terms of access and views
• Need for a wide buffer area to the west of the regional
wastewater treatment plant
• Need to encourage development alongside US 79 to establish
access points away from, not onto, US 79
• Reservation of future commuter rail station location (and
parking) near Dell Diamond and convention center
• Need for continuous pedestrian and bike trails along creeks, to
historic sites, and into new developments
• Possible designation of Warner Reid House and Israel - Telander
House and land in between as a small historic district
• Possible designation of a historic /cultural district or park in the
southwest corner of Palm Valley ( "Kenney Fort Village ")
• Consideration of specific architectural guidelines characteristic
for this part of the country
7.1.3.2 Afternoon Session: Alternative Land Use Guidance
Strategies
In the afternoon session, alternative land use guidance strategies for
Palm Valley were presented and evaluated. Specifically, the Palm
Valley Working Group identified and presented several general
strategies for planning and design of neighborhoods and new
communities, including the following:
33
• Single -use land planning and zoning
• Mixed -use development
• Corridor planning
• Cluster development
• Traditional neighborhood development (TND)
• Transit - oriented development (TOD)
Each of these development strategies is defined in the Glossary (see
Appendix).
Three sub -areas within the Palm Valley area were then selected for
analysis during the afternoon workshop. The areas, further described
below, represented locations known to have generated considerable
interest to area residents and developers on account of their heritage
and natural resources and their prime value as development sites.
Northwest Area
The area to the north of US 79 and west of Old Settlers Park was the
focus of one team. This area was considered for clustered
residential development or low- density residential uses, recognizing
its rural nature and the existing low- density subdivisions in the area,
as well as the popularity of equestrian riding in and around the Park.
An overarching concern of the team was the need to encourage uses
that would complement the sensitive land and views along Chandler
Creek and the Old Settlers Park boundary. An existing farm
operation in this area was a point of concern as well as an
opportunity — perhaps it could be maintained in a manner like the
Pioneer Farm in Travis County and be integrated into an equestrian-
oriented planned community. The area also was considered as able
to accommodate at least one high- density housing project or perhaps
a retirement housing project.
34
Northeast Area and US 79 -east
A second team analyzed and formulated planning concepts for an
area generally east of the Dell Diamond, including the lower
segment of Chandler Creek and straddling both sides of US 79. This
team applied a corridor analysis approach to planning, given the
linear nature of expected activity along US 79 and along the
Chandler Creek greenway. Issues of concern included the following:
• County Road 122, which was identified as dangerous with sharp
curves and narrow pavement
• The regional wastewater treatment plant, since it would be
expanded and would need to be buffered for the benefit of
adjoining development
• Making properties on either side of US 79 accessible to one
another and working around grade changes, railroad rights -of-
way and the Chandler Creek drainageway
The area was envisioned as including high- density, mixed -use
development between Chandler Creek and US 79. Businesses
fronting along the US 79 corridor would be required to establish
access onto a local service street parallel to US 79, instead of the US
79 itself. US 79 should have a green buffer between the right -of-
way and adjoining built -up areas, both on the north and south sides.
There was a desire to establish multiple pedestrian accesses to this
mixed -use area, crossing the creek from the park and from single -
family neighborhoods to the north. A trail was recommended along
Chandler Creek and its tributaries, including a pedestrian/bicycle
crossing underneath US 79, tying into a trail system along Brushy
Creek. Near the wastewater treatment plant, light industrial
(shipping, receiving, trucking, etc.) would be suitably located. At
the eastern end, a landscaped gateway feature announcing the
entrance to Round Rock was proposed.
Southwest Palm Valley
Another team addressed the area generally westward from the Dell
Diamond stadium to the old MoKan right -of -way, and south of US
79 but extending north to include Palm Valley Lutheran Church.
This area was considered for urban mixed - use development,
specifically a traditional neighborhood development (TND) or
35
4
transit- oriented development (TOD) utilizing the UP rail line as a
potential commuter rail link. (See definitions of italicized phrases in
the Appendix.) Many important planning and design considerations
stemmed from this analysis. The workshop participants and design
facilitators from the Palm Valley Planning Group produced several
schematic drawings and a detailed list of site design principles, many
of which are incorporated into guidelines in this report.
