Draft
Room
10035,
Subject:
Streetscapes
Present:
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Council Members Gale Adcock, Don Frantz, Erv
Portman, Jennifer Robinson and Jack Smith.
Mayor Pro Tem Julie Robison
participated by conference call
Mayor Weinbrecht called the
meeting to order at
Tim Bailey of the Engineering
Department reviewed the streetscape plan elements.
He said that the project begins to the west with a roundabout at
Mr. Bailey said that some of
the plan elements include a traffic signal similar to the traffic signal
currently at
Mrs. Robison asked about
including the Town seal on elevated surface.
Mr. Bailey said that staff has received several comments from council
members throughout the process and they are working to make those changes.
Mr. Bailey said that the
streetscape will include a combination of deciduous trees ranging from two to
seven inches in caliber (about 371 trees). He
said that there are five significant trees, mostly in the area near the square,
which will need to be removed as part of the project.
He said that some of the turning arrows will be painted and incorporate a
mixture of patterns; there is also special curb and gutter detail—it’s very
square and one foot in width on the top surface.
Mr. Smith arrived at this point
in the meeting at
Mr. Bailey said that when the
project is completed there will be about 200 parallel parking spaces (currently
there’s 100) within the corridor.
Mary Henderson of the Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Resources Department reviewed the project themes. She
said that the integrated are project is critical to the entire development of
the streetscapes. (The Arcadis Downtown Cary Streetscape Basis of Design and
Design Development: Integrated Landscape, Hardscape and Art is incorporated
herein as Exhibit B.)
Mrs. Henderson said that the
bus shelters and kiosks have a front porch theme; the memory markers are
inspired by the brick piers currently at Cary Elementary and will be
functional—some will be used for power for festivals as well as some potential
water fountains and possible lighting. She
said that some of the piers will be for historic purposes and identification of
downtown
She said that the Town square
is a public space in the area of Dry, Kildaire and Academy which is
approximately 1.3 acres (260 ft x 220 ft), has a very gradual slope for drainage
issues, and a fountain in the center; it includes seating areas and a
combination of brick pavers against turf areas, and serves as a gathering point.
Mrs. Robinson asked about the
Town square slope. Nik Nikolaev of
ARCADIS described it as a natural gentle slope at less than 2 percent on a
diagonal that measures 320 feet. He said it is similar to the existing slope
between Old Cary Elementary and the library, and is equivalent to the minimum
sidewalk cross slope. He said that
the area around the fountain is flat.
Mrs. Henderson described the
community garden at the corner of
Mrs. Henderson said that the
roundabouts are gateways to downtown and are designed as traffic features for
safety—you will be able to see through them, they will be lighted (from the
inside) at night to help with safety, and will break away for safety purposes.
She said the device to the east will have colors and textures of the
ocean and sunrise; the device to the west will have colors of the sunset and
mountains.
Elizabeth Conner of ARCADIS
described the round about elements—on the east and west will be polycarbonate,
with cool colors for the east and warmer colors for the west.
She said they are looking at translucent and transparent materials.
She said prototypes will be available in the next two-three months.
She said they are looking at a hard coated steal for the vertical
elements of the
Mr. Frantz asked about using
fountains and flowers instead of the art work.
Mrs. Henderson responded that there is a fountain in the square.
She said they are trying to meet some of the traffic conditions and
create the roundabouts in a different way. Mr.
Bailey added that a fountain might attract people to cross to the center of the
roundabout and get in the water which would be difficult because traffic will be
fairly continuous during the peak times.
Mrs. Henderson said the current
design includes low plants in the interior. Denise Dickens of the Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Resources Department added that the intent is for people
to enjoy the area and not to invite them to go into it.
Ms. Dickens said it’s a vehicular experience, not so much a pedestrian
experience. She said for safety
purposes you stay away from detailed sculpture.
Mr. Frantz asked if there will
be some place around the art for people to observe and enjoy.
Mrs. Henderson said they could stand on the corner across the
street.
Ms. Connor said a number of
things were considered for the design. She
said they were cognizant that it is a new traffic situation; they wanted to
avoid the clutter of signs; and they were looking for something that was clearly
one experience with several elements. She
said it’s meant to be a three dimensional sign as opposed to a distracter.
Mrs. Robinson asked about the
height of the artwork and raising the base higher. Mr. Nikolaev said that it’s
about 12 inches off of the wall. Ms.
Connor said there’s also a change in textures to slow traffic down.
She said it consists of simple elements which can be easily replaced.
Ms. Connor added that it’s more serious for a driver to hit a
stone wall than something that behaves like a sign and will knock over.
Mrs. Robinson asked about the
cost and length of time it will take to replace pillars.
Ms. Connor said typically a municipality will ask for replacement
elements as part of the bidding and fabrication process. She said they are
looking for something simple to make and replace.
Mrs. Henderson added that it would be the Town’s typical practice
to have some in stock.
Mr. Frantz asked about the
distance between the poles. Ms.
Connor said they are currently about two feet apart.
Mrs. Robinson said that she
would like the art elevated to minimize frequent damage.
Ms. Connor said they will look at that with the design.
Mr. Frantz said that he would prefer flowers and a fountain.
Mrs. Adcock and Mrs. Robison said that they like the design.
Mr. Frantz asked about the
permanence of the designs. Mrs. Henderson said they are designed to be
permanent. She said once it’s been
bid they will work with one manufacturer. Ms.
