Vision for the Mountlake Terrace Town Center
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1 Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan February 5, 2007 2 Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan February 5, 2007 City of Mountlake Terrace City of Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan - 2007 Town Center Plan - 2007 City Council JerryCity E. Council Smith, Mayor LauraJerry Sonmore, E. Smith, Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Laura Sonmore,Angela Amundson Mayor Pro Tem AngelaMichelle Amundson Angrick MichelleMichelle Angrick Robles MichelleDouglas RoblesWittinger DouglasJohn Zambrano Wittinger John Zambrano Planning Commission PlanningAlice Commission Kier, Chair BryanAlice Wahl, Kier, ViceChair Chair Bryan NickWahl, Bautista Vice Chair NickJohn Bautista O. Olsen JohnVic O. Sood Olsen MikeVic Wicklander Sood KyokoMike Matsumoto Wicklander Wright Kyoko Matsumoto Wright City Staff John J. Caulfield,City Staff City Manager Shane Hope,John J. Planning Caulfield, and City Development Manager Director ShaneWill Hope, Van Ry,Planning Engineering and Development Services Director Director Will VanEdith Ry, EngineeringDuttlinger, Senior Services Planner Director PaulaEdith Duttlinger,Schwartz, AssociateSenior Planner Planner DarrylPaula Schwartz,Greer, GIS Associate Planning PlannerTechnician DebbieDarryl Greer, Rubatino, GIS AdministrativePlanning Technician Assistant DebbieLeslie Rubatino, Lavoie, Administrative Project Assistant Assistant Leslie Lavoie, Project Assistant Many members of the public, as well as other city staff, also contributed to Many membersthis process. of the public, Their as efforts well as are other very city much staff, appreciated. also contributed to 3 this process. Their efforts are very much appreciated. Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan February 5, 2007 4 Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan February 5, 2007 Table of Contents TownTown Center Center Master Master Plan Introduction Plan Introduction 11 HowHow the Planthe Plan was Createdwas Created 1212 Plan Vision 20 Plan Vision 20 Alternatives 27 Alternatives 27 The Preferred Alternative 39 StreetscapeThe Preferred Plan Alternative 3941 ParkingStreetscape Plan Plan 4143 Next Steps 46 Parking Plan 43 Appendices 50 Next Steps 46 Appendix 1: Proposed Zoning Code to Implement Plan AppendicesAppendix 2: Detailed Description of Prototypes 50 Appendix 3: Community Roundtable Meeting Summary Appendix 1: Proposed Zoning Code to Implement Plan Appendix 4: Developer Forum Summary Appendix 2: Detailed Description of Prototypes Appendix 5: Interim Town Center Design Standards AppendixAppendix 6: Visual 3: Community preference Survey Roundtable Results Meeting (2006) Summary Appendix 4: Developer Forum Summary Appendix 5: Interim Town Center Design Standards 5 Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan February 5, 2007 6 Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan February 5, 2007 A Vision for the Mountlake Terrace Town Center Why Plan for the Town Center? How Can Redevelopment and Revitalization Be Beneficial? A plan for a city or region is much more than just a nicely bound collection of words, photos and maps. Instead, it City planning experts around the globe generally holds the potential for creating a new and better future. agree on several key principles, regardless of the size By adopting sound plans, Mountlake Terrace can take or circumstances of their city or metropolitan region. charge of its future – carefully keeping in place today’s The most important of those key principles lies in the positive features about the town while thoughtfully critical need for having a strong, healthy downtown. It moving forward on implementing new strategies. has been said many times that a city is only as strong as its downtown core. Mountlake Terrace certainly is no For Mountlake Terrace, like many communities, the exception; as a result, this plan focuses much of its efforts primary purpose of a newly created town center plan on strengthening that core of economic livability and lies in creating an economically healthy and revitalized vitality. downtown that will enhance the community’s quality of life. By “quality of life,” we mean being part of an attractive, prosperous community where residents enjoy where they live, work, shop and play. Current conditions. The corner of 56th and 236th today. Ultimately the Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan will be successful if it is based on sound economics, is feasible, benefits the community, and encourages quality development, a pedestrian-friendly environment, and healthy downtown businesses. So yes, a plan may be a collection of thoughts and visuals – but it represents the voice of the people who live in and care about their community as they look ahead to tomorrow. The same street shown with the addition of new development. 