Additionally, many of the team recommendations addressed
transportation- related improvements, as follows:
• Need for a connection over (or under) US 79 to connect Brushy
Creek trail network and the Kenney Fort site with areas north of
US 79
• Importance of Arterial A as a connecting road across US 79 and
as a site (at intersection with US 79) for an urban activity node.
Consider wide right -of -way and set -backs from the roadway to
maintain the character of the area
• Need for parallel, local access business streets parallel and
alongside the UP railroad (south side) and along US 79 (north
side) to access commercial development safely. Consider
making these roads into a continuous, looping road all the way
around to become a single - loaded park road along Brushy Creek
• Need for another east -west major roadway running roughly
through the middle of the area, parallel to US 79, for use as a
connector road for the entire south zone of Palm Valley as a
counterflow road for US 79. This road should be in a wide right -
of -way (parkway, divided boulevard or wide arterial) to maintain
the park -like sense of openness of the area.
• Other areas should be served by a layout of streets that provides
maximum connection and circulation, to the extent allowed by
topography.
• Need for a comprehensively organized series of sidewalks and
other pedestrian walkways and access points to trails on
greenways
Many of the recommendations stemming from these two workshops
are graphically portrayed on the two posters in this report titled,
"Natural, Historic and Other Important Resources" and the other
titled, "Planning and Design Guidelines." The posters contain maps
graphic illustrations and supportive text highlighting the findings of
this workshop.
36
7.1.4 Second Saturday April 15 Workshop
The objectives of the second all -day workshop were to carry on the
explorations of alternative planning strategies in the April 8
workshop and proceed with complete conceptual, hypothetical land
use plans for specific sectors of Palm Valley. The same geographic
areas that were studied on April 8 were studied again in more detail,
so as to address site specific planning and design. The areas were
larger in size than any one parcel so that recognition of ownership of
individual parcels was not formally considered. The workshop
addressed transportation -land use planning relationships and land use
compatibility criteria.
7.1.4.1 Northwest Palm Valley
The team planning the northwestern area (west of Old Settlers Park
and north of US 79) decided that an optimal plan for a new
neighborhood or community needed to contain a variety of uses and
services including:
• Large -lot residential
• Small -lot residential
• Cluster housing (including use of town homes or multi - family
units)
• Neighborhood- oriented retail /commercial services
• Equestrian paths and facilities
• Recreation resources and direct access to Old Settlers Park
Altemative street designs were studied, particularly street width and
residential building setbacks. Several workable and desirable
scenarios were developed for this planning area, including:
• Rural residential neighborhood with rural street section (open
channel drainage, wide right -of -way, large home set - backs, open
back yards
• Medium - density suburban residential street width and building
set -back
• Narrow street with narrower building set -backs and rear alley
access to homes
37
Photo images and drawings of street sections and designs are
presented on the posters in the Appendix of this report.
7.1.4.2 Planning Guidelines for Southwest Palm Valley
The team focussing on planning options for the southwestern area
(which included a small area immediately north of US 79 near the
proposed Arterial A) decided that an optimal plan for a new
neighborhood or community needed to contain a variety of uses and
services including:
• Connector road (also serving as a counterflow road for US 79)
• A hub of mixed -uses on both sides of Arterial A at about the
mid -point between US 79 and Brushy Creek
• Neighborhood commercial along the east -west connector road
• Mixed -use and commercial uses with higher density residential
in a ring around the activity hub on Arterial A
• High -end, lower density residential along the Brushy Creek
greenway
• Medium density residential away from Brushy Creek
• Natural /historic /cultural features and themes within new
developments and in the Brushy Creek greenway near the
historic Kenney Fort site and a pedestrian connections (bridge)
over Brushy Creek
• Small neighborhood parks (up to 15 acres) or pocket parks (less
than one acre) in a distributed pattern throughout the area
• Palm Valley Church should be identified as a major place and
visual landmark in the area. Views of the steeple should be
carefully preserved in siting and designing new development,
particularly around the Dell Diamond, at the Arterial A —US 79
interchange, and the proposed commercial activity hub on the
southern part of Arterial A.
• Residential neighborhoods of varying densities could
appropriately be developed in the vicinity of Chandler Creek on
the north side of US 79.
