City planners and the Rountree Neighborhood Association are working on an update of the Rountree Neighborhood Plan.
At a kick-off meeting held in May 2017, several topics were identified for additional discussion including traffic and safety along the roadways in the neighborhood, stormwater, lighting, tree preservation and design guidelines for new construction within the neighborhood. Following the meeting, a steering committee was formed comprised of 12 neighborhood residents to continue meeting with staff to develop the plan and recommendations for changes to the Rountree Urban Conservation District.
As of December 2017, the steering committee had met nine times so far and will continue to meet throughout the rest of the planning process.
Over the course of several meetings, the steering committee focused on the Cherry Street corridor because of its uniqueness and development pressures along the roadway. City staff presented an update of the plan at the Sept. 26, 2017 City Council Lunch and shared the steering committee’s preferred development standards for Cherry Street, which includes recommendations for development of a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented corridor with design emphasis on compatibility with the rest of the neighborhood.
Staff is now scheduling focus area meetings within the neighborhood to share information and get input from property owners and residents in specific areas around the neighborhood. The first focus area meeting was held in December 2017 with property owners and residents along Cherry Street from National to Weller and within the Cherry/Pickwick commercial area. Meetings to discuss other areas around the neighborhood will follow.
In addition to the focus area meetings, staff will send out a survey to all property owners and residents within the neighborhood to get feedback on a variety of topics.
City staff, along with the steering committee, will be working through the spring of 2018 to complete the update to the Rountree Neighborhood Plan to present to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council for acceptance.
Following acceptance of the plan, staff will process any recommended changes to the Rountree Urban Conservation District through the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.