Downtown Area Planning Team Meeting #7 Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 San Antonio River Authority, 100 E. Guenther 5:00 – 7:00 PM Downtown Area Project Team
• Jacob Floyd, Project Manager City of San Antonio • Jay Renkens, Principal in Charge MIG, Inc. • Andy Rutz, Co-Project Manager MIG, Inc.
Meeting Agenda & Objectives
• Review of Updated Future Land Use – Large Group Discussion • Complete Neighborhoods: Infrastructure and Amenities – Group Discussion and Small Group Mapping Exercise • Next Steps • Office of Historic Presentation Guest Speaker – Viewshed Overlays
Downtown Project Phase Update
Project Chartering Spring through Refine scope and schedule; analysis of growth Summer 2017 1 capacity; establish Planning Teams
Planning Analysis & Visioning Summer through Existing conditions research; vision/goals framework; Team early Fall 2017 2 stakeholder input; Community Meeting #1 Meetings #1-3
Plan Framework Planning Opportunity areas; catalytic projects; develop Plan Fall 2017 through Team 3 elements; stakeholder input; Community Meeting #2 Spring 2018 Meetings #4-7
Planning Recommendations & Implementation Spring through Team 4 Strategies Action and phasing strategies; draft Plan Fall 2018 elements; stakeholder input; Community Open House Meetings #7-9
Documentation & Adoption Fall through 5 Public Hearings, adoption, final summary and ePlan Spring 2019 Draft Future Land Use Map Revisions Initial Draft Future Land Use Map Updated Draft Future Land Use Map
Summary of changes: • River North/Madison Square Park area from “Urban Mixed-Use” to “Regional Mixed-Use” • “Regional Mixed-Use” west of IH-35 • Alamodome & St. Paul’s Square from “Urban Mixed-Use” to “Regional Mixed-Use” to be consistent with arena use • Predominantly single-family neighborhoods to “Urban Low Density Residential” (meetings with individual neighborhood associations ongoing) • South St. Mary’s, South Presa, & Alamo corridors from “Neighborhood Mixed-Use” to “Urban Mixed-Use” • UTSA Campus & Institute for Texan Cultures “City/State/Federal Government” • Current Frost Bank Tower to “City/State/Federal Govt.” to reflect COSA upcoming acquisition Work to be done: • Illustration of under-highway linear park? • Consistent approach to privately owned but publicly accessible parks (Chris Park, Frost Park) • San Pedro Creek Improvements footprint & access • HemisFair Park master plan incorporation Focus Area #1: River North/Madison Square Park
In the next five to fifteen years, the purpose of this area should be to become a destination for cultural and arts institutions and the performing arts, have a diverse mix of dense housing types, and with medical offices and restaurants.
In the next five to fifteen years the character of this area will be a complete neighborhood where you can live and complete daily activities. The diverse buildings will designed to enhance the pedestrian experience.
In the next five to fifteen years new buildings in this area should be 2 to 8 stories tall depending on the specific location and circumstances, with taller buildings near major roadways and I-35.
Focus Area #1 – River North/Madison Square Park Focus Area: #2 Alamodome/St. Paul’s Square
In the next five to fifteen years, the purpose of this area should be to connect the Eastside to Downtown. It should have a residential fabric woven of multiple housing types, a neighborhood- scaled national retailer(s), and music venues.
In the next five to fifteen years the character of this area will be safe and walkable with around the clock activity.
In the next five to fifteen years new buildings in this area should be 4 to 6 stories tall depending on the specific location and circumstances, with taller buildings near major roadways.
Focus Area #2 – Alamodome/St. Paul’s Square Focus Area: #3 Lone Star
In the next five to fifteen years, the purpose of this area should be to establish a mixed use destination, connected to the river and focused on local residents, with multi-family residences, a grocery store, shopping and entertainment. It should be a center for creative and innovative businesses.
In the next five to fifteen years the character of this area will be family friendly, sustainable, and diverse. The industrial feel should be preserved as spaces are re-purposed.
In the next five to fifteen years new buildings in this area should be two to ten stories tall depending on the specific location and circumstances, with two story buildings along Probandt and taller buildings designed with step backs to improve the pedestrian experience and respect the river.
Focus Area #3 – Lone Star Focus Area: #4 East Cevallos
In the next five to fifteen years, the purpose of this area should be to be pedestrian friendly and bikeable with a mix of residential and commercial land uses and a range of densities.
In the next five to fifteen years the character of this area will be safe with well defined roads, pedestrian realm and bike facilities. Road and railroad crossings will be safe for all users and streetscapes will be well landscaped and lit.
In the next five to fifteen years new buildings in this area should be one to five stories tall depending on the specific location and circumstances.
Focus Area #4 – East Cevallos Focus Area: #5 Cattleman’s Square/Frio Street
In the next five to fifteen years, the purpose of this area should be to support a university neighborhood with housing, transportation, and services for students and educators. The area should be home to the arts and cultural institutions as well as their administrations and supporting businesses.
In the next five to fifteen years the character of this area will be a safe, walkable, and sustainable university village. It will be a place of 24/7 activity.
In the next five to fifteen years new buildings in this area should be 3 to 10 stories tall depending on the specific location and circumstances.