7.1.4.3 Planning guidelines for Eastern Palm Valley
One of the planning teams focussed on planning options for eastern
Palm Valley, specifically on the area east of the Dell Diamond
between Chandler Creek and US 79. Following on the work of the
38
April 8 workshop, the participants and planning/design facilitator
engaged in practical discussions of market and financial feasibility as
they developed a plan and site design guidelines. The team decided
that an optimal plan for development should contain a variety of
commercial uses and services and a comprehensive planned roadway
network, including the following elements:
• A roadway plan for Palm Valley should establish circulation
patterns that connect the Dell Diamond to the rest of Palm
Valley. Specifically, a connection is needed from the Dell
Diamond area northward across Chandler Creek to County Road
113, possibly in a wide boulevard section
• Storm detention facilities would be needed to protect the creek
from excessive erosion and siltation
• A green buffer would be needed along US 79, with visual
openings to attract traffic into this commercial area
• Pedestrian trails would be needed to connect this area to
Chandler Creek and should extend underneath US 79 to connect
with trails along the Brushy Creek greenway. Advanced
planning for right -of -way will be needed to accomplish these
connections
• A single - loaded roadway along Chandler Creek should be built
to service retail /restaurant uses on the south and west sides and
provide direct access to a Chandler Creek public greenway on
the north and east sides
• Block lengths of 350 -400 feet were appropriate for this type of
commercial development. On- street parking would make
efficient use of the street and would provide a sense of safety to
pedestrians walking on the sidewalks
• A gateway entrance to this area, possibly including the use of
sculpture or monumentation, would tie together the attractive
features of individual facilities and would define and announce
the entrance and uses.
After the completion of the three workshops, the Palm Valley
Planning Group reviewed the workshop results as developed by the
participants. The Planning Group then translated these findings and
recommendations into a series of workable guidelines. It is
envisioned that these guidelines, which are listed and described in
the preceding sections, will be implemented through a variety of
steps, also outlined in the previous sections of this report.
39
7.2 Glossary of Terms
Activity center or urban activity node - An urban cluster of mixed -
uses and of variable size that provides employment, shopping,
access to urban services, or possibly other functions. A node is
usually located at major roadway intersections.
Auxiliary buildings - Outbuildings usually on the alley side of
residential lots for the purposes of providing additional income to
the household. Living quarters for extended family members.
Free standing, either two stories or in a form of a garage
apartment, these units provide adequate privacy distinctions in a
variety of living arrangements.
Architectural and urban design - A creative act of putting together
components of a structure or a community of crucial importance
for their proper functioning. Contrary to a widely held belief that
design is an act of making something aesthetically pleasing
(concem with beauty only), design is a principal ordering tool
which determines the very nature of that which is designed. It
represents and reflects a certain level of thinking about life and
nature, towns and buildings. Good design is not necessarily more
expensive than bad design - it is a different level of thinking.
Because physical patterns of places we inhabit definitely
influence our behavior, the importance of thoughtful design is
paramount.
Build -to -line - A new concept replacing the concept of "setback
line ". While front yard setbacks require a minimum distance of
building fronts from the street, a build -to -line requires building
fronts to be aligned in relation to the street. Building setbacks
create the experience of objects scattered in the landscape, while
build -to -lines create a well - defined street edge. The concept
allows for exceptions in special cases but requires that at least
60% of the buildings be built to the line.
Catalog of urban streets - A selection of street types appropriate for
use in Round Rock includes commercial streets, residential
streets, monumental streets, etc. Through the means of the cross
section, the width of the R.O.W. and its physical definition is
40
described. Height of the buildings, street edge definition,
landscaping, sidewalks, street furniture, orientation, the amount
of sun on the street at different times of day and year, shading
and other environmental protective devices to encourage
walking, relationship between cars and pedestrians.
Cluster development - A development strategy that achieves a
desired density by grouping lots and buildings (usually
residential) into clusters while preserving open space both formal
and informal in character. This kind of development, usually
applicable in suburban residential areas, makes infrastructure
more efficient and can create a better place to live and a greater
sense of community.
Commercial lots with small lease spaces - This concept allows for
large commercial developments but encourages the division of
such projects into smaller lease units available for different size
businesses, especially small businesses. Small businesses are an
important ingredient in creating a healthy economic diversity and
in preserving small town character.
