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6.0 EnvironmentalFINAL DRAFT April 1, 2005 Southlake 2025 Plan Plan Areas B, E, & F Phase II Analysis & Recommendations 58 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES Based on the existing character, previously adopted plans, and the Southlake 2025 Plan Vision, Goals, & Objectives, the following general recommendations for environmental resource protection are proposed for the West Southlake Blvd./Pearson Area, the West Highland/North Peytonville Area, and the North Side Area. 6.1 West Southlake Blvd./Pearson Area (Plan Area B) The following are the general environmental resource protection recommendations and implementation strategy recommendations for the W. Southlake Blvd./Pearson Lane plan area. 6.1.1 General Recommendations for Environmental Resource Protection • Protect and preserve the existing rural land uses and natural areas. • Identify and protect significant wooded areas in the plan area. • Encourage the protection of the flood plain as an asset to development. • Develop a pedestrian greenway along the flood plain to provide non-motorized connections from adjoining neighborhoods to commercial development at Davis Blvd. and F.M. 1709. • Retain tree cover along rural cross-section roadways. • Preserve existing tree cover along flood plains and creeks. • Improve pedestrian access to schools and parks from adjoining neighborhoods. • Prioritize pedestrian connectivity along F.M. 1709. • Evaluate the possibility of an entry portal at the intersection of F.M. 1709 and Pearson Lane. • Create an interconnected network of linear greens with a pedestrian trail system. • Preserve existing tree buffers adjacent to neighborhoods. • Adapt development to the topography rather than topography to the development. • Protect the city’s surface and groundwater supplies. • Rehabilitate/protect stream corridors in conjunction with new development. Heavily wooded property in the plan area Existing character of Union Church Road FINAL DRAFT April 1, 2005 Southlake 2025 Plan Plan Areas B, E, & F Phase II Analysis & Recommendations 59 6.2.2 Specific Recommendations and Implementation Strategies Recommendation Justification Implementation 1. Protect and preserve the existing rural land uses and natural areas. Rural land uses and natural areas add significant aesthetic and fiscal value to an area. Evaluate applicable properties for the Rural Conservation Subdivision land use category and amend the land use plan map accordingly. 2. Encourage the protection of the flood plain as an asset to development. Natural, undeveloped floodplains can add aesthetic value, provide habitat, and provide storage for storm flows. Provide development incentives to protect the stream corridor as a natural drainage channel. Ensure that trees and vegetation along the corridor remain in a natural state. 3. Develop a pedestrian greenway along the flood plain to provide non- motorized connections from adjoining neighborhoods to commercial development at Davis and F.M. 1709. The city has made a commitment to protect flood plains and to provide a network of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Stream buffers provide open space that may be utilized for trails. Prioritize funding for trails and other improvements in the CIP. Ensure that sidewalks, paths, or trails are incorporated into the planning and development of sites. 4. Retain tree cover along rural cross- section roadways. Retaining tree cover will help to preserve rural character. Identify areas where tree cover should be preserved. 5. Preserve existing tree cover along flood plains and creeks. Trees serve as a filter for storm water runoff, provide critical habitat, and add aesthetic value. Ensure that trees and vegetation along the stream corridors remain in a natural state. Develop regulations that allow for creative and flexible site design. Encourage the placement of critical environmental resources into a conservation easement to ensure the protection of the area. FINAL DRAFT April 1, 2005 Southlake 2025 Plan Plan Areas B, E, & F Phase II Analysis & Recommendations 60 Recommendation Justification Implementation 6. Improve pedestrian access to schools and parks from adjoining neighborhoods. There is currently limited pedestrian access to schools and parks. Prioritize funding for sidewalks, trails, crosswalks, and other improvements in the CIP. 7. Prioritize pedestrian connectivity on F.M. 1709. Improve non-motorized access to businesses and existing and future neighborhoods along F.M. 1709. Prioritize funding for sidewalks and crosswalks along F.M. 1709 in the CIP. Amend relevant city ordinances to require sidewalks along all public and private streets in conjunction with any proposed development. 