Facilitator Meeting One

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City of Kyle Comprehensive Plan
Facilitator Meeting One October 1, 2009
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FACILITATOR MEETING AGENDA

• Introductions
• Review of Form District Breakout Group Notes
• Role of Facilitators in Comprehensive Planning
  Process

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INTRODUCTIONS
Robin McCaffrey Carissa Cox, MESA Design
Group Lila Knight, Town Center District Jenny
DiLeo, Regional Center District Kyle Toomire,
Creekway West District Joshua Legare, Creekway
East District Kay Rush, Ranch North
District Dennis Rose, Ranch South District Mary
Bollinger, Prairie Highlands District Scott
Brock, Farm District
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FORM ANALYSIS
Form Districts of Kyle
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FORM ANALYSIS
Town Center District (Lila Knight)

• Kyles growth is challenging the future of
  downtown through increased traffic, aging
  infrastructure, zoning changes, parking problems,
  identity changes, and increased focus on I-35.
• Downtown is not the center of movement in Kyle,
  but there is congestion downtown, necessitating
  alternate routes around downtown.
• Streets leading to downtown should have some
  special character that identifies them as
  approachways.
• Cleaning up downtown, adding turn lanes by the
  CVS, enforcing the sign ordinance, and preserving
  existing uses will make downtown better and
  enhance value.
• Improving ordinances/zoning, lighting, sidewalks,
  infrastructure, and police presence will help
  downtown prepare for the future.
• Future development should include public
  facilities, especially building a new library,
  restoring old City Hall and the train depot, and
  creating hike and bike trails.
• Downtown is currently struggling, as a result of
  neglect, poor zoning, and lack of infrastructure.
• Visitors do not know where downtown is located,
  but this could be changed with monuments or other
  treatments at the highway.
• Downtown is currently removed from other active
  commercial areas in Kyle and should be linked to
  them.
• Downtown is still an important destination due to
  history, unique businesses, and government
  activities, although more businesses open on the
  weekends and more activities would increase
  downtowns importance.
• The government presence is very important to the
  future of downtown.
• Traffic concerns include vehicles cutting through
  neighborhoods, congestion on Center Street during
  peak hours, and the need for a traffic light and
  turn lanes at the 4-way stop at Center Street/Old
  Highway 81.
• Downtown is not a suitable location for a
  commuter rail station due to lack of parking and
  distance from neighborhoods of people who
  commute.
• A physical connection between downtown and areas
  east of I-35 is important and will hopefully be
  provided by realignment of FM 150.

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FORM ANALYSIS
Regional Center District (Jenny DiLeo)

• The Regional Center District is a mixture of
  residential, retail, commercial, and educational
  uses, with the railroad, I-35, hospital, HEB,
  Science Hall Elementary, and minor waterways as
  important features.
• The Regional Center and Downtown Kyle are
  distinctive and complementary, both areas are
  good for the City, and there should be good
  connections between the two areas.
• The adjacencies of retail and residential in this
  District result in traffic problems, and a
  long-term plan is needed now to address ramps,
  I-35 frontage, intersections, and provision of
  sidewalks and trails.
• The I-35 corridor divides the City, but
  retail/commercial uses are not dividers.
• It is desirable and enjoyable to see people out
  and about in this District more restaurants and
  recreation opportunities are needed to make this
  happen.
• Missing uses in this District include
  restaurants, a movie theater, bakery,
  park/recreation facilities, multi-family
  residential, and affordable senior housing, all
  of which will make the area better and enhance
  value.
• The biggest concern in this District is traffic,
  including the frontage roads and lights, as well
  as I-35 ramps, intersections, and the provision
  of sidewalks and trails.
• To prepare for the future in this District, the
  following should be done protect outdoor spaces
  (riparian, prairie, creeks) build the recreation
  center recycling and rain water collection
  provide retail repair Dacy Lane and straighten
  Bebee Road provide good access and efficient
  parking if a regional rail station is built and
  promote more development, including retail,
  restaurants, single-level housing (for seniors),
  and attractive/practical affordable housing.
• Future development in the Regional Center
  District should include parks and public
  facilities.
• Land use transitions are currently acceptable in
  this District, but this is something to watch in
  the future, especially if retail is located close
  to schools.

