Garden District Neighborhood Plan

Introduction

Garden District

The Garden District is one of Temple’s most iconic areas. The neighborhood is comprised mostly of single story, ranch style homes. Many of them are architectural marvels that would make Frank Lloyd Wright proud. The mid-century modern homes are also representative of the relationships of the residents in this unique area. Neighbors provide support for each other, reminiscent of the close knit culture in the 50s and 60s. The mixture of empty nesters and young families provides many opportunities for multi-generational gatherings or just fun conversations along the roadway. All of these features make the Garden District one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Temple

PURPOSE

The City of Temple is dedicated to fostering cohesive, distinct, vibrant, safe and attractive neighborhoods, where citizens take pride and are engaged with their community. These objectives will be accomplished through the work of the City’s neighborhood team. Through a process of collaboration and communication, the City’s Neighborhood Team will strive to ensure continued improvements to Temple’s neighborhoods, as well as access to a wide variety of housing types that are safe, accessible and affordable.

HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TEAM

MISSION

Working alongside residents in each neighborhood, our mission is to identify neighborhood concerns, values, vision and goals. Through this process, the City will develop long-range plans for each Neighborhood Planning District to include:

• City Capital Improvement Projects

• Private Investment & Economic Development Opportunities

• Community Development Block Grant Projects

A strong emphasis will be placed on improving the quality of life in each neighborhood while increasing access to affordable housing.

PLANNING BACKGROUND

The Garden District Neighborhood is one of 18 planning districts within the City of Temple. Each district plan has a similar planning process that is intended to complement the City’s Comprehensive Plan with a more focused effort at the neighborhood level. This plan looks at the existing conditions and engages residents to derive genuine information and direction from the neighborhood. While using the best practices for planning, the results of each plan define specific recommendations that are unique to each district.

The Story

GARDEN DISTRICT IS...

The Garden District has a wide variety of uses and diverse housing types throughout the neighborhood. This unique character gives the district a fun and eclectic feel.

ECLECTIC ENDURING CONNECTED ORGANIC

This district is located in an area within Temple that is close to multiple nearby schools and parks. With close proximity to both Downtown and the Historic District, as well as access to I-35, the Garden District is a convenient location for a variety of different people.

Several of the homes in the Garden District are included in the Regulatory Historic District, while many other homes are built in more recent years. The homes and established trees in this neighborhood give an enduring legacy to the district.

This district has a non traditional road layout with many unique intersections and roads throughout the neighborhood. This organic feel contributes to the character of the neighborhood.

CULTIVATE

• Grow the neighborhood as a cohesive community with unique character.

• Embrace the Garden District name through developing gardens, parks, open space, and stormwater treatment facilities that contribute to the neighborhood branding.

SET EDGES

• Develop neighborhood services along 3rd Street that are appropriate and useful for neighborhood residents.

• Provide safe routes to school for students and teachers.

• Improve the development to north of the neighborhood with compatible land uses.

ORGANIZE

• Prioritize pedestrian connections in the neighborhood to improve walkability.

• Increase safety and wayfinding by improving confusing intersections.

• Organize car queuing for school pickup through signage or road markings that set clear delineation for traffic.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

This planning effort is intended to compliment the focus areas and initiatives laid forth in Temple By Design, the 2020 Comprehensive Master Plan. The strategic considerations identified above highlight key features of the plan area that are intended to help guide unique recommendations for the Midtown Neighborhood. These resulting recommendations will be compiled into an Action Plan which include references to the specific Comprehensive Plan Initiatives they are intending to help realize. This planning effort includes a public engagement and visioning process to determine recommendations which ultimately lead to a series of corresponding capital improvement projects.

Community Input & Background

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

A look into the demographics helps to frame the characteristics of the plan area’s population. This information is used to guide recommendations for policies and changes to the built environment. This information is derived from. This information is derived from the American Community Survey 2014-2019 5-year using Esri’s Community Analyst software that aggregates multiple block groups that make up the plan area. This gives us the most accurate information for the defined area and helps tell the story of the plan area demographics.

