south corridor station area plans Uptown South End New Bern Scaleybark Woodlawn Tyvola Archdale Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan ADOPTED BY CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9, 2009 Arrowood Sharon Road West I-485/South Boulevard 2009 NORTH CAROLINA MARVIN COLLINS OUTSTANDING PLANNING AWARD SPECIAL THEME CATEGORY Sustainable Community Planning Table of Contents Executive Summary iii Volume I: Concept Plan 1 Study Area Context 3 Planning Process Plan Boundaries Opportunities and Constraints Vision Goals Land Use and Community Design Transit Station Area General Corridor Areas Wedge Neighborhood Areas Transportation and Streetscape Transportation/Street Design Recommendations Streetscape Standards Street Cross-sections Avenue - Four-Lane Divided Avenue - Two-Lane Undivided Avenue - Two-Lane Divided Main Street Office/Commercial Street - Wide Local Residential Street - Wide Infrastructure and Public Facilities Public Facility/Infrastructure Recommendations Park and Greenway Recommendations Environment Environmental Recommendations 3 3 4 6 6 9 9 11 13 14 14 19 19 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 26 26 27 27 Volume 2: Implementation Plan 29 Public Sector Responsibilities Private Sector Responsibilities Corrective Rezonings Implementation Strategies 31 31 31 32 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan i Appendix 35 Existing Conditions 37 Demographics Environment Land Use and Urban Design Transportation Infrastructure /Public Facilities 37 38 39 48 55 List of Maps Map 1: Study Area within Corridor Context Map 2: Concept Plan Map 3: Recommended Future Land Use Map 4: Future Transportation Network Map 5: Streetscape Cross Section Key 2 7 8 17 18 Map 6: Corrective Rezonings 30 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan ii Executive Summary Purpose iii Vision The Arrowood Transit Station is the thirteenth station The desired future for the plan area is highlighted in heading south from Center City along the South the following vision statement: Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) line, also known as the LYNX Blue Line. The Arrowood plan area will become part of the series of vibrant, high density transit villages along the The Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan is the fifth South Corridor. Within its boundaries, there will be of a series of plans for areas around the stations south three distinct areas: of South End. The Introduction to the South Corridor Station Area Plans lays the foundation for the station • Transit Station Area: The core of the study area plans. This plan builds on that document. It area will transform into a pedestrian-oriented analyzes current conditions in the area around the urban district. This district will include opporstation, detailed in the Appendix. tunities for living, working, and shopping. • General Corridor Area: The area between The Concept Plan makes recommendations to bring the Transit Station Area and the west, north the right mix of development to complement the and south plan boundaries will include uses transit investment, and to optimize the land use and appropriate for a Growth Corridor. Existing infrastructure within the wider surrounding area to commercial, industrial, warehouse, office, support its continued viability. The Concept Plan is and institutional uses will remain. Over time, the only section of this document to be adopted by some of these uses closest to the transit station City Council. may redevelop as higher density mixed uses. Existing multi-family areas may remain or Study Area redevelop with higher density housing. • Wedge Neighborhood Area: The lower The plan examines the area within approximately density residential character of the existing 1/2 mile of the Arrowood Transit Station. The actual Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborstation is visible just west of South Boulevard, but hoods will be maintained. accessible by vehicle only from further west on England Street. The plan area covers a much larger area, encompassing Old Pineville Road, Kings Ridge Land Use and Community Design Drive, England Street, Arrowood Road, and Sweden Road. It is mostly in a Growth Corridor, as envisioned The plan contains a number of recommendations by the City’s Centers, Corridors and Wedges growth related to Land Use and Community Design within framework, but also includes a portion of the adjoin- each of the three areas noted in the vision statement, ing Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods, The recommendations, shown on Map 3, include: in a Wedge. Transit Station Area Opportunities & Constraints Through examination of existing conditions in the Arrowood plan area (see Appendix), opportunities to build upon and constraints to overcome were identified. The station location is visible from South Boulevard but with poor access. The area around the station has a significant catalyst TOD development underway, and other large underutilized properties. The surrounding area has stable neighborhoods and diverse housing stock. The plan area is challenged by the freight rail line that parallels the light rail line, which cuts off pedestrian and vehicular connections to South Boulevard, existing land uses that do not generate transit activity, its relatively poor pedestrian environment, and the disconnected street network. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Promote mix of transit supportive land uses in • • • • • Transit Station Area, generally within 1/2 mile of the station; support more intense development of CATS Park & Ride lot. Provide active, ground floor, non-residential uses such as retail or office, at key locations. Create urban parks and plazas near the Transit Station. Encourage redevelopment of the former WalMart site with integrated transit supportive uses. Ensure that development adjacent to single family neighborhoods provides good transition. Make adjustments to South Growth Corridor boundary. iv General Corridor Area Streetscape Cross-Sections • Maintain locations for low to moderate inten- This section recommends future cross sections for sity office, commercial, light industrial, and warehouse uses in the vicinity of England Street and Sweden Road. • Support continued moderate density residential use off of Arrowood Road and Kings Ridge Drive under specific criteria. • Provide for a mix of retail and office land uses along South Boulevard north and south of the Station Area. Wedge Neighborhood Area • Maintain single family portion of Starmount streets, and identifies building setbacks and streetscape standards based on the ultimate curbline location. These standards supplement requirements in TOD and other urban zoning districts. Based on the City’s Urban Street Design Guidelines, they will be met by developers who undertake new development or major renovation in the plan area. Map 5 shows the location for each type. The following street types are recommended for the plan area: • Avenue: 4-lane divided, 2-lane undivided, and 2-lane divided • Main Street • Office/Commercial Street- wide • Local Residential Street- wide and Starmount Forest neighborhoods consistent with existing zoning. • Maintain moderate density residential uses along the west edge bordering the station area, and recognize the opportunity for redevelop- Infrastructure and Environment ment of parcels directly abutting the station The core of the plan area includes present and former area under specific criteria. commercial and industrial development, much of which is expected to be redeveloped. Its infrastructure Transportation and Streetscape may require augmentation for more intense new uses. Transportation recommendations address proposed The plan recommendations include: new streets and enhancements to existing streets to • Encourage small urban open spaces in Transit make them more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. The Station Area. recommendations, shown on Map 4, include: • Make street trees a feature of all streets, and • Provide new street connections at key locareduce impervious surfaces. tions; Maintain and enhance existing street • Design new buildings to reduce stormwater network. runoff and improve water quality; protect and • Eliminate sidewalk system gaps in Transit enhance watersheds. Station Area, and in sidewalk connections to • Encourage burying of overhead utility lines. the residential areas. • Widen sidewalk system along South Implementation Plan • • • • Boulevard. Enhance pedestrian and bicycle crossings at key locations. Extend bicycle lanes along Arrowood Road, England Street, Sweden Road, and Sharon Lakes Road; site new development to allow for future bicycle lanes on South Boulevard. Create a bicycle-pedestrian bridge over the freight rail line to provide access to the station from new development along South Boulevard. Install pedestrian lighting in key locations. The Implementation Plan recommends projects to implement the policy recommendations of the Concept Plan. Because the Implementation Plan is not adopted by elected officials, it is a guide, not a commitment. The Implementation Plan recommends a number of sidewalk improvement and street connection projects, as well as corrective rezonings as shown on Map 6. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Uptown South End New Bern Scaleybark Volume 1: Concept Plan Woodlawn Tyvola Archdale Arrowood Sharon Road West I-485/South Boulevard Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan 1 2 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan Map 1: Study Area and South Corridor Boundaries ROSE LYNDALE PL DELCHESTER DR T CRES AR CH DA LE DR CALUMET PL DR PARK SOUTH STATION BLVD E AV IC LN L IF CK E RO E AV N IC IF IO N L C PA A O L YA RO E AV C PA U RG WHITFORD LN L DR N HIL Silverleaf Neighborhood LN R LE EL EF HIL GREE TR G EN C LN CEDAR ROSE RSD ALE WIS TE RIA DR LE RD INEVIL OLD P PL MONTPELIER RD CANDLEWOOD DR CA ED GE WA TE DR ST AR ES ER DR WOODSTREAM DR T WA GE ED DR HIG Starmount Neighborhood CR T HW OO D PL R WYCLIFF PL F EA RL VE SIL CT FO NT T SOUTH BLVD RC VE SIL RD BELLE VERNON AVE WILMETTE AV E EN PL KD AL E RAV ST DR RE BR OO LARKFIELD LN KC O O BR DR CK E LD R GA SU DE NM LN AR N R BA K ST RD NE GO D E IE OR AY AW DR HU YN BR RE MO SL Y AIN ITB T RS T RD ST ST S GE DO WN SL RID WH OO W WATERCRES S CT Starmount Forest Neighborhood ST RD CT XT ON Huntingtowne Farms Park DR K OC ST LN D BE DO VE IE IAL AIN OA K DO WN ER GL DS ST FIE ST AN IMP EN WIN OR UE CT D IAL BL ER FA R MS ST DR ING TO WN E THORNCLIFF RD IMP NT ST ON DR STATION WOOD ARRO HU PL UNT CO VE LN T DR W O WOODSTREAM DR OA K K EE CR STARMO STERNCREST PL RO CT CKC STARLI TE PL LIFF E DR BLVD GS PIKE O NTRE SOUTH KIN ZE BRON DR WRE K BROO STAR TO RD OD OWO ARR DS KIN E AV GS E AL KD RID OO BR Starmount Pre-K GE DR South Square Market Place D BLV LLEY DR LN HIL RD TH L GE DR MAPLERID MAPLE SUGAR PL KH OL M CT SH E DR Little Sugar Creek Greenway SHERBOURNE DR LA KE S RD DE NM AR K RD AR ON RIDGEBROOK THORNCLIFF MAPLE PL ST OC N D L DR RD WISTER PL SOU EN OO LEW ED MB RA SW E DR LEDG ROCK STARVA LA RD SU RD L TESSAVA CT NIN BR ON MIL PE HE HE BR ON ST South Corridor Boundary Study Area Boundary N GIS Charlotte .m ore than ma .. .. .. W ps ... Produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department. E S 0 500 feet 1,000 Date: September 11, 2008 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan 3 Study Area Context The Arrowood Transit Station is the thirteenth station heading south from Center City along the South Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) line, also known as the LYNX Blue Line. Arrowood is toward the end of the corridor, with just two stations, Sharon Road West and I-485/South Boulevard, further south. This document is the fifth of a series of plans for the station areas extending south from South End. The plan is divided into the Concept Plan, the Implementation Plan, and an Appendix containing a thorough review of existing conditions. The Concept Plan is the only section of the plan adopted by City Council. The Concept Plan: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission who will hear citizen comments and make a recommendation to the Charlotte City Council. The City Council will also hear citizen comments and make a final decision concerning adoption of the plan. More detailed information on the background, purpose and process for developing this, and other, station area plans can be found in the companion document, Introduction to the South Corridor Station Area Plans. Plan Boundaries Arrowood Transit Station is located on the South • Defines the growth and development vision The Corridor light rail line on South Boulevard, south for the area surrounding the Arrowood LRT station; • Makes recommendations for land use, transportation, urban design, and other development-related topics; • Updates the Centers, Corridors and Wedges boundaries for the plan area from those initially outlined in the Transportation Action Plan; and • Serves as the official streetscape plan for the combined station area once the Concept Plan is adopted. Planning Process of Arrowood Road. While the station is visible from South Boulevard, it is accessible only from a road connection from England Street on the west side of the rail line, just south of Arrowood Road. This station is not accessible from South Boulevard as most other stations to the north and south are. The Arrowood station functions as a Community Station which is designed to serve an area within a 3-mile radius with a heavy reliance on bus connections and a 289-space park-and-ride facility. The station has pedestrian access to Arrowood Road from a pedestrian path that slopes down from the park-and-ride facility towards the Arrowood Road. A Transit Station Area is defined as the property generally within about a ½ mile walk of a transit station. Initial planning for the Arrowood plan area began in The Transit Station Area is the primary focus of this conjunction with planning for the South Corridor plan, as it will be most influenced by the LRT line. For LRT line. A community planning and urban design contextual purposes, the boundaries of the Arrowood consulting firm and an interdepartmental staff team, Transit Station Area Plan cover an area larger than this led by Planning Department staff, held public meet- transit station area. ings to gather initial input from area residents and property owners. The staff team has developed plan The plan area is bisected by the light rail line and the recommendations based on citizen input, the area parallel Norfolk-Southern freight rail line. The plan context, and guidance from a number of City Council area includes major streets such as South Boulevard, adopted policies. Old Pineville Road, England Street, Arrowood Road, Ridge Drive, and Starbrook Drive. The western Prior to adoption of the plan, staff will hold addi- Kings portion of the plan area falls within the South Growth tional public meetings with area residents and prop- Corridor, the eastern part included as a portion erty owners to present the plan recommendations and of a Wedgewith as defined by the Centers, Corridors and to receive feedback. The next step of the process will Wedges growth framework. The plan boundaries are be presentation to the Planning Committee of the shown on Map 1; they follow existing zoning and block configurations. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan STUDY AREA CONTEXT 4 Arrowood Station is slightly elevated and visible from South Boulevard, but not accessible from that side. Opportunities and Constraints Review of the existing conditions reveal a number of opportunities and constraints to transforming the core of the study area into a transit supportive environment. Success will depend upon effectively dealing with the constraints and capitalizing on the opportunities described below. For a complete discussion of existing conditions, see the Appendix of this document. Opportunities • Station Facilities and Proximity: The Arrowood Transit Station location with its CATS Park and Ride lot is accessible from England Street on the west side of the line, with acceptable vehicular accessibility from all directions. Several bus routes converge on the station as feeders. The raised station platform provides a visible location that can be a catalyst for the redevelopment of properties surrounding the station, and might in time become a focal point for a transit oriented district. • Assembled Land: There are a number of large parcels under single ownership which could be redeveloped for higher density mixed use in the future. These include several shopping center properties, vacant sites, and underutilized properties, and sites with additional development capacity along Arrowood Road, South Boulevard, Old Pineville Road, and Kings Ridge Drive (formerly part of Old Pineville Road). The shopping center just west of the Arrowood Station platform does not connect at grade. • Catalyst Project: A significant transit oriented development project is already underway on land just south and west of the transit station park and ride lot. Current phases are residential, but future phases closer to the station, are expected to include retail and other uses • Redevelopment Opportunities: A 2003 market study by Charles Lesser & Company found that the overall Arrowood Station Area likely represents a longer-term development opportunity with some infill residential possible in the near term. • Housing Diversity: The Arrowood study area has considerable diversity in the type and cost of its housing stock, including single-family neighborhoods, townhouse condominiums, and multi-family apartments. If perceptions of the area regarding crime are addressed, the Charles Lesser & Company study projects a strong market for mixed-income residential redevelopment, with accompanying new neighborhood serving retail uses. • Stable Residential Neighborhoods: The Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods provide a strong residential element to the station area. Protection of these neighborhoods will be especially important as new higher intensity development is added to the station area. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan STUDY AREA CONTEXT • Improved Transportation Environment: As a part of the Light Rail construction project and the South Corridor Infrastructure Program (SCIP), a number of physical and visual improvements to the streetscape were made along portions of Arrowood Road, South Boulevard, and England Street. These have made the area safer, more attractive, and with better access for pedestrians, cars, and bikes. As development occurs, additional transportation improvements should include similar facilities to accommodate a variety of users. Constraints • Railroad Line and East-West Mobility: The Norfolk-Southern freight railroad line bisects the plan area and parallels the LYNX light rail line the entire length of the plan area. With the freight line immediately adjacent to South Boulevard, there is little or no opportunity for active use on that street frontage. Arrowood Road, (which becomes Starbrook Drive east of South Boulevard) and England Street (which becomes Sharon Lakes Road) provide the only two east/west connections through the station area. This limits opportunities for safe pedestrian and vehicular crossings of the line. • Recent Office Park and Warehouse Development: The development in the vicinity on England Street between Sweden Road and Arrowood Road includes relatively recent industrial and warehouse properties, and flex office space. Some of these uses are in close proximity to the Arrowood Transit Station. While they are viable uses, they do not represent the higher density transit-oriented development desired close to the station. • Street Network: The plan area currently has a largely disconnected and sparse street network. The area to the west of the Arrowood Station has few connections across to South Boulevard. The office, commercial, and industrial area south of Arrowood Road consists of a series of cul-de-sacs and dead end parking lots. Better connections and an extensive street network leading into and through the station area will be needed to support the high intensity transit oriented development anticipated. • Pedestrian Environment: Many of the streetscapes in the industrial and commercial districts of the study area are uninviting to pedestrians. With intermittent narrow sidewalks, absent planting strips, few street trees, multiple curb cuts, and poor lighting, the streets are currently more oriented to vehicular travelers than to pedestrians. • Need for Open Space: The Little Sugar Creek Greenway and Huntingtowne Farms Park run along the eastern boundary of the study area. There also is a private swim club in the plan area, and while it has a number of amenities, their use is limited to private members only. There is one school in the study area and two churches which offer open space. A Kings Branch Greenway is projected for the west edge of the plan area, but is not funded currently. Additional open space, consistent with an urban environment, is desirable in the station area. • Limited Tree Canopy and Landscaping: Currently, the core of the Station Area has few trees and minimal landscaping on the area west of South Boulevard. The area east of South Boulevard, which consists of the Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods, has an extensive tree canopy. As the area redevelops, there will be a need to improve the quality of the environment, especially in the core of the plan area, by planting additional trees and landscaping. The vehicular approach to Arrowood Station is from England Street. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan STUDY AREA CONTEXT 5 6 Vision Goals The Arrowood plan area will become part of the series of vibrant, high density transit villages along the South Corridor. Within its boundaries, there will be three distinct areas: To achieve this vision, the following goals have been identified for the Arrowood plan area. The goals draw on adopted, or in-progress, City policies, many of which were discussed in the Introduction to the South Corridor Transit Station Area Plans. • Transit Station Area: The core of the study area will transform into a pedestrian-oriented urban district. This district will include opportunities for living, working, and shopping. • General Corridor Area: The area between the Transit Station Area and the west, north and south boundaries of the plan area will include a range of uses appropriate for a Growth Corridor. Existing commercial, light industrial, warehouse, office, and institutional uses will remain, especially in the area close to Arrowood Road and Kings Ridge Drive (formerly Old Pineville Road), and England Street and Sweden Road. Over time, some of these uses closest to the transit station may redevelop as higher density mixed uses. Existing multi-family areas may remain or redevelop with higher density housing. • Wedge Neighborhood Area: The lower density residential character of the existing Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods will be maintained. Map 2 illustrates the development concept for the Arrowood plan area. 1. Land Use: Promote higher density uses that are served by the high capacity transportation facilities in the Corridor, while protecting the fabric of the existing residential neighborhoods. 2. Community Design: Create a high quality urban environment by enhancing the identity of the station area, creating attractive streetscapes, building on the synergy of public infrastructure investments, and respecting the character of the neighborhoods. 3. Transportation: Enhance the area’s transportation system by providing new street connections and improving the pedestrian and bicycle environment. 4. Infrastructure/ Public Facilities: Provide the infrastructure and public facilities needed to support development in the Growth Corridor. 5. Environment: Improve the quality of Arrowood’s environment, focusing on enhancing the tree canopy, improving water quality from stormwater run-off, and providing open space for the station area. The vision and goals serve as the basis for the recommendations in the chapters that follow. The Arrowood Station platform is at grade with the park and ride lot, but above most surrounding uses. New residential development directly abutting the LYNX line at New Bern station is a model for future development. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan STUDY AREA CONTEXT 77 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan institutional South Blvd Trail lti-Use and Mu e in L T LR Rd ineville Old P Map 2: Concept Plan Corridor Commercial church church Moderate Density ood Arrow Residential d Neighborhood Preservation R Transit Station Area N W T rbr oo kD r Blv d Moderate Density Residential park th nR d E Corridor Commercial S 0 Sta Sou Sw ede En gl and St Corridor Zone school 500 1,000 feet Corridor Zone Transit Oriented Development Produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan STUDY AREA CONTEXT Neighborhood Preservation Moderate Density Residential Date: September 2008 8 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan Map 3: Recommended Future Land Use T CRES ROSE Corridor LYNDALE PL Proposed Street Connections* AR DELCHESTER DR CH Pedestrian Connection ** Proposed 1/4 Mile Walking Distance DA LE DR CALUMET PL 1/2 Mile Walking Distance Ground Floor Retail L DR N HIL LN L Wedge PL WIS TE RIA DR RSD ALE ED N IC IF IO N U RG L C PA A O L YA RO E AV C PA TR G EN C DR HW OO D PL R E RO E AV WYCLIFF PL GE WA TE E AV IC IF CK MONTPELIER RD CANDLEWOOD DR RD ILLE CA LN R LE EL EF HIL INEV OLD P GREE LN CEDAR ROSE CT FO NT T WILMETTE WHITFORD LN BELLE VERNON AVE SOUTH BLVD RC VE SIL D F R EA RL VE SIL DR PARK SOUTH STATION BLVD HIG WOODSTREAM DR ST AR CR ES DR ER T WA GE ED T DR AV E EN PL KD AL E RAV ST DR RE BR OO LN KC O O BR DR CK TO W O E DR WOODSTREAM DR STERNCREST PL LIFF STARLI TE PL BLVD E LD ST LN DE N R BA NM ST D E T RD RD IE OR RD NE GO RE MO SL Y AY AW DR HU YN BR K ITB T RS S ST DO WN GE ST RID AR IE DO VE WH WATERCRES ST DO WN OO W ST AIN CT CT SL IAL DR C TO XT ON AIN OA K LN DS BE S UE ER GL DS EN WIN OR FIE ST AN IMP FA R MS K BL CT D IAL ING TO WN E THORNCLIFF RD ER NT ST ON DR DR STATION WOOD ARRO IMP HU PL K EE CR UNT CO VE LN OA K GS STARMO T DR O NTRE SOUTH KIN KE ZE PI BRON DR DS K BROO STAR RD WRE OD OWO ARR RO CT CKC KIN E AV GS E AL KD RID OO BR GE DR LARKFIELD R GA SU LN SOU RD GE DR MAPLERID MAPLE SUGAR PL OL M CT SH E DR SHERBOURNE DR LA KE S RD DE NM AR K RD AR ON RIDGEBROOK THORNCLIFF MAPLE PL ST OC N D L DR EN WISTER PL RD TH L OO LEW ED ROCK STARVA D BLV HIL MB RA SW KH E DR LEDG RD LLEY DR LA RD SU L TESSAVA CT NIN BR ON MIL PE HE HE BR ON *Note: The location of the proposed streets is conceptual. Alternative locations, consistent with the intent of the proposed network, will also be considered. ST Proposed Land Use Residential <= 4 DUA Residential <= 8 DUA Residential <= 22 DUA Institutional Retail Open Space Transportation Transit Oriented Development - Mixed Office/Industrial-Warehouse-Distribution N GIS Charlotte .m ore than ma .. .. .. W ps ... Produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department. E S 0 500 feet 1,000 Date: February 11, 2009 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN 9 Land Use and Community Design • For new development within the Transit This chapter sets forth land use and community design recommendations to achieve the vision and goals for the Arrowood plan area. An overview of the proposed street network is also included. Map 3: Recommended Future Lan ROSE CRES T DR T INEV OLD P L DR N HIL GREE D F R EA RL VE SIL DR RIA TE WIS R DR ST AR WOODSTREAM DR CR ES T DR EN AV E 7 PL KD AL E RAV 6 RID GE 5 GS DR DR LD ST ST ST IE ST STERNCREST PL LIFF DE N E K OR RO CT CKC ST DO WN S ST MO SL Y OO W MA R IE GE WH ITB 1 RD S XT ON RID AIN CT BE DO VE AIN OA K CT SL IAL GL DS DO WN ER EN WIN OR FIE ST IMP AN Land Use and Community Design UE BL CT D IAL UNT CO VE LN THORNCLIFF RD DR WOODSTREAM DR STARMO 2T 9 4 3 K STATION E DR NTRE BLVD EE WOOD ARRO ER 6 SOUTH 8 STARLI TE PL KIN K BROO STAR RD WRE OD OWO ARR BR OO LN LARKFIELD IMP LA LN D RD L LED ROCK RD G MAPLERID MAPLE SUGAR PL MAPLE PL ST OC KH OL M CT SH E SHERBOURNE DR LA KE S RD DE NM AR K RD AR ON THORNCLIFF DR EN TH BLV 8 ED SOU SW HIL TESSAVA CT WISTER PL SU LLEY DR NIN RD STARVA 7 PE HE BR ON MONTPELIER RD WA TE DR 1. Promote a mix of transit-supportive land uses (residential, service-oriented retail, civic, office) within the Transit Station Area. This will occur primarily through new development over a period of time. The area desired for future transit-oriented development includes land now in use as individual commercial facilities, strip shopping centers, all or part of multi-family residential properties, and industrial/warehouse uses generally within a 1/2 mile walk distance of the transit stations. PL GE CR PIKE CANDLEWOOD DR RD CA RSD ALE CT ED GS ZE BRON WILMETTE ILLE LN CEDAR ROSE KIN The Transit Station Area is located at the center of the larger plan area. The station area currently is home to a wide array of industrial, retail, office, and warehouse uses. The following recommendations are designed to allow this lower intensity suburban area to transform, over time, into a higher-intensity urban district. DE CALUMET PL RC Transit Station Area LYNDALE PL VE SIL South Growth Corridor that surrounds the Arrowood light rail station; • General Corridor Area, which includes general corridor commercial, office/industrial and moderate density residential land uses of the South Growth Corridor; and • Wedge Neighborhood Area, which is a part of the Wedge area including the Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods just east of the South Growth Corridor. The land use recommendations are shown on Map 3. The general location for each recommendation is noted on the map extracts within each section, using the item numbers below. The recommendations also are cross referenced using the item numbers in the Implementation Section of this plan. SOUTH BLVD • Transit Station Area, the portion of the Arrowood Transit Station Are DR This chapter divides the study area into three distinct districts: Station Area, ensure that uses, intensity, site and facade design, and transportation elements are consistent with the Transit Station Area Principles outlined in the Introduction to South Corridor Station Area Plans. • Design new development to support pedestrian activity, with buildings brought close to the sidewalk and parking to the rear. HE BR ON ST Map 3.1: Transit Station Area Recommendations Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN Proposed Land Use Residential <= 4 DUA Residential <= 8 DUA Residential <= 22 DUA Institutional Retail Open Space Transportation Transit Oriented Development - M Office/Industrial-Warehouse-Distri 10 • While some of the commercially and industri- 6. Ensure that development adjacent to the ally zoned property along South Boulevard and Sweden Road is currently vacant, a number of properties are occupied by ongoing businesses. This includes the Charlotte Department of Transportation’s Street Maintenance facility on Sweden Road. These properties should retain their commercial or industrial zoning to allow them to continue as-of-right operations until such time as they are proposed for redevelopment. • Walk distance measurements from the LRT station shown for the area east of South Boulevard are based on a pedestrian/bicycle link from the station over the freight rail line. This pedestrian link most likely will involve a bridge, and is not currently funded. Development of properties along South Boulevard at TOD densities is dependent on the provision of an actual link to make the the development within a 1/2 mile walk of the station. 2. Provide active ground floor non-residential uses, such as retail or office, in the area immediately surrounding the station: along Arrowood Station Road and other proposed new streets within 500 feet of the transit station, as shown on Map 3. To be most accessible to transit users, design these ground floor uses to include clear glass windows and doors, as well as entrances that front on and connect to the sidewalk. Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods provides a good transition from the low scale neighborhoods to the taller buildings at the core of the station area. In addition, ensure that building and site design for development across the street from single family housing in these neighborhoods is of a scale and design that complements the existing housing. 7. Through the adoption of this plan, adjust the official boundary between the South Growth Corridor and the adjacent Wedge to the east to be consistent with the boundary shown on Map 3. Supporting Street Network Key street network recommendations related to proposed land use in this area are noted here. The Transportation and Streetscape section of this plan provides more detail. 8. Provide new street connections needed to create typical block lengths of 400 feet (desired), or 600 feet (maximum), as shown on Maps 3 and 4. These connections are the highest priority for the plan area. It should be noted that the street network shown on Map 3 and Map 4 provides a representation of the desired street network for the Arrowood plan area and may require adjustments to address site conditions. An alternative but comparable network, consistent with the intent of providing connectivity, will also be considered. 3. Encourage redevelopment of the CATS parkand-ride surface parking lot and adjacent land to integrate a mix of transit-supportive land uses (residential, retail, civic, office, as well as the needed parking.) Development should include active ground floor uses that wrap a parking facil9. Consider a new pedestrian bridge over the ity to create an active streetscape. freight rail line and South Boulevard at the Arrowood Station, in conjunction with the street 4. Create urban plazas or parks near the transit connections outlined above. The potential bridge station. An open space should be incorporated over the rail line should be thoroughly studied to into park-and-ride redevelopment. Public propassess its impact on the LRT line, The freight line, erty along South Boulevard at the edge of the the transportation system, and the area’s economic Norfolk-Southern rail line should be landscaped development potential. and used for green space to the extent possible. 5. Encourage the redevelopment of the former Walmart property with an integrated mix of transitsupportive land uses (residential, retail, civic, and office). The Victory Christian Center has plans for retrofitting the old Wal-mart store for use as a community center, which is an appropriate use within a TOD area; however future growth and development of the site should be consistent with the Transit Station Area Principles outlined in the Introduction to South Corridor Station Area Plans. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN General Corridor Area Land Use and Community Design The section of the study area west, north, and south 10.Maintain a mixture of office, commercial, warehouse, and industrial land uses along portions of the Transit Station Area is classified as the General of England Street extending south to Sweden Corridor Area. It is a part of the larger South Growth Street. This area is currently developed with a Corridor. It has nearby interstate access from Arrowood mixture of low density office/flex development, Road, and includes a range of uses designed to take other commercial uses, and warehouse/light advantage of interstate and other vehicular access. industrial uses. Development may be single use These include retail development, suburban office/ or include a mixture of uses. New development warehouse properties, and institutional/civic uses. The plans should also be consistent with the applicaVictory Christian Center is a major presence in the ble design guidelines in the General Development area. There are also a number of multi-family developPolicies. The properties at the north and east edges ments along Arrowood Road and Kings Ridge Drive of this area are in proximity to the transit oriented (formerly Old Pineville Road). development that is recommended around the Arrowood Transit Station. The properties within the 1/2 mile walking distance of the station could be converted to TOD if consolidated for redevelopment. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan Map 3: Recommended Future Land Use ROSE LYNDALE PL DELCHESTER DR CRES AR CH DA LE T DR CALUMET PL DR PARK SOUTH STATION BLVD E AV C PA IC IF U L C PA A DR RIA TE WIS ED GE WA TE R TR G EN C MONTPELIER RD CANDLEWOOD DR E RD PL 13 WHITFORD LN LN L HIL NT L DR N HIL N IO N O L YA RO DR HW OO D PL 12.Support continued moderate density residential use at the multi-family developments off of Arrowood Road and Kings Ridge Drive (formerly Old Pineville Road) at a density not to exceed 22 dwellings per acre (dua). This area is generally beyond a 1/2 mile walk from Arrowood Station and has poor potential street connectivity. It consists largely of existing multi-family developments. Redevelopment at a density not to exceed 30 dua may be considered if the following criteria are met: HIG CR ES T DR R TE WA GE ED WOODSTREAM DR ST AR DR EN AV E 12 PL KD AL E RAV ST DR KC O O BR ST DR RD 13 S RD ST Map 3.2: General Corridor Areas Recommendations Proposed Land Use Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan Residential <= 4 DUA Residential <= 8 DUA Residential <= 22 DUA Institutional Retail Open Space DR CK DR SHERBOURNE DR KE NM AR K LA RIDGEBROOK THORNCLIFF SH DE HE BR ON TO GE DR MAPLERID MAPLE SUGAR PL LN CT AR ON E W O OA K LLEY DR STARVA TH BLV D SOU RD D OO LEW RD ROCK MB RA M T RD S DO WN IE K SL AIN MA R DE N LN L MAPLE PL OL N HIL ST OC KH E DR LEDG ED EN RD SW TESSAVA CT L RD 15 10 R BA LN MIL LA NE GO R SU ST AY AW DR D RE MO T RS HU YN BR GA NIN ST RD GE Y LN DR SU PE MS WATERCRES ST UE S RID WH ITB FA R OO W ST DO VE IE CT E 10 E C TO XT ON OR HE PL E ST ON LD ST CT SL IAL ING DS BE AIN OA K DO WN ER GL DS EN WIN OR FIE ST AN IMP NT TO WN K BL CT D IAL HU the greenway where adjacent, are provided; • A significant low to moderate income housing component in accordance with Counciladopted Affordable Housing Policies is included in a mixed income environment; • A mixture of housing types is provided; • Existing mature trees are preserved, and an appropriate street network is provided in accordance with this plan; • The Residential Design Guidelines in the General Development Policies are met. 13.Provide an opportunity for a mixture of retail and office land uses for the properties along South Boulevard at the northern and southern ends of the plan area. This area is beyond the 1/2 mile walk distance from the Arrowood Station. THORNCLIFF RD ER • Usable park / open space, and connections to WISTER PL DR IMP WOODSTREAM DR STERNCREST PL LIFF RO CT CKC UNT CO VE LN DR STATION WOOD ARRO 14 BR ON E DR K EE CR BLVD GS DR STARMO T 15 O NTRE SOUTH 12 KIN KE ZE PI BRON DR DS K BROO STAR RD WRE OD OWO ARR STARLI TE PL KIN E AV GS E AL KD RID OO BR GE DR RE BR OO LN LARKFIELD 12 E AV 11.Indicate the Victory Christian Center as an institutional use. New development plans should be consistent with the application design guidelines in the General Development Policies. E RSD ALE 11 E AV IC IF RO RG CA 11 LN R LE EL EF CK FO L INEVIL OLD P GREE 15 LN CEDAR ROSE CT WYCLIFF PL T SOUTH BLVD RC VE SIL E RL VE SIL RD AF BELLE VERNON AVE WILMETTE Transportation Transit Oriented Development - Mixed Office/Industrial-Warehouse-Distribution LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN N RD 11 11 Wedge Neighborhood Area It is envisioned to accommodate a mixture of pedestrian-oriented uses, similar to transit oriented development, but at a lesser intensity. Development may be single use or include a mixture of uses. New development plans also should be consistent with the applicable design guidelines in the General Development Policies. Building heights should not exceed four (4) stories or 40’ in height in this area. The Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods are located in a Wedge, on the east side of the Transit Station Area. These neighborhoods include single family, duplex, and multi-family housing, as well as the Starmount Elementary School (presently used as a pre-kindergarten center). The following recommendations are designed to protect the predominantly low density residential character of the neighborhood. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan 14.Recognize the long term plan by County Park and Recreation to establish the Kings Branch Greenway as park and open space. Map 3: Recommended Future Land Use T DR CRES ROSE Supporting Street Network AR CH CT L DR N HIL LN TH IL L E E AV WIS TE RIA DR PL ED DR EN C D HW OO CR ES DR AV E E KD AL DR DR PL ST DR BR OO RE KC O O BR 19 E AV GS E AL KD OO BR GE R EN RAV TE WA 16 21 RID GE ED T LN LARKFIELD DR CK TO DS STERNCREST PL PL E ST T T RD S WATERCRES IE SL K LLEY DR WISTER PL TH BLV D SOU STARVA THORNCLIFF DR DR SHERBOURNE DR LA KE S RD DE NM AR K RD AR ON RIDGEBROOK LN SH D OO LEW CT MB M GE DR MAPLERID RA OL E RD MAPLE PL KH E DR LEDG ROCK MAPLE SUGAR PL ST OC LN RD N ED EN L RD SW HIL TESSAVA CT L 18 LN RD MIL BR ON R BA 16 R GA HE NE GO SU LA AY AW DR RS HU NIN HE BR ON ST England Street and Sweden Road are home to existing office, flex, and warehouse uses. Proposed Land Use Residential <= 4 DUA Residential <= 8 DUA Residential <= 22 DUA Map 3.3: Neighborhood Area Recommendations Institutional Retail Open Space Transportation Transit Oriented Development Arrowood- Mixed Transit Office/Industrial-Warehouse-Distribution Station Area Plan LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN N GIS LN 20 DR K YN BR PE SU MS C TO DE NM ST FA R D E E DS AR OR TO WN RE MO AIN Y ING OO W DO WN AIN EN ST WH ITB NT RD S DO WN IE SL RID HU ST ON ST 21 ST DO VE GE RO CT CKC 18 LD ST FIE ST UE BL ND GL A CT LIFF STARLI TE PL UNT CO VE LN THORNCLIFF RD CT IAL WOODSTREAM DR STARMO OA K DR ER W O E DR BLVD K EE CR OA K O NTRE SOUTH GS DS DR WRE K BROO STAR BE XT ON C PA HIG WOODSTREAM DR ST AR 17 KIN WIN OR IMP L A TR PL R DR STATION WOOD ARRO CT IC IF N U G WYCLIFF PL GE WA TE E AV C PA MONTPELIER RD RD CANDLEWOOD DR ILLE L YA RO RSD ALE DR IAL N IO RG T ER E AV IC IF RO O CA It should be noted that the street network shown on Map 3 and Map 4 provides a representation of the desired street network for the Arrowood plan area and may require adjustments to address site conditions. An alternative but comparable RD OD OWO network, consistentARRwith the intent of providing connectivity, will also be considered. IMP LN R LE EL EF CK FO N GREE INEV OLD P WILMETTE 15.Maintain and enhance the existing street network in the General Corridor Area as shown on Maps 3 and 4. Provide new street connections needed to create typical block lengths of 600 feet desired, or 650 feet maximum. KE ZE PI BRON DR BELLE VERNON AVE SOUTH BLVD T LN CEDAR ROSE DA LE PARK SOUTH STATION BLVD WHITFORD LN RC VE SIL RD AF E RL DELCHESTER DR CALUMET PL Key street network recommendations related to proposed land use in this area are noted here. The Transportation and Streetscape section of this plan provides more detail. VE SIL LYNDALE PL KIN 12 W E RD Land Use and Community Design Supporting Street Network 16.Maintain the single family portion of the Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods at a density up to 4 dwellings per acre (dua), consistent with existing land use and zoning. Key street network recommendations related to proposed land use in this area are noted here. The Transportation and Streetscape section of this plan provides more detail. 17.Maintain moderate residential density at up to 21.Maintain the existing street network for the 8 dua, consistent with existing zoning, along the Wedge Neighborhood Area, and enhance the west side of Woodstream Drive where there curnetwork by extending neighborhood streets to rently are duplexes. South Boulevard at a locations shown on Maps 3 and 4. Provision of the new street connections Recognize the opportunity for redevelopment of would most likely occur in conjunction with the R-8 single family parcels fronting Woodstream redevelopment of property in the Transit Station Drive in the two blocks north of Starbrook Drive. Area and of the moderate density propoperties in These duplexes are adjacent to properties frontthe Wedge. ing South Boulevard that are proposed for TOD development. If these properties are redeveloped It should be noted that the street network shown and they incorporate multiple parcels, they should on Map 3 and Map 4 provides a representation be developed for residential use up to 8 dua. Such of the desired street network for the Arrowood redevelopment should be oriented to the street, plan area and may require adjustments to address and be limited to two stories to maintain compatsite conditions. An alternative but comparable ibility with the single-family homes in the neighnetwork, consistent with the intent of providing borhood. connectivity, will also be considered. 18.Support moderate density residential use of the multi-family developments and vacant properties at the west edge of the neighborhoods, at an average density of 22 dua. In the event of redevelopment, the area closest to South Boulevard should be developed with the highest intensity, with lower densities at the edge of the site adjacent to single family neighborhoods. Residential TOD development for the land within the 1/2 mile walk distance to the Arrowood Station should be considered if the following criteria are met: • Usable park/open space is provided; • A significant low to moderate income housing component in accordance with Counciladopted Affordable Housing Policies is included in a mixed income environment; • A mixture of housing types is provided; • Existing mature trees are preserved; and • The Residential Design Guidelines in the General Development Policies are met. 19.Indicate Starmount Elementary and Reformed Presbyterian Church as institutional/civic uses. 20.Indicate the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and Huntingtowne Farms Park, and adjoining private open space, as park and open space. The Starmount and Starmount Forest single family neighborhoods should be preserved. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN 13 14 Transportation and Streetscape Transforming the existing streets into an attractive and functional multi-modal street network is critical to the success of the plan area, especially the area around the LRT station where transit-oriented development is planned. Providing a well-connected street network is important throughout the study area to facilitate mobility choices and minimize congestion. In conjunction with the establishment of the LRT line, the City made a number of improvements to the Arrowood street network through the South Corridor Infrastructure Program (SCIP). This chapter recommends additional transportation improvements for the plan area for new streets, street cross-sections, and streetscape elements. Transportation/Street Design Recommendations This section outlines transportation recommendations addressing both proposed new streets and enhancements to existing streets to make them more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. These include both City sponsored capital improvements, as well as improvements that will be required in conjunction with new development and redevelopment. The general locations of the recommendations are noted on Map 4. It should be noted that this map provides a representation of the desired street network and may require adjustments to address site conditions. An alternative but comparable network consistent with the intent of providing connectivity will also be considered. The recommendations also are cross referenced using the item numbers in the Implementation section of this plan. Street Network 22.Provide new street connections in the Transit Station Area, as discussed in item 8 in the Land Use Section. Street connections in the Transit Station Area are the highest priority for this Plan, as these are needed to support high density development and to provide additional travel routes. The streets planned as part of the new development southwest of Arrowood station exemplify this principle. 23.Provide new street connections in the General Corridor Area, as discussed in item 15 in the Land Use Section. Street connections in the General Corridor Area are critical to alleviating congestion on South Boulevard and Arrowood Road. New connections also support redevelopment and provide a more balanced network of route choices. 24.Increase access to South Boulevard from the Starmount Forest neighborhood by extending existing street stubs of Starvalley Drive, Woodstock Drive, and Mapleridge Drive via redevelopment along South Boulevard. Such extensions would be considered only in the event of new development or redevelopment of the adjoining properties, and connecting via an indirect route to South Boulevard with traffic calming features such as intersection treatments. Connections through existing South Boulevard land uses generally would not be considered. While a number of new streets are shown conceptually on Map 4, additional on-site circulation, such as private streets, may be requested of any Station Area development to facilitate preferred block standards. Sidewalks 25.Eliminate gaps in the sidewalk system leading from the residential areas to the transit station. The Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods provide a large base of potential transit riders. Gaps in the sidewalk system leading to the transit station should be eliminated to promote better pedestrian access. Specific sidewalk projects could include: Edgewater Drive, Brookdale Avenue, Starbrook Drive, Woodstock Drive, Mapleridge Drive, and Watercrest Road. The boundaries are shown on Map 4. 26.Widen sidewalk system along South Boulevard. Many of these sidewalks are only five feet wide, inconsistent with the recommended width found in the Streetscape Standards on subsequent pages. Additionally, planting strips which separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic are narrow or completely lacking. This plan recommends widening the sidewalks and adding planting strips along South Boulevard within the study area boundaries in conjunction with redevelopment. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE 15 The pedestrian system along South Boulevard typically lacks a planting strip. Recent improved sidewalk and planting strip at 3030 South Boulevard provides a model for improved sidewalks and greater pedestrian safety in a higher density Station Area. 27.Improve the sidewalk network in the Transit Station Area. As the streetscape cross-sections Bicycle Accommodations recommend, new development and redevelopment should install sidewalks on all streets. New 29.Extend designated bicycle lanes on Arrowood Road, England Street, Sweden Road, and streets shown in the plan are largely located on Sharon Lakes Road. To tie into recently added blocks closest the station. bicycle lanes provided by SCIP, bicycle lanes are recommended along the entire length of Arrowood Pedestrian Crossings Road, as well as England Street, as an extension of the newly realigned Old Pineville Road. Bicycle 28.Enhance pedestrian and bicycle crossings. Area Lanes also are recommended on Sweden Road thoroughfares and major collectors can be difand Sharon Lakes Road. ficult for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross due to factors such as traffic volume, traffic speed, 30.Site new development to allow future addition number of lanes, frequent turning movements, of bicycle lanes on South Boulevard. This plan and distance between signalized crosswalks. recommends the long-term installation of bicycle While SCIP resulted in enhanced intersections lanes in the station area along South Boulevard as of Arrowood Road at both South Boulevard and shown on Map 4. England Street, other intersections still have room for improvement. This plan recommends adding enhanced crossings, as shown on Map 4. In the Bicycle-Pedestrian Connections plan area, these include: 31.Create a bicycle-pedestrian bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad and South • South Boulevard at Sharon Lakes Road; Boulevard. Currently, access to the Arrowood • South Boulevard at Edgewater Drive; station is greatly hampered to the southeast by the physical barrier of the active Norfolk Southern • South Boulevard at Woodstock Drive extenfreight line. This plan recommends constructing sion; a pedestrian bridge from the transit station over • Arrowood Road at Kings Ridge Drive; the freight line, as well as South Boulevard. As discussed in Land Use Item 9, there is potential • England Street at Imperial Court; and to construct the overpass with a private partner • England Street at Sweden Road. willing to connect a transit-oriented development along South Boulevard to the station. Enhanced crossings may include a combination of vehicle traffic signals, pedestrian countdown signals, painted or textured cross walks, ADA curb ramps, and pedestrian refuge islands in the median. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE 16 Arrowood Road includes recently constructed amenities including sidewalks, planting strips, and bike lanes. Old Pineville Road is being rerouted through a segment of a shopping center parking lot to connect to England Street. 32.Create more bicycle-pedestrian connections to and across the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Currently, there are footbridges across Little Sugar Creek at the end of Starbrook Drive and near Ridgebrook Drive. There are also stub street connections to the greenway at Woodstream Drive and Rockledge Drive. This plan recommends adding additional bicycle-pedestrian connections across and through the greenway to connect neighborhoods to each other and to the light rail system. Street Lighting 33.Install Pedestrian Scale Lighting in key locations. Typical streetlights illuminate the roadway, but do not provide significant lighting for the pedestrian area of a street. Pedestrian scale lighting is shorter in height than streetlights and focuses on lighting sidewalk areas. It should be installed in the public right-of-way, with special attention to blocks between and along South Boulevard, Old Pineville Road, and England Street. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE 17 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan Map 4: Future Transportation Network T DR CRES ROSE LYNDALE PL DELCHESTER DR AR CH CALUMET PL DR PARK SOUTH STATION BLVD CT LN R E AV LE LN WILMETTE TH IL L FO N L DR N HIL GREE EL IC EF IF CK E RO E AV N IC IF IO N L C PA A O L YA RO E AV C PA U RG WHITFORD LN BELLE VERNON AVE SOUTH BLVD T RC VE SIL D F R EA RL VE SIL DA LE TR G EN C LN CEDAR ROSE RSD ALE WIS TE RIA DR L INEVIL OLD P PL MONTPELIER RD CANDLEWOOD DR CA ED WA TE DR HIG HW OO D PL R WYCLIFF PL GE E RD ST AR CR ES DR R TE WA WOODSTREAM DR GE ED T DR AV E EN PL KD AL E RAV ST DR BR OO RE KC O O BR DR CK TO PL MS ST DR LD ST ST IE SL AN R GA SU DE EN NM LN AR K N R BA GL ST D E AIN OR RD NE GO RE MO AY AW DR YN BR RD Y T RS HU DO WN GE S RID T RD DO VE WATERCRES ST OO W ST WH ITB LN C TO XT ON AIN ST CT CT SL IAL D OA K IE ER DS FA R DS BE S UE BL DO WN IMP WIN OR E K FIE CT ING TO WN E THORNCLIFF RD IAL NT ST ON DR ER HU OA K K EE CR UNT CO VE LN DR STATION WOOD ARRO IMP W O WOODSTREAM DR STERNCREST PL STARLI TE PL LIFF E DR BLVD GS STARMO T DR O NTRE SOUTH KIN KE ZE PI BRON DR WRE K BROO STAR DS RD OD OWO ARR RO CT CKC KIN E AV GS E AL KD RID OO BR GE DR LARKFIELD LN D BLV LLEY DR LN HIL RD TH L GE DR MAPLERID KH OL M CT E DE NM AR K RD SH HE BR ON .. Charlotte .m ore p than ma SHERBOURNE DR LA KE S RD Street Connections* Pedestrian Connection Bicycle Lanes Widened Sidewalk Complete Gaps in Sidewalk *Note: The location of the proposed streets is conceptual. Alternative locations, consistent with the intent of the proposed network, will also be considered. .. GIS s. DR ST Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing Pending Street Connection .. AR ON RIDGEBROOK THORNCLIFF MAPLE PL ST OC N D L DR MAPLE SUGAR PL WISTER PL SOU RD OO LEW EN MB ED RA SW E DR LEDG ROCK STARVA LA RD SU RD L TESSAVA CT NIN BR ON MIL PE HE .. Produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE N W E S 0 500 feet 1,000 Date: February 11, 2009 18 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan Map 5: Street Cross Section Key CR ROSE LYNDALE PL DELCHESTER DR AR EST CH DA LE DR CALUMET PL DR PARK SOUTH STATION BLVD RC VE SIL CT LN L NT HIL L DR N HIL GREE FO D F R EA RL VE SIL LN R E AV LE EL IC EF IF CK E RO E AV N IC IF IO N L C PA A O L YA RO E AV C PA U RG WHITFORD LN T BELLE VERNON AVE WILMETTE TR G EN C LN CEDAR ROSE PL WIS TE RIA DR RSD ALE MONTPELIER RD CANDLEWOOD DR LE INEVIL OLD P CA ED WA TE R WYCLIFF PL GE RD HIG HW OO D PL DR ST AR CR ES DR GE ED T TE WA R WOODSTREAM DR DR AV E EN PL KD AL E RAV ST KC O O BR E AV RD DR DR STARMO LIFF CK TO WOODSTREAM DR E DR STATION E MS LD FIE ST T RD DO WN WATERCRES LN IE DE EN N R BA NM ST PE LN R STARVA BLV D TH RD GE DR DR SH CT AR ON RD K BR ON SHERBOURNE DR LA S AR HE DR KE DE NM E RIDGEBROOK THORNCLIFF M N D L OO LEW MAPLE PL OL MB SOU MAPLERID MAPLE SUGAR PL ST OC KH E DR LEDG ROCK RA RD RD ED EN L L SW HIL MIL TESSAVA CT RD WISTER PL LA HE LLEY DR SU GA SU NIN BR ON RD ST Avenue: Four Lane Divided Avenue: Two Lane Undivided Avenue: Two Lane Divided Office/Commercial Wide Local Residential Wide Main Street New Street* *Note: The location of the proposed streets is conceptual. Alternative locations, consistent with the intent of the proposed network, will also be considered. GIS Charlotte .m ore than m s ap ... Produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department. N W .. .. .. RD NE GO D GL E SL OR AY AW DR RE MO T HU YN BR AIN Y RD WH ITB RS S ST K IE RID SL AIN CT ST DO VE GE OO W AR CT ST IAL D OA K AN OR DR K ER DS LN C TO XT ON S IMP WIN FA R DS BE ST CT BL IAL UE ER DO WN IMP ING TO WN ST WOOD ARRO THORNCLIFF RD DR PIKE NT ST ON DR T OA K K ZE BRON HU PL EE CR UNT CO VE LN STERNCREST PL GS KIN BLVD STARLI TE PL E DR W O O NTRE SOUTH DS K BROO STAR WRE OD OWO ARR RO CT CKC KIN E GS AL KD OO BR RID GE DR DR RE BR OO LARKFIELD LN E S 0 500 feet 1,000 Date: February 11, 2009 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE Streetscape Standards Street Cross-Sections Streets are more than just pathways to and through a place. Streets are one of the most highly visible types of urban places. As the entrance and exit to a community, streets have the ability to set the tone for the surrounding environment. Based on the City’s Urban Street Design Guidelines, the future cross-sections have been determined for streets within the Arrowood plan area, with the exception of the single family neighborhood areas where little change to existing streets is expected. The following street types are recommended for the plan area: The streetscape cross-sections on the following pages are essential to “setting the tone” for the type of setting desired in the plan area. The cross sections have been developed in accordance with the Urban Street Design Guidelines (USDG), adopted by City Council in October 2007. The cross-sections set forth: • • • • • • Avenue - Four-Lane Divided Avenue - Two-Lane Undivided Avenue - Two-Lane Divided Main Street Office/Commercial Street - Wide • Building setback requirements, Local Residential Street - Wide • Streetscape, sidewalk, and street tree requirements, and Map 5 shows the desired location for each of these • Future character of the streets regarding the street types. Consult this map to identify the recnumber of lanes, bicycle, pedestrian and ommendation for a specific street, then refer to the transit accommodations and provisions for matching cross-section on the following pages. Streets within neighborhood areas slated for preservation are on-street parking. intended for preservation as well, so new cross secWhen this plan is approved, the streetscape standards tions for these areas are not provided. specified herein will become the official “Streetscape Plan” for the study area, as referred to in the zoning standards for a number of the City’s urban zoning districts. As such, all new development on sites zoned TOD, TS, PED, UMUD, MUDD, NS, UR, or other urban zoning districts that may be established must be designed in accordance with these standards. The specifications in the cross-sections are based on typical conditions and may vary based upon further study and in unique circumstances. Note that these cross-sections are not plans for immediate road improvements, but many are recommended long-term changes. Improvements such as on-street parking, streetscape enhancements, and sidewalk installation typically will be implemented through private redevelopment, although the City may fund minor improvements. New streets also typically will be implemented through private development, while major improvements to existing streets generally will be constructed by the City. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE 19 • Additional widening for turn lanes may be 20 Avenue - Four-Lane Divided required in some circumstances in accordance with CDOT standards. Behind the Curb: Minimum building setback is 24 feet from back of (unrecessed) recommended curb. Tree planting is required with spacing, irrigation, subdrainage, and adequate soil space for roots per the Charlotte Tree Ordinance. Description: The Avenue is the most common (nonlocal) street type in Charlotte, providing access from neighborhoods to commercial areas, between areas of the city, and, in some cases, through neighborhoods. It is designed to provide a balance of service for all modes of transportation, including accessibility for transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists in addition to carrying significant automobile traffic. • Planting strip or recessed on-street parallel parking serves as buffer from traffic to pedestrians on sidewalk. Planting strip with trees is the standard expectation. South Boulevard is designated as a state highway, and current state regulations do not permit on-street parking Situation: The major thoroughfares in the plan area in most cases. If circumstances change in are classified primarily as Avenues. The four lane the future such that on-street parking would divided type is recommended for South Boulevard. be allowable, the recessed on-street parking The proposed cross-section will allow this street to option would be available there per zoning continue to perform an important mobility function and CDOT standards, and with intermittent for motorists, as well as to support safe and comfortplanter islands to break up parking into bays able pedestrian and bicycle travel. no more than 100 feet in length. • Amenity zone provides supplemental tree Existing Condition: This street typically has two planting location. Trees in the amenity zone lanes in each direction, widened for left turn lanes should be planted in curbed planters. The near some intersections. Right-of-way is typically 60 amenity zone also provides additional paved feet, although South Boulevard varies significantly in area for street furniture, paved access to onsome locations. street parking, and merchandising purposes. Proposed Curb to Curb: Recommended width is 70 • Ped zone is the usual location for the clear sidefeet from back-of-curb to back-of-curb; right-of-way walk. Where there is no on-street parking and is 118 feet. planting strips are in place, the clear sidewalk can be pushed into the amenity zone location • Two travel lanes and bike lane in each direction. and the ped zone can be used for landscaping, sidewalk dining, or paved merchandising • Continuous center lane for left turns and purposes. Encroachments into the ped zone pedestrian refuge; to include mid-block landfor features such as steps and open porches are scaped pedestrian refuge islandsAvenue-4 in some loca-Lane Divided allowed in accordance with the zoning orditions. nance, but encroachments at grade may not reduce the clear sidewalk to less than 8 feet. Land Use: The land use will vary; within the plan area the desired uses will be typically medium to high density mixed use, residential, office, and retail. 22‘ 24’ Setback 11’ 22‘ 70’ Back of curb to back of curb Right of Way-118’ Ped Zone 7.5’ Amenity Zone 8’ 8’ Bike Lane* Bike Lane* 8’ Vehicle Lanes *Parking/Trees *Parking/Trees Vehicle Lanes Turn Lane/ Median. 1.5’ c/g Ped Zone *South Blvd: On-street parking is optional south of Scaleybark Road. Amenity Zone Central Av 7.5’ 8’ 8’ 8’ *Includes 2.5’ curb and gutter. 24’ Setback Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE • One travel lane and bike lane in each direc- Avenue - Two-Lane Undivided tion. • Widening for left turn lanes may be required in some circumstances in accordance with CDOT standards. Proposed Behind the Curb: Minimum building setback is 24 feet from back of (unrecessed) recommended curb. Tree planting is required with spacing, irrigation, subdrainage, and adequate soil space for roots per the Charlotte Tree Ordinance. Description: The Avenue is the most common (nonlocal) street providing access from neighborhoods to commercial areas, between areas of the city, and, in some cases, through neighborhoods. It is designed to provide a balance of service for all modes of transportation, including accessibility for transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists in addition to carrying significant automobile traffic. Land Use: The land use will vary; within the plan area the desired uses will include medium to high density mixed use and residential, and some office, industrial, warehouse, and distribution uses. • Planting strip or recessed on-street parallel parking serve as buffer from traffic to pedestrians on sidewalk. The recessed parking is required in all locations feasible under CDOT standards, with intermittent planter islands Situation: This Avenue cross section is narrower to break up parking into bays no more than than the four-lane divided version used for South 100 feet in length. Planting strip with trees is Boulevard. It is recommended for Old Pineville Road, required in all other situations. most of Arrowood Road, England Street, Sweden Road, and the section of Sharon Lakes Road within • Amenity zone provides supplemental tree the Transit Station and General Corridor Areas. The planting location. Trees in the amenity zone proposed cross-section will allow this street type to should be planted in curbed planters. The continue to perform an important mobility function amenity zone also provides additional paved for motorists, as well as to support safe and comfortarea for street furniture, paved access to onable pedestrian and bicycle travel. street parking, and merchandising purposes. • Ped Zone is the usual location for the clear Existing Condition: These streets have one lane in sidewalk. Where there is no on-street parking each direction, generally without turn lanes or landand planting strips are in place, the clear sidescaped median but with some variation at major walk can be pushed into the amenity zone intersections. Right-of-way is generally 60 to 80 feet, location, and the ped zone can be used for but varying more and less. landscaping, sidewalk dining, or paved merchandising purposes. Encroachments into Proposed Curb to Curb: Recommended width is 37 the ped zone for features such as steps and feet from back of curb to back of curb; right-of-way open porches are allowed in accordance with is 85 feet. the zoning ordinance, but encroachments at Avenue-Two Lane Undivided grade may not reduce the clear sidewalk to less than 8 feet. 7.5’ 22’ Ped Zone Bike Lane* 8’ Amenity Zone Parking/Trees 8’ Vehicle Lane Bike Lane* Amenity Zone 8’ Vehicle Lane Parking/Trees Ped Zone Central Av 7.5’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 37’ 24’ Setback Back of curb to back of curb Right of Way-85’ Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE 24’ Setback *Includes 2.5’ curb and gutter. 21 • Continuous center lane for left turns and Avenue - Two-Lane Divided pedestrian refuge; to include mid-block landscaped pedestrian refuge islands in some locations. Proposed Behind the Curb: Minimum building setback is 24 feet from back of (unrecessed) recommended curb. Tree planting is required with spacing, irrigation, subdrainage, and adequate soil space for roots per the Charlotte Tree Ordinance. Description: The Avenue is the most common (nonlocal) street providing access from neighborhoods to commercial areas, between areas of the city, and, in some cases, through neighborhoods. It is designed to provide a balance of service for all modes of transportation, including accessibility for transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists in addition to carrying significant automobile traffic. • Planting strip or recessed on-street parallel Land Use: The land use will vary; within the plan area the desired uses will be typically medium to high density mixed use and residential. parking serve as buffer from traffic to pedestrians on sidewalk. The recessed parking is required in all locations feasible under CDOT standards, with intermittent planter islands Situation: This Avenue cross section is narrower to break up parking into bays no more than than the four-lane divided version used on South 100 feet in length. Planting strip with trees is Boulevard. It is recommended for the portion of required in all other situations. Arrowood Road and Starbrook Drive between • Amenity zone provides supplemental tree England Street and Woodstream Drive. The proposed planting location. Trees in the amenity zone cross-section will allow this street type to continue to should be planted in curbed planters. The perform an important mobility function for motoramenity zone also provides additional paved ists, as well as to support safe and comfortable pedesarea for street furniture, paved access to ontrian and bicycle travel. street parking, and merchandising purposes. Existing Condition: This street has one lane in each • Ped Zone is the usual location for the clear direction, with landscaped median and left turn lanes sidewalk. Where there is no on-street parking near intersections. Right-of-way is about 80 feet. and planting strips are in place, the clear sidewalk can be pushed into the amenity zone Proposed Curb to Curb: Recommended width is 48 location, and the ped zone can be used for feet from back-of-curb to back-of-curb; right-of-way landscaping, sidewalk dining, or paved meris 96 feet. chandising purposes. Encroachments into the ped zone for features such as steps and • One travel lane and bike lane in each direcopen porches are allowed in accordance with tion. the zoning ordinance, but encroachments at grade may not reduce the clear sidewalk to Avenue-Two Lane Divided less than 8 feet. 11‘ 24’ Setback 11‘ 7.5’ 11’ 48’ Back of curb to back of curb Ped Zone 7.5’ Parking/Trees 8’ 8’ Amenity Zone Bike Lane* 8’ Vehicle Lane Bike Lane* Parking/Trees Vehicle Lane Turn Lane/ Ped. Refuge 1.5’ c/g Amenity Zone Central Av Ped Zone 22 8’ 8’ 8’ *Includes 2.5’ curb and gutter. 