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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 Comprehensive Plan and Infrastructure Master PlanCity of College Station r ■ r c� Comprehensive Plan and Infrastructure Master Plan Executive Summary ■ .+ . _ Ir ICHOLS in association with J. Dennis Wilson and Associates Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein, Inc. John F. Hickman and Associates May 1994 Introduction to the Project Team G'1 Freese and Nichols, Inc., in association with J. Dennis Wilson and Associates, Newman Jackson, Bieberstein, Inc. and John F. Hickman and Associates, is pleased to present our team qualifications for a Comprehensive and Infrastructure Master Plan for the City of College Station. Freese and Nichols will be the prime consultant and as such, will be your direct contact on the project. Each of the project team members have worked on projects similar to the proposed Comprehensive Plan and Infrastructure Master Plan for College Station in municipalities throughout Texas. Each of the team members bring project experience that addresses each of the issues anticipated for this study. Freese and Nichols 100 -year history includes many projects in the areas of water and wastewater collection system studies, infiltration/inflow studies, water distribution systems and master planning. Recent infrastructure project include a water system analysis for the City of McKinney, a master wastewater plan for the City of Grand Prairie, a wastewater system study, infiltration/inflow study and water system analysis for the City of Killeen, an infiltration/inflow study for the City of Stephenville and a wastewater and water system analysis and master plan for the City of Victoria. In addition, comprehensive plans have been completed for the Town of Trophy Club, the City of Grapevine, the City of San Marcos and the City of McAllen. Two of the plans were recognized by the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association for outstanding achievement in planning. J. Dennis Wilson and Associates is a planning and urban design firm that works with commu- nities to develop comprehensive plans, neighborhood revitalization plans and urban design plans, as well as downtown revitalization and economic development strategies. They have successfully developed comprehensive plans for two communities with major universities -- University Park (Southern Methodist University) and Nacogdoches (Stephen F. Austin University). In addition, they have addressed a diversity of issues in such projects as the Irving Downtown Revitalization Plan, Comprehensive Plans for Dallas and Westlake; Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances for Dal- las, Westlake, Irving and Carrollton; and the master plan for Summerlin, a new town adjacent to Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Wilson, who will serve as project manager for planning, is well known in Texas for his innovative approaches to solve planning problems, while remaining a staunch advocate of municipal and citizen involvement in the planning process. Newman, Jackson, Sieberstein, /ne. brings a breadth of experience to the College Station project. Recent relevant efforts include the Westlake Comprehensive Plan, in association with J. Dennis Wilson & Associates, in which the firm addressed major growth and development issues while maintaining constant interaction with city staff and community leaders. NJB also worked to develop the White Rock Park Design Guidelines, emphasizing the firm's familiarity with parks and recreation and environmental issues. The recent project in College Station, the College Station Streetscape, exhibits NJB's knowledge of local issues and conditions and specific growth and quality of life issues facing the city. John f. Hickman end Associates specializes in transportation and traffic planning and has significant experience in cities that include university campuses. Recent projects include a traffic impact analysis for a portion of the campus at the University of Texas at Austin; the Downtown Transit Improvement Plan for Austin; three projects for transportation/transit planning in San Antonio; and the City of Laredo Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Hickman utilizes geographic informa- tion systems technology to evaluate future land use scenarios and develop future thoroughfare planning. Safety evaluation of city street systems is also a priority. The Freese and Nichols team is committed to producing a comprehensive plan for infrastructure and future development for College Station in concert with municipal leaders, city staff and community leaders. ra FREESE • NICHOLS City of College Station Comprehensive