Commercial main street - Streets located in the center of
commercial areas and designed to accommodate pedestrians,
slow traffic, provide on- street parking, and create pleasant
shopping environments. These kinds of environments encourage
walking for many shopping trips, thereby reducing reliance on
the automobile and creating an active "Main Street ".
Connector streets - Streets that make connections between
neighborhoods, through and between neighborhoods and schools,
core commercial areas, and community parks without requiring
the use of arterial streets. They are designed to carry moderate
levels of local traffic smoothly, in a way that is compatible with
bicycle and foot traffic. A network of connectors should provide
several alternative paths through neighborhoods to the center, but
should not become an alternative to arterial streets.
Corridor planning - Planning for future land use and development
along principal roadway corridors, such as US 79. Corridor
planning guidelines may include special transportation
provisions, zoning, or architectural building guidelines pertaining
41
to land within a certain defined distance from the principal
roadway.
Greenways — Linear open spaces, often located along rivers, creeks
and associated floodplains. Areas permanently designated for
open space, even in an urban or suburban area, used principally
for natural area preservation, passive recreation, informal private
use or limited social interaction. Greenways can provide
important linkages between public places such as schools, parks,
neighborhoods, urban centers. Greenways are proposed in the
Round Rock Parks and Open Space Plan.
Mixed - use development - Urban development, which includes
different and compatible land uses which create opportunities for
an active urban life for most of the 24 -hour period. Example:
residential, retail, business park, light industrial, entertainment,
office, etc.
Pedestrian network - Pedestrian routes usually located along or
visible from all streets. They provide clear, comfortable, and
direct access to commercial areas, parks and recreation areas.
Primary pedestrian routes and bikeways should be bordered by
residential fronts, public parks, plazas, or commercial uses.
Routes through parking lots or at the rear of residential
development should be avoided.
Place making survey - A specifically formatted slide show /visual
exercise tailored to involve a diverse audience which is
becoming informed about issues and examples of community
design and the making of great, livable places. In the place -
making survey, participants are asked to preview and critically
examine a carefully selected set of slide images of urban places.
Each participant then provides written commentaries on their
impressions, positive or negative, about the slides. This survey is
adapted from the work of Anton Nelessen, who developed the
"Visual Preference Survey" method (Nelessen, 1994).
Pocket park — A neighborhood park serving the purposes of
providing a meeting place and allowing a variety of functions
42
missing from neighborhoods today: market place, various modes
of recreation, celebrations meetings, informal gatherings, etc.
Single - loaded street - A parkway type street with continuous public
access to creeks, parks or other greenbelts on one side, with or
without a median, and with or without on -street parking.
Single - use land planning and Zoning - Land that is developed in
uniformly single -uses, each spatially distinct from one other (for
example, single - family residential subdivisions that are separated
from multi - family residential projects, both of which are
separated from retail or commercial districts.
Traditional neighborhood design (TND) - TND patterns are closer
to the traditional small town before the automobile than to
suburban neighborhood design of recent years. These patterns
emphasize less dependence on the car, make walking more
convenient, afford better opportunities for public transit, and
reduce negative environmental impact. Principal features of TND
are:
• Neighborhood Centers - contain mixed retail and other uses
within five to ten minutes of walking (1/4 to 1/2 mile) from
other locations of development.
• Streets - they do not follow the suburban labels of arterial,
collectors, and local. They use "plain English" labels of
highways, street, lane, alley, to avoid design features
associated with suburban development. Streets are sized for
their purpose: residential, commercial, scenic. On -street
parking is encouraged.
• Connected Patterns - distinguish the street system with a
variety of routes for both car and pedestrian traffic. Dead -end
streets are avoided. Streets are treated as a part of a complex
public space containing traffic as well as pedestrians.
• Buildings are limited in size, selected from the region, and
mixed altogether. Various types of single family or
43
multifamily housing is mixed with stores, restaurants and
offices. Ground level, especially in the neighborhood center,
is for commercial and public use only.
• Open space is at the heart of the TND concept. Higher
density developments are counterbalanced by open space,
and squares and public commons become focal points of
larger shops, offices and apartments.
• Civic buildings, such as meeting halls, theaters and museums,
are often open to the squares. Some streets end at important
buildings accentuating their importance and providing
aesthetic "vista termination" which helps create a "sense of
place ".