8. Create an interconnected network of linear greens with a pedestrian trail system. Such a trail system could provide a viable alternative to the automobile and provide for recreational walking, jogging, and bicycling. Amend relevant city ordinances to encourage the development of a linked system of open spaces in conjunction with the preservation of woodlands, creeks, ponds, and other environmentally sensitive areas. 9. Preserve existing tree buffers adjacent to neighborhoods. Trees help to provide privacy and add aesthetic value. Encourage the placement of critical environmental resources into a conservation easement to ensure their protection. 6.2 West Highland/North Peytonville Plan Area (Plan Area E) The following are the general environmental resource protection recommendations and implementation strategy recommendations for the W. Highland/N. Peytonville plan area. 6.2.1 General Recommendations for Environmental Resource Protection • Preserve the existing character of Shady Oaks Drive and Highland Street. • Identify and protect significant natural resources in the area. • Maximize pedestrian connectivity from schools and Bicentennial Park to adjoining neighborhoods along Shady Oaks Drive and White Chapel Blvd. Recommend future pedestrian connectivity to Peytonville Ave. in conjunction with any proposed development. • Preserve tree buffers along existing creeks and flood plains whenever possible. FINAL DRAFT April 1, 2005 Southlake 2025 Plan Plan Areas B, E, & F Phase II Analysis & Recommendations 62 • Preserve existing tree buffers adjacent to neighborhoods. • Adapt development to the topography rather than topography to the development. • Protect the city’s surface and groundwater supplies. • Rehabilitate/protect stream corridors in conjunction with new development. 6.2.2 Specific Recommendations and Implementation Strategies Recommendation Justification Implementation 1. Preserve the existing character of Shady Oaks and Highland. Shady Oaks and Highland have a unique rural character. Evaluate applicable properties for the Rural Conservation Subdivision land use category and amend the land use plan map accordingly. 2. Maximize pedestrian connectivity from schools and Bicentennial Park to adjoining neighborhoods along Shady Oaks and White Chapel. Recommend future pedestrian connectivity to Peytonville in conjunction with any proposed development. There is limited pedestrian access to Durham Elementary School, Carroll High School, and the park. Prioritize funding for sidewalks, trails, crosswalks, and other improvements in the CIP. 3. Preserve tree buffers along existing creeks and flood plains whenever possible. Trees serve as a filter for storm water runoff, provide critical habitat, and add aesthetic value. Ensure that trees and vegetation along the stream corridors remain in a natural state. Develop regulations that allow for creative and flexible site design. Encourage the placement of critical environmental resources into a conservation easement to ensure the protection of the area. 4. Preserve existing tree buffers adjacent to neighborhoods. Trees help to provide privacy and add aesthetic value. Encourage the placement of critical environmental resources into a conservation easement to ensure their protection. FINAL DRAFT April 1, 2005 Southlake 2025 Plan Plan Areas B, E, & F Phase II Analysis & Recommendations 64 6.3 North Side Plan Area (Plan Area F) The following are the general environmental resource protection recommendations and implementation strategy recommendations for the North Side plan area. 6.3.1 General Recommendations for Environmental Resource Protection • Explore opportunities for non-motorized and passive recreational uses along Lake Grapevine. • Protect the city’s remaining agricultural/equestrian and environmental areas in the North Side by requiring residential development to occur in a manner that has the minimum impact on these resources. • Maximize pedestrian connectivity from neighborhoods to Lake Grapevine and Bob Jones Park. • Evaluate connectivity to regional trails and Meadowmere Park in Grapevine. • Develop an interconnected network of pedestrian trails along linear greens. • Preserve tree buffers along existing creeks and flood plains whenever possible. • Connect new and existing neighborhoods to the trail network. • Maximize pedestrian access to Carroll Middle School and to Clariden School from adjoining neighborhoods. • Evaluate land acquisition connecting existing parks property along Lake Grapevine. • Consider retaining the Farhat property for future park uses. Farhat