Total Population

1,358

Population by Age Cohort

Under 5 years

0306090120150

2014

2010

2000

1990

1980

DEMOGRAPHIC TAKEAWAYS

The following are a few summary conclusions derived from reviewing the demographics within the plan area:

• A significant portion of the population is children under 15 years old

• Educational attainment is high, with a majority of the population having some college or higher level of education

• There are few households below the poverty line

• A large majority of the homes in this neighborhood were built in the 50s

• Home ownership rate is high

• Most households have access to at least one vehicle, which corresponds with the high number of people who use a car or truck to get to work.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

The Neighborhood Planning Team was challenged to develop a community engagement method so that crucial feedback could be gathered from the residents of th Garden District. The City Staff conducted events in an effort to engage plan area residents and inform them about the planning effort. As part of that outreach, residents were asked to respond to a an online survey. The results of the outreach efforts are highlighted on the following pages.

ONLINE SURVEY RESULTS

What is the biggest strength of the plan area? area homes parks trees quietneighbors streets mature Location Beautiful Established access Friendly community Close neighborhood

What is the biggest strength of the plan area? area homes parks trees quietneighbors streets mature Location Beautiful Established access Friendly community Close neighborhood

Unsafe trash

Lack park Unsafe trash

What is the biggest weakness of the plan area? homes Streets neighborhood street traffic sidewalks Lighting 15th yards

Lack park

What is the biggest weakness of the plan area?

homes Streets neighborhood street traffic sidewalks Lighting 15th yards

What are the Code Compliance issues that

What role best describes your relationship with the Garden District?

PERFORMANCE VS IMPORTANCE

The performance versus importance assessment matrix asks survey respondents about their views on the City’s performance in provision of facilities and/or services, as well as the importance of those same facilities and/or services. These responses are plotted against each other to provide a measurement and suggested prioritization for planning efforts, by showing the results in conjunction with the target line (the point where importance and performance meet).

PUBLIC SURVEY TAKEAWAYS

The following are a few summary conclusions derived from reviewing the online survey responses:

• Survey respondents said the biggest strengths of the neighborhood are neighbors, homes, and parks while the biggest weaknesses are streets, sidewalks, and lighting.

• Vacant/substandard housing is the biggest code compliance issue in the neighborhood and revitalizing existing housing was identified as the biggest housing need.

• Residential and neighborhood services are the most important land uses for the plan area.

• Restaurant and grocery are identified as the 2 main businesses missing from the neighborhood.

Inventory & Analysis

This exhibit provides a regional context for the plan area as well as important destinations such as schools, grocery, and parks & open space. 0’

This exhibit shows the plan area boundaries and important points of interest.

PHOTO INVENTORY

The images displayed on the right are taken from the Garden District plan area. These images assist in providing context to the character of the neighborhood’s built environment. Images were selected to show neighborhood assets, concerns, opportunities, conditions, etc.

This exhibit shows the Future Land Use Plan and Major Thoroughfare Plan for the Garden District from the 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

This exhibit shows the location and breakdown for the Garden District zoning.

This exhibit shows the conditions of properties in the neighborhood and provides an overview of residential structure health.

A = Great Shape

B = Minor Cosmetic Repair Needed

C = Major Cosmetic Repair and/or Minor Structural Repair Needed

D = Major Structural Repair Needed

F = Structural Repair Needed Beyond the Worth of the Property and/or Dangerous Structure

For examples of property conditions ratings see Appendix, Property Conditions

This exhibit shows the existing pedestrian infrastructure and how it currently serves the Garden District properties.

This exhibit highlights specific opportunities and constraints that are found within the Garden District.

15th Street Intersection

The intersection at 15th Street, 13th Street, West Virginia Avenue, and Mayborn Drive creates a disorienting and dangerous condition fro both pedestrians and drivers. Improving this intersection will improve the clarity and wayfinding within the neighborhood, as well as increase the branding and character through the implementation of gardens.

Overall Takeaways:

• 15th Street becomes a safer through street for the neighborhood by reducing conflict points.

• Gardens located within the area contribute to neighborhood character

• Both vehicular and pedestrian traffic have improved access to and from the school.

13th Street Intersection

Located close to the school, this heavily trafficked intersection can be a hazard to pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Simplifying the intersection by creating a ‘T’ intersection creates more visibility and will slow down the traffic to improve overall safety. Enhanced streetscape and signage further improves intersection safety.

Overall Takeaways:

• Create a ‘T’ intersection to slow traffic and improve safety.

• Streetscape elements contribute aesthetic character and wayfinding.

• Sidewalks improve walkability near school property.