Transit - oriented development (TOD) - A mixed - use community
within an average 2,000 feet (5 -10 minutes) walking distance
from a transit stop and core commercial area. TOD mixes or tiers
residential, retail, office, open space and public uses in a
walkable environment, making it convenient for residents and
employees to travel by transit, bicycle, foot or car.
There are basically two types of TOD: urban TOD and
neighborhood TOD. Urban TOD is located directly on the trunk
line transit network. It is developed with high commercial
intensities, job clusters, and moderate to high residential
densities.
Neighborhood TODs are located on a local or feeder bus line
within 10 minutes transit travel time (no more than 3 miles) from
a trunk line transit stop. They place emphasis on moderate
density residential, service, retail, entertainment, civic, and
recreational uses.
Urban activity center - (see Activity Center, above)
Vertical zoning - A type of zoning where the ground floor is used
for commercial, retail or public functions and the space upstairs
is used for offices and residences. This is the type of zoning that
promotes urban life. Current zoning, which is horizontal,
discourages or bans certain activities from certain areas and
therefore urban life.
View corridor — A line of sight from a specific vantage point to
another point, usually a significant cultural or natural feature.
The view corridor is an air space of some specified width that
might be obstructed by new development, unless it is specifically
identified, described and protected by design or by enactment of
a public ordinance.
45
7.3 Place- making Survey
The following are written comments received from
participants at the April 6 Palm Valley Kick -Off
Workshop, based on a presentation of 36 selected slides
of urban places (see thumbnail images).
Slide 1
• Comfortable.
Slide 2
• Yuck, too crowded. Looks like a fire hazard. I prefer the country.
• Don't like it - too crowded.
Slide 3
• Scary. Nowhere to run - nowhere to hide.
• A huge expenditure of money occurred here. One wonders if the air
is clean or the water drinkable...is it treated and cleaned off -site?
• Too congested.
Slide 4
Slide 5
• The decentralized appeals to me so 1 don't go for light rail.
• Overlapping zones, mixed uses, several communities nice concept.
• Central community.
46
Slide 6
• I like the way it flows.
• [no comment]
Slide 7
• Good planning.
Slide 8
• Don't like. Hodge -podge of signs. Too cluttered. Don't like overhead
lines.
• Yuck! All too familiar! Disorganized and trashy.
• It looks like Burnet road or Mays - it's too hard to get in and out, and
to see what you are looking for.
• Do not like. We have enough of this already.
• Good bad example
• This is a prime example of how not to allow development. It is
extremely difficult to move through the area. The sheer mass of
businesses cause distraction and lead to accidents.
• Looks like a lot of Austin (Burnet or Lamar) - Ugh!
• Ugly - overhead electric, signs, sidewalk adjacent to trees, little to no
landscaping.
• Unsightly to any neighborhood.
• This "image" represents the WORST of strip zoning and commercial
development. IT MUST BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.
• Too congested. Unsightly.
Slide 9
• Transportatton - terrible.
• 1 -35 and the areas near RR Wal -Mart.
• Bad.
Slide 10
• Don't like. Too much traffic. Loss of time.
• LOOKS LIKE TX 130 OR IH 35
• This is what 1 drove through to attend this meeting. It was not a
pleasant reminder.
• 1 -35 and the areas near RR Wal -Mart.
• Looks like 1325 at rush hour.
• Too congested.
47
Slide 11
• The sense of community is evident in downtown San Antonio. People
live, work, shop and entertain themselves all within a smaller area
• Walk area good.
• Cool, inviting.
• Gives the overall favorable impression of mixed -uses and pedestrian
areas.
Slide 12
• Pleasant feelings of a quieter time and more pleasant atmosphere
• Quaint.
• Quaint, pedestrian- friendly, parking close to shops, historic,
comfortable.
• While nicely done, it seems trendy. Too Vail (CO) or Park City (UT).
It's a destination that attracts tourists. I like a nice downtown 1 don't
want high -priced trendy destinations that attract tourists.
• Is this a real place, Civitas? Are the residents managing their
community as volunteers or do they have professional managers?
Slide 13
• Like — RR, trees, stone.
Slide 14
• Good in all ways
• Calm, friendly atmosphere.
Slide 15
• Like. Parks and open spaces are important.
• Like We need open spaces and green grass and trees.
• Inviting.
