Appendix C Related Studies

Transcription

1 Appendix C Related Studies Intermodal Transit Village Concept Plan Appendix C Related Studies This appendix summarizes studies that are current at the time of this Plan. Intermodal Transit Village Concept Plan The City and Regional Transportation District commissioned the Intermodal Transit Village Concept Plan in 2002 to create a clear conceptual framework upon which future change can be managed and directed in order to ensure an outcome consistent with the DRCOG Urban Center planning principles. The City should use the plan as a policy document and tool to help with obtaining funding and implementing projects described in the plan. Location The plan covers the areas within the ¼- to ½-mile radius of the potential future Regional Transportation District (RTD) light rail stop and includes all of Olde Town Arvada and extends south into the urban renewal area south of Grandview. Policies The plan includes principles for a transit village, a compact, mixeduse, walkable community, centered around public transit that encourages residents, workers, visitors, and shoppers to drive their cars less and ride mass transit more. It describes how the new Olde Town area will function in the future, including: Becoming a Transit Center that strongly connects to the greater region; Being a recognizable and memorable place; and Enhancing the quality of the public realm. The plan also recommends specific site-based capital improvement projects for the area, such as a new transit plaza, new library site, new residential development, and new community parking structure. The plan also includes implementation strategies to carry out the specific projects. ARVADA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN C-1

2 Appendix C Related Studies Southeast Arvada Redevelopment Area: Opportunities and Challenges Southeast Arvada Redevelopment Area: Opportunities and Challenges The Southeast Arvada study done in 2004 focuses on the market conditions and factors influencing the Southeast area. It identifies opportunities and challenges for redevelopment by evaluating the relevant factors which may impact redevelopment including: existing conditions, economic and real estate market conditions, regional development trends, and transportation linkages. Location The 465-acre Southeast Arvada Redevelopment Area is generally bounded by Marshall/Lamar Streets to the west, I-76 to the south, Lowell Boulevard to the east, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe/Union Pacific railroad to the north. Opportunities and Challenges Identified The study describes the mature industrial redevelopment area and identifies challenges to working in an area with a diversity of land uses, some of which are marginal industrial uses and structures such as yard storage and many kinds of aging structures. Opportunities include: Light Rail Transit as Context Modifier. A new light rail station built in this area for the Gold Line has the potential to transform land uses drastically. Economic Development. A number of industrial, service, and retail businesses have contacted Arvada looking for sites recently. The regional economic picture is looking brighter. Real Estate Trends/Location and Access. The Southeast Arvada area has historically had a lot of interest due to excellent highway and rail access. Challenges include: Political challenges. Arvada has not identified priorities for the area (e.g., to revitalize the area, or develop Transit- Oriented Development). Physical and infrastructure. The area has many edges and barriers, with an unclear hierarchy of streets and wayfinding, need for extension of water and sewer. In addition, there are C-2 ARVADA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

3 Appendix C Related Studies Arvada Housing Needs Assessment many owners. In addition, some of the area is within the 100- year floodplain. Environmental. A former landfill is located beneath the aggregate piles, which may be difficult to clean up, and other soil and groundwater issues require investigation and probably remediation. Market. The area is an established industrial area with existing businesses that are relatively stable. Relocation would be difficult and costly. Arvada Housing Needs Assessment The Housing Needs Assessment, prepared in 2004, provides current information about the condition and characteristics of the housing market to help inform decisions about housing policies for Arvada. The Housing Needs Assessment process included: household surveys: interviews with realtors, developers, and employers; and it also used 2000 Census information and employment data. Definition of Affordable Housing for Arvada The housing study defines affordable housing as: Housing that does not cost more than 30 percent of monthly income (for rent or mortgage), and when the housing is of sufficient size to meet the needs of the household. Different terms for affordable housing are used, including: Workforce housing, assisted housing, permanently affordable housing, and/or attainable housing. Housing Conditions and Characteristics A summary of the Housing Needs Assessment characteristics and findings is provided in Appendix A: Planning Influences (see page A-7). Opportunities and Program Options The Housing Needs Assessment identifies the following opportunities for Arvada: Designate redevelopment areas and focus resources in the target areas; Locate future housing in areas of projected job growth; ARVADA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN C-3