7 Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan February 5, 2007 Redeveloping and revitalizing the downtown core creates a Key objectives that guide the Mountlake Terrace Town Center host of community benefits, including: Plan include: 1. Strengthening our business community and enhancing • Setting an attractive and achievable vision for the community services without undue tax burden on future. residents. • Creating a lively central business district in the town a. The plan focuses on encouraging businesses center core. (both new and existing) that will thrive and be consistent • Buffering single-household zones from more intense with the community’s downtown setting. commercial development. b. Expanding the tax base in the commercial • Adding downtown households that will increase the corridors will reduce the tax burden now being paid customer base for downtown businesses. mostly by residents for needed community services, such • Creating an attractive destination to shop, eat, socialize, as police, fire, parks and street maintenance. read, walk and more. • Encouraging new compatible businesses to locate in the 2. Increasing quality of life for Mountlake Terrace town center. residents by providing new choices locally and protecting • Encouraging existing compatible businesses to remain residential neighborhoods. in the town center. a. A revitalized town center will increase residents’ • Providing development standards that balance choices for nearby shopping, housing, work, and community preferences with financial feasibility and allow recreational activities – and generally reduce travel time. all or most parcels in the town center to redevelop in a b. Expanded shopping and restaurants will way that will achieve the overall vision. create a town center that is a destination for all residents, • Adding attractive neighborhood stores, restaurants and providing desired products and services locally and coffee shops. creating a real sense of “place” in downtown Mountlake • Enhancing safety and security through urban design Terrace. techniques. c. Adding new opportunities for high-quality • Creating an outdoor plaza where people will want to housing will help support downtown businesses and gather. provide urban living and pedestrian-oriented streets. • Creating distinctive features (such as a clock tower, d. The residential character of nearby single- water fountain, plaza, street trees, and/or lighting) that family neighborhoods can be protected by focusing new enhance the special character of the town center. development in the town center and creating transition • Ensuring good transportation and parking. areas between commercial and single-family zones. • Making safe and pleasant opportunities for people to walk. • Promoting a friendly atmosphere for families and Guiding the New Plan for Mountlake Terrace people of all ages. • Reducing the portion of city revenues that come from taxes on residential properties by increasing revenues from commercial properties and sales. • Maintaining or improving community services. • Ensuring a strategy for future development to pay its share of any improvements needed to mitigate the development’s impacts on transportation, parks, and other city facilities (i.e., “growth to pay for growth”) • Encouraging a healthy “green” environment that includes open spaces, landscaping and long-lasting, energy-efficient buildings. This is a good example of a safe and pleasant streetscape for people to enjoy. 8 Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan February 5, 2007 • Providing attractive gateways to the town center. Key Questions the Plan will answer • Establishing development standards that will vary in different areas, based on unique conditions and The Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan should address opportunities. many issues, including the following questions: • Ensuring that any new or upgraded civic buildings will maximize connectivity to town center businesses and • What is the vision for the town center? inspire quality development. • What will make the area attractive as a gathering • Emphasizing the importance of nearby amenities, place for the community? especially Veterans Memorial Park and the Recreation • What kinds of uses should be encouraged? (Restaurants and Pavilion. coffee shops? Auto repair yards? Casinos?) • Optimizing connectivity with I-5, 244th Street SW, • How can the town center become more amenable 236th Street SW, and 220th Street SW. and inviting to pedestrians? • Using destinations, such as the city hall, recreation • What kinds of development will help the economy and pavilion, post office, senior center and library to draw enhance quality of life for the community? people downtown, enhance the sense of community, and • How can transportation and parking be managed to encourage the use of retail businesses. support the town center vision? • Reinforcing the “main street” character of 56th Avenue