• Love the park areas - relief from all the congestion and
developmental eyesores - relaxing.
• Can we get Old Settlers to look like this ?! 1 like tall trees, benches
not picnic tables and areas that encourage walking.
• Old Settlers Park - should look like this. We need more than baseball
parks!!!! Swimming pool, tennis courts, larger walk areas.
• Old Settlers Park is already a 'Jewel" for Round Rock. 1 like the
various activities that take place at the park. Let's continue to add
even more activities. liow about a Pop Warner football freld(s)?
• Ideal park setting.
• 1 like [it] because recreation and quiet areas will be important.
48
Slide 16
• Trees can soften almost any setting and can provide a unifying
function
• Nice neighborhood - pleasing to the eye, make you want to come
home and explore the neighborhood.
• A (busy) place one would desire to live.
• 1 like trees.
• Shady street/ sidewalks/ pedestrian- friendly, open.
• Shade, sidewalk and trees look good.
• Would like to see this in a development.
• 1 think shaded streets are very home -like, very calming effect. Home-
like.
• Have the tangible feel of "community". The small road, trees along
the roadway give a feel of comfort. It also says its okay to travel
through, just do so at a respectable speed.
• The design and on -street parking are the physical item to reinforce
the idea.
• Positive.
Slide 17
• Nice neighborhood - pleasing to the eye, make you want to come
home and explore the neighborhood.
• We need more homes like this. Very friendly enjoyable areas in the
home and also on the outside, porches, grass areas.
• Retains value, preserves property.
Slide 18
• Boring, monotonous, hard to navigate on foot.
• Terrible.
• Continuous rows of nondescript, identical housing doesn't hold any
permanence for occupancy.
• People in these cookie -cutter houses stay only the length of time
required for them to gather the resources to move up.
• Everything's identical - not conductive to individuality or
encouraging getting to know the neighbors!
• Wouldn't want in any town.
Slide 19
• Like classic architecture and proportion of lot.
• 1 like this style of the house. It would be compatible with mine. 1
would like to see the area around me developed with this style of
houses.
Slide 20
• No way. Houses too close together.
• Neighbors homes.
• This style of house invites people to meet at the porch. Neighbors
enjoy talking about the neighborhood.
• 1 am interested in Palm Valley Area with sidewalks and trees
49
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Slide 21
• Good idea for multi - family.
• Great.
• Great idea - looks like a very livable, welcoming home.
• Very desirable for apt. living.
• It would work in this area and serve to create a community.
Slide 22
• Terrible.
• Hideous apts. w/brown roofs. I was an apt developer for a few years
back and vastly prefer the New Urbanism designs like Harbor Town
or low -mod density garden apartments.
• Everything's identical - not conductive to individuality or
encouraging getting to know the neighbors!
Slide 23
• Like. Multi - family with open space and pleasing appearance
• Well- planned and designed.
• Nice open area.
• The land will he sold - these represent nice plans to keep the Palm
Valley area neat.
Slide 24
• Well - planned.
• Street flower -pole.
Slide 25
• This is classic high - density multifamily w /mixed use. It has a great
old -world village feel and beautiful architecture.
• I like it because as I get old I would like to like where I could walk to
the shops.
Slide 26
• Good for [rental] homes.
50
Slide 27
• Terrible.
• Such store will soon be come places with broken windows and
skeletons, a place for undesirable use.
Slide 28
Good idea for attractive convenience
Great.
• Nice - like idea of store integrated.
• Looks good initially, but pretty "old- fashioned ". Concept of melding
is good, however.
• I liked the business and apartments together.
Slide 30
• Like. Main street shopping - sidewalks, trees, benches, etc. Appealing
• Good idea.
Slide 31
• The land will be sold - these represent nice plans to keep the Palm
Valley area neat
Slide 32
• Mix use at multi - family community, compatible design.
• Good use of tying together commercial and multifamily.
51
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Slide 33
• Interesting integration of people place with street. I like it. It does not
try to copy a classic style.
• Good parking and all over view.
• I wouldn't mind visiting, shopping or working at either of these [33
and 34], but 1 wouldn't want to live near it. One - because of traffic,
but two - too trendy, especially 33.
• A great idea to bridge the two sides of the street. Could be used to
bring compatible uses together.
• Very attractive.
