FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
PREPARED BY CARLTON ABBOTT AND PARTNERS, P.C. ARCHITECTURE - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING
SPONSORED BY:
DRAFT
First designated through the Williamsburg area in the late 1920s, US 60 also has a shorter bypass of the Historic District which encompasses most Colonial Williamsburg attractions before heading further east passes multiple Anheuser Busch developments in James City County, which include an office park, the Kingsmill Resort, its Williamsburg brewery, and the Busch Gardens Europe theme park. East of there, US 60 narrows again to two lanes, passing through the historic Grove Community and past Carter’s Grove Plantation in southeastern James City County.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
U.S. Route 60 leaves downtown Richmond by crossing the James River on the Manchester Bridge and heads easts on Government Road and the Williamsburg Road, which follows the old Richmond-Williamsburg Stage Road for some distance. This area was the scene of several major American Civil War battles during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862.
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
U.S. Route 60 in Virginia runs 312 miles west to east through the central part of the state, generally close to and paralleling the Interstate 64 corridor, except for the crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and in the South Hampton Roads area.
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City of Williamsburg Beautification Advisory Committee Currently Discussing a Recommended Plant List for the City
James City County
Zoning Ordiance:
Sec. 24-96. Landscape area(s) along right(s)-of-way.
Community Character Corridors - Includes Route 60
Requires Average Planted Width of 50-feet along roadway for new development
Plant List Task Force Committee
Chaired by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agent in James City County
Prepared Recommended Native Plant List
York County
DIVISION 4. LANDSCAPING, BUFFER, AND GREENBELT REGULATIONS
Sec. 24.1-245. Greenbelts. Greenbelts shall be provided contiguous to the street right-of-way; minimum width - 35 feet. Shall be left in an undisturbed natural state. Unvegetated or under-vegetated greenbelts shall be landscaped in accordance with the planting requirements as if they were front yards.
DIVISION 7. OVERLAY DISTRICTS
Sec. 24.1-375. TCM-Tourist corridor management overlay district
Tree protection:(1) Tree of any species having a trunk caliper of eight inches (8”) or larger
Clear-cutting of trees is not permitted within one hundred feet (100’) of the right-of-way
Virginia Department of Transportation
“Guidelines for Planting Along Virginia’s Roadways”
Available online at www.virginiadot.org
EXISTING PLANTING REQUIREMENTS
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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DECIDUOUS TREES
Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonica)
Redbud Fabaceae (Cercis canadensis)
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
Willow oak (Quercus phellos)
River birch (Betula nigra)
Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree) MALE
Japanese zelkova (Ulmaceae Zelkova serrata)
Large Varieties:
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) EVERGREEN TREES
Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
American holly (Ilex opaca)
Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodora)
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflor)
Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
RECOMMENDED TREES
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa)
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
Small Varieties
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Fountain Grass
Switch Grass
Sedge
Pampas grass
Broomsedge bluestem
Miscanthus sinensis
Pennisetum alopecuroides Panicum virgatum
Carex conica
Cortaderia selloana
Andropogon virginicus
Groundcovers
Purple Wintercreeper
St. Johnswort
Creeping Juniper
Lilyturf
Mondo Grass
Thrift; Moss pink
Sarcococca; Sweetbox
Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’
Hypericum perforatum
Juniperus horizontalis
Liriope muscari
Ophiopogon japonicum ‘Nana’
Phlox subulata
Sarcococca hookeriana
EVERGREEN SHRUBS
Abelia
Chinese Holly
Wax Myrtle
Heavenly Bamboo
Sargent's Juniper
Japanese Holly
Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel
Viburnum tinus
Abelia grandiflora
Ilex cornata ‘Burfordii”
Myrica cerifera
Nandina domestica
Juniperus chinensis sargentii
Ilex crenata
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’
Laurustinus
DECIDUOUS SHRUBS
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Winterberry
Chinese Witchhazel
Forsythia
Red Chokeberry
Japenese Snowball Vib.
