HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/11/2005 - Regular Minutes - Design Review Board
City Staff Present: Parks and Recreation ^' Steve Beachy, Parks & Recreation Director; Eric
Ploeger, Assistant Director; Ross Albrecht, Forestry Superintendent; Peter Vanecek, Senior Park
Planner; David Wood, Park Planner; Pamela Springfield, Staff Assistant
Development Services ^' Bridgette George, Development Coordinator; Jennifer Prochazka and
Jennifer Reeves, Staff Planners; Mandi Alford, Staff Assistant
Economic Development ^' Charles Wood, Assistant Economic Development Director
Parks Board Members Present: Jodi Warner, Chair; Don Allison; Glenn Schroeder; Kathleen
Ireland; Jeannie McCandless; Gary Thomas
Board Members Absent: Larry Farnsworth; Gary Erwin; Carol Blaschke
Desian Review Board Members Present: Scott Shafer, Chair; Fred Patterson; Bill Trainor;
/f""'''Nancy Sawtelle; George McLean
Ii \
~~"J'cJ
<, Guest: Jessica Jimmerson
1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 11:10 a.m. by Jodi Warner, Chair of the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and Scott Shafer, Chair of the Design Review Board.
2. Presentation and discussion of the film "Social Life of Small Urban SDaces", and
discussion of Dark conceDts for Northaate. Scott Shafer explained that the film had been
made as part of a research project designed to identify why some public, city spaces in New
York City were not being used. The idea behind showing the film to both boards was to foster
and generate new ideas as both groups move forward and work with staff in the development
process.
Seagram's Plaza was one of the areas researched and it was discovered that the greatest
problem was not overuse but under-use. The key elements identified as a result of the
research were:
~ Seating - people tend to sit where there are places to sit;
~ Street accessibility - one of the most important aspects of a place is its relationship
to the street;
~ Sunlight and water - people like to sit in the sun and like the sound of water - both
are simple elements that make for a great urban space;
~ Trees - places that tended to draw the largest crowds had trees; and
>- Food
It was also discovered that from city to city the key variables were the same except for the
scale of the space.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Joint Meeting with the Design Review Board
February 11,2005
Page 1 of 2
After the film ended, discussion followed.
>- Some of the ideas seen in the film could possibly be used in the Northgate area - in
pocket parks - something that lends itself to people gathering.
>- The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was open to the concept of pocket parks -
something other than a five-acre park, however, if they are too far off the beaten
path, it could cause problems.
>- The comment was made that College Station is recreation-oriented and most of the
places seen in the film were more like gathering places, however in some areas
where the population density is greater, gathering places may be appropriate. Also,
a bare plaza may not be viewed as a park, but if there are trees and grass, it can
have a park-like feel that residents can use.
>- Ideas as to what amenities could be included in a play space for adults were
discussed - adult-sized swings, etc.
>- Green space needed to be kept in the pocket parks in the Northgate area.
>- The comment was made that park land money comes from residential
development - it all emanates from the residential need for open space. It was
suggested that perhaps requirements should be broadened to include commercial
development as well, instead of putting the burden solely on residential
development.
>- A comment was made that the mall needed to view the film - perhaps they would
include more seating in the mall area instead of just in the food court. Also, strip
centers should add seating areas and outdoor cafes - amenities that are amenable
to pedestrians.
Nancy Sawtelle and Fred Patterson left the meeting - leaving the Design Review Board
without a quorum.
3. Adiourn. A motion was made to adjourn by one of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
members. The motion was seconded and the vote was called. Hearing no opposition, the
meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
AP
ATTEST:
maf(~ 111I)70~
Mandi Alford, Staff Assistant
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Joint Meeting with the Design Review Board
February 11, 2005
Page 2 of 2