Pldn and Infrastructure Master Pldn Comprehensive Plan Dennis Wikon, AICI' Project N4anagLr #Dvntographics anjand •h:nvirvnmcnta�l � •71ns apurtation I eonomiw OParks & Kaareation +band Use •7.onnw Subdivisi Anncxation Join F. Hickman J. Dennis 'A Freese and Nirhuls & ASBncate5 & Asso ciates Alison M. Schulze. Dennis Wilson_ AIt1' John I. Hickman, A11,1' .SIC -P Richard S . And F3d u r. 11T. 11T. La cs }° S. umnn Newman, .Jackson Freese and Nichols Rieherstein, Inc. Barham Nickerson rsf Karl Bicbecin Fmrironnwntal Scium ist 11. Rowland Jackson City of College Station Jane R. Kee Robert Ciadbois, City Planner l.ng. Serviws A4aft�� Quality Control Team r. nrrUr�rry x�ia, P.l:_ R. Neil Pruitt, AIA Infrastructure Master Plan Atan D. <Treer. Pl,. Projoel Manas. r Freese and Nichols Design Team Mike 1,. Nichols, RE. Principal In Charge Lynda Allanach Program Coordinator I CamputerGraphics Free >z and Nichols - "ieclnic:altita(t Compute[ 4lodeling s snit n Sewe Crxrnlm riot Il'nrinhrl S }stuu tuahsis E4111} T H..cttlkad,l' -I: . Phillip Ammon Project Approach Idena cation d Key Issues. Early in the course of this project, the Freese and Nichols team will be in College Station to identify the key issues and priorities which should be addressed in the course of the plan development. However, our preliminary assessment has indicated that the following are among the primary concerns of city officials and staff: "" ♦ College Station has outgrown previous plans and there is a need for current long -range planning ♦ Utilities, land use, development, transportation planning and public facilities will be the primary focus of the plan ♦ Economic development and quality of life issues are important considerations ♦ The city is currently looking at short-term annexation, but there is a need to develop a long -term annexation strategy ♦ The lack of north -south arterials is a problem considering future growth to the south ♦ Unique traffic considerations associated with special events Texas A &M University and the George Bush Presidential Library need to be addressed ♦ A critical requirement is the development of a specific implementation plan q P P� P P ♦ College Station has largely expended its Capital Improvement funds, and a new long -range Capital Improvement Plan needs to be developed ♦ The city is committed to engaging the public in this planning process Goals and Obiective Issues and Opportunities The point of departure for develop- ing the Comprehensive Plan is to construct a statement of the community vision for the city. This will serve to ensure that elements of the Plan focus on achieving the type of community that the residents wish to have. At the same time, it is important to work with the community to identify specific issues and opportunities, and corresponding goals, that should be addressed by the Plan. This exercise focuses the Plan on the issues that the community, not the consultant team, wants addressed The vision and goals for College Station will be established in a workshop format with the Advisory Committee and in Community Workshops. Identifying and working from a community vision and focusing on the issues and goals identified by residents will increase the Plan's value to the community. Securing public involvement in Plan develop- ment throughout the planning process will also help to generate grass roots support and community ownership in the Plan. Future Land Use P /an. The Future Land Use Plan will provide guidance for decisions on zoning, subdivisions, roads and utility improvements. Based on growth projections and analysis of existing conditions, (utilities, roadways, ownership patterns, and environmental constraints), a Future Land Use Plan will be developed for a 10 -20 year horizon. Infrastructure Master Plan Freese and Nichols will devel a flexible and com - ln/r p rehen P sive analysis of the existing water and sanitary sewer systems in the city. The analysis will project future system expansions and existing system upgrades necessary to meet the anticipated growth. We are familiar with Bee Creek and Wolfpen Creek watersheds due to our recent work on the city's feasibility study for a drainage utility. We will collect existin g data, develop maps of the existing water and sewer system, determine water usage and sewer flows and perform hydraulic modeling of the distribution system. We will then recommend system improvements, develop cost estimates and compile a capital improvement plan. The water system modeling will evaluate the city's existing well production capabilities, determine additional ground and elevated storage, and establish any additional system pumping requirements. Based on the population projections and determination