Nettles Park Entry

The existing Nettles Park entry is somewhat hidden within the neighborhood. Improving this park entry can raise awareness of the park to neighborhood residents and contribute to the garden character of the district. Enhanced landscaping and signage will help better define this entry point.

SUPPLEMENTAL IMAGES

Overall Takeaways:

• Increased landscaping and signage improve awareness of the park to neighborhood residents

• Rain Gardens or drainage facilities may be needed to alleviate stormwater flow

Concept & Planning

This exhibit builds upon the direction of Temple’s Comprehensive Plan in refining the Major Thoroughfare Plan (MTP) to meet the needs of the Garden District.

The following are the key takeaways:

• A bicycle boulevard follows 7th Street and connects into 5th Street.

• Shell Road, 13th Street, Walker Avenue, Zenith Avenue, and Monticello Road all become Pedestrian Connectors.

• 15th Street remains as a Neighborhood Collector.

CHARACTER IMAGERY

Major Arterial

Minor Arterial

Community Collector Neighborhood Collector Pedestrian Connector

Bicycle Boulevard

3rd Street

As the only major arterial in the Garden District, this road accounts for much of the vehicular traffic in and out of this neighborhood. Focusing on sidewalk and street tree maintenance behind the curb would have the highest impact on this street.

Key Characteristics:

• Increase consistency of street trees

• Maintain R.O.W. to preserve landscape, street trees, and pedestrian environment

• Driveways and parking access should be located off rear alley to preserve sidewalk continuity and overall curb appeal.

CHARACTER IMAGERY

15th Street

Major Arterial

Minor Arterial

Community Collector

Neighborhood Collector

Pedestrian Connector

Bicycle Boulevard

This Neighborhood Collector provides a key route in and out of the neighborhood. Creating a comfortable pedestrian environment along these streets is important to encourage walkability within the neighborhood.

Key Characteristics:

• Enhanced focus on pedestrian realm including sidewalk infill/maintenance and landscaping.

• Traffic calming measures such as change in paving material or addition of rumble strips are appropriate at certain locations.

• Streets should balance vehicle traffic demands and pedestrian safety.

• Meander sidewalk to preserve trees

CHARACTER IMAGERY

School Zone Considerations

Implementing safe routes to school includes addressing school pick-up and drop-off queuing issues. This is possible along these streets using a two part approach. The first part is improving sidewalks in key areas throughout the plan area to reduce the number of cars queued and increase overall walkability. Additionally, better defined rules and signage can help create a more efficient pickup. Enforcing these rules will encourage the most orderly pick-up and drop-off area.

11th Street

The streets designated as Pedestrian connectors are focused on the pedestrian experience. Sidewalks and street trees are important on these streets and traffic calming may be appropriate.

Key Characteristics:

• Enhanced landscaping for pedestrian experience

• Maintain R.O.W. to preserve landscape areas, street trees, and pedestrian environment

• Intersections should highlight pedestrian presence and increase visibility.

• Meander sidewalks to preserve trees

• Intersections should highlight pedestrian presence and increase visibility

CHARACTER IMAGERY

Major Arterial

Minor Arterial

Community Collector

Neighborhood Collector

Pedestrian Connector

Bicycle Boulevard

7th Street

As a relatively low traffic street, 7th Street can be designated as a Bicycle Boulevard. Street markings and signage will help improve vehicle awareness of the bicyclist presence.

Key Characteristics:

• Maintain low vehicular traffic street

• Visible street markings and signage as bicycle route

• There should be no delineation of a designated bicycle lane. The desire is for the bicyclists to travel comfortably at a safe distance from parked vehicle door zones

• Maintain R.O.W. to preserve landscape areas, street trees, and pedestrian environment

• If less than 8’ planting strip is available, do not plan street tree in remaining planting strip area.

Realigning 13th Street to create a “T” intersection with Mayborn Drive will reduce the number of conflict points at a confusing and dangerous intersection. A portion of both West Virginia Avenue and 13th Street will be removed and used for expanded park space. This new intersection alignment will also create a safer route to school for neighborhood children. This alignment creates two new park areas that can be programmed to better serve residents.

Key Characteristics:

• Maintain existing driveways along roads that are to be removed

• Park space is expanded and better programmed

• Fewer conflicts between vehicles

• Creates a safe route to school

• Intersections are enhanced to improve safety

Option 1

This option improves intersection safety by creating a “T” intersection at 15th Street and West Virginia Avenue. Pedestrian connection is improved and park space is expanded by removing the road between Walker Avenue and Mayborn Drive. Mayborn Drive is used for pedestrian access and emergency vehicles only.