4 Appendix C Related Studies Arvada Economic Analysis Sponsor educational forums about Reverse Mortgage programs; and Continue rehabilitation pprograms. What is Next for Housing? The Housing Needs Assessment poses questions for discussions and next steps, including: 1. Consider Program Options. 2. Prioritize Needs and Opportunities. 3. Identify Partners. The Housing Needs Assessment identifies the following program options: Establish a clear vision for housing; Become educated about affordable housing and how to produce it; Encourage a mix of type and prices in all areas; Understand housing, jobs, and transportation relationships; Selectively redevelop areas of Arvada; Support mixed-use development; Use Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) for housing in redevelopment areas; Create higher density areas; and Establish fee waivers or deferrals for projects meeting community goals. Arvada Economic Analysis The City hired Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) to prepare the Arvada Economic Analysis. This 2004 Economic Analysis provides updated population and employment forecasts and evaluates the demand for residential and non-residential land uses in the City. The primary purpose of the land demand analysis is to determine the potential market support for prospective land uses as input to this Plan update. The forecasts are addressed in Appendix A: Planning Influences. In addition, the Economic Analysis evaluates development potential and appropriate land uses for a number of specific sites in the City that have been undergoing development pressures for uses that do not comply with 2005 zoning or the 1995 Plan. Findings 2030 Land Demand The Economic Analysis finds by 2030, demand for: 690 acres of industrially zoned land (including warehousing and manufacturing to high tech and flex uses); 520 acres of land zoned for office uses; C-4 ARVADA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

5 Appendix C Related Studies Arvada Economic Analysis 115 acres of land for retail and other commercial services in neighborhood and convenience centers (e.g., anchored by a supermarket that may be as large as 125,000 square feet); and 190 acres of regional retail space with at least one major-level retail location (i.e., up to 1.5 million square feet, including shopping centers, discount department stores, lifestyle centers, big box retail, and others). Other Land Use Findings The City should consider amending the zoning code to allow for a mix of development uses based on intensity; The existing ʺPUD-Iʺ and ʺPUD-BPʺ zone districts prohibit certain uses, including offices, warehouses, and retail. This has created difficulties in these areas; and Retaining industrial designation on a number of smaller parcels in commercial corridors may be unwarranted. These parcels may be more appropriate for commercial, office, residential, or service uses if such development is compatible with surrounding development. Site Evaluations The Economic Analysis finds the following land uses appropriate for the following specific sites: Cimarron Park Large business park; allow higher density housing to provide housing for workers. Vauxmont Large amount of industrial and commercial space. 64 th Avenue and McIntyre Street Maintain residential uses; allow neighborhood-level commercial or service uses. Indiana Corridor Commercial or retail; employment or residential. 80 th Avenue and Kipling Multi-family residential; neighborhood level commercial or service development. 80 th Avenue and Simms Street Single family; neighborhoodlevel commercial uses (with road improvements). 72 nd Avenue and Kipling Street Maintain semi-rural character. Mixed use; multi-family and commercial uses. 64 th Avenue and Miller Multi-family or service uses. Flexibility important. South-Central Industrial Develop a subarea plan to determine appropriate land uses. Ridge Road Residential, light industrial, and office development; or Transit-Oriented Development. ARVADA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN C-5

6 Appendix C Related Studies Brownfields Project 52 nd Avenue and Ward Road Industrial and business park uses; smaller amount of retail. 86 th Parkway and Indiana Street Retail or commercial development; office or residential development. Brownfields Project The City received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess the Brownfields. The purpose of the Brownfields Project, completed in 2002, was to obtain information on the environmental conditions in the project area to ensure that future redevelopment activities protect human health and the environment. The intent of the project is to determine feasibility of site redevelopment. Location The Brownfields project includes an area approximately 300 acres in size that is bounded by Marshall Street to the west, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad line to the north, Sheridan Boulevard to the east, Highway 76 to the southeast, and 52 nd Street to the south. It includes a variety of existing land uses and activities. Findings The City conducted a Phase I ESA of the entire area first, which allowed the City to identify seven priority areas as having the potential for redevelopment to commercial business park and green space. The results of the Phase I ESA generally indicated that all of the Priority areas could be considered for redevelopment. Priority 1 and 2 areas potentially contain a methane hazard. Additional groundwater monitoring is needed in Priority area 4. The area has excellent access and has been attractive for smaller light manufacturing and service-oriented industries. Over the long-term, RTD is planning a station in the area, which will result in transitoriented land use opportunities. The results of the Brownfields Project are being used in developing a plan for Southeast Arvada. C-6 ARVADA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN