arroyo seco rio design plan
DESCRIPTION
Conceptual design plan of how the proposed Los Angeles River Improvement Overlay Ordinance could enhance land use development in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles, CaliforniaTRANSCRIPT
Arroyo Seco Highland Park
(LA-RIO) River Improvement Overlay
District Conceptual PlanCity of Los Angeles
Cal Poly PomonaUrban & Regional Planning Department
Graduate Student Design ProjectFall 2009
PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS 1. Ecosystem/Greenway 2. Mobility/Transportation Megan Dreger Tim Stapleton Mike Roberts Megan Whalen Amy Chambers Michelle McFadden Alex Campbell Ryan Gilmore Gina Grace Niti Anand Karo Torossian
3. Housing 4.Special Districts Brian Baldauf Leila Ibrahim Renee van Staveren Fernando Villalba Eric Turner Marie Powell Eric Whitemyer Adrian Huerta Jackie Vandenburgh Troy Gunter
5. Economic Development Mike Hofflinger Louise Shammas Professor Meredith McKenzie, JD Nidia Garcia California State Polytechnic
University James Combs at Pomona, California Miguel Gonzalez
3
Regional Viewof Arroyo SecoRiver Corridor
Proposed Arroyo Seco Highland Park LA-RIO District: ½ mile corridor on each side of Arroyo Seco Stream
THE GOAL
Provide residents and developers an economic and environmental model for revitalization within Highland Park, appropriate to historical community character and sensitive to resident needs.
PROJECT DESIGN ASSUMES THAT:
The Arroyo Seco Highland Park LA-RIO District will be approved under the LA-RIO Ordinance for Los Angeles River tributaries
Highland Park welcomes revitalization
High potential exists for Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
Watershed management is major focus
Holistic strategies are desired Affordable and innovative revitalization
choices must be attractive to both residents and developers
COMMUNITY CONTEXT
RELEVANT TERMINOLOGY
o LA-RIOoLos Angeles River Improvement Overlay District
o HPOZoHistoric Preservation Overlay Zone
o TODoTransit Oriented Development
o LEEDoLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design
o LIDoLow Impact Development
RELEVANT LITERATURE REVIEW
Los Angeles River Improvement Overlay District (LA-RIO) Draft
OrdinanceNortheast Los Angeles Community
PlanNortheast Los Angeles Linkages
StudyArroyo Seco Parkway Corridor
Management PlanArroyo Seco Watershed Restoration
Feasibility Study
NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES
o Crimeo Densityo Community
contexto Access/Mobilityo Encroachment of
incompatible uses
o Design
o Preserving residential charactero The variety of
compatible new housing opportunities
o Displacement
HOUSING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
A safe, secure and attractive residential environment for all economic, age and ethnic segments of the community (Northeast Los Angeles Community Plan)
Balance growth with housing Encourage pedestrian activity and
use of public transportation Preserve and enhance the
residential character and scale of existing single and multi-family neighborhoods
LA-RIO ORDINANCE Pending Los Angeles City Council
Approval " LA-RIO is established to implement
the urban design goals and principles established in the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan.... The City's vision for the Los Angeles River and its adjacent Greenway emphasizes a livable, walkable, and sustainable community that is oriented to the River and the surrounding streets. The LA-RIO is intended to support this vision through the enhancement of environmental and urban design.“
*LA-RIO Ordinance
LA-RIO PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT GUIDELINES
Watershed, Urban Design, Mobility Single family home projects - achieve
minimum 10 points and are required to obtain points from the Watershed category only
All other projects - combined total of 20 points from the Watershed, Urban Design, and Mobility Categories
LA-RIO POINT EXAMPLES
Watershed: Stormwater Management, Stream Enhancement, Landscaping, Water Conservation, Hardscape, Open Space
Urban Design: Vehicle Parking, Transparency, Site Lighting, Visual Clutter
Mobility: Connectivity, Pedestrian, Transit, Bicycle, Vehicular
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NEW HOUSING
Avenue 57 Gold LineTransit Oriented
Development (TOD) Conceptual
Plan
EXISTING TOD DEVELOPER PLANS
TOD CASE EXISTING PLAN VIEW
TOD CASE EXISTING PERSPECTIVE
LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN
LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN
LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN
LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN
LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN
LA-RIO TOD CASE PROPOSED NATIVE PLANT EXAMPLES
LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PERSPECTIVE
LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PERSPECTIVE
LA-RIO TOD WATERSHED
OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS
LA-RIO TOD WATERSHED OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS
LA-RIO TOD URBAN DESIGN SOLUTIONS
LA-RIO TOD MOBILITY SOLUTIONS
Existing HousingPreserving Heritage
Highland Park is the largest historic preservation district in the city
Over 80 designated cultural monuments
Community Demographics
Population: 50,524Household Income: $60,112
Median Age: 32.4Ethnic Background: Latino: 70% White: 30%
Historic Preservation Overlay Zone LID Solutions
LA-RIO HOUSING OUTDOOR WATERSHED SOLUTIONS
5.1 Points Available Points Awarded5.1.1
3 3
3 05.1.2
5 N/A
5 N/A
5.1.3
1 1
1 per 25% 4
2 2
2 2
2 2
5.1.4 2 22 23 0
Watershed
LA RIO Guidelines Section 5: Property Improvement Guidelines for Single Family Homes
Complete a class related to native plant gardening at a local nursery or college
Install a high-efficiency “smart” irrigation systemUtilize graywater or recycled stormwater for at least 50% of irrigation needsUtilize graywater or recycled stormwater for 100% of irrigation needs
Treat 100% of the 85th percentile storm and have detention capacity to retain a rainfall intensity of 0.5 inches/hourDesign and install a green roof that treats 100% of the 85th percentile storm
Daylight the portion of a stream that flows through the propertyRemove the concrete from sides and/or bottom of a stream that flows through the property
Select and install plants identified as California Friendly by the Metropolitan Water District’s Be Water Wise program for at least half of the plant palette
Watershed: Stormwater Management
Watershed: Stream Enhancement
Watershed: Landscaping
Watershed: Water Conservation
Select and install a percentage of indigenous plants per the County’s Los Angeles River Master Plan (LARMP) Landscaping Guidelines and Plant Palettes
Contract with a licensed landscape architect , a landscape or garden designer to design and install a landscape of native plants arranged into naturalized patterns
Remove all existing exotic weedy plants such as identified by the California Invasive Plant Council (CAL-IPC)
LA-RIO HOUSING OUTDOOR WATERSHED SOLUTIONS
5.1.5
2 2
2 0
1 1
5.1.6
1 1
1 1
2 2
2 25.1.7
0.5 per 1% N/A
39 27
Select and install at least 50% of hardscape materials as defined and recommended by the LARMP Landscaping Guidelines
Prepare and implement a maintenance manual and/or program that follows the Landscaping Maintenance Guidelines as defined in the LARMP
Prepare and implement a maintenance manual and/or program for parking lots and structures that establishes ongoing procedures to maintain the surfaces free of chemical residues and debris
Use hardscape materials (impervious or pervious) on no more than 50% of the site area exclusive of building footprint. The balance of the area shall be planted with native and/or drought tolerant species
Use permeable hardscaped material instead of impervious materials for at least 75% of all hardscape areas
Total
Watershed: Hardscape
Watershed: Landscape/Hardscape Maintenance
Prepare and implement a maintenance manual and/or program that uses best management practices to provide sustainable organic horticulture, making chemical fertilizers and pesticides unnecessary
Install landscaping that does not require irrigation once established
Provide a permanent rear and/or or side-yard easement adjacent to the River Greenway through a recorded covenant. The easement area shall be used to maximize open space for native landscaping, create active plazas or courtyards and/or provide additional pedestrian amenities visible and accessible from the River. One-half point will be accrued for every 1% of easement relative to the overall lot square footage
Watershed: Open Space
LA RIO Guidelines Section 5: Property Improvement Guidelines for Single Family Homes (continued)
LA-RIO HOUSING INDOOR WATERSHED SOLUTIONS
Water Efficiency and Plumbing Provide rainwater collection system Install low-water-use kitchen faucet Replace toilets with high-efficiency toilets Install low-water-use showerheads Install water-conserving bathroom faucet aerator Reconfigure plumbing to distribute domestic hot
water efficiently Insulate hot water pipes Install on-demand hot water recirculation system Choose high-efficiency water heater Insulate water heater Set water temperature no higher than necessary
LEED/INDOOR LA-RIO SOLUTIONS LEED REGREENo American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and
United States Green Building Council (USGBC) o EPA Water Senseo EPA Energy Staro LEED for Homes Rating System
Indoor Solutions o Configure for solar accesso Consider solar water heatingo Consider solar electric (photovoltaic) systemo Provide homeowner’s manual of green features
and O&M practiceso Complete client educationo Practice energy-efficient, healthy lifestyleo Provide for line-drying options for laundry
HPOZ CASE STUDY SITE
602 South Avenue 57, Highland Park
HPOZ EXISTING PLAN VIEW
HPOZ SOLUTIONS PLAN VIEW
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NORTH FIGUEROA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT ENTERPRISE ZONELA-RIO SOLUTIONS
Avenue 58 Plaza
Closing Avenue 58 between Figueroa and the Gold Line Metro Station will provide:
A permanent home for LA’s Oldest Farmers Market
A new home for the suggested Highland Park Classic Car Show
An attractive destination for community functions and gatherings
Avenue 58 Plaza Concept Designs
Job development along Figueroa
Geographically convenient to major educational institutions and job centers
Green jobs training center location potential Design/software training Federal funding for
retooling
Job Development Work Center
Proposed Center constructed to optimal LEED standards
Solar panels / passive solar / windows can open
Green walls / parkwaysClose Proximity to mass transit
Corridor Beautification Goal
• Attract new business by reviving and creating charming architecture for business venues.
Figueroa Beautification DesignAttract high foot traffic to local
businesses Improve existing streetscape, facades of structures and walkability.
Arroyo Culture Beautification
Encourage coffee houses, restaurants, sports bars and small retail shop owners to integrate design elements reflecting historic Arroyo culture
Revive local cultural and social architectural monuments including the Heritage Square Museum, Southwest Museum and Highland Park Theater.
Create outdoor terraces to showcase the area’s river canyon viewshed (Southwest Museum, Debs Park, Mount Washington, San Rafael Hills)
Preserve historic homes and make them open to the public.
Business Beautification
Create facades & terraces that showcase Hillside and City views
Use trolleys for local street transit.
Connect consistent design element look throughout corridor
Street Beautification
Create a more easily walkable and pleasant streetscape to improve the overall atmosphere for shoppers and residents
Bump in first floor of businessesPlant a parkway between cars and pedestrians
Update street lightingRepair damaged sidewalks
Suggested Street Front with Solar Roof Panels
Suggested Street front with ‘Bump in’ Terrace Seating
Signage Program Ideas
Need for Signage Consistency
Destination-Oriented Signage Plan
Gastrobus/Food Truck Parking
Across from Library, Recreation Center and the Senior Center just below York Blvd
Suggested North Figueroa Micro-Brewery & Restaurant
Non-Motorized Mobility/Transportation
Elements
Mobility Program Goals
Provide residents with safe, affordable transportation methods other than automobiles
Connect residents with other parts of the city and allow others to easily access Highland Park with multiple modes and routes
CityBike
Provides residents with bicycle renting and buying options at a low cost through grants and donations
Encourages using bikes as a healthier, zero-emissions alternative to automobiles
Helps participants access jobs and opportunities by providing a means of transportation
Supports and lobbies for items like bike paths and amenities that make biking accessible and more comfortable
Temporary Street Closures
Allows street fairs, regular businesses, and markets to operate regularly while offering a safe, comfortable environment for customers . Avenue 58 is ideal initial location for street closures.
StrØget, Copenhagen Denmark is a “walking street” that offers a great model of how street closures can have multiple benefits
Bicycle Stations
Bicycle storage
Community gathering space
Café
Located next to Gold Line Station
Bicycle Co-op
http://kellyslongbeachblog.com/
• Medium sized bike station • Integrated into the landscape • Acts as node where bikers can meet
http://washcycle.typepad.com/http://www.naparstek.com/
Transit-Oriented Bicycle Storage
Bicycle Co-op
Volunteer run
Membership dues
Bicycle education
Maintenance workshop
Bicycle and bicycle parts purchasing
Community gathering space
http://sf.streetsblog.org/
Bicycle Repair Training Workshop
Bicycle Lockers
Safe bicycle storage
Located near bus stops and shopping areas
Opportunity for community murals
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au
Freedom to move further to the left within travel lane, rather than brave the door zone , squeezed between moving and parked cars, without such markings, bicyclists might seek refuge on the sidewalk or travel in the wrong direction.
Reduce aggressive motorist behaviorencourage correct bicycling behavior
Increase the comfort of (and therefore the number of) bicyclists on shared roads
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/media/news/2009/5/21/0iMm3PDG8CBhzFRdOlJqJw4wRo.gif
Sharrows
Improves the position of bicyclists and motorists on roads without bicycle lanes
Sharrows Implementationalong Monte Vista Street
Sharrows Implementation along Marmion Way
http://www.xwalk.com/Main-graphic-5_HR4.jpg
North Figueroa Street Pedestrian Safety Mid Block Crosswalks
Alternative A Overview
Alternative A Design
Alternative B Overview
Alternative B Design
:
Possible Solution to In-Channel Bike Path
Proposed Out-of-Channel Bicycle Path
Existing paths and access roadsEasement created between channel and residential property
Bike Path Problems and Possible SolutionsAvenue 52
Bike Path Sycamore Creek Bridge Modification
Bike Path Tunnels at Avenue 43 and the 110 Freeway Ramps
LED Lighting & water stops along bike path next to Arroyo Seco helps increase usage & awareness of water and urban nature issues
SPECIAL DISTRICTSLibrary District, School
District, Caltrans, Metro/Gold Line
Special Districts create a unique challenge because the LA-RIO Ordinance does not directly apply to these agencies with infrastructure and services located within the proposed Arroyo Seco Highland Park LA-RIO District.
Arroyo Seco Magnet Museum Science School
“Everyone will be motivated to learn in an engaging environment enhanced by a focus on museum science studies”
Arroyo Seco Magnet Museum Science School Footprint
LAUSD and Magnet Green Building Programs
Alternative Schools High Performance Schools Collaborative for High Performance
Schools (CHPS) LEED for Schools
Current Campus Parking Lot
LA-RIO Recommendations for School Site
Remove exotic/invasive plants Teach about & plant native species Install high efficiency irrigation
system Involve students in landscape
maintenance Recycle greywater and stormwater
onsite Remove large areas of concrete &
enhance permeability
Examples of LA-RIOFriendly Landscapes
BEFORE: Above photos.
AFTER: Southern California Desert Grape – Native Plants
Honey suckle for fenced screening
School Mobility & Urban Design
Transportation information designated area
Bicycle racks Parking stalls for mopeds, scooters
and motorcycles Ridesharing program Landscape barriers LED/downward beamed Lighting Secure trash enclosures
Current vegetation at school entrance offerspotential for LA-RIO Outdoor Solutions Demonstration Site.
Native floweringplants both beautify the playground as well as support LA-RIO Outdoor Solutions
Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library
Community and Environmental Enrichment Program
Library Architecture Reflects Arroyo Culture in River Rock Motif
Arroyo Seco Library/Recreation
Center Aerial View
Arroyo Seco Library Footprint
Community Resource
Location
Connectivity
Environment
Library Opportunities Community Resource I. Library shares parcel with the Highland Park
Recreation Center II. Residential Neighborhood III. Community Assemblage
Location I. Area accessibility II. Public Transit III. Busy Intersection
Connectivity I. Senior Center II. Park III. Schools
Environment I. Too much concrete II. Natural Landscaping III. Recommendations
Library Environmental Enrichment
Rain Gardens to capture oil & water run-off
Library Environmental Enrichment
Urban Outdoor Classrooms provide natural creative learning environments.
Library Environmental Enrichment
Permeable Pavers support stormwater recharge
CA Dept of Transportation: Caltrans
• Arroyo Seco Parkway:o State Route 110 (SR-110) beginning at the
intersection of SR-110/US-101 and continuing northeast to Glenarm St. in Pasadena.