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FORM ANALYSIS
Creekway West District (Kyle Toomire)

• The main features of this District are planned
  development, playgrounds, multi-use development,
  the golf course, trees and vegetation, a body of
  water, FM 150 as a major artery, schools, parks
  and pools, and new community pride.
• The unique characteristics of this District
  (planned development, quaint, picturesque,
  neo-urbanism) should be better connected to other
  areas.
• Physical connections to Plum Creek, such as
  walking trails, might better connect the
  neighborhoods and should receive mid-range
  priority.
• A stronger relationship to the Creek would give a
  great sense of identity to the District.
• Plum Creek should be more strongly connected to
  the larger City fabric.
• Important tree communities within the Plum Creek
  corridor should be preserved in a proactive
  manner, such as development of a City ordinance
  with advice from an arborist.
• Traffic concerns in this District include the
  impact of SH-45 construction, widening roads to
  Kohlers Crossing, and installing stop lights at
  FM 150/Rebel Drive and at Kohlers Crossing/FM
  1626.
• The curvilinear and picturesque qualities of
  neighborhood streets should not be reflected in
  the larger street system.
• The major streets within the District should be
  more pedestrian friendly.
• A trail system and sidewalk improvements should
  be established to allow people to walk between
  the Creekway West District and downtown Kyle.
• It is very important to have buffer zones around
  light industrial uses in this District.
• Future development in this District should
  include parks and public facilities.
• Overall, the people in this District are very
  happy with their communities.

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FORM ANALYSIS
Creekway East District (Joshua Legare)

• The main features of the Creekway East District
  are residential uses, families, ages 25-44, flat
  land, Waterleaf Park, light industry, good
  schools, and potential for commercial along FM
  150 and SH 21.
• The Plum Creek area needs more trees and there
  are drainage problems along Bunton Creek.
• There should be public spaces that make stronger
  connections between neighborhoods and the Creek
  in this District, including cycle-ways.
• A trail system would be suitable within the
  creekway that focuses on walking, biking, and
  nature. No dirt bikes should be allowed.
• The landscape is changing in this District as
  houses are built and farm land is lost.
• Lehman Road, FM 150, Bunton Creek, and Goforth
  Road should all be enhanced for pedestrian use
  and bicycle paths. Roads inside the city limits
  should have sidewalks, gutters, and drainage.
• Children play outside at Waterleaf Park, and,
  weather permitting, residents of this District
  are outside.
• The subdivisions within this District are
  currently divided with little intercommunity
  interaction. Curbs and gutters would make
  interaction easier through access, as would
  including some commercial uses within the
  residential uses, such as corner stores and
  coffee shops.
• To an extent, residential development should make
  use of construction details and materials that
  will endure over time.
• Traffic congestion is not currently a huge issue
  for everyone in this District, but traffic in
  Steeplechase, on Lehman Road, and on Goforth Road
  is problematic. Traffic should be drained, rather
  than stopped, and roads should be built to the
  communitys size.
• There are significant traffic concerns to both
  Austin and San Marcos. this could be trail
  connections instead of traffic concerns
• Future development in this District should
  include parks and public facilities.
• Land use transitions should be controlled by
  zoning and to prevent large trucks associated
  with industrial uses from traveling on
  residential roads.
• Road quality is a big concern in this District.
• More bike paths in this district would be
  appreciated.

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FORM ANALYSIS
Ranch North District (Kay Rush)

• The main features of the Ranch North District are
  two-lane roads, creeks and lakes, farms and
  ranches, low rolling hills, service from the
  Monarch water district, and I-35 cutting through
  the District with adjacent commercial and
  residential uses.
• Future growth should include more streets and
  walking paths to connect the District to the
  Regional Center and Town Center Districts and
  improvements to Dacy Lane, Goforth Road, and
  Lehman Road. Growth should be controlled around
  FM 1626 and Kohlers Crossing.
• To make Kyle distinctive and recognizable, all
  bridges over I-35 in Kyle should be the same
  design and signs on I-35 should be correct. FM
  1626 would be more of a centerpiece of the City
  if it connects to the planned SH-45.
• To alleviate traffic congestion on FM 1626, CR
  210, Kohlers Crossing, and Windy Hill Road
  should connect, be the same size, and have the
  same design.
• A main traffic concern in this District is the
  need for a bridge over the railroad tracks on
  Kohlers Crossing.
• The plans for Plum Creek Uptown will add
  commercial uses away from I-35 and contribute to
  specialized/destination development.
• High density development, including housing, is
  appropriate at FM 1626 and Kohlers Crossing.
• To prevent land use conflicts, heavier commercial
  uses (like Home Depot) should be kept on the west
  side of I-35, while smaller commercial, homes,
  and apartments are appropriate on the east side
  of I-35.
• Better connections over I-35 are needed in this
  District.
• This District would benefit from water service
  through the City of Kyle, as the areas current
  service with Monarch contributes to the lack of
  development.
• Commercial uses should be clustered and along
  I-35, rather than in residential areas.