Option 2

This option creates an improved pedestrian connection and safe route to school, and also expands the overall park space by removing the portion of road between Walker Avenue and 13th Street. Mayborn Drive is unaffected by this option.

Option 3

This option narrows the paving width of both Mayborn Drive and 13th Street. The extra space created is used for expanded park opportunities. 13th Street is used for emergency vehicle access only and Mayborn Drive is used for emergency vehicles and pedestrian access only.

UTILITY PLACEMENT INTERSECTION ENHANCEMENTS

Intersection enhancement are intended to be located where vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic are the most concentrated within a neighborhood. These locations, as one would suspect, aligned with street hierarchy of the Major Thoroughfare Plan. Arterials and collectors predicate a need for guiding vehicles and pedestrians alike to controlled and uncontrolled crossings. The plans identification of pedestrian connects is a means for the city to better manage its resources for sidewalks infrastructure and as such these routes will have a higher presence pedestrians. Within the interior of the Garden District Neighborhood where neighborhood collectors and pedestrian connectors cross there is a need to communicate to both drivers and pedestrians location of a crossing.

Intersection Enhancement Recommendations

• Streets should consider painted/striped crosswalk and pedestrian crossing signage

• Stop signs may be appropriate at the most heavily trafficked intersections or where vehicular speeding is prevalent

• Crossing flags maybe appropriate for routes that are key corridors for students.

The Garden District is an established neighborhood within the City of Temple and as such its existing utilities have been in place for quite sometime. The use of alleys and rear of property utility easements were have helped facilitate an inviting environment with it tree lined streets. As this is where wastewater and overhead utility connections are found, all funneling back toward the Knob Creek trunk line. Moving forward, the diagram below provides some direction as how to assign the placement of utilities within the context of to the street R.O.W. spacing and programing.

1 2

Water

Water lines located in the street R.O.W. in an unprogrammed area, with beneath the sidewalk being preferable to under the street. Pipe size can vary, but should not encroach on the tree’s critical root zone.

Planting Strip

Planting strips of 6’ or greater are needed to give a street tree proper growing conditions.

Stormwater

3 Common Trench

The stormwater pipe should be placed underneath the curb and gutter in the street R.O.W. Pipe size can vary, but should not encroach on the tree’s critical root zone.

Electric, telecommunications, and other overhead utilities connections are found along the alley or rear of property. East-west streets provide The trench should preferably be located in a public utility easement adjacent to, but outside of the R.O.W.

Wastewater

Wastewater is primarily found in the rear of properties or within the alley in the Garden District Neighborhood. If wastewater lines are to be located in street R.O.W. they should be place in an unprogrammed area or beneath the sidewalk being preferable to under the street. Pipe size can vary, but should not encroach on the tree’s critical root zone.

15’ Max.

Ornamental Tree

Overhead Utilities

If utilities cannot be placed in a trench, the use of ornamental trees is an acceptable alternative to large shade trees to maintain street trees. These trees should not exceed 15’ mature height. Overhead utilities should be consolidated on one side of the road where possible.

Focus Areas

Historic Preservation

Active 3rd Street

Neighborhood Conservation

Walker Park

Victory Ave.

Active 3rd Street. 3rd Street is currently a major arterial with abundant vehicle traffic. The existing properties within this area are sales and supplies, as well as some residential. This area should maintain this long-term employment presence while striving to improve compatibility to nearby residential properties.

Jefferson Elementary School

Zenith Ave.

Neighborhood Conservation. The plan area has a number of architecturally significant structures. Efforts should focus on maintaining these structures as well as encouraging reconstruction or infill to complement the plan area’s architectural character.

Jefferson Park

Lamar Middle School

This exhibit is intended to provide land use priorities and direction for the built environment by assigning the types of enhancement that should define future investment.

Nettles Park

Historic Preservation. This small section of the plan area should continue the efforts for historic preservation of the existing residential structures.

Optimist Park

NUGENT TO ROYAL

0’

Key Considerations: Driveways. Reducing the overall number of driveways along 3rd Street will reduce confusion for vehicles and improve pedestrian safety, as well as improve the aesthetic of the street.

Street Trees. Reducing the number of driveways along 3rd Street also increases the opportunity for street trees and landscaping, which can slow traffic, improve visual aesthetic, and increase pedestrian comfort.

Sidewalks. Providing more continuous sidewalks along 3rd Street can improve the safety and comfort of the pedestrian environment and encourage neighborhood walkability.

Intersection. Providing an enhanced intersection at 3rd Street and Nugent Avenue with improved crosswalks and signage can alert vehicles of the pedestrian presence and improve the overall safety.

Parking. Placing buildings at the front property line allows more room in the back of the property for off-street parking. Additionally, side streets provide parking and access, reducing traffic and congestion of 3rd Street.

NUGENT TO ROYAL

Key Considerations: Streetscape. Future development and redevelopment along 3rd Street should provide enough space for viable planting strips that can allow for the unencumbered growth of street trees.

Cross Access. Utilize cross access in the rear of lots to improve circulation and provide outlets to east-west streets. This will reduce conflict points along 3rd Street, improving the pedestrian environment.

OAKLANDAVENUE PARKAVENUE

3RDSTREET

Residential Character. Business such as personal services like salons, offices, etc. may elect for a building style that matches the nearby residential architecture. This will have a strong impact on promoting the neighborhood feel of the Garden District.

Key Intersections. Intersections along 3rd Street at Nugent Avenue and Shell will provide opportunities for more intense neighborhood commercial. As such, intersection enhancements that provide additional safety measures for pedestrians are strongly encouraged.

WALKER TO ROYAL

Key Considerations:

Townhouses

Mixed-Use

3RD STREET

Neighborhood Commercial

Neighborhood Commercial

ROYAL AVENUE

WEST VIRGINIA AVENUE

Side Street Access. Using the east-west streets for access to businesses along 3rd Street would reduce the overall number of driveways along 3rd Street. This will result in improved pedestrian safety and aesthetic interest of the corridor.

Street Trees. Reducing the number of driveways along 3rd Street also increases the opportunity for street trees and landscaping, which can slow traffic, improve visual aesthetic, and increase pedestrian comfort.

WALKER TO ROYAL

SHELL AVENUE

Sidewalks. Providing more continuous sidewalks along 3rd Street can improve the safety and comfort of the pedestrian environment and encourage neighborhood walkability. Infill. There are a number of open or underdeveloped lots along this section of 3rd Street. Infill with neighborhood supporting commercial, residential, and vertical mixed use would be desirable.

0’ 100’ 200’ 50’

Parking. Placing building to the front property line allow more room in the back of the property for off-street parking. Additionally, side streets provide parking and access reducing traffic and congestion of 3rd Street.

North Arts District Connection

The site’s proximity to the Garden District may initially influence the scale, massing, and land uses for the site. However, the sites relative proximity to the North Arts District and potential connection via Spur 290, allow the site to act as a southern bookend to the proposed character and intensity of the future development in the North Arts District.

Contributions:

• Continuation of the investment in the North Arts District

• Improve connection and intersection features at 3rd Street and Spur 290

The Bosque

The physical addition of the a large planting of trees creating a bosque has two main purposes. The first is a buffering of I-35 on land is currently not available and due to some site constraints not suitable for development. The second is its affect on creating a unique land feature and prominent gateway element at an important entrance to Temple.

Contributions:

• Buffering of I-35

• Unique gateway element

• Shaded open space for nearby development

New Arrival

Utilizing the Spur 290 and 3rd Street intersection, the Grove creates an experiential development that welcomes visitors and new residents at this important northern gateway to the City. The site’s proposed layout and land use makeup are intended to create an internal main street like experience. Shopfronts, outdoor dinning, communal spaces provide street engagement at a more intimate level than along 3rd Street.

Contributions:

• Architectural interest immediately upon arrival

• A experiential development that welcomes visitors

• More housing choice for new residents and member of the Temple workforce

Vibrant Experience

Intentional multi-family developments can provide a spark to nearby development by providing a supporting base of patrons. Additionally, multi-family integrated into a larger development creates the symbiotic relationships that encourage higher rental demand from residents. The site intentionally encourages a mix of dining, retail, office, and personal services that promote an active site throughout the day. The intent is that the blend of uses provided support each other in a way that will result in a more robust longterm vitality of the development.

Contributions:

• Evening activity

• Convenient services for nearby residents

• Activation of the site throughout the entire day

Key Considerations: Stronger North Temple. Reimagining the Grove site will result in a more appealing Northern Temple. Temple’s visual presence along I-35 would improve. This type of change will help the longterm outlook of adjoining neighborhoods.

Softened Edge. The bosque of trees provides an important effect that softens the proposed buildings contributing to a more welcoming sense of arrival. The new planting provides programming for the empty TXDOT right-of-way.

Architectural Interest. A set of four to five storied apartment buildings would have the massing and definitive aesthetic character to draw the visual interest of the large amounts of daily traffic on I-35.

Iconic Signage. Signage is a more direct form of messaging that conveys activity and excitement can be found at a certain location. Additionally, it contributes to a unique identity that communicates a distinct sense of place.

THE GROVE, 3RD STREET ARRIVAL

NEIGHBORHOOD INFILL

The lots in the southwestern portion of the plan area are large enough to accommodate a significant infill development. Any residential additions to the neighborhood should maintain the strong architectural character and engaging street environment found within the rest of the Garden District. The conceptual layout shows how a development may be accommodated with two distinct approaches to keep in line with the plan area’s character.

Alley loaded lots allow for the structure to have a more distinct architectural character, that would otherwise be lost on smaller lots with front garages. Moving the parking to the rear allows the house to be closer to the front property line and better engage the

60’ wide single-family lots allow for front driveways, where the homes architecture still maintains a majority of the front building facade. Architecture on smaller lots with front access garages lose their aesthetic interest and engagement of the street environment from the banality of the garage and bareness of the driveway.

Nugent Avenue Optimist Park 15th Street

Community Flower Garden

A large and diverse garden for residents to come together to create a communal experience that offers both sustenance and therapeutic opportunities. At the edge of the neighborhood, this garden will act as a gateway into the neighborhood give visitors a visual cue to the district’s name.

Key Characteristics:

• Raised beds

• Edge plantings to screen vegetable garden

• Edge fencing

• Diversity of plantings- herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, roses, grasses,

• Tool shed/work bench

• Compost area

Memorial/ Butterfly Garden

An architecturally driven garden with a center community gazebo memorializing an event or a history of Temple will give this garden area a landmark and usable space to sit and reflect as well as slow and calm traffic. Surrounding the gazebo, dispersed pods of native plantings of flowers and grasses buffer users from the street edge.

Key Characteristics:

• Centralized traditional gazebo

• Native flowering plants in pods

• Decomposed granite secondary pathways

• Plant identification nameplates

• Historical or memorial plaque

• Pedestrian lighting

• Access sidewalks

English/Secret Garden

A lush hidden gem tucked into the heart of the neighborhood this garden allows for increased privacy for neighboring residences and controlled play areas for park visitors. Formal yet playful this garden offers passive and active recreation.

Key Characteristics:

• Evergreen, shade tolerant plants

• White gravel walkways

• Hedges

• Tranquil seating areas

• Focal element in the center

• Garden ‘rooms’

Perennials

Communal Gardens

Roses

Annuals Neighborhood Monumentation Grass

Ornamental Grass Border

Split Rail Fence

Fruit Trees

Maintain Existing Trees

COMMUNITY FLOWER GARDEN

Neighborhood Conservation

COMMUNITY FLOWER GARDEN

Key Considerations: Gathering Space. Providing a space for the community residents to gather and sit is a key part of this garden. This space helps build a sense of community and can help make this garden a unique destination within the district.

Use Flexibility. This garden provides flexibility of uses for the neighborhood residents. With space for working, sitting, and gathering, this park is a community asset that can be used by many different people. Monumentation. Incorporating neighborhood entry monumentation in this garden enhances arrival into the neighborhood and contributes to the overall character and name of the neighborhood.

Access. A sidewalk along 15th Street will provide a walking route to and from the garden for the neighborhood. Street trees and enhanced plantings along the garden edge will provide traffic calming and increase the walkability of the entire neighborhood.

COMMUNITY FLOWER GARDEN

A new alignment at the intersection of 15th Street, Mayborn Drive, and 13th Street will reduce the number of conflict points at a dangerous intersection, provide clarity for drivers, and increase park space for the neighborhood. This new alignment also contributes to a safe route to school for neighborhood students. Using this new space for a butterfly and memorial garden will provide a central park space for the neighborhood with various options for seating and planting. A traditional gazebo and neighborhood signage will improve wayfinding at this decision point. Supplementing existing trees with both ornamental and evergreen trees, shrubs,and plantings will provide visual interest year round and enhance the garden district identity. 5)

Trees

Art/Sculpture Focal Point

Neighborhood Signage

Neighborhood Signage

Traditional Gazebo Preserve Existing

Gravel Low Hedge Wall Flower Beds Ornamental Trees

Maintaining the Existing Character

It is a priority of the plan to protect the valuable contributions that the historic properties provide to the character and fabric of the Temple community. Fortunately, historic building preservation efforts are already in place within a portion of the plan area. The City of Temple provides regulatory protections found in Chapter 17, Historic Preservation of the Code of Ordinances. The boundary of this regulatory district only covers a small area of the Garden District Neighborhood and there are a number of homes unprotected that have significant architectural contributions to the neighborhood’s character. The images to the right highlight just a few structures within the neighborhood and their architectural styles.

The following is a list of recommendations and is intended to compliment the Historic Preservation Focus portion of the plan area:

• Conduct survey of neighborhood to inventory architecturally significant structures for future considerations for enhanced protections.

• Continue to enforce development regulations for historic properties.

• Invest in supporting infrastructures to maintain historic character. This infrastructure includes sidewalks, alleys, street trees, etc.

• Enhance key intersections to contribute to historic aesthetic and character.

• Align future branding efforts to be consistent with the current Temple Historic District.

Tudor Revival Ranch Style Tudor Revival

Minimal Traditional Ranch

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern

Minimal Traditional Ranch Ranch Style

Tudor Revival

This exhibit provides lighting recommendations for the plan area. Further explanation of the different lighting zones can be found on the following page.

LIGHTING ZONES

GENERAL STREET ZONE

The General Street Zones are the pedestrian and vehicular corridors of the neighborhood. These streets see the largest portions of vehicular and pedestrian traffic both in and out of the neighborhood. As such, these corridors should have ample lighting and maintain high operating standards, while not overpowering residential properties.

PARK ZONE

The Park Zone is intended to be a highly visible and active linkage. The lighting should be pedestrian scaled and well lit as to encourage extended use.

Lighting Notes:

Spacing 90’

Average Foot-candles 0.65

Recommended application of dark sky fixtures that minimize glare while reducing light trespass and sky glow.

NEIGHBORHOOD ZONE

The Neighborhood Zone is the primary single-family residential portion of the plan area. This zone needs to balance lighting for safety concerns while maintaining residential privacy.

*Average

*Information informed by Highway Illumination Manual, Texas Department of Transportation, 2018 Recommended application of dark sky fixtures that minimize glare while reducing light trespass and sky glow.

INTERSECTION ZONE

The Intersection Zone highlights key pedestrian crossings. The traffic associated with these areas requires an increase in lighting to ensure both pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Lighting Notes:

Lamp Size 30,000 Lumens, 250 Watts

Spacing 1 light pole at each respective corner, 4 total.

*Average Foot-candles 2.0

*Information informed by Highway Illumination Manual, Texas Department of Transportation, 2018

Recommended application of dark sky fixtures that minimize glare while reducing light trespass and sky glow.

BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

The use of Backlight, Uplight, and Glare (BUG) ratings should be considered for business or commercial properties to promote dark sky principles and reduce off-site lighting impact on adjacent properties, especially near a residential neighborhood.

Recommendations

Garden District Neighborhood Action Plan

This section of the plan summarizes the recommendations derived from the project findings into the Garden District Neighborhood Action Plan. These actions follow the direction put forth in the City’s Strategic Plan and Temple By Design, 2020 Comprehensive Master Plan. In accordance with those plans, the actions are organized by the focus areas Smart Growth, Public Safety, Places and Spaces, and High-performing Organization. The recommendations in the Action Plan will reference the respective Comprehensive Plan initiative they help to realize. The Action Plan will identify the implementation method, priority, and department involvement.

SMART GROWTH INITIATIVES

SMART GROWTH INITIATIVES

IS.1 Lighting Plan. Implement lighting plan within the Garden District Neighborhood. Evaluate high needs areas to receive lighting priority.

D.2 Evaluate problematic drainage areas within the neighborhood such as 13th and Fannin and the cul-de-sacs and look for solutions to pooling water from water line flushing.