property Lake Grapevine • Evaluate land acquisition along Dove Street to expand existing park property (Sheltonwood Park). • Preserve existing tree buffers adjacent to neighborhoods. • Preserve Bob Jones Park as a natural habitat and recognize it as a vestige of the “Ancient Cross Timbers”. FINAL DRAFT April 1, 2005 Southlake 2025 Plan Plan Areas B, E, & F Phase II Analysis & Recommendations 65 6.3.2 Specific Recommendations and Implementation Strategies Recommendation Justification Implementation 1. Explore opportunities for non-motorized and passive recreational uses along Lake Grapevine. Increase recreational opportunities for Southlake residents. In conjunction with the Corps of Engineers and Community Services department, consider options for non-motorized, passive recreational uses. 2. Protect the city’s remaining agricultural/equestrian and environmental areas in the plan area by requiring residential development to occur in a manner that has the minimum impact on these resources. Aesthetic and fiscal values of low-intensity rural uses are significant. Open space also commands property value premiums. Evaluate applicable properties for the Rural Conservation Subdivision land use category and amend the land use plan map accordingly. 3. Maximize pedestrian connectivity from neighborhoods to Lake Grapevine and Bob Jones Park. There are existing equestrian/hike trails on Corps property and in Bob Jones Park, but there is little connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods. Prioritize funding for sidewalks, trails, crosswalks, and other improvements in the CIP. 4. Evaluate connectivity to regional trails and Meadowmere Park in Grapevine. There are opportunities for increased connections in the North Side Plan Area between Southlake’s trail system and regional trail systems. Prioritize funding for trails in the CIP. 5. Develop an interconnected network of pedestrian trails along linear greens. Such a trail system could provide a viable alternative to the automobile and provide for recreational walking, jogging, and bicycling. Amend relevant city ordinances to encourage the development of a linked system of open spaces in conjunction with the preservation of woodlands, creeks, ponds, and other environmentally sensitive areas. FINAL DRAFT April 1, 2005 Southlake 2025 Plan Plan Areas B, E, & F Phase II Analysis & Recommendations 66 Recommendation Justification Implementation 6. Preserve tree buffers along existing creeks and flood plains whenever possible. Trees serve as a filter for storm water runoff, provide critical habitat, and add aesthetic value. Ensure that trees and vegetation along the stream corridors remain in a natural state. Develop regulations that allow for creative and flexible site design. Encourage the placement of critical environmental resources into a conservation easement to ensure the protection of the area. 7. Connect new and existing neighborhoods to the trail network. A continuous and accessible trail system helps to reduce reliance on automobiles and increases access to recreational opportunities. Amend all applicable ordinances (zoning & subdivision) to require pedestrian connectivity for new neighborhoods. Prioritize funding for sidewalks, trails, crosswalks, and other improvements in the CIP. 8. Maximize pedestrian access to Carroll Middle School and to Clariden School from adjoining neighborhoods. There is currently limited pedestrian access to area schools. Prioritize funding for sidewalks, trails, crosswalks, and other improvements in the CIP. 9. Evaluate land acquisition connecting existing parks property along Lake Grapevine. Consider retaining the Farhat property for future park uses. There is a separation between park property to the west and park property to the east. Prioritize the recommended land purchase in the CIP if it is determined that the city desires to purchase this property. 10. Evaluate purchasing land from the southern border of the property to Dove to add to the park. Increase park size and improve accessibility from Dove. Prioritize the recommended land purchase in the CIP if it is determined that the city desires to purchase this property. 11. Preserve existing tree buffers adjacent to neighborhoods. Trees help to provide privacy and add aesthetic value. Encourage the placement of critical environmental resources into a conservation easement to ensure their protection. 12. Preserve Bob Jones Park as a habitat and recognize it as a vestige of the Ancient Cross Timbers. The Cross Timbers are old-growth woodlands that provide habitat for many species, including neotropical migratory birds. Have the Community Services Department consider options.