Connor said that the material has an internal UV protectant and can be treated
with an external UV to keep it from fading.
Mr. Frantz said that the Town
seal is part of
Mr. Portman asked about the
rationale for the paving pattern design at the intersections and how easy it
would be to accommodate their request for the seal in the center. Ms.
Connor said that they looked at patterns to reflect and inspire different rates
of speed. The concern was safety of
pedestrians and traffic nuisance with something specific in the ground; the
other thing is the visibility to motorists.
With the proposed design being slightly raised it is a significant visual
item in the flat plain which identifies that motorists need to slow down. Mayor
Weinbrecht, Mr. Frantz, Mr. Smith and Mrs. Robinson said they would like to have
the dogwood (the Town seal) as the paving pattern.
Mayor Weinbrecht asked where
the artwork comes into the process. Mr. Bailey said that when each phase is
built they would complete as much of that phase as possible in order to move
onto the next phase.
Mayor Weinbrecht asked if there
was a way to do a three dimensional of the art work. Mrs. Connor said that
it will be done prior to the bids.
Mr. Frantz asked about security
cameras. Mr. Smith said the question
is whether they should incorporate security monitors into the planning.
Mayor Weinbrecht asked about the cost and feasibility of integrating
security monitors into the plan. Mr.
Bailey said they have not looked into that.
Mr. Portman said in order to
achieve a revitalized downtown the Town will need a multifaceted approach which
helps provide an assemblage of land for major projects.
He said there are four facets involved: (1) help on assemblage of a plan,
(2) some help on public/private partnerships, on an anchor or major first
building, (3) parking and structural parking to help facilitate the success of a
vibrant downtown, and (4) a grand streetscape or something that improves the
overall ambience. He said he is
concerned about putting $35 million into one component and not addressing the
other three.
Mrs. Robinson said that the
Town has a plan that addresses the fine arts buildings and gives general land
use categories for the different parcels. She
said with the streetscape element they have a detailed plan to help guide that
future development. She said that
money is set aside for land banking and if council feels that assemblage of land
is important council can give staff direction to include that as one of the
possible uses for the land banking money. She
said that
Ann Morris of the planning
department said that
Mrs. Adcock asked about the
parking downtown. Mrs. Robinson said
there are three or four prime areas in the TCAP.
Mayor Weinbrecht asked what
happens with the businesses downtown during the transition period.
Mrs. Robinson responded that with the six cities they visited the one
thing they all had in common is that they have someone who acts as a general
manager of downtown. She said that
the general manager markets downtown, works with town officials to create
partnerships, and talks to businesses to bring to the area.
She said the general manager also hand holds the existing businesses. She
said that the Town needs to work with and encourage the chamber to market
downtown as the next office park.
Mayor Weinbrecht said he is
concerned about the parking downtown and attracting business.
Mrs. Robinson said as you draw more anchors more businesses will want to
come and then they can look at building a parking deck downtown.
Mr. Frantz said building a parking deck first would not be prudent;
development will dictate the need. He
said they also need someone who will be able to work with the private sector to
bring land owners together.
Mr. Portman said he is
concerned whether council is taking the right approach.
Mrs. Robinson suggested that
council members who were unable to attend the intercity visits to see the other
downtowns meet with those who did to discuss the innovative things the other
cities are doing.
Mrs. Robinson said it’s
important for council to fully understand all of the elements of the streetscape
plan. She suggested small group
meetings, after which staff will generate a list of any outstanding concerns and
bring those back to council. Mrs.
Adcock said that council needs to have a list of staff’s concerns as well.
Mr. Frantz said that they can
approve the streetscape plan with council’s recommended changes which will
give staff the direction needed.
Mrs. Henderson said that the
prototype should provide the level of detail requested by council.
Mrs. Adcock asked for the timeline on the prototype.
Ms. Connor said it may be ready by January.
Mr. Portman asked about the
overall time line for the plan. Mr. Bailey said there are several phases and in
each phase they will keep the road open: the first phase is for the central
portion, the second phase is the western part, and the third is the eastern part
of Town. He said staff is discussing
with the consultant an alternative approach which may accelerate individual
sections and minimize the impact time and the total duration.
He said staff will bring that information to council as a separate
decision on the construction phasing approach.
He said that because so much property is necessary, at the very least
they need to buy the property for phase one.
He said it will probably be summer to late 2009 before they can begin
construction and the duration can be anywhere from 18-mos to three years.
He said staff will bring the information back to council once they have
it.
Mr. Portman asked if council
would support using any tax incremental financing (
Mr. Frantz said if the Town
pursues public/private partnerships in the future that would be the opportune
time to use
ACTION:
Mrs. Robinson moved to approve the downtown
Mr. Coleman asked if staff was
also to look into providing cameras.
Mr. Frantz said he would like
staff to look into the feasibility and cost of cameras and bring the information
back to council.
ACTION: Vote was called for
on the motion. Mr. Portman voted “no”, all others voted “aye”. The motion
carried by majority vote. (Mayor Pro Tem
Robison did not register a vote, because she was not physically present at the
meeting.)
Mr. Coleman asked if council
wanted staff to provide information explaining tax incremental financing and the
special assessment district. Council said yes.
Mr. Portman said that if
council members meet with staff and recommend changes that information should be
e-mailed to the entire council.
The mayor adjourned the meeting
at