D.3 Explore water catchment opportunities for garden elements throughout the neighborhood.

Parks and Trails

PT.1 Work with property owner to acquire property for Community Flower Garden. Once the property is acquired design and implement the Community Flower Garden.

PT.2 Upon completion of 13th Street/7th Street intersection realignment, work with property owner to design and implement for Memorial/Butterfly Garden.

Economic Growth

EG.1 Work with TEDC to explore options for better aligning commercial development along 3rd Street to serve nearby residential.

ST.5 3rd Street Intersections. Plan, design, and construct improvements and/or enhancements to important intersections along 3rd Street at Industrial Boulevard, Zenith Avenue, Walker Avenue, West Virginia Avenue, Shell Avenue, and Nugent Avenue. Intersection improvements should promote traffic calming measures and ensure ADA compliance. Consider use of brick pavers.

ST.6 Tree Program. Encourage new street trees and street tree replacement as needed throughout the plan area. Include review of street trees to ensure limbs do not impede ingress and egress of emergency and city vehicles. Consider ordinance revisions to assist in this program.

FS.1 Develop a program through the Temple Fire Dept to check/ install smoke detectors and make sure street numbers are visible from the road in the Garden District Neighborhood.

CH.2 Actively seek out absentee owners of abandoned or blighted properties and require needed repairs to be performed, the building to be secured, and administer minimum maintenance standards.

CH.3 Develop a program to mitigate illegal dumping (highlight temple tire disposal program), littering, and squatting; specifically the eastern edge of the planning area.

CH.4 Increase Code Compliance activity to reduce health and safety concerns expressed by residents. Program

Unique Assets

UA.1

UA.2

Work with the Utility Billing Office to identify new residents in the Garden District Neighborhood so that a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” packet can be sent to them. This packet should include contact information, bulk trash pickup schedule, code compliance rules and regulations, and other useful information.

Worth with neighborhood to organization a group to champion and support the proposed garden sites. The size and commitment from this groups may correspond to benchmark for parks investment into the implementation of garden design concepts.

UA.3 Conduct historic resource survey and make corresponding National Registry of Historic Places nominations. Study 5.2.4

UA.4

UA.5

UA.6

Include Garden in the considerations when developing design guidelines that include recommendations for preservation of existing historic homes.

Promote the Local Historic Landmark Designation and Heritage Marker Program.

Planning

Coordinate 5.2.3

Planning

Work with residents to evaluate the neighborhood for a potential local historic district designation. Planning

Neighborhood Growth and Diversity

NGD.1

Promote all homeownership opportunities, classes and reinvestment programs to include outside organizations, HOME and CDBG.

Neighborhood Stabilization and Redevelopment

NSR.1

NSR.2

Program 7.1.2

Develop a community outreach program to educate the public about code compliance rules and regulations. Program 7.2.3

Promote the infill of residential and commercial through community development grant program.

Promote the use of the Track Temple app via promotional materials and expanded messaging

NSR.3

High Housing & Community Development

Medium Housing & Community Development

Program 7.2.7 Medium Transform Temple. Housing & Community Development

Establish a Neighborhood Coalition and a neighborhood champion to streamline communications on activities impacting the neighborhood, such as zoning cases, variance requests, applicable plat requests, Capital Improvement Plan projects, etc.

Develop an annual report to track progress on Garden District Neighborhood Action Plan.

Review and update the Temple CIP project list to include the projects identified in the Garden District Capital Improvement Plan.

Develop task force for coordination of neighborhood district planning initiatives. This task force should focus on identifying partnerships and secondary funding sources.

Garden District Neighborhood Capital Improvement Plan

The following list of projects was derived from the concepting and recommendations formulated as part of the planning process. The projects identified correlate with the actions found in the Garden District Neighborhood Action Plan. Projects may be a single action or a combination of actions. The opinion of the probable cost was developed uniquely for each particular project and includes the cost of construction, contingency, land/right-of-way acquisition, and professional services. Action prioritization in regards to project implementation should be followed; however, if circumstances arise that increase the urgency or cost savings for the realization of the project, deviations from the recommended action priority is appropriate.

The water lines identified in this exhibit provide recommended location and capacity to serve the neighborhood district.

The wastewater lines identified in this exhibit provide recommended location and capacity to serve the neighborhood district.