24’ Setback Right of Way-96’ Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE 16’ Setback 24‘ 8.5’ 8’ 8’ 41’ Back of curb to back of curb Right of Way-73’ Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE Ped Zone 8’ 8.5’ Amenity Zone Amenity Zone 8’ Mixed Vehicle Zone Parking/Trees* Ped Zone Parking/Trees* Proposed Behind the Curb: Minimum building Main Street setback is 16 feet from back of recommended recessed Description: Main Street is a “destination” street that curb. Tree planting is required with spacing, irrigaprovides access to and functions as a center of civic, tion, subdrainage, and adequate soil space for roots social, and commercial activity. Development along per the Charlotte Tree Ordinance. main streets is dense and focused toward the pedes• Planting strip or recessed on-street parallel trian realm. parking serve as buffer from traffic to pedestrians on sidewalk. The recessed parking is Land Use: In the plan area, the desired land use is required in all locations feasible under CDOT medium to high density mixed use with ground level standards, with intermittent planter islands to retail. break up parking into bays no more than 100 feet in length. Situation: Main Streets are recommended in the heart of the station area: at Arrowood Station Drive, on • Amenity zone provides supplemental tree proposed new streets in or bordering the existing park planting location. Trees in the amenity zone and ride lot, on new streets on the properties north should be planted in curbed planters where of the park and ride lot, and new streets on property planting strip is not in place. The amenity west of England Street. Here, pedestrians receive the zone also provides additional paved area for highest priority of all the transport modes. To accomstreet furniture, paved access to on-street modate pedestrian traffic, a wide pedestrian zone and parking, and merchandising purposes. an amenity zone are recommended. • Ped zone is the usual location for the clear sidewalk. Where there is no on-street parking Existing Condition: Arrowood Station Drive has one and planting strips are in place, the clear sidelane in each direction. Although built to public street walk can be pushed into the amenity zone, standards, it is not dedicated at present. The other and the ped zone can be used for landscapproposed Main Streets are not in place at present. ing, sidewalk dining, or paved merchandising purposes. Encroachments into the ped zone Proposed Curb to Curb: Recommended width is 41 for features such as steps and open porches are feet from back-of-curb to back-of-curb; right-of-way allowed in accordance with the zoning ordiis 73 feet. nance, but encroachments at grade may not reduce the clear sidewalk to less than 8 feet. • One travel lane in each direction shared with bicyclists. • Widening for left-turn lane may be required in accordance with CDOT standards. 16’ Setback *Includes 2.5’ curb and gutter. 23 • On-street parking on both sides. Curb exten- Office / Commercial Street - Wide Description: Local streets provide access to residential, industrial, commercial, or mixed use development. The majority of Charlotte’s streets are classified as local streets and are typically built through the land development process. Land Use: In the study area, the land use along these streets is typically office, warehouse/industrial, and retail development with an auto orientation. It may include medium density mixed use development. Situation: The office/commercial streets are recommended in the portions of the Transit Station Area and General Corridor Area where residential uses are not anticipated. Office/commercial streets are appropriate because they provide basic pedestrian amenities while allowing for reasonable vehicular access and speeds. Existing Condition: These streets generally have one lane in each direction; some have on-street parking. Right-of-way is typically 50 to 60 feet. Proposed Curb to Curb: Recommended width is 41 feet from back-of-curb to back-of-curb; right-of-way is 69 feet. • One travel lane in each direction shared with sions may be used to narrow street width at intersections and other locations where onstreet parking is not appropriate. • Widening for left-turn lanes may be required in some circumstances in accordance with CDOT standards. Proposed Behind the Curb: Minimum building setback is 14 feet from back of (recessed) recommended curb, or 21 feet from back of any extended curb. Tree planting is required with spacing, irrigation, subdrainage, and adequate soil space for roots per the Charlotte Tree Ordinance. • Planting strip provides buffer from traffic to pedestrians on the sidewalk, and a landscaping opportunity. In locations with retail frontage or other high density applications, tree planting in curbed planters, with paved amenity zone for street furniture, paved access to onstreet parking, and merchandising purposes should be substituted for the planting strip. • Ped Zone is the usual location for the clear sidewalk. Encroachments into the ped zone for features such as steps and open porches are allowed in accordance with the zoning ordinance, but encroachments at grade may not reduce the clear sidewalk to less than 6 feet. bicyclists. 7’ Min. 14’ Setback 7’ 41’ Back of curb to back of curb Ped Zone 8’ Planting strip or curbed planter Parking* 6’ Mixed Vehicle Zone Parking* Planting strip or curbed planter Office/Commercial-Wide Ped Zone 24 8’ 6’ *Includes 2.5’ curb and gutter. Min. 14’ Setback Right of Way-69’ Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE Local Residential Street - Wide Proposed Behind the Curb: Minimum building 25 setback is 20 to 22 feet from back of (recessed) recDescription: Local streets provide access to residen- ommended curb, or 27 to 29 feet from back of any tial, industrial, commercial or mixed-use develop- extended curb, depending on the sidewalk width ment. The majority of Charlotte’s streets are classified requirement. Tree planting is required with spacing, as local streets and are typically built through the land irrigation, subdrainage, and adequate soil space for development process. roots per the Charlotte Tree Ordinance. Land Use: The land use is typically medium to high density residential, with some mixed use development. Situation: Wide local residential streets are recommended in portions of the plan area where residential uses higher in density than single-family are in place or expected. They also are recommended in portions of the transit station area off of the main thoroughfares where a predominance of residential development is expected. The local residential street cross-section is designed for low traffic speeds and a comfortable walking, cycling and living environment. Existing Condition: These streets have one lane in each direction. Some have on-street parking. Rightof-way varies widely, but is typically 50 feet. Proposed Curb to Curb: Recommended width is 35 feet from back-of-curb to back-of-curb; right-of-way is 63 to 67 feet, depending on the sidewalk requirement. • One travel lane in each direction shared with Parking* Planting Strip Ped Zone Yard 6’ to 8‘ Parking* Ped Zone 6’ pedestrians on the sidewalk, and a landscaping opportunity. In locations with retail frontage or other high density applications, tree planting in curbed planters, with paved amenity zone for street furniture, paved access to onstreet parking, and merchandising purposes should be substituted for the planting strip. • Ped zone is the usual location for the clear sidewalk. For streets located within 1/4 mile walk of the transit station, the minimum sidewalk width is 8 feet. Elsewhere in the plan area the minimum width is 6 feet. • The yard area is intended to provide additional landscaping and a buffer between sidewalk and residential uses. Encroachments for features such as steps and open porches are allowed in accordance with the zoning ordinance, but encroachments at grade may not reduce the clear sidewalk to less than the required width. • Parcels located on streets that have existing single-family zoning designations (R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, and R-8) either across the street, or abutting on the same side of the street, shall have a minimum setback of 30 feet. Planting Strip Yard bicyclists. • On-street parking on both sides. Curb extensions may be used to narrow street width at intersections and other locations where onstreet parking is not appropriate. • Widening for left-turn lanes may be required in some circumstances in accordance with CDOT standards. • Planting strip provides buffer from traffic to 8’ 7’ 7’ 8’ 6’ to 8‘ 6’ Mixed Vehicle Zone 35’ **20’ to 22’ **20’ to 22’ Back of curb to back of curb Setback Setback Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan Right of Way-63’ to 67’ TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE *Includes 2.5’ curb and gutter. **30’ setback across from or next to single family zoning. 26 Infrastructure and Public Facilities The core of the Arrowood plan area includes properties Park and Greenway that currently are industrial and auto-oriented commercial; however these properties are recommended Recommendations for higher density redevelopment. Their infrastructure, while sufficient and appropriate for its former uses, 36.Provide opportunities for expansion and improved access for the Little Sugar Creek and may require capacity increases for more intense new Kings Branch Greenways in accordance with uses. The following recommendations are intended to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation master address needs for additional or expanded infrastrucplans. ture and public facilities. 37.Encourage urban open spaces in the Transit Station Area. New developments in the area Public Facility/Infrastructure should provide usable urban open spaces, either Recommendations on-site or off-site within the station area. Desirable types of urban open spaces include pocket parks, 34.Conduct an infrastructure study to evaluate the plazas, and community gardens. The areas in adequacy of infrastructure (water, sewer, storm immediate proximity to the Arrowood Transit drainage) in the station area. The ability of the Station are high priority for open space. station area’s infrastructure to support high density redevelopment and capacity of the other utility systems is not known. To ensure that the station area will be able to support the new, higher-density development recommended by this plan, a detailed infrastructure analysis is recommended. 35.Encourage the burying of utilities. Overhead utility lines detract from the appearance of the station area, which in turn may impact the economic competitiveness of a project. Overhead lines also may impact development density due to required clearances from the lines. As redevelopment occurs, opportunities to relocate or bury utility lines should be pursued. The former Starmount Elementary School is presently used as a pre-kindergarten center. Entry to Huntingtowne Farms Park is locked in the evenings. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC FACILITIES Environment The Arrowood plan area includes a substantial area of 40.Protect or enhance the watersheds when pospresent and former commercial and industrial develsible. The Arrowood plan area sits on a ridge line opment, much of which is expected to be redeveloped between Little Sugar Creek to the east and Kings in the coming years. The environmental recommenBranch Creek to the west. Degradation to either dations focus on means to improve air, water and land creek would be a negative impact to the comquality through the redevelopment process. munity. Any development or redevelopment in the area will have a goal to improve the quality It should be noted that the establishment of dense of runoff, reduce flooding impacts, and reduce transit oriented development within station areas is runoff if possible. This will primarily be achieved intended to improve the environment of the region with the provisions of the Post Construction by concentrating growth where it can be supported Controls Ordinance. by transit and other infrastructure, by relieving the pressure for growth on outlying greenfield locations, 41.Assist property owners with remediation of and by reducing vehicular trips and trip lengths that sites known or perceived to have contaminated otherwise would extend to the outer edge of the metsoil. Soil contamination poses an obvious hazard ropolitan area. to the environment; however, it can also serve as an obstacle to development. Since contamination is a potential issue in the transit station area, propEnvironmental Recommendations erty owners should be encouraged to participate in the funding programs offered by the City of 38.Make trees a key feature of the entire plan area. Charlotte to financially assist with the assessment Arrowood residential neighborhoods are charof contaminated sites. acterized by their mature tree canopy. A large portion of the residential areas has a significant tree canopy. Trees could become a key feature for the entire study area if they are added to streets in the Transit Station and Corridor Areas. In addition to their aesthetic value, trees help to reduce stormwater run-off, slow soil erosion, absorb air pollutants and provide shade. Where street trees currently exist in the station area, they should be maintained and replaced as necessary. In parts of the station area where street trees do not currently exist, they should be planted as part of any new development or redevelopment in accordance with the streetscape cross-sections. 39.Design site plans for new buildings and renovations in the station area to improve water quality for stormwater run-off. Over the last decade, innovative design solutions have been developed to address the water quality of stormwater runoff. These best practices in on-site stormwater management include the use of bioswales or rain gardens, rooftop rain capture, and pervious parking areas. Because of the large amount of impervious surface area and the proximity of nearby creeks, new developments and redevelopments in the station area are encouraged to incorporate design features that improve the quality of stormwater leaving their site, consistent with The tree canopy in existing neighborhoods of the plan area the Council-adopted Post Construction Controls is an amenity to be preserved and emulated in new developOrdinance. ment. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan ENVIRONMENT 27 Uptown South End New Bern Scaleybark Volume 2: Implementation Plan Woodlawn Tyvola Archdale Arrowood Sharon Road West I-485/South Boulevard Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan 29 30 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan Map 6: Corrective Rezonings CR ROSE LYNDALE PL DELCHESTER DR AR EST CH DA LE DR CALUMET PL DR PARK SOUTH STATION BLVD VE SIL E AV EL IC EF IF CK E RO E AV N IC IF IO N L PL WIS TE RIA DR RSD ALE ED DR HIG HW OO D PL R EN C WYCLIFF PL GE WA TE TR G MONTPELIER RD CANDLEWOOD DR E RD CA C PA A O L YA RO E AV C PA U RG WHITFORD LN LN R LE LN L INEVIL OLD P L DR N HIL GREE LN CEDAR ROSE CT FO NT HIL L T SOUTH BLVD RC D F R EA RL VE SIL BELLE VERNON AVE WILMETTE WOODSTREAM DR ST AR CR ES DR ER AT EW G ED T DR PL KD AL E AV E EN RAV ST DR RE BR OO LN KC O O BR DR CK TO E LD LN DE N R BA NM ST D E T RD DO WN IE OR RD NE GO RE MO AY AW DR HU YN BR K Y T RS S ST AR ITB RD GE ST RID WH WATERCRES ST DO WN DO VE IE CT SL IAL SL CT OO W ST AIN OA K XT ON S UE ER C TO DS BE AIN OR FIE ST AN IMP GL DS EN WIN LN DR K BL CT D IAL FA R MS ST DR ING TO WN E THORNCLIFF RD ER NT ST ON DR IMP HU PL UNT CO VE LN OA K K EE CR STATION WOOD ARRO W O STERNCREST PL STARLI TE PL LIFF E DR BLVD GS STARMO WOODSTREAM DR T DR PIKE O NTRE SOUTH KIN ZE BRON DR DS K BROO STAR RD WRE OD OWO ARR RO CT CKC KIN E AV GS E AL KD RID OO BR GE DR LARKFIELD R GA SU LN SOU RD GE DR MAPLERID MAPLE SUGAR PL OL M CT SH E DE NM A RK RD AR ON HE BR ON RIDGEBROOK THORNCLIFF MAPLE PL ST OC N D L DR EN OO EW BL ED WISTER PL RD TH L LLEY DR BLV D HIL ROCK M RA SW KH E DR LEDG RD STARVA LA RD SU L TESSAVA CT NIN BR ON MIL PE HE DR SHERBOURNE DR LA KE S RD ST Corrective Rezonings Rezone to TOD-M N GIS Charlotte .m ore than ma .. .. .. W ps ... Produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department. E S 0 500 feet 1,000 Date: September 15, 2008 Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 31 Implementation Plan The recommendations of the Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan will be implemented in a number of ways. First and foremost, all of the recommendations in the plan, once adopted, are City policy. As such, the recommendations will guide future decision-making in the study area, such as requests for rezoning. This Implementation Plan outlines the strategies to help implement the land use, community design, transportation, and other development-oriented recommendations contained in the adopted Concept Plan. Implementation strategies are listed on the following pages. The number of each action corresponds to the number for the recommendation in the Concept Plan. The responsible agency and possible time frame also are included. These implementation strategies will not be approved by elected officials as part of the Concept Plan adoption. The strategies that require City Council approval will be brought forward on a case by case basis after the Concept Plan has been adopted and the public has had an opportunity to give input. Because this Implementation Plan is not adopted by elected officials, the public sector sponsored items listed on the following pages are ideas for implementation, not a commitment. The projects may be revised over time; as such this Implementation Plan should be updated periodically to reflect changes and progress. Public Sector Responsibilities With input from the community, the public sector will provide the policy framework for land development and will be responsible for making a number of infrastructure improvements. In addition, the CharlotteMecklenburg Planning Department, in consultation with other City and County departments, is responsible for initiating and guiding the corrective rezoning process and monitoring and reviewing rezonings proposed for the plan area to ensure that future development meets the required standards and reflects the intent of the adopted policy. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Private Sector Responsibilities The private sector will be responsible for developing and redeveloping properties within the plan area consistent with the vision, policies, and recommendations included in the Concept Plan. Ensuring that the infrastructure required in conjunction with development is provided will be part of these development responsibilities. Corrective Rezonings The Planning Department will initiate corrective rezonings to implement the land use vision and recommendations adopted as part of the Concept Plan. The proposed rezonings are shown on Map 6. The rezoning process will occur after the adoption of the Concept Plan. The proposed rezonings to TOD-M may be initiated in one or more groups, or may be proposed on a caseby-case basis in order to insure that new streets and other recommendations of this plan are provided by new development. While some of the commercially and industrially zoned property along South Boulevard and Sweden Road is currently vacant, a number of properties are occupied by ongoing businesses. This includes the Charlotte Department of Transportation’s Street Maintenance facility on Sweden Road. These properties should retain their commercial or industrial zoning to allow them to continue as-of-right operations until such time as they are proposed for redevelopment. 32 Implementation Strategies The number of each action corresponds to the number for the recommendation in the Concept Plan. Action Item Type Lead Agency Priority Land Use and Community Design 1a Rezone area recommended for transit oriented development to TOD-M per Map 6. Zoning Planning Short (0-5 yr) 1b Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 2 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 3 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 4 Create urban plazas or park on both sides of South Blvd. at the entrance to the Arrowood Transit Station. Park Park & Rec Medium (0-5 yr) 5 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 6 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 7 Update Centers, Corridors & Wedges Boundaries. Planning Planning Short (0-5 yr) 8 New street connections - Provide new street connections needed to create typical block lengths of 400 feet desired, or 600 feet maximum, as shown on Map 4. Specifically, extend streets as noted in the plan. Transp. CDOT as devel occurs 9 Consider new pedestrian bridge over the rail corridor at the Arrowood Station. Transp. CDOT / CATS as devel occurs 10 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 11 Not Applicable NA NA NA 12 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 13 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 33 Action Item Type Lead Agency Priority 14 Recognize the long term plan by County Park & Rec to establish the Kings Branch Greenway as park and open space. Park Park & Rec / Planning as devel occurs 15 Maintain and enhance the existing street network for the Corridor area. Transp. CDOT as devel occurs 16 Maintain the single family portion of the Starmount and Starmount Forest neighborhoods. Planning Planning as devel occurs 17 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 18 Use land use recommendations to guide and evaluate development proposals. Zoning Planning as devel occurs 19 Not Applicable NA NA NA 20 Not Applicable NA NA NA 21 Maintain the existing street network for the Wedge Neighborhood area. Transp. CDOT as devel occurs Transportation / Street Design 22 see # 8 Zoning Planning as devel occurs 23 see # 15 Zoning Planning as devel occurs 24 Improve access to South Blvd. from the Starmount Forest neighborhood by extending existing stubs of Starvalley Drive, Woodstock Drive, and Mapleridge Drive. Transp. CDOT Long (>10 yrs) 25 Eliminate gaps in the sidewalk system within the Transit Station Area. Transp. CDOT as devel occurs 26 Widen sidewalks along South Boulevard. Transp. CDOT Medium (5-10 yr) 27 Improve the sidewalk network in the Transit Station Area. Transp. CDOT Medium (5-10 yr) 28 Enhance pedestrian and bicycle crossings on major thoroughfares. Transp. CDOT Medium (5-10 yr) 29 Extend designated bicycle lanes on Arrowood Road, England Street, Sweden Road, and Sharon Lakes Road. Transp. CDOT Medium (5-10 yr) 30 Site new developments to allow future addition of bicycle lanes on South Blvd. Transp. CDOT Medium (5-10 yr) Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 34 Action Item Type Lead Agency Priority 31 Consider a bicycle-pedestrian bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad and South Blvd. Transp. Planning CDOT / CATS as devel occurs 32 Create more bicycle-pedestrian connections to and across the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Transp. CDOT / Park & Rec Medium (5-10 yr) 33 Install pedestrian scale lighting. Transp. CDOT Medium (5-10 yr) Infrastructure and Public Facilities 34 Conduct an infrastructure study to evaluate the adequacy of infrastructure. Utilities E&PM / CMU Medium (5-10 yr) 35 Encourage the burying of utilities. Utilities Planning as devel occurs 36 Provide opportunities for expansion and improved access for the Little Sugar Creek and Kings Branch Greenways. Park Park & Rec / CDOT as devel occurs 37 Encourage urban open spaces in the Transit Station Area. Park Planning / Park & Rec Medium (5-10 yr) Environment 38 Make trees a key feature of the entire plan area. Zoning/ Tree Ord. Planning / Park & Rec Medium (5-10 yr) 39 Design site plans for new buildings and renovations in the station area to improve water quality for stormwater run-off. Stormwater E&PM as devel occurs 40 Protect or enhance the watersheds when possible. Stormwater E&PM as devel occurs 41 Assist property owners with remediation of sites known or perceived to have contaminated soil. Brownfield Econ. Dev. as devel occurs Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Uptown South End New Bern Scaleybark Appendix: Woodlawn Tyvola Archdale Arrowood Sharon Road West I-485/South Boulevard Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan 35 37 Existing Conditions This chapter examines existing demographic, environmental, land use, design, transportation, and infrastructure conditions in the Arrowood plan area. It provides a framework for understanding the opportunities and constraints identified in the Concept Plan. 54% 58% 33% 25% 24% 16% Demographics According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the Arrowood study area is home to approximately 5,383 residents. The majority of these residents are white (54%) and about 25% are black. Hispanic residents comprise 24% of the area’s population, significantly greater than the 7% for the city as a whole. A majority of residents in the plan area (73%) are working age adults, between ages 18 and 64 years. Twenty-two percent are below the age of 18, while only five percent (5%) are over the age of 65. Approximately 40% of residents in the plan area have a household income of less than $35,000, compared to 36% for households in Charlotte overall. The highest level of educational attainment for most residents in the plan area varies, as seen on the accompanying diagram. The differences in educational levels may contribute to the range of occupations for residents in the plan area, as noted in the accompanying diagram. Although the occupations are diverse within the area, the mode of transportation to work among residents is very similar. Of the working population, 95% travel to work by car, truck or van; 1% use public transportation, and the remaining 4% are split between individuals who walk to work and work at home. The average travel time to work is approximately 22 minutes. Issues/Opportunities As the area continues to grow, the diverse population provides an opportunity for this area to become a unique place for people to live and work. In addition, the LYNX Blue Line can provide an alternative mode of transportation for some residents within the area. 1% 0% 7% 5% 4% 4% White Black American Asian Indian /Pacific Islander Arrowood Transit Station Area Other Hispanic City of Charlotte Note: People of Hispanic origin are also included in the racial breakdown. Source: 2000 U.S. Census Block Data Population Characteristics for Arrowood and Charlotte Professional 1% Grade 9-12 7% Master 4% Less than 9th grade 11% Bachelor 23% HS Graduate 22% Associate 10% Some College 25% Source: 2000 U.S. Census Block Group Data Educational Level for Arrowood Station Area Plan Production/ Transportation/ Material Moving 15% Management/ Professional 28% Construction/ Maintenance 12% Service 14% Sales/Office 31% Source: 2000 U.S. Census Block Group Data Employment Industry for Arrowood Station Area Plan Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS T d Blv uth So E W T d E S S 500 Sta rbro ok D r nR N Creek N Sw ede Sugar d le L i tt nR 0 South Blvd d ood R Arrow So u th Blv d n ch Bra Eng land St gs Kin Sw ede rook Dr Eng land St Starb d ood R Arrow W n Old Pi eville South Blvd d eville R Old Pin 38 0 1,000 1,000 feet feet SWIM Buffers FEMA 100 Year Floodplain Community Floodplain Existing Ponds 500 T 15 - 25% Slope Greater Than 25% Slope Existing Streams Arrowood Transit Station and Line Tree Canopy (2002 Data) T Arrowood Transit Station and Line Environment Natural Features The Arrowood Transit Station Area, like most stations along the South Corridor, does not have many sensitive natural features. However, Kings Branch Creek borders the west side of the study area boundary and Little Sugar Creek borders the east side of the study area. There are SWIM Buffers and floodplain areas that must be considered and protected when developing. Topography is relatively gentle with a few mild slopes throughout the area. Tree Cover The South Boulevard corridor and the industrial areas to the west of the rail line have few trees, minimal landscaping, and vast parking areas which results in higher amounts of stormwater run-off. However, established residential neighborhoods in this area have a mature tree canopy. Issues/Opportunities Currently, the South Boulevard corridor and the industrial area to the west have few trees and minimal landscaping. As the plan area redevelops, there will be a significant opportunity to improve the quality of the environment by planting additional trees and landscaping. Little Sugar Creek borders the plan area. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 39 Land Use and Design Industrial Most industrial uses in the station area are on Sweden Road and England Street. Only the properties on the north side of Sweden Road are within the plan area boundary. Of these, the largest is a vehicle maintenance facility operated by the City of Charlotte. Most of Sweden Road’s industrial buildings date to the 1960’s and 1970’s. Several one-story buildings dating to the 1990’s, located on England Street and three cul-de-sacs on its western side, house light industrial, warehousing, and office uses. There is also a walk-in medical center on England Street opposite the driveway to the transit station. The architecture of the newer industrial buildings is of good design and primarily of masonry construction. Some of the older industrial buildings on Sweden Road are constructed of metal siding, and the architectural style is typical of the era in which they were built. All industrial properties in the station area appear to be well-maintained, and most are adequately landscaped. Industrial uses extend into some areas where transit oriented development is desired. Commercial Commercial land use on South Boulevard includes new and used car dealers, fast food restaurants, and autooriented retail establishments. The Norfolk Southern railroad tracks and Lynx light rail lines occupy the west side of South Boulevard below Arrowood Road, limiting land use in this area to the east side of the street. Commercial properties on South Boulevard are utilitarian in design. Signage is designed and sized for maximum visibility by car, site landscaping is modest, and there is no appreciable tree canopy. Light industrial and office uses are typical of England Street. This retail center off East Arrowood Road serves the station area’s diverse population. Near the intersection of England Street and Arrowood Road are two medium-sized retail shopping centers, forming a second commercial node in the plan area. Each is within a short distance of the transit station and nearby multi-family residential areas. Compare Foods is the largest single commercial use in these centers, which also feature outparcels with restaurants and smaller retail uses. The commercial center to the north of Arrowood Road presently is being renovated. Surface parking at these centers is ample. Commercial and retail building design varies, with newer or more recently renovated buildings generally of a higher architectural standard. The retail and commercial uses in proximity to the station are not consistent with higher density mixed uses generally desired around a transit station. Oak Crossing multi-family residential development is opposite the victory Christian Center on Old Pineville Road. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 40 fire stations, or police substations within the plan area boundary. Little Sugar Creek forms the eastern border of the plan area. A small parking lot accessed from Rockledge Drive serves the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and provides a pedestrian connection via a footbridge to Huntingtowne Farms Park on the east bank of Little Sugar Creek. Pedestrian access from the transit station to the greenway is impractical given the walking distance and lack of a direct and identifiable pathway. This driveway and parking area provides access from the station area to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and Huntingtowne Farms Park. Residential East of South Boulevard, Starmount and Starmount Forest are well-established single-family neighborhoods that comprise one-story or split-level homes on pleasant winding streets and cul-de-sacs with mature trees and landscaping. Most of these homes were built in the 1960’s, although a few additional homes were constructed in the late 1990’s. A multi-family development of twelve two-story wood frame buildings lies between the commercial uses on South Boulevard and the Starmount Forest neighborhood, and dates from the 1970’s. It appears well-maintained but minimally landscaped. Virtually all residential use in the plan area west of South Boulevard is multi-family, located in five developments off of Arrowood Road. All have been built since 1980, with the newest, South Oak Crossing, dating to 2006. Mostly comprising two, three, and four story wood frame buildings with surface parking, the area’s multi-family developments appear to be well-maintained and landscaped. There are no active public recreation uses in the station area, but the Starclaire Park Club, a private club situated on Little Sugar Creek at the end of Woodstream Drive, has facilities for swimming, tennis, and other recreational activities. Issues /Opportunities Pedestrian access between the transit station and the commercial and retail nodes in the plan area is poor. The retaining wall adjacent to the station, combined with the Norfolk Southern tracks, absence of sidewalks, and high-speed traffic impose both a physical and visual barrier that separates it from the commercial and retail uses on South Boulevard. An overhead crossing similar to the bridge at the Sharon Road West station would help provide greater connectivity for pedestrians. There are few residential or employment opportunities within an easy walk of the transit station. Even those that are within a short straight-line distance are difficult to walk to because of poor pedestrian connections. All future development within one-half mile of the transit station should be encouraged to enhance pedestrian access to the station. In 2008 work began to redevelop a 24.6 acre site adjacent to the Arrowood transit station. Known as Hadley, the initial phase comprises 307 new residential units in 50 townhome buildings, with a network of new public and private streets. This site is zoned TOD-M. Future development on this site may include mixed-use. Civic There are two churches in the plan area, one of which, Victory Christian Center, is the area’s largest single property owner. The former Starmount Elementary School on Brookdale Avenue is presently used as a pre-kindergarten center by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. There are no post offices, public libraries, There are many physical and psychological obstacles to walking from the transit station to South Boulevard and adjacent residential neighborhoods. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 41 South Blvd inevil Old P le Rd Arrowood Existing Land Use rook Starb nd S t Rd Engla ood Arrow Dr d th nR Sou Sw ede Blv d T N W GIS Charlotte .m ore than ma E S .. .. .. p .. s. 0 Date: September 10, 2008 500 feet 1,000 Existing Land Use Acreage Single Family - Detached Single Family - Attached Multi-Family Retail Office Warehouse/Distribution Industrial Institutional Transportation Open Space Vacant 272.8 6.0 110.4 99.2 21.7 5.6 19.6 78.5 15.5 22.5 63.1 Total 714.9 100.0 T Victory Christian Center is a major presence in the plan area. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS Percent of Total Arrowood Transit Station 38.2 0.8 15.4 13.9 3.0 0.8 2.7 11.0 2.2 3.2 8.8 42 Arrowood Adopted Land Use South District Plan (1993) & Southwest District Plan (1991) Adopted Land Use Single Family <= 8 DUA Multi-Family Multi-Family <= 17 DUA South Blvd Single Family <= 5 DUA South District Plan (1993) le Rd Single Family <= 4 DUA Southwest District Plan (1991) inevil Old P Single Family <= 3 DUA Multi-Family > 25 DUA Institutional Office rook Retail Starb Industrial ood Arrow Dr Rd dS t Greenway Eng d Sw ede nR Sou d Blv Arrowood Transit Station And Line th T T lan Transit Oriented - Mixed N W GIS Charlotte .m ore than ma . ps .. Date: August 26, 2008 E S .. .. .. 0 500 1,000 feet Adopted Future Land Use Prior to the adoption of this plan, the Charlotte City Council adopted the Southwest District Plan (1991) and the South District Plan (1993) that served as the governing land use policies for the plan area. Upon adoption, the Arrowood Station Area Plan becomes the governing land use policy document for properties within the plan boundaries. This plan reinforces some of the recommendations in previous planning efforts, but also encourages a balanced mixture of pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented develFor the Arrowood station area, both district plans opments. These changes are discussed in the Land Use recommend protecting existing neighborhoods. The Recommendation section of this document. South District Plan recommends the area east of South Boulevard for retail and business uses, while the west Issues/Opportunities side of South Boulevard should be business, office An update to the currently adopted land use plans proand some industrial uses. The area west of South vides an opportunity to promote a higher intensity and Boulevard around Arrowood Road and Old Pineville pedestrian oriented development that is critical in transit Road is recommended for Multi-Family uses. The stations areas. Southwest District Plan covers an area north of Kings Ridge Drive (formerly a segment of Old Pineville Road.) It recommends multifamily and institutional uses in that area. Neither plan anticipated a light rail transit line, nor the higher density uses supportive of the line. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 43 B-2 South Blvd INST R-4 R-4 R-4 B-2 R-4 R-4 B-1 SCD R-4 R-4 Starb rook Dr R-4 R-4 B-2 d B-2 R-4 R-17 MF R-5 R-4 B-2 R-4 R-4 B-2 R-4 4 R- R-4 B-2(CD) R-4 Blv th Sou Sw I-2 ede nR d R-4 R-22 MF R-4 R-4 B-2 TO D I-1 TOD-M -M B-D R-4 TOD-M TOD-M R-8 (CD) R-17MF t Eng BP B-D R-22 (CD)MF T lan dS B-1SCD B-2 R (CD-15MF ) Rd B-1SCD R-8 O-15 (CD) R-15MF (CD) B-D R-4 UR-2(CD) R-12MF ood Arrow 4 R-4 R-4 R- B-2 R-9MF(CD) R-8 R-4 B-2 R-4 Rd ineville Old P Arrowood Existing Zoning R-5 R-4 R-4 N R-4 .. Charlotte .m ore than ma .. GIS .. . ps .. B-1 (CD) W O-1 0 500 Date: September 10, 2008 Existing Zoning In general, the zoning for the Arrowood transit station area reflects the existing development pattern. Along South Boulevard, there is mainly retail zoning. There is also more retail property along Arrowood Road and England Street, with multi-family zoning further west on Arrowood Road. Properties along England Street, south of Arrowood Road are zoned for office park and industrial uses. Existing neighborhoods east of South Boulevard are zoned for single family residential development, with some smaller multifamily property at its edge. The parcels just west of the Arrowood transit station park and ride lot are zoned for transit oriented development, along with office park and industrial uses. There is also a large institutional property, the Victory Christian Center. Issues/Opportunities The development built under the existing industrial and business zoning typically will not meet the intensity, use and community design guidelines for transit oriented development. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS E S 1,000 feet Zoning Category Percent Acreage of Total Single Family Multi-Family Urban Residential Office Business Park Business Commercial Center BusinessDistribution Industrial Light Industrial Heavy TransitOriented Institutional 341.7 90.9 9.8 47.7 12.7 1.4 6.2 36.1 65.7 47.8 0.9 5.0 9.2 6.7 6.5 0.9 4.2 0.6 15.4 2.2 54.7 7.6 37.5 5.2 Total 716.6 100.0 T Arrowood Transit Station and Line Starmount Neighborhood Starb d Eng land St ood R Arrow Established Neighborhoods The Arrowood Station area includes significant portions of two established neighborhoods: Starmount and Starmount Forest. These neighborhoods are categorized as “stable” and “transitioning” respectively by the Charlotte Neighborhood Quality of Life Study (2008). The study considers variables such as social well being, physical characteristics, crime, and economic vitality. South Blvd d eville R Old Pin 44 rook Dr Issues and Opportunities T Sou th Sw ede Blvd Starmount Forest Neighborhood nR d N W Land Use Accessibility Index Land use accessibility is often described as convenience or ease to reach activities and destinations, particularly shopping, schools, parks and local transit routes. As seen from the data below, the residents in the plan area have better access to shopping and transit than do residents of the City of Charlotte overall. They are slightly more likely to be near a school, but less likely to be near a park or greenway than residents of the City overall. For example, 69% of plan area residents are within 1/4 mile of a bus route or rapid transit station, whereas only 57% of City residents overall are so close. E S 0 500 Single family neighborhoods border the eastern edge of the station area and will complement the more intense transit oriented development planned along the rail corridor. 1,000 feet Median Household Income $53,143 $41,366 Issues/Opportunities Potential development around the station area provides an opportunity to improve the mixture of land uses that are accessible to Arrowood residents. $47,670 Average House Value $147,856 $84,888 $207,627 76% 69% 57% 53% Percent Homeowners 18% 56% 23% Within 1/4 mile of Shopping 55% Starmount Starmount Forest 12% Within 1/4 mile of Schools Arrowood Population 8% 16% Within 1/4 mile of Parks Within 1/4 mile of a local bus Transit Route Charlotte Population Charlotte Source: 2008 Charlotte Neighborhood Quality of Life Study Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS South Blvd d eville R Old Pin UR-2(CD) #04-092 ook Dr Starb d ood R Arrow rook Dr T South Blvd T Eng land St br Star Eng land St d ood R Arrow South Blvd d eville R Old Pin 45 Sw ede Sw ede nR d W E 500 d E S S 0 nR N N W TOD-M #04-102 0 1,000 1/4 Mile Walk Distance 500 TOD-M #07-056 1,000 feet feet 1/2 Mile Walk Distance T Arrowood Transit Station and Line ¼ and ½ Mile Walk Distance The Arrowood Station Area has an extensive amount of land within a ½ mile walk (typically 10 minutes) on the west side of the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks. The grade separated rail line creates a barrier to pedestrian movement eastward from the station, where movement across South Boulevard is only possible at Arrowood and Sweden Roads. Vacant or Underdeveloped Recent Rezonings (Since 2004) T Arrowood Transit Station and Line Building Permits, 2004-08 Development Activity / Potential Opportunities Rezonings: Since 2004, there have been 3 rezoning petitions filed in the plan area. One TOD-M rezoning was filed by CATS for the station park and ride lots. A second TOD-M rezoning was filed by Harris Development Company for a townhouse development adjacent to the park and ride lot. The third rezoning, about 1/2 mile north of the station, was for UR-2 (CD) Urban Residential Conditional, designed in accordance with Transit Station Area Principles. Issues/Opportunities Although there is an extensive area within ½ mile walk of the transit station, there is an opportunity to expand Building Permits: There have been eight building the area within the ¼ mile and ½ mile walk distance by permits issued in the plan area since 2004, both resiadding additional street networks and pedestrian con- dential and non-residential. nections. Vacant and Underutilized Land: Although the plan The biggest obstacle to extending the street network and area is largely developed, there are 127.9 acres of land pedestrian connections is the existing freight railroad that is either vacant or underdeveloped. These are track, which runs parallel to the light rail track block- highlighted in the above map. Some of these parcels ing access to South Boulevard from the Arrowood Transit are developed with older retail and/or industrial buildStation. ings, and the opportunity exists for redevelopment at a higher density. The ¼ mile and ½ mile walk distance also extends into multi-family developments on the west side, but reaches Issues/Opportunities little of the single family neighborhoods on the east side of Vacant and underdeveloped land around the station the transit station. provides an opportunity to improve the mixture of land uses in the plan area. However, the Norfolk Southern Railroad line hampers the Transit Oriented Development potential east of the rail line. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 46 Arrowood Large Parcel Ownership Arrowood Transit Station and Line inevil Old P T le Rd Non-Profit Public Private South Blvd Large Parcel Ownership rook Rd nd S t ood Arrow Starb Dr d th nR Sou Sw ede Blv d Engla T N W GIS Charlotte .m ore than ma E S .. .. .. . ps .. Date: August 4, 2008 0 500 feet 1,000 Large Parcel Ownership The above map shows large property holdings of public, private and non-profit owners. These include both single large parcels and holdings of adjoining smaller properties over 4 acres, as shown on tax records. Public holdings include Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the County’s Park and Recreation Department. The Victory Christian Center is a large non-profit owner in the area, with a number of large tracts of land in the northwest area of the plan area. However, as indicated on the map, the majority of the property along the corridor is privately owned. Issues/Opportunities The large parcels within the study area have the potential of accommodating higher density transit oriented development uses with less assemblage than would be necessary with smaller holdings. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS Market Research: In early 2003, Robert Charles Lessor & Company completed a market study of the future South Corridor light rail station areas entitled Station Area Allocations for New Office Retail and Multi-family Development along the South LRT Line 2000-2025.” The study found that “…like other southern stations along the South LRT line, Arrowood likely represents a longerterm development opportunity with some infill residential possible in the near term.” The study noted the following factors impacting transit-supportive development in the Arrowood Station area: 1. Infill residential in the long term holds potential while office development would most likely be limited to smaller scale, local-serving users in multi-use developments. 2. Additional retail could be supported in the station are if it were integrated into a mixture of uses. 3. Redevelopment efforts should be focused on the west side of the LRT line where underutilized and vacant parcels exist. However, the report does suggest that the changing topography in the western portion of the station area could hinder future development. Retail has struggled at this station because of limited east-west connectivity, a nearby residential core with a lack of significant spending power, and in some cases visibility of retail facilities from major thoroughfares. Like other stations, the Arrowood station is in need of the creation of a sense of place, and of east-west connections. Issues/Opportunities The Arrowood station area represents the first station area on the South LRT line where significant Greenfield sites currently exist. There is little development pressure currently in the area, aside from the townhome community being developed across from the Arrowood Station. Development intensity in the station area is very modest today, with retail and church uses having very large parking lots and large setbacks. In spite of its connection to I-77, Arrowood Road in the vicinity of the station area is not a high traffic, high visibility location. I-77 is located well to the west with residential areas lying between the station area and the interstate. The existing retail on Arrowood Road appears to be struggling, with an empty Wal-Mart store having been bought by a neighboring church and being converted into a community center. Further, terrain to the west of the LRT is relatively challenging, limiting development between the station area and the interstate. Industrial development, largely comprised of service and distribution space, is located to the south of the station area, with several large tracts of property being undeveloped between the station site and the industrial development. Development Projections: Robert Charles Lessor & Company produced the following projections for new office and residential development in the Arrowood plan area by 2025. These projections assumed a proactive role by local government in promoting station area development and continuation of current economic trends. The projections were made in January 2003, prior to the economic downturn of 2008 and the increases in energy costs: • 46,852 square feet of new office space • 1,589 new multifamily residential units • 150,000 square feet of retail Existing uses along South Boulevard include Car Dealers. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 47 2,600 1,600 d od R o Arrow rook Starb Dr T Blvd 32,000 Sw ede nR N W d Sou th Route choices are measured by the number of lanemiles of streets, number of intersections (nodes), number of blocks (links), and the connectivity index. A lane-mile is one mile of a single roadway lane. The more lane-miles of streets there are, the greater the overall traffic carrying capacity. The connectivity index quantifies how well a roadway network connects destinations and is calculated by dividing the number of roadway links by the number of roadway nodes. A connectivity index of 1.45 or more is desirable for transit station areas. d eville R Old Pin The Existing Street Network The number of route choices available to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists describes the adequacy of an area’s street network. A dense, well-connected network offers greater choices of routes and more direct routes to destinations than does a less connected network, and therefore provides greater overall system capacity. South Blvd Transportation Eng land St 48 E S 0 500 1,000 feet Traffic Counts: Average Daily Volume Arrowood Station Area Area size (square miles) 1.26 Miles of streets: 15.6 Lane-mile of streets: 36.4 Connectivity Index: 1.18 Work is nearing completion on a new segment of roadway extending from the former sharp bend of Old Pineville Road, through the existing shopping center property, extending to Arrowood Road, and aligning with England Street. This new road segment is likely to be called Old Pineville Road. The old loop formerly called Old Pineville Road extending west from the sharp bend to Arrowood Road has been renamed Kings Ridge Drive. This new street pattern will provide a continuous north-south route through the plan area. Year of Count 2002 2004 Speed Limits 25 30 35 40 45 T Arrowood Transit Station and Line Issues/Opportunities: There is a noticeable lack of street connectivity from the neighborhoods to South Boulevard, especially south of Starbrook Drive. As commercial properties redevelop along the east side of this thoroughfare, there will be opportunities to provide a more robust street network that better links people and places. The freight railroad presents a major barrier to station access from the east. A pedestrian bridge over the freight railroad, and possibly across South Boulevard, appears highly desirable in conjunction with redevelopment and improved connectivity along South Boulevard. There is also a noticeable lack of street connectivity across England Street, stretching from Arrowood Road to Sweden Road. As these properties redevelop, a new grid should emerge, enhancing connectivity to the somewhat hidden station, as well as facilitating greater route choices as alternatives to the few thoroughfares and collector streets serving the area. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS South Blvd d eville R Old Pin Local Streets: The remaining roadways are local streets that carry low traffic volumes, have slow operating speeds, and provide access to individual properties. Starb d rook Dr T Sw ede nR d Sou th Blvd Eng land St ood R Arrow Interstate Highway Interstate 77 runs north-south, as a cross-country, interstate highway between Columbia, South Carolina, and Cleveland, Ohio. Within Charlotte, I-77 travels between the North Carolina state line with South Carolina and the Lake Norman area. Although it runs along the western edge of other South Corridor Station Areas, I-77 is outside the boundary of the Arrowood plan area. Arrowood Road connects to I-77 about 1 1/4 miles west of the plan area. Sh a N ron W E S s ke La 0 Major Collector 1,000 feet Rd Local Street 500 T Arrowood Transit Station and Line Issues/Opportunities: Old Pineville Road is classified as a major collector. However, the road functions more like a thoroughfare, especially with its realignment with England Street. There appears to be an opportunity to reclassify Old Pineville Road on its new alignment and England Street as minor thoroughfares to more closely match their actual function. Minor Thoroughfare Major Thoroughfare The Thoroughfare Plan The Mecklenburg-Union Thoroughfare Plan is the adopted major roadway plan for Mecklenburg and Union counties and is used to assure that the most appropriate street system is developed to meet existing and future travel needs. Streets are classified and designed according to their intended functions so that land use and traffic conflicts are minimized. The street classifications applicable to the Arrowood station area are as follows: Thoroughfares: South Boulevard is a major thoroughfare, and Arrowood Road is a minor thoroughfare. As thoroughfares, these streets are designed to accommodate large volumes of traffic at moderate speeds and provide access to major commercial, residential and residential land uses. Collectors: Old Pineville Road, England Street, Sweden Road, and Sharon Lakes Road are major collectors. Starbrook Drive, Woodstream Drive, Brookdale Avenue, and Edgewater Drive are minor collectors. Collector streets carry traffic between the thoroughfares and local streets at moderate volumes and speeds, as well as providing access to adjacent land uses. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS England Street is a Major Collector Street in the plan area. 49 50 Street Classifications Streetscape and Typical Sections South Boulevard looking north towards Arrowood Road Arrowood Road looking east towards England Street England Street looking south near LYNX station entrance South Boulevard is generally four travel lanes wide with turn lanes added at its signalized intersections. Sidewalks are generally located only along the east side of the street, sometimes separated from travel lanes by planting strips, but more often, placed directly behind the curb and gutter. Street lighting is provided on utility poles. Arrowood Road is two travel lanes wide, with bike lanes and pedestrian-scaled lighting between Old Pineville Road and South Boulevard. Elsewhere, there are wide mixed travel lanes with street lighting on utility poles. Sidewalks are generally located on both sides of the street, often separated from travel lanes by planting strips, albeit fairly narrow planting strips in places. England Street is two travel lanes wide, though there are dedicated left-turn lanes, or even a center two-way left-turn lane in places. Sidewalks are located on one or both sides of the street, often separated from travel lanes by planting strips, albeit fairly narrow planting strips in places. Street lighting is provided on utility poles. Sharon Lake Road looking southeast towards El Vernao Circle Starbrook Drive looking west towards Woodstream Drive Starcrest Drive looking north towards Larkfield Lane Sharon Lakes Road is two travel lanes wide, with dedicated left-turn lanes in places. Sidewalks are generally located on both sides of the street, often separated from travel lanes by planting strips, albeit fairly narrow planting strips in places. Street lighting is provided on utility poles. Starbrook Drive is a local residential street with speed humps. Sidewalks are generally located on one side of the street, separated from travel lanes by a narrow planting strip. Street lighting is provided on utility poles. Most of the local residential streets are fairly narrow (approximately 24 feet wide) with sidewalks on one side of the street or no sidewalk at all. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS South Blvd d eville R Old Pin Locals: The majority of roadways are local residential and local commercial streets that provide direct access to residential and commercial properties. These streets are intended to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists safely by providing sidewalks, planting strips with trees, and low speed limits. Starb rook Dr T Regardless of their classification, a number of streets in the study area fail to consistently provide the street elements or element dimensions desired in an urban environment. While new streets will be built to provide the desired features, deficiencies on existing streets can be addressed when adjacent properties redevelop. nR So d uth Sw ede Blv d Eng land St d ood R Arrow Issues/Opportunities: Realistically, South Boulevard today functions more like a Boulevard than an Avenue. However, with added street connections and more urban land uses, South Boulevard can transition into a more pedestrian-friendly Avenue. N W E S 0 500 1,000 feet Avenue T Not Classified Arrowood Transit Station and Line Street Typology The Urban Street Design Guidelines recommend how Charlotte’s streets should be planned and designed to provide viable transportation choices. The guidelines are intended to ensure that the street design process considers the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, as well as the effects on adjacent land uses. Streets are classified according to land use and transportation contexts and should be designed accordingly. Regardless of their classification, a number of streets in the study area fail to consistently provide the street elements or element dimensions desired. Avenues: Within the context of the street design guidelines, South Boulevard, Arrowood Road, Sharon Lakes Road, Sweden Road, England Street, and Old Pineville Road function closest to Avenues. Avenues are intended to serve a diverse set of functions in a wide variety of land uses and should be designed to provide a balance of service for all transportation modes. Avenues provide an important mobility function for motorists, but also are expected to provide a high level of comfort, safety and convenience for pedestrians and bicyclists. Avenues are generally limited to four or fewer travel lanes (except at major intersections) with block lengths up to 600 feet. Common elements should include sidewalks, planting strips or amenity zones with street trees, and bicycle lanes. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS Arrowood Road includes recently constructed amenities including sidewalks, planting strips, and bike lanes. 51 52 Arrowood Pedestrian & Bike Facilities Arch Pedestrian & Bike Facilities dale Park South Station Blvd d f R Partial Sidewalk rlea e Silv n Ke Complete Sidewalk sin ter Dr Edgewa n Arrowood Transit Station and Line io at St T on gt Existing Bikeway Py ge Ave Dr T St Im Ct peria Hil Dr k lR d nR d Sto ckh o than ma ps ... Date: August 25, 2008 Existing Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities Pedestrian System: Of the approximate 16 miles of streets in the Arrowood station area, 14% have sidewalks on both sides of the street, 16% have sidewalk on one side and 47% have no sidewalk. These figures include sidewalks recently built by the South Corridor Infrastructure Program (SCIP) along several key local streets that are along or connect to South Boulevard, Old Pineville Road, Arrowood Road and Starbrook Drive. Additionally through SCIP, the intersections of Arrowood Road with South Boulevard and England Street now have enhanced crosswalks. th B Sou ore .. Charlotte .m n S t N Rd .. .. bro L es ak GIS Sh aro n Ct lvd lm k oc dst oo W Starvalley Oa En gla nd l Sw ede He t rncliff Cr Th o Starmoun Dr Woodstream Dr W Ct indso r E kc r Starbrook Dr ove Ln C y Ct Wa Branch Dr Cr ore am Syc C Kings Broo R id s ng Ki d r r r D d Brook ood R Arrow k re e tD es ale te wa ge D r Ed Larkfield Ln W E S 0 500 1,000 feet Issues/Opportunities: More streets that connect to South Boulevard and England Street are needed to provide better pedestrian and bicycle mobility in the study area. The current large block sizes along these streets discourage these alternative forms of travel, especially pedestrian travel. Better north-south pedestrian and bicycle routes are needed parallel to South Boulevard, Old Pineville Road and England Street. Better east-west routes parallel to Arrowood Road also are needed.The opportunity to build these routes will come as commercial properties redevelop Bicycle System: As part of SCIP, bicycle lanes were along South Boulevard, Old Pineville Road, England added to Old Pineville Road and its new connection Street and Arrowood Road. to England Street, as well as Arrowood Road and Starbrook Drive between Old Pineville Road and Woodstream Drive. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 53 nR LOS Rating Scale N W Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Failure 500 2 Sh a E S 0 T ron 1,000 feet Rd A B C D E F d rook Dr Blvd Sw ede Starb Sou th 3 Eng land St 1 d ood R Arrow s ke La Pedestrian and bicycle level of service is rated according to the level of comfort and safety offered by the design features at signalized intersections, while motor vehicle level of service is based on d eville R Old Pin Level of Service (LOS) measures the quality of service provided by a transportation facility to its users. The City of Charlotte evaluates level of service for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists and uses the results to help balance their competing needs when planning and designing streets. Levels of service range from A through F, with desirable levels of service based on the street typologies of the Urban Street Design Guidelines. Transit station areas are intended to be highly accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists, and therefore should have good pedestrian and bicycle level of service (A to B). Lower levels of service for motorists are acceptable if necessary to achieve the desired pedestrian and bicycle levels of service. South Blvd Level of Service T Existing signalized intersection Arrowood Transit Station and Line Level of Service (LOS) for Year 2007 Signalized Intersection Pedestrian Bike Vehicular 1 2 3 Volume to Capacity Ratio AM Peak Volume to Capacity Ration PM Peak Arrowood Rd & South Bv C+ D .62 D .67 D Sharon Lakes Rd & South Bv C E .64 D .81 D Arrowood Rd & England St B C+ .41 D .69 C motorist delays. Motor vehicle quality of service is also measured by the volume to capacity ratio (v/c), which describes an intersection’s ability to process traffic within peak time periods. Values greater than .95 suggest an intersection is near its capacity during this time period and that motorists may experience substantial congestion. Issues/Opportunities: While vehicle level of service and travel times are generally good in the Arrowood area, expected growth and intensified development in the future will likely result in increased congestion on existing streets. Without a more extensive street network, motorists will experience longer delays and travel times as more people are forced to travel on the few through-streets that serve the area, such as Existing traffic conditions in the Arrowood station area South Boulevard, Arrowood Road, Sharon Lakes Road, are reasonably good. South Boulevard and Arrowood Old Pineville Road, and England Street. An improved Road have adequate capacity and motorists do not street grid will aid motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists by typically experience excessive delays or stops at major providing more routes to travel destinations. intersections. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS Public Transportation Charlotte Area Transit (CATS) offers public transportation service in and through the Arrowood area with a combination of light rail vehicles and buses. South Blvd d eville R Old Pin 24 T lvd South B 56 Dr 12 44 Sw ede nR d Sh a E He bro n S t N ron Route 12 Route 56 Route 24 Route 57 Route 44 W E S 0 500 1,000 feet Rd •Route 12 along South Boulevard from Carolina Pavilion to Woodlawn Road; •Route 24 along Nations Ford Road between Woodlawn Road and Arrowood Stations; •Route 44 along Nations Ford Road from Fort Mill to Arrowood Station; and •Route 56 along Arrowood Road and South Tryon Street from Rivergate Shopping Center to Arrowood Station. Annual ridership numbers in Fiscal Year 2007 were 795,595 for Route 12 and 712,853 for Route 24, though such figures are prior to major bus re-routings implemented with the start of light-rail service. Routes 44 and 56 are completely new routes. rook Starb d ood R Arrow s ke La Bus Service: In coordination with the late 2007 opening of light-rail service in the South Corridor, CATS restructured area bus service to improve connections with light-rail stations. Currently, CATS provides bus service in the Arrowood area with four local bus routes: 12 St Light Rail Service: The LYNX light rail line is located between Old Pineville Road/England Street and South Boulevard within the Arrowood station area. Light rail patrons are able to access the line by foot from Arrowood Road by walking south along the rail line. By vehicle, access is from England Street. A 289-space park-and-ride facility is sited west of the center-platform station. Light rail service was projected to carry 9,100 trips per day, but thus far has been averaging over 16,900 per day as of July 2008. 57 En gla nd 54 T Arrowood Transit Station and Line Freight Rail Line Norfolk Southern is a major Class I railroad. The Norfolk Southern network extends 20,000 miles over 22 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario. Within the Arrowood plan area, Norfolk Southern owns and operates a mainline freight track at grade along the east side of the LYNX Blue Line the full length of the plan area from north to south. Although the LYNX Blue Line is elevated above Arrowood Road, the freight railroad crosses Arrowood Road atgrade. Both the light rail and freight line cross Sweden Issues/Opportunities: Despite its visibility from South Boulevard, the Arrowood Road at grade. station is not walkable from areas along and east of South Boulevard. Street connections to Arrowood Road, as well Issues/Opportunities: as a pedestrian bridge to South Boulevard could drasti- The location of the freight railroad immediately west of South Boulevard greatly inhibits the creation of cally improve the walk-access. additional street connections westward from South Boulevard, and prevents development on the west side of South Boulevard. Creation of urban forms and connections on the east side of South Boulevard may still create a pedestrian-friendly Avenue. Additionally, a pedestrian bridge at the Arrowood station over the freight railroad, and possibly over South Boulevard, could greatly improve the walk access of a station otherwise separated by this major barrier from neighborhoods and development east of South Boulevard. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS d eville R Old Pin Infrastructure/Public Facilities Education There is one Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools facility in the plan area. The former Starmount Elementary School on Brookhill Avenue is presently used as a prekindergarten center. Starmount Pre-K Issues/Opportunities: With provision of an overhead crossing of the freight rail line to the eastern neighborhoods, Starmount Elementary School would be within a 1/2 mile walk of the LYNX station. Public Libraries of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County currently has no existing or planned facility within the plan area. Police provide service through the Westover and Steele Creek Divisions. A police substation is located off of Arrowood Road and England Street. Police also oversee CATS Transit Police. rook Starb d Dr ood R Arrow nd S t T Huntingtowne Farms Park Eng la Parks, Public Libraries, Police, Fire, and Streets Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation facilities in the plan area include Huntingtowne Farms Park and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, located along the eastern boundary of the plan area. The Greenway Master Plan also includes development of the Kings Branch Greenway along the western boundary of the plan area, although to date no land has been acquired for this purpose. South Blvd 55 Sw ede nR N W d Little Sugar Creek Greenway E S 0 500 1,000 feet Storm Water Improvement Police Station T Arrowood Transit Station and Line Water and Sewer and Storm Water Management Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Department has worked proactively to replace and install upgraded lines under the light rail line in anticipation of density increases. Many of the upgrades have been financed by SCIP (South Corridor Improvement Program). There are no fire stations located in the plan area, but Fire Station 20 is just to the southwest at Hebron Charlotte Storm Water Services currently lists one project within the plan area: Street and Nations Ford Road. The City of Charlotte has a Street Maintenance facility serving a large segment of the City, located on Sweden Street. •Starmount South: Storm Water Services intends to reduce street and house flooding and replace old and failing storm drainage infrastructure. Issues/Opportunities: Service facilities outside the station areas may be adequate to serve the areas. In many cases public services can be provided to densely developed areas with fewer resources. Issues/Opportunities: Increased density will increase demand on CMU services allowing them to serve a larger number of customers per square mile compared to a more suburban setting. Redevelopment should address the quality of storm water runoff. Future development would have to meet more stringent requirements than existing development. Arrowood Transit Station Area Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG PLANNING www.charlotteplanning.org TRANSPORTATION 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202-2853 PH: 704-336-2205 FAX: 704-336-5123