Title
Provide an update on the ongoing implementation of the IH-35E Corridor Vision Study.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The IH-35E Corridor Vision Study was adopted by the City Council on February 2, 2021, following comprehensive public and stakeholder engagement. This included interviews, focus groups, four steering committee meetings, two online surveys, and public hearings, generating over 520 responses. The study integrates input from public constituents and consultant analysis to shape the vision, goals, and strategies of the IH-35E Corridor.
The Vision Study encompasses approximately 463 net acres of land on both sides of the IH-35E right-of-way. It aims to establish the corridor as the premier entry point to Farmers Branch and a prime location for residential and commercial activities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The study will influence development over the next two decades by emphasizing the corridor's role as an attractive gateway that reflects the city's commitment to excellence. It offers strategies to enhance property values, promote superior land use, and realize the corridor's envisioned potential.
The IH-35E Corridor Vision study implementation has started. On November 16, 2021, the City Council established Tax Increment Financing District Four (4) to fund the study and improve the Valwood Park neighborhood. The City Council also approved an advanced funding agreement with TxDOT to install enhancements at the Valley View Lane and Valwood Parkway intersections at IH-35E. The enhancements will improve pedestrian and cyclist connectivity, including widened sidewalks, extra lighting, and enhanced crosswalks. These improvements will be installed alongside the IH-35E expansion.
Through public consultation and analysis, the study identified four target areas as priorities for change. Each target area has a vision statement supporting the corridor's overall vision. A "constraints and opportunities" analysis was also performed for each target area, informing the preferred land uses, tools, and strategies identified for each.
The rezoning of Target Area 1 was completed on April 18, 2023, with the expansion of Planned Development District No. 86 (PD-86) to include Target Area 1 and surrounding properties. The expansion of PD-86 to include sites on both the east and west sides of IH-35E aims to improve connectivity between the Station Area on the east side of IH-35E and the West Branch Area on the west side of IH-35E. The aim is to have this area become a cohesive downtown for Farmers Branch, with the West Branch area acting as a work-centered counterpart to the Station Area.
CURRENT INITIATIVES:
The study's implementation continues, and staff is developing new Planned Development District (PD) regulations for Target Area 2. This area is positioned to house large-scale businesses that need larger spaces and highway access. The study lists warehousing, e-commerce, event spaces, and creative industries (such as media and design) as most appropriate for this area.
The rezoning will seek to revise permitted land uses in this area and prioritize the activities and types of development outlined in the Vision Study, in order to make the corridor vision a reality. Furthermore, staff is reviewing site development standards and non-conforming provisions to enhance visual appeal and encourage adjustments in activities and site features over time.
NEXT STEPS:
Once the rezoning for Target Area 2 is complete, work on rezoning for Target Areas 3 and 4 will begin. This is an ideal time for rezonings related to the Vision Study to be undertaken. With ongoing highway construction, implementing the study's recommendations and strategies will establish a foundation for future development in the corridor.
DISTRICT:
District 1 & District 3
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation
2. IH-35E Corridor Vision Study (Reference Only)