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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report(*0Fq" CITY OF COW EGE STtATTON Horne of Te -a AeW Univmhy' Gateway Grant for Foxfire Subdivision Signs 11-00500046 REQUEST: Two Subdivision Signs and One Area Identification Sign for the Foxfire Subdivision SCALE: 260 acres platted in four phases LOCATION: 1201 Foxfire Drive; a median within the Foxfire Drive right-of- way; and within right-of-way adjacent to 1600 Fontaine Drive along Faulkner Drive ZONING DISTRICT: APPLICANTS PROJECT MANAGER: A -OR Rural Residential Subdivision Foxfire HOA Jennifer Prochazka, Senior Planner jprochazka@cstx.gov Approval Design Review Board March 25, 2011 Page 1 of 4 Application for Gateway Grant Funding Applicant: Foxfire Homeowners Association — Kimberly McAdams, Sign Committee Chair Applicant's Address: 1112 Finney, College Station, TX 77845 Applicant's Phone #: 979-703-6407 Description/definition of neighborhood and/or Home Owner's Association: Established in 1976, Foxfire began as a rural subdivision with four phases of development planned for a total of approximately 160 property owners. Residents established the Foxfne Homeowners Association in 1985 and facilitated annexation to College Station in1992. Description of Gateway concept (is Right -Of -Way involved?): The Foxfire subdivision currently has one gateway sign located at the corner of Sebesta Rd and Foxfire Dr. This sign is quite old and needs to be replaced In addition, Foxfire would like to add signs at two other entry points to the subdivision. These 3 signs would identify Foxfire and provide a cohesive feel to the subdivision. (Two of these signs would be located on city right-of- way and require a Public Improvement Permit, PIP.) The 3 proposed signs are as follows: 1— replacement of current sign at Sebesta Rd and Foxfire Dr (on existing footprint) 2 — new sign at the "triangle" area where Stonebrook Dr turns into Foxfire Dr 3 — new smaller "area id" sign at the intersection of Faulkner and Fontaine (to identify Foxfire when coming from Woodcreek) The project includes the 3 stone bases wl metal "Foxfire" signs attached and solar spot lighting for each sign. Additional money to add new landscaping, crushed granite and mulch at the triangle is included in the proposal. There are also funds requested to host a neighborhood National Night Out and a 0 of July parade, as well as a community -wide candidate's forum. �.a y.__ a. T • 3 1i43'CS -the applicant desire pitrtiE:Fparta2.Z by the mercy' uc Eiie�i{azng Bill Impi3'sve:.aiui uia'ia"isiid`: v $ No The answers to the following questions are for the 4 distinct events/project that Foxfire is proposing: National Night Out, 4th of July parade, Gateway Signs, Candidate's Forum. National Ni hg t Out How does this project/event benefit your neighborhood? National Night Out is about strengthening neighborhoods, building relationships between communities and the police, and increasing awareness of crime prevention. Describe how members of your community have been involved in the development of this project. Foxfire held its first NNO in Oct of 2009 with about 40 neighbors attending. The event was primarily organized by 2 board members, with input and support from the rest of the board. Everyone enjoyed the event and wanted to expand it the next year. Describe how you plan to involve your neighbors in this project. This is an event for all Foxfire residents! Please describe the timetable for this event or project. 2010 National Night Out in Texas is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5, 2010. We will serve hot dogs, chips and beverages from 6-8pm that evening. How many people do you expect to participate in this project? With 40 people attending the first year of this event, our goal is to have 300 total people (adults and children) attend the event. The grant request is for food at the event to attract more neighbors to come out. 4'h of July Parade How does this project/event benefit your neighborhood? This parade is an opportunity to bring together homeowners from Foxfire as well as from nearby neighborhoods to get to know each other better. Describe how members of your community have been involved in the development of this project. Foxfire has held a neighborhood parade for the 4'h of July for a number of years. A couple of homeowners coordinate advertising, snacks and decorations for the event. Describe how you plan to involve your neighbors in this project. All Foxfire residents and others in the community are invited out to this event. Please describe the timetable for this event or project. The next 0 of July parade will take place in July 2011. It is held at 9am on the Saturday of July 4`h weekend (July 2, 2011). How many people do you expect to participate in this project? We traditionally have around 100 people (adults and children) attend this event. Gateway Signs How does this project/event benefit your neighborhood? Foxfire currently has one entry sign to the subdivision that is in disrepair. There are also 3 other entrances to the Foxfire subdivision that do not have anything to identify them as Foxfire. At 2 of these locations, the name of the road changes (Woodcreek to Faulkner and Stonebrook to Foxfire), making it particularly easy for people to get lost or disoriented. We believe the 2 new gateway signs and the additional area id sign will clearly identify the Foxfire subdivision, making it easier for people to find the subdivision. We also believe the signs will be aesthetically pleasing to both residents and visitors, bringing a cohesive feel to the subdivision. In addition, the sign at the "triangle" area will identify the primary gathering spot for the Foxfire community for events such as our 4th of July parade. An added benefit