Japanese Spirea
Virginia Sweetspire
Summer Sweet
Hydrangea quercifolia
Ilex verticillata
Hamamelis mollis
F. x intermedia
Aronia arbutifolia
Viburnum plicatum
Spiraea japonica
Itea virginica
Clethra alnifolia
RECOMMENDED PLANTS
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
Maiden Grass
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
Ornamental Grasses
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On Private Property – Consider Layering of Trees and Vegetation off highway Consideration with existing or proposed walkways along corridor Coordination with Local Jurisdictions Planting Guildlines Pavement improvements Opportunities for fencing or guardrails Coordination with existing or future lighting improvements Establishment of overall corridor theme Coordination of improvements within specific areas
Possibilities with Railroad and Route 143 Viewsheds Sustainability of proposed improvements
Identify potential utility conflicts above and below grade
Future Roadway improvements
Coordination with existing signage or signage improvements
Other future site improvements
Coordination with existing plantings to remain Site lines and visibility issues
Maintenance operation concerns Introduction of Raised Medians
Adapt new plantings to existing drainage problems Areas of potentially erosive soils and difficult grade Relocation of overhead power lines Possible screening of existing parking lots Elimination of existing improvements considered inappropriate for corridor Setback requirements including right of way width and restrictive easements Explore possibility of plantings or other improvements on private property
C O R R I D O R D E S I G N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
Explore possibilities of plantings or other improvements on private property
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
Introduction of median plantings
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DESIGN PHILOSOPHY 6
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
and Control Views 2
Plant Trees and Foundation Shrubs to
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Modify Parking Layout to Introduce Tree Plantings
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New Street Trees to Help Define Corridor
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Lower Planting to screen parking also providing color
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Continue the Proposed Multi-Purpose Trail
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Create Landscape which enhances the Corridor’s Character with varying interest and color
and interest along pedestrian circulation
Break-up Building Façades
Replace existing concrete sidewalk with brick pavers
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5
3
7 2
6
4 Typical Commerical
Typical Parking Lot
Bike Lane
West Bound Route 60
East Bound Route 60
Bike Lane
Proposed Multi-Purpose Trail
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
T Y P I C A L R O A D WAY S E C T I O N - U R B A N Z O N E
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
Planting Beyond Corridor to Help Mitigate
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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3
street trees along the Rt. 143 Shoulder 2
Install a raised median in place of center lane
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Plant flowering trees and shrubs 5
Remove Existing Vegetation A decorative fence to provide a physical barrier
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and maintenance edge
Place Overhead utilities underground Remove existing sidewalk Install a Multi-purpose Trail Community Character Corridor Buffer
Plant low maintenance native grasses for color and interest 4
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2
CSX Railroad
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West Bound Route 60
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5
Proposed Median
East Bound Route 60
Proposed Multi-Purpose Trail
T Y P I C A L R O A D WAY S E C T I O N - T R A N S I S T I O N
ZONE
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
Plant a combination of evergreen trees and
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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other areas to naturally regenerate. 2
Define mowing limits with a curvilinear line
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Plant large deciduous trees and small flowering trees
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Plant a combination of large deciduous
and shrubs. Install guardrail where necessary.
trees, evergreen trees, and small flowering
Allow drainage to continue in grass swale.
trees as well as flowering shrubs to screen Busch Gardens service road & parking lot.
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5 3
2
4 CSX Railroad
West Bound Route 60
Existng Median
East Bound Route 60
Busch Gardens Service Drive
T Y P I C A L R O A D WAY S E C T I O N - R U R A L Z O N E
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
Selectively Plant evergreen trees and allow
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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Enhances overall aesthetics of corridor Recommend reduction of speed limit to 35 mph Provides physical barrier between opposing traffic lanes Reduces headlight glare distraction where shrub plantings are used Protected left turns reduces opportunity for rear-end crashes Increases safety by reducing the number of potential conflict points at driveways Provides space for planting trees which tends to calm traffic by narrowing the perceived scale of the roadway width
RAISED MEDIANS
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Perennials for Color & Interest
Route
60
Route
60
Shrub Plantings
Brick Median Nosing Treatment
Add Planting where Possible to Mitigate Views from Corridor Street Trees to Help Define and Reduce Scale of Corridor
TYPICAL INTERSECTION PLAN
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
Curvilinear “Parkway Like” Mowing Patterns
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
Additional Depth of Planting to Achieve Layering Effect
Low Plantings to Help Screen Views of Parking Areas
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CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG - AREA 1 12
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG - AREA 2 13
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
JAMES CITY COUNTY - AREA 1 14
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR
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COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG EAST TO BUSCH GARDENS
FRAMEWORK FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ROUTE 60 CORRIDOR