Focus Area #5 – Cattleman’s Square/Frio Street Complete Neighborhoods – Infrastructure and Amenities SA Tomorrow: 3 Plans • Comprehensive Plan, Multimodal Transportation Plan and Sustainability Plan • Working along with Sub-Area Plans to promote Complete Neighborhoods
SA Tomorrow Plan Elements • 9 Plan Elements to help guide Citywide Goals, Policies and Strategies for Implementation
SA Tomorrow Plan Elements in Sub-Area Plans
Growth & City Form Plan Framework: Future Land Use Plan [PT#6]
Transportation & Connectivity Plan Framework: Mobility and Access Improvement Plan [PT#4]
Housing Plan Framework: Housing Issues and Strategies [PT#5]
Jobs & Economic Competitiveness Plan Framework: Economic Dev. Issues and Strategies [PT#5}
Community Health & Wellness Plan Framework: Infrastructure and Amenities Improvement Plan [TODAY] SA Tomorrow Plan Elements in Sub-Area Plans
Natural Resources Plan Framework: Infrastructure and Amenities Improvement Plan [TODAY] Historic Preservation Neighborhood Action Strategies [PT#5 + Neighborhood Follow-Up] Military Plan Area Specific + Neighborhood Action Strategies Public Facilities & Community Safety Plan Framework: Infrastructure and Amenities Improvement Plan [TODAY] What makes Complete Neighborhoods? • Built Form, Land Use & Urban Design – Define the character of a place
• Mobility & Access – Provide connections to and from places within the City
• Infrastructure & Amenities – Tangibles and intangibles that contribute to and define the Quality of Life of places within the City
Infrastructure and Amenities
• Active Recreation Opportunities
Infrastructure and Amenities
• Natural Features To Celebrate
Infrastructure and Amenities
• Stormwater Management
Infrastructure and Amenities
• Low Impact Development (LID) Techniques
Infrastructure and Amenities • Social Spaces for Gathering and Community Events
Infrastructure and Amenities • Signage and Wayfinding
Infrastructure and Amenities • Tree Canopy/Landscaping
Infrastructure and Amenities • Healthy Food Access
Infrastructure and Amenities
• Pedestrian Safety
Infrastructure and Amenities
• Lighting
Infrastructure and Amenities
• Public Art
Infrastructure and Amenities
• “Character-Defining Features”
Group Discussion & Mapping Exercise: Infrastructure and Amenities Which of these (or other) elements are the most critical to creating Complete Neighborhoods in the Downtown Area Plan Area? • Active Recreation • Tree Canopy/Landscaping • Natural Features • Healthy Food Access • Stormwater Management • Pedestrian Safety • Low Impact Development (LID) • Lighting Techniques • Public Art • Social Spaces • “Character-Defining Features” • Signage and Wayfinding
Infrastructure and Amenities • Active Recreation • Signage and Wayfinding Opportunities • Tree Canopy / • Natural Feature to Landscaping Celebrate * * • Healthy Food Access • Stormwater Management • Pedestrian Safety • Low Impact Development • Lighting (LID) Techniques * – Green Streets • Public Art • Social Spaces, Small Plazas, • “Character-Defining Pocket Parks Features”
Downtown – Plan Framework Diagram Next Steps Coming Up…
• Digital Design Charrette - TBD • Planning Team Meeting #8: - TBD • Community Meeting #3: - TBD • Websites – https://satomorrow.com for all plans and plan areas – https://downtown.sacompplan.com/
Downtown Area Planning Team Meeting #7 Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 San Antonio River Authority, 100 E. Guenther 5:00 – 7:00 PM River North/ Madison Square Park
Alamodome/ St. Paul’s Square
Lone Star
East Cevallos
Cattleman’s Square/ Frio Street VIEWSHED PROTECTION May 2, 2018
• Direction from City Council – CCR submitted November 2017
• Discussion prompted by community concerns; topic of viewshed recurring issue at HDRC
• OHP began a rigorous public input process; there is clear consensus regarding the “top” sites based on objective criteria
What is a Viewshed Protection District?
• Zoning overlay specific to preserving views
• Provides direction for building height and placement that are not addressed by other zoning regulations
• More strategic and less invasive than district-wide standards
Step 1: Amend UDC to include additional sites, designation criteria, methods, and procedures
Step 2: With Council direction, design and adopt individual zoning overlays
Goals of the Initiative
• Provide updates and clarifications to original ordinance
• Identify additional views and methods through public input
• Provide Council with appropriate tools for future decision making
• Facilitate public conversation
UDC Amendments
• Provide objective and fair evaluation process for current and future proposals
• Not about creating a long list of future viewsheds that are in queue, but it’s important now to establish what is or isn’t eligible
• Clarify initiation, process, limitations, and possible administrative exceptions Recommended for further exploration
• San Fernando Cathedral
• Tower Life Building
• Hays Street Bridge
• Basilica of the Little Flower / Woodlawn Lake Key Points
• Less than 2% of Downtown area
• All downtown locations already require design review / HDRC
• Viewsheds are a tool that put City in a position to negotiate best outcomes
• Everyone will have a seat at the table in the design of actual viewshed districts
• We intend to strategically place viewsheds to allow for pockets of development that also respect the goals for each location VIEWSHED PROTECTION May 2, 2018