of system demands, the system will be modeled for average day, maximum hour, tank filling, and fire flow conditions. This system analysis will determine the transmission and distribution line improvements necessary to meet future demands. It is proposed to used either the Kentucky Pipe or CyberNet computer software programs for the system analysis. The CyberNet package offers additional graphic capabilities that can be integrated with AutoCad drawing files for conversion into the city's GIS system. With increasing environmental concerns and EPA regulations, there are several items to consider in the sanitary sewer system analysis. EPA has set strict requirements for containing sewer overflows and elimination of any combined sewer /storm water systems. We do not believe that the city anticipates that an infiltration/inflow analysis be a part of this planning scope, however, current and proposed flow monitoring will need to be integrated into the system analysis. We proposed the use of the HYDRA model for the analysis of the College Station system. This program is a user - friendly third -party software package that the city can maintain. The model provides an interface with AutoCad drawing files. Transportatio Thoroughfare Plan Several of College Station's major thoroughfares are State Highways. This presents a range of special issues which will be addressed in the Plan. In addition, the city is constrained in terms of north/south access to accommodate future growth to the south. John Hickman will review existing transportation data sources, including travel demand model projections from the Texas Department of Transporta- tion, TIT, and MPO; existing thoroughfare plan and street classifications and existing traffic counts. We will address the many planning factors required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) including preservation of existing facilities, consistency of transportation planing and the need to relieve congestion. Existing and projected transportation system capacity deficiencies will be identified and analyzed and a priority Transportation Improvement Plan will be developed. John Hickman will also provide traffic management plans for special events considerations. City Fad lilies. An adequate level of city facilities is important to the attractiveness of a city for new residents, businesses and students. Existing city facilities will be inventoried and compared with standards for such facilities to determine any deficiencies, especially as they relate to newly- annexed and developing property. Additional facilities will be recommended for certain locations within the community and placed in the proposed Capital Improvements Program. Implementation Strategy /Capital Improvement Program (CIP) In order to facilitate implementation of the Plan, specific recommendations will address the "next steps" in its implementation. A CIP will set out major capital improvements necessary for the Plan to be implementation. The CIP will be based on the consultant's research on utilities, recommended city facilities and the city's proposed thoroughfare plan and street construction program. Pu6lic Involvement. The success of any comprehensive plan hinges on the extent to which the plan is embraced by the community it serves. In order to develop a plan which has that level of understanding and support, it is necessary to involve the community leadership and technical staff throughout the process. This will facilitate a final product that is both what the community needs and one which the city can afford to implement. To achieve this level of involvement in an effective manner, we are suggesting three ways to involve the community: An Advisory Committee comprised primarily of the Planning Commission, would work closely with the consultant team in its identification of the goals and objectives, its development of plans, and its recommendations of strategies for achieving the Comprehensive Plan. The Advisory Committee should also include representatives from the following key groups: ♦ City Council ♦ Planning & Zoning Commission ♦ Texas A &M University ♦ Brazos County ♦ Chamber of Commerce ♦ Designated City Staff All meetings should be open to the public and interested parties invited to attend and observe. 