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FORM ANALYSIS
Ranch South District (Dennis Rose)

• The main features of the Ranch South District are
  that it is the only area in Kyle untouched by
  growth, there is lots of open space and
  significant tree cover, including oak mott and
  heritage oaks, and it has a rural character with
  no traffic congestion.
• The District does have an unusual landscape, but
  it is questionable as to whether a more creative
  approach to residential development is need here.
• Storm water management is a concern in the
  District, and hardscape should be minimized and
  greenbelt areas preserved to address this issue.
• Natural waterways should be protected as future
  development happens.
• Significant tree communities should be protected
  as future development happens, and a tree
  ordinance should be adopted for the City.
• There are currently no traffic concerns in the
  District, although there are worries about the
  future and ability of the existing Master
  Transportation Plan to address future traffic.
• Future congestion along Old Stagecoach Road and
  FM 150 is a major concern.
• There is a unique relationship between the Ranch
  South District and downtown, which should be
  strengthened.
• Future development should include parks, green
  space, and public facilities.
• Bike lanes and trails are desired in this
  District.

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FORM ANALYSIS
Prairie Highlands District (Mary Bollinger)

• The Plum Creek conservation district is important
  to the water quality of creeks and ponds within
  the Prairie Highlands District.
• Sewer and infrastructure provision is a big
  concern as the area grows.
• Growth will follow major arterials in this
  District.
• The nature and culture present in this District
  should be preserved.
• The City should seek agreements with Hays County
  to control the utility service in this District.
• This District should have better connections to
  the rest of the City, through roads, trails, and
  open space.
• Neighborhood retail and services are needed in
  this District.
• There is a great deal of congestion at Exit 217
  off I-35, and better roads are needed to relieve
  this congestion.
• East to west circulation needs to be strengthened
  in this District.
• The Blackland Prairie ecosystem of this District
  should be preserved.
• Future development should include parks and
  public facilities in this District.

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FORM ANALYSIS
Farm District (Scott Brock)

• The Farm District is currently pre-subdivision
  development, and the creek is what makes it a
  recognizable place.
• Not too many changes to the agricultural
  landscape have occurred yet in this District, but
  changes are inevitable in the future.
• The rural farmland heritage of the District
  should be reflected in community design, and more
  open space and room for organic farming should be
  preserved.
• Traffic congestion will definitely be a problem
  in the future and more connections between
  neighborhoods and main roads, between main roads
  and I-35, and over I-35 should be developed.
• Rural roads should be enhanced for pedestrians,
  bikes, and connectivity.
• This group is worried about losing the rural
  elements of Kyle and feels that they should be
  preserved.

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FORM ANALYSIS
Blanco River District

• Combined with Ranch South District

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PLANNING FRAMEWORK
Methodology

• Compile all statements from Workshop 1
• 2. Identify Community Goals and Objectives using
  TRIO method
• T Themes common to many groups
• R Repeated statements and shared concerns
• I Input Indicators (detailed issues and
  existing conditions)
• O Output Indicators (broad statements about
  desired results)
• Organize Community Goals by thematic element
• 4. Matrix Analysis of Community Goals and
  Consultant Observations
• Complementary (1)
• Compatible (0)
• Conflicting (-1)
• to determine Strategic Goals for Comprehensive
  Plan

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PLANNING FRAMEWORK
Methodology

• Create graphical representation of Strategic
  Goals
• Present Planning Framework at Workshop 2 for
  community validation

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FACILITATOR GROUP
Role of Facilitators

• Lead Breakout Groups at all Workshops
• Meet with Consultant Team before Workshop 2 to
  develop Breakout Group questions
• Present Plan Elements with Consultant Team at
  Workshop 3
• Review Plan materials at key points throughout
  planning process
• Act as intermediaries between Kyle residents and
  Consultant Team
• Spread information about and enthusiasm for
  Comprehensive Planning process
• Serve as stewards of the Comprehensive Plan and
  assist with Plan implementation in the future

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Questions and Comments