would be that solicitors would clearly know where Foxfire begins and more easily respect our non -solicit request. Describe how members of your community have been involved in the development of this project. The Foxfire HOA began talking about a new sign for the subdivision about 5 years ago, as the current sign began to deteriorate. A sign committee of homeowners was established in 2008. The committee pursued different design options, and presented their final proposal at the annual homeowners association meeting in January 2010. At this time a second committee was established with the goal of applying for the city gateway grant, as well having the new gateway signs installed. Many homeowners have been involved with the plans for the new signs. Describe how you plan to involve your neighbors in this project. As mentioned, many homeowners have been involved in planning the new gateway signs, and discussions have taken place at annual homeowners meetings over the past years. Nearly all of the work for the signs is to be done by homeowners or homeowner -owned companies, and a homeowner is donating the primary stone material for the signs. These individuals have been integral to the project. Please describe the timetable for this event or project. If the grant is approved, we plan to begin work immediately this fall. Our plan is to complete all work by the end of the year. -Demolition at Sebesta/Foxfire — by 9/30/2010 -City hook-up water meter at triangle — by 9/30/2010 -Pour concrete bases for signs by 10/31/2010 -Landscaping and irrigation repair complete — by 10/31/2010 -Placement of new stone signs — by 11/19/2010 -Project complete —by 12/17/2010 How many people do you expect to participate in this project? All homeowners and other from the community that visit our neighborhood will benefit from the new gateway signs. Approximately 20 homeowners have been involved in the detailed planning over the past couple of years. The HOA gathered 100 signatures (many of them by email) in less than 2 weeks, showing the strong support for this project. Candidate's Forum How does this project/event benefit your neighborhood? This forum allows Foxfire residents and other local citizens to be more involved in their community government. It is a chance to meet the local politicians, listen to their views, ask them questions, and gather information to make better -educated voting choices. Describe how you plan to involve your neighbors in this project. Every year, a handful of homeowners organize this event. The exact people change from year to year. Describe how you plan to involve your neighbors in this project. This is definitely a community -wide forum, and we get people from all over College Station attending. The forum particularly brings together many of the residents of the "east side" neighborhoods near Foxfire that have many similar concerns. Please describe the timetable for this event or project. The HOA holds a candidates forum in conjunction with the local Spring elections, usually for the mayor, city council and school board. The next forum would be in April of 2011. How many people do you expect to participate in this project? Depending on the size of the election, we anticipate up to 250 people attending this event. ITEM SUMMARY The applicant has proposed the installation of two Subdivision signs and one Area Identification sign for the Foxfire Subdivision. The Subdivision signs are proposed to be located at the southeast intersection of Sebesta Road and Foxfire Drive, and in the median located within Foxfire Drive. The Area Identification sign is proposed to be located along the south side of Faulkner Drive in the public right-of-way, near the intersection of Faulkner Drive and Fontaine. All three signs are proposed to be constructed of limestone block with black metal lettering. Landscaping and irrigation, as required by the Unified Development Ordinance, is proposed to be installed in conjunction with the two Subdivision signs. The proposed Area Identification and Subdivision signs meet all minimum standards of the Unified Development Ordinance and Private Improvement in Public Right -of -Way (PIP) permits have been approved for the signs proposed in City right-of-way. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval. ISSUES / ITEMS FOR REVIEW The Design Review Board will determine each proposed gateway projects' compliance with the City of College Station's landscape, streetscape, signage, and private improvement in the public right-of-way regulations as set forth by the Unified Development Ordinance, and evaluate proposals based on the following criteria: Gateway developments shall have gooc conformance with the neighborhood. Materials shall be selected for harmony of the Materials shall be selected for suitability to 1 design in which they are used and shall be neighborhood. 4. Materials shall be of durable quality. 5. Gateway developments shall have surroundings. 6. Colors shall be harmonious with the accents. scale and be in harmonious neighborhood. he gateway developments and the architecturally harmonious with the good proportions and relationships to their neighborhood and shall use only compatible 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. The Design Review Board will be responsible for evaluating proposals based upon stated criteria and will forward their decision for funding to the Neighborhood and Community Relations Coordinator. After City staff and Design Review Board reviews have been completed and any necessary changes to the proposal approved, contractors may apply for necessary permits for construction. Design Review Board Page 3 of 4 March 25. 2011 SUPPORTING MATERIALS 1. Applications 2. Site plan & Sign details (provided in packet) Design Review Board Page 4 of 4 March 25, 2011