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MASTER PLAN OVERVIEW |
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Origin of Plan
The HOP District Plan was approved on May 10, 2005. In June 2004, the Hillcrest, Old West Lawrence, and Pinckney Neighborhood Associations requested the development of the HOP District Plan, a building moratorium for the duration of the plans development, and the resources necessary to expedite development and completion of the plan.
Increased traffic and travel speeds along W. 6th Street and throughout the neighborhoods left the HOP District planning neglected and in need of redevelopment. The Neighborhood Associations expressed many other concerns within the HOP District, but highlighted their desire to ensure that infill development be compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods, especially development in the large lot owned by the Eagles Lodge, the empty lot at 7th and Wisconsin Street, and the College Motel lot.
On July 20, 2004, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 7803, establishing a temporary building moratorium for the duration of the development of the HOP District Plan. Upon adoption of the HOP District Plan, the City Commission directed planning staff to draft a moratorium regarding the rezoning of the three areas identified within the plan. On June 7, 2005, the City Commission unanimously approved the temporary building moratorium to implement recommendations made within the HOP District Plan.
Neighborhood representatives set goals and planning staff updated the land use inventory for the district. In July and August of 2004, the exteriors of all structures, residential and commercial, were surveyed to determine their conditions. Ratings were based on visual inspection from public rights-of-way. Neighborhood meetings, forums, and brainstorming sessions were held to gain public input on development of the plan.
The HOP District Plan provides timeframes for completing tasks related to each of its three goals. The time frames range from 2 weeks to 18 months, with all tasks being completed by 2007.
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Expected outcomes from the plan
The purpose of the HOP District Plan is to provide direction for infill and redevelopment of residential and commercial properties. Redevelopment projects should be designed to preserve and improve the historic character of the HOP District. In particular, preservation of existing single-family housing and revitalization of the commercial W. 6th Street corridor should be priority. Redevelopment projects should also look at converting commercial properties back to uses that are compatible with and help enhance the surrounding neighborhoods. New uses should also complement the medical uses that have developed near the hospital.
To achieve these goals, the plan recommends:
· Design guidelines to protect and enhance the eclectic and historic character · Zoning updates to reflect use · Promote district as a medical entryway and promote district as a gateway to downtown
Horizon 2020 called for planning staff to review the HOP District Plan in 2010 to determine the plans relevance in relation to Horizon 2020 and other plans. As of April 26, 2010 the HOP District Plan was determined to still be viable, with many items remaining to be implemented.
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Funding
Not Applicable.
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Status Update
Since adoption of the HOP District Plan, planning staff has worked with neighborhood task forces to rezone approximately 40 properties within the HOP District. A majority of this work took place immediately after the City Commission adopted the plan in 2005, and there has been little development in the HOP District since 2006. In more recent years, development applications have come up and were required to conform to the HOP District Plan and Commercial Design Standards adopted in 2010.
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Future
Next steps towards protecting the eclectic and historic character of the HOP District will occur as infill and redevelopment occurs. Infill and redevelopment will be required to conform to the expectations of the HOP District Plan. Other steps towards progress may include developing design guidelines and an overlay district(s) for the HOP District, accomplishing Goal 1 of the plan. Further promotion of the HOP District as a gateway to downtown and as a medical campus will work towards accomplishing Goal 3 of the plan.
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