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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report DESIGN REVIEW BOARD GATEWAY GRANT PROGRAM STAFF REPORT Project Manager: Jason Schubert, Staff Planner Report Date: December 6, 2007 E-mail: jchubert@cstx.gov Meeting Date: December 14, 2007 Project Number: 07-00500303 For AMBERLAKE HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION — GATEWAY GRANT FUNDING Item: Presentation, possible action, and discussion on a revised Gateway Grant Funding application for Amberlake Homeowner's Association along Woodcreek Drive. Case #07- 00500303 (JS) Location: Amberlake Homeowner's Association common area on Woodcreek Drive Applicant: Amberlake Homeowner's Association; Clare Beltrand, Past President Item Summary: The item is for consideration of a revised Gateway Grant Funding application for the Amberlake Homeowner's Association along Woodcreek Drive. The Amberlake HOA maintains two common areas along Woodcreek Drive, the gateway into the neighborhood. The common area to the north of Woodcreek Drive is approximately 4.1 acres and consists of a small lake, walking trail, and landscaping. The common area to the south of Woodcreek Drive is approximately 2.6 acres and consists of a small lake, a waterfall feature, and landscaping. At the October 12, 2007 meeting, the DRB considered a Gateway Grant application for the Amberlake HOA in which two elements were proposed: landscaping consisting of 75 knock-out rosebushes along the north side of Woodcreek Drive and the installation of interlocking bulkheads for erosion control purposes around the perimeter of the lake in the north common area. The landscaping element was approved while the erosion control was tabled pending additional information on methods and materials. The applicant has revised the request by eliminating the erosion control element and now proposes upgrades to the waterfall feature in the south common area along Woodcreek Drive and providing new landscaping in front of it. As stated in attached Cost Estimate provided by the applicant, the items for consideration are: 1) Waterfall upgrade: drain waterfall ponds, clean out the basin, install 6 new Aquascape 7500 Pumps (6,700 GPH & 1/2 horsepower) and hardwire pumps to electrical box. Includes 2 year factory warranty on pumps. This item, including tax, is estimated at $5,412.50. 2) Plant new flowers and shrubs at waterfall: plant 3 trays of 4" pansies and 12 3-gallon Compacta Nandinas. Install 60 yards of Pine Bark Mulch in beds at waterfall and along Woodcreek Drive. This item including tax is estimated at $3,247.50. Items to be reviewed based on the following criteria: 1. Gateway developments shall have good scale and be in harmonious conformance with the neighborhood. 2. Materials shall be selected for harmony of the neighborhood. 3. Materials shall be selected for suitability to the gateway developments and the design in which they are used and shall be architecturally harmonious with the neighborhood. 4. Materials shall be of durable quality. 5. Gateway developments shall have good proportions and relationships to their surroundings. 6. Colors shall be harmonious with the neighborhood and shall use only compatible accents. 7. Plant material shall be selected for interest in its structure, texture, and color, and for its ultimate growth. Plants that are indigenous to the area and others that will be hardy, harmonious to the design, and of good appearance shall be used. 8. Gateway developments shall not impede traffic, including pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Attachments: 1. Application 2. Location Map DESIGN REVIEW BOARD GATEWAY GRANT PROGRAM STAFF REPORT Project Manager: Jason Schubert Report Date: October 4, 2007 E-mail: jchubert@cstx.gov Meeting Date: October 12, 2007 For AMBERLAKE HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION — GATEWAY GRANT FUNDING Location: Amberlake Homeowner's Association common areas on Woodcreek Drive Applicant: Amberlake Homeowner's Association; Clare Beltrand, President Item Summary: The item is for consideration of a Gateway Grant Funding application for the Amberlake Homeowner's Association along Woodcreek Drive. The City Council approved an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in September 2007, providing the DRB the authority to determine if the applications meet the intent of the City's Gateway Grant Program and thereby recommend approval of the expenditure of the associated funds. The Amberlake HOA maintains two common areas along Woodcreek Drive, the gateway into the neighborhood. The common area to the north of Woodcreek Drive is approximately 4.1 acres and consists of a small lake, walking trail, and landscaping. The common area to the south of Woodcreek Drive is approximately 2.6 acres and consists of a small lake, a waterfall feature, and landscaping. The applicant is proposing two items for consideration: 1) The small lake in each common area has been experiencing erosion along the perimeter as the banks are being undercut (see picture). The applicant is proposing to install interlocking bulkheads, backfilled with topsoil, around the north lake. The estimate for the bulkhead concept is $16,778.75. This proposal will help limit erosion and preserve the lake's aesthetic and functional purpose. If approved, a development permit would be required in order to perform the work. 2) Landscaping is proposed along the north side of Woodcreek Drive from just east of the common areas to Stonebridge Drive. The landscaping consists of 75 Knock-out Rosebushes planted in 8 different beds, each bed about 40 feet in length. The beds are built between the existing crape myrtles along the street with sprinkler heads moved to serve the beds. The estimate for this work is $6,495.00. The proposed work is in the right-of-way (ROW) of Woodcreek Drive and thereby requires a Private Improvement in Public ROW Permit (PIP) to be approved. The PIP application was submitted and approved in May 2007 and the landscaping has since been installed (see picture). Items to be reviewed based on the following criteria: 1. Gateway developments shall have good scale and be in harmonious conformance with the neighborhood. 2. Materials shall be selected for harmony of the neighborhood. 3. Materials shall be selected for suitability to the gateway developments and the design in which they are used and shall be architecturally harmonious with the neighborhood. 4. Materials shall be of durable quality. 5. Gateway developments shall have good proportions and relationships to their surroundings. 6. Colors shall be harmonious with the neighborhood and shall use only compatible accents. 7. Plant material shall be selected for interest in its structure, texture, and color, and for its ultimate growth. Plants that are indigenous to the area and others that will be hardy, harmonious to the design, and of good appearance shall be used. 8. Gateway developments shall not impede traffic, including pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Attachments: 1. Application & Signatures 2. Location Maps 3. Pictures 4. Cost Estimates