• Like it based upon its uniqueness and its ability to contain large
volumes of commercial/retail while still providing a human -scale
feel. Places that are unique and special tend to prove out over time
and therefore last a long time. Palm Valley could use a magnet
attraction of this sort.
• The land will be sold - these represent nice plans to keep the Palm
Valley area neat.
• I like the feel of the Center.
Slide 34
• I wouldn't mind visiting, shopping or working at either of these [33
and 34], but I wouldn't want to live near it. One - because of traffic,
but two - too trendy, especially 33.
• The land will be sold - these represent nice plans to keep the Palm
Valley area neat.
• [no comment]
Slide 35
• Like Single - family housing with porches, trees planted by sidewalks
BUT no driveways or parking seen in photo.
• Nice neighborhood - pleasing to the eye, make you want to come
home and explore the neighborhood.
• Trees and sidewalks.
• Like the idea of planting trees on the "parking ". Why isn't this done
anywhere in Round Rock?
• These houses don't look so "lined up" 1 like the different roof and
porch pitches.
• Very functional neighborhood. All in the neighborhood enjoy the
walk areas.
• For one area I think this is developed too dense. The streets, trees,
sidewalks and other amenities I like. I like the porches on each house.
• Would like to see this in a development.
• I like it because it feels like a neighborhood.
Slide 36
Nice neighborhood - pleasing to the eye, make you want to come home
and explore the neighborhood.
52
7.4Workshop Participants
The following list identifies those citizens who attended each of the
three workshops held in April 2000, leading to the findings and
recommendations in this study.
Participant Name Kick -Off Wrkshp 1 Wrkshp 2
Wrkshp 8 -Apr 15 -Apr
6-Apr
Emest Johnson .
Jim Stendebach • •
Marge Tripp •
Alienn Wamer • •
Ruth Koughan •
Fred Ort • •
Batch Nuckolls •
Leland Jacobson .
Ron Rue •
Carrie Pitt • •
John Burford . •
Tom Etheredge •
Sandy Amold •
Randy Wallis •
Jon Mitchell •
John Moman .
Dan Allen •
Elroy Haverlah •
Glen Wall •
Bill Frisbee .
Gus Reichardt •
Linda McAdams •
Joy Meredith .
Sadie Wall •
Amold Telander • •
Sharon Prete • •
Rose Marie Ethedredge
Grace Telander • •
Becky Reichardt •
Doris Reid • •
Kenneth Blaker •
Roy Beard •
Larry Hathom • •
Dwight Lamb •
Nancy Lamb
Wilbur Jahn
Clifford May • •
Mario Carlin
Grace Young • •
Margaret Shoemaker •
Sharon Krienke • •
53
Participant Name Kick -Off Workshop 1 Workshop 2
Workshop 8-April 15 - April
6-April
Larry Rohlack
John Gordon
Kathryn Cressman
Baker Simma
Peter Drapes •
Carrie Griffin •
Adeline Geistman •
Wade Tomlinson •
Mary Kaiser •
54
7.5. Credits and References
Arendt, Randall, Conservation Design for Subdivisions. Island
Press. 1996.
Arendt, Randall, Rural by Design. APA Press. 1994.
Calthorpe, Peter, The Next American Metropolis. Princeton
Architecture Press. 1993.
City of Round Rock, Texas, General Plan 2000. Department of
Planning and Community Development. June 1999.
City of Round Rock, Texas, Existing Conditions of the Palm Valley
Area. Department of Planning and Community Development. April
2000.
Congress for the New Urbanism, Charter of the New Urbanism.
McGraw Hill. 1999.
Dickson, Robert, Central Texas TND Group. Austin, Texas. 2000.
Institute of Transportation Engineers, Traditional Neighborhood
Development: Street Design Guidelines. ITE Transportation
Planning Council Committee, 5P -8, 1997.
Jones, Tom, William Pettus, and Michael Pyatok, Good Neighbors:
Affordable Family Housing. McGraw Hill, 1995.
Krier, Leon, Architecture: Choice or Fate. Andreas Papadakis,
Publisher. 1998.
Nelessen, Anton, Visions for a New American Dream. APA Press.
1994.
Porphyrios, Demetri, Ed., Leon Krier, Houses Palaces, and Cities.
Architectural Digest Profile Book. 1984.
55