• Existing Plans o Arroyo Seco Parkway Corridor Management
Plan o Federal National Scenic Byway
Designation intended to connect Downtown LA with
Downtown Pasadena, with the Arroyo Seco Parkway viewshed as the corridor connector
Focus on preservation, protection & promotion
o California Scenic Highway
• Downward facing lights built into wall
• Replacement of metal fence with decorative barrierso Historical
Cobble stone walls
o recommend permeable concrete or hybrid alternatives to 100% concrete design
Construction:Cost $17 million Nov 8 09 – Oct 30 10
Caltrans Right-of-Way and Arroyo Seco
*Replacement of concrete slabswith turf blocks (permeable pavement) around existing andproposed footbridge locations.
*Plant bioswales in blocks with smooth vegetation (low friction vegetation)
Coordination/Collaboration Opportunity Library District, City of Los Angeles & Caltrans
• Roundabout Design: North Figueroa Street o Traffic calming measureo Safety for pedestrians and vehicles o Connection between Library, Bus Stop,
Recreation Center, Senior Center and New Development(s)
o LID Elements: Bioswales (native-plants) Permeable Pavers (Interlocking concrete)
Computer-GeneratedNorth Figueroa LibraryRound-AboutDesign
View looking south down North Figueroafrom York Boulevard towards Round-Aboutand Arroyo Seco Library.
Special Districts Proposed Cooperative Plans Plan 1: Share information and cultivate sense
of stewardship by fostering cooperative learning centered around community heritage, resource conservation, and wildlife & habitat education.
Audubon Center at Debs Park: vital community resource dedicated to resource conservation and preserving habitat and wildlife.
Arroyo Seco Regional Library: community historians as well as modern information disseminators.
Community groups: Arroyo Seco Foundation, Northeast Trees, and others are valuable mentors and educators.
Arroyo Seco Museum Science Magnet School: teachings emphasize preserving, organizing, and communicating information.
Special Districts Proposed Cooperative Plans
Plan 2: Encourage safe access and pedestrian and bicycle pathways between educational and recreational nodes.
• Coordinate the stated goals of Caltrans and the LA-RIO for enhanced safe mobility
• Monitor safe connections to learning centers• Utilize planned dedicated bike/pedestrian paths• Implement LAUSD’s Office of Environmental
Health and Safety recommendation that students cross at signaled intersections, 4-way stops, and crossing guard stations.
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Highland Park: Arroyo Seco River
EcoSystem Restoration Elements
Environmental Planners: Alexis Campbell, Amy
Chambers Megan Dreger, Gina Grace, Michael Roberts & Karo
Torossian
Arroyo Seco Watershed Restoration & Protection
The Arroyo Seco Stream
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Before Restoration
After Restoration
The Plan
(Add photo of plan)
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The Plan
Water Treatment Device Plan
Demonstration ProjectHermon Park ‘Island’
120
Roadside Water Retention Buffers
121
Biofiltration and Infiltration Best Management Practices(BMPs): -BioSwales
-Trenches
Water Treatment Bio-Swales for Parkway Runoff
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Water Treatment for Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway
Freeway Sweeping
Educational Campaign Media Outlets Signage
throughout the Parkway
Best Management Practices (BMP) Treatment Site
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EXISTING OPEN SPACE ENHANCES
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE
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The Audubon Center
Ernest E. Debs Park
125
Groundwater PercolationDaylighting the North Branch of the Arroyo Seco at Sycamore Grove Park
The Fly Rail Arroyo Seco Crossing
Southwest Museum to Debs Park
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(Show map of fly rail from plan)
Park-Intensive District
128
Supports Healthy Cities Initiative & Nature Education Opportunities
Trail Connectivity
129
(Show map of fly rail from plan)
Goal: Mobility Maximizing Nature & Viewsheds
Trails
130
Trail Ground MaterialsTrail Lighting
Arroyo Culture Trail Design
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Wildlife Habitat Restoration
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Sycamore-Oak Remnant
Coastal Sage Scrub
Oak-Walnut-Toyon Woodland
Walnut Savannah
133
Habitat Enhancement/Reintroduction Area
Wetland/ Stream
Wildlife / Pedestrian Link
Habitat Enhancement/Reintroduction Area
Habitat Restoration Plan
Ultimate Objective:Community & Culture
Connectivity
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We welcome questions & comments to arroyolover
@gmail.com
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