Item 7D Wayfinding Sign System Plan City Council 1st Reading Ordinance No. 967 April 6, 2010
Presentation Outline
Background
Sign Design
Destinations & Sign Inventory
Prioritization
Recommendations
Background
Why have a Wayfinding Sign System Plan? Strategic Alignment
Strategic Management System
Southlake 2025
2008 Urban Design Plan
Wayfinding Sign System Plan
Wayfinding Sign System Plan & the Comprehensive Plan ( )
The Wayfinding Team
Goals of a Wayfinding Sign System
Promote tourism
Emphasize Southlake as a destination
Highlight/market key attractions
Enhance urban design
Reinforce community identity
Enhance the visitor’s experience
Reduce driver and pedestrian frustration
Improve traffic flow
Improve roadway safety
Funding Opportunities
Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)
13% (7% for City of Southlake)
“Exported” Tax
Other Funding Opportunities:
TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District Improvements
SPDC Funds
1/2-cent sales tax
Park signs only
General Fund
Design
Design Elements
Timeless
Conservative
Distinct
Bronze
“Kit of Parts”
Economical
Custom
TxDOT Roadway Family of Signs
TxDOT Family of Signs
Intersection Announcement Signs
Southlake Roadway Family of Signs
Parking Signage
Pedestrian Environment Signage
Alternate
Preferred
Destinations & Sign Inventory
Proper Name v. Abbreviated Name
Sign Inventory
Prioritization
Recommendations
The City recognizes the attention the Southlake Town Square mixed use development receives as a regional shopping attraction. Surveys of Southlake Town Square’s patrons show that more
than 70% are from outside Southlake. Surveys have also shown that finding the development can be difficult for visitors, even from S.H. 114. Therefore, it is recommended that the
developer and/or management partners of Southlake Town Square petition TxDOT to place blue signs on SH 114 announcing “Southlake Town Square Next Exit” for Carroll Avenue in both eastbound
and westbound directions.
The City of Southlake’s Economic Development Department should continue to educate and encourage local retail businesses about the TxDOT Logo and Directional Sign Program for advertising
on blue TxDOT signs along freeways.
Recommendations
The only logo or icon that should be used on wayfinding signs is the official City of Southlake logo.
Should TxDOT see it necessary to deny the Intersection Announcement Sign Design provided in this document, TxDOT and the City of Southlake should move forward with intersection announcement
signs that do meet TxDOT approval.
Recommendations
This plan does not address the City of Southlake entry features described in the 2008 Major Corridors Urban Design Plan. It is recommended that those entry features continue to be explored
and pursued as they are important welcoming messages to visitors of Southlake.
Recommendations
No commercial message, icon, or logo should be used on City-owned wayfinding signs. Timarron Country Club, however, is recognized as being unique to Southlake and is and will continue
to be the only full service eighteen-hole golf course with frequent tournaments and events within the city limits. It is therefore provided a place in Southlake’s Wayfinding Sign System.
As the DFW Connector project develops, the City of Southlake should emphasize to TxDOT the desire to have a sign announcing entrance into Southlake (i.e. “Southlake Next 5 Exits”).
Recommendations
The City of Southlake and TxDOT should work together to provide illuminated street name signs that incorporate the City’s logo at all controlled intersections along SH 114 and FM1709.
The developers and property managers of Southlake Town Square should consider developing an internal directory sign system for Southlake Town Square’s retail, restaurant, office and
entertainment uses.
Recommendations
An internal wayfinding sign system should also be developed for all City of Southlake public parks and facilities. Such a system should implement similar and consistent design principles
as outlined in this planning document. Specifically, in areas such as Bob Jones Park and Bicentennial Park, automobile “turn off” stations may be placed so that drivers and pedestrians
can conveniently review an entire map of the park to determine their next step.
Recommendations
Questions / Discussion
Wayfinding Sign System Plan