2. The consultant team will conduct interviews with community leaders and organizations in an effort to help identify and clarify issues and opportunities and community goals and to provide background in developing plans and implementation strategies. At key points in the planning process, community meetings will be held to discuss issues and to obtain public comment and responses to the planning at that stage. Proiect Approach Schematic and Schedule The following pages include a project approach schematic and schedule outlining the proposed steps and timetable for the development of the College Station Comprehen- sive Plan and Infrastructure Master Plan. This schedule is subject to change to meet the desired scope of the city. KEY ISSUES IN COLLEGE STATION MASTE PLAN DEVELOPMENT WOLF PEN FLOOD CREEK PLAIN WATERSHED r' — INFILL DEVELOPMENT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE R OF EXISTING SERVICES I TEXAS AM NORTH /SOUTH TRAFFIC FLOW .................... . ON TEXAS AVE, AND WELLBORN ................... .................. TAMU CAMPUS ti e TRAFFIC FLOW AT KYLE FIELD ............. TAMU RESERVE PARK UNIVERSITY 'AT FM 2818 PORTAL r �\ per J v BEE CREEK WATERSHED I GEORGE BUSH LIBRARY EASTERWOOD AIRPORT I LICK CREEK WATERSHED 0. MAJOR OPEN SPACE CutLEUE SrarruM J L — — — . BUSINESS PARK I MP�O �'� R TAMU CAMPUS AND INSTITUTIONAL - MAJOR WATERSHEDS - KEY PLANNING FEATURES - TRAFFIC CONCERN AREAS - MAJOR GROWTH AREA M 1 7 FREESE • NICHOL.S 4055 Intemational Plaza•Suite 200 Fort Worth, Texas 76109.4895 817 - 735.7300 rn I IL FREESE • NICHOLS SO$ \/ r � 1 ect r 1 A p p roac Pro j Schematic Implementation of Plan City of College Station Transfer of Deliverables Training _ Project Team Freese and Nichols. Inc. Advisory Committee; J. Dennis Wilson and Associates Quality Control Public Input Newman. Jackson. Bieberstein, Inc. John F. Hickman and Associates Program Coordinator 'Land Use' Annexation Economic Comprehensive Plan Landscaping/ Thoroughfare En%irorunental m Planning/ Data Collection Document Reviews Population and Growth Projection Infrastructure Master Plan Water Sanitary SN'stem Sewer Play, System Plan Uomputer \ Computer Modeling J Modeling Flow Final Report/ Exhibits �'� City of Colle a Station • ,q� FREESE - NICHOLS CU cd CI j ca 0 ' Taskti ti zi ti �-� Selection and Contract - Negotiations - - Establish Advisory - -- -- Committees Data Collection/Document Review" i Population and Growth Projections � � I Comprehensive Plan I Infrastructure Master Plan i Advisory Committee /Public �= - Meetings Throughout the - -- - -� -- - -- Process i Final Adoption of Plan and Report Transfer of DeliverablesJi aining Schedule is preliminary and is subject to change bdsed on the City, scope of work to be completed = City Review Wh y Choose the � Freese and Nichols Team? Mot Our plans are successlwl. From the planning process we follow and our technical capabilities, to working with city staff, property owners and the public, we strive for quality plans and infrastructure improvements that are successful. Just ask our clients. We have experience working with municipal .governments and in private sector development. It is important to understand the issues of both governmental bodies and property owners. A great deal of our work involves assisting municipalities and public agencies in addressing planning and infrastructure issues. We emphasize that implementation is one of the most important elements of the plan. Therefore, we are proposing a planning process that is geared to building community consensus. In addition, we have developed extensive experience with a broad range of funding strategies in both the public and private sectors. We are familiar with College Station and understand the issues it faces. Most of our team members have worked in the College Station area, and have addressed similar issues in other communities to those faced by the city. This familiarity will permit us to "hit the ground running," beginning immediately to interface with city staff and the public to develop workable plans and implementation strategies. Our team is comprised of small firms with specialized experience. This is an important project for us, as shown by our dedication of key personnel to the project. We are committed to producing a quality product on a schedule consistent with the city's require- ments while maintaining the public participation process. Proximity will allow constant coordination of the project. Team members will work together on this project from offices in the Dallas /Fort Worth Metroplex and in Austin. ' Working sessions in College Station can easily be accommodated by all team members. We are committed to a high standard of qua lily The deliverables for infrastructure analysis and comprehensive and strategic planning will be coordinated and reviewed by quality assurance personnel prior to submittal. All team members are able to claim that repeat clients comprise a major portion of their business. � The following map identifies the key issues the project team expects to address in the development of the College Station Comprehensive Plan and Infrastructure Master Plan.