REFINED HEIGHT PLAN AUGUST 03, 2010 downtown development district of new orleans new orleans, louisiana
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Downtown Development District Kurt Weigle, Executive Director Henry Charlot, Jr., Director of Economic Development Jeannie Tidy, Real Estate Development Manager Edward Featherstone Catrina Nealy H3 Studio John Hoal, Principal, Project Lead Wayne Mortensen, Project Manager Bryan Taylor Robinson, Senior Urban Designer Timothy Breihan Peter Elsbeck Kim Harrison Jordan Hicks Laura Lyon Hillary Petrie Tyler Survant Kelley Van Dyck Task Force Thomas Crumley Troy Dupuis Brian Gibbs Jim Livingston Barbara Motley Keith Perrin Anne Redd (ex-officio) Jack Stewart Shaun Talbot Peter Trapolin Robbie Vitrano Marcel Wisznia Study Participants Leslie Alley, CPC Tom Bauer William Borah, Smart Growth Louisiana Councilwoman Jacquelyn Brechtel-Clarkson Arlen Brunson, CPC Eleanor Burke, HDLC Trey Cefalu Brenda Cho, CPC John Cummings Wayne Ducote Pat Duncan, Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation Robert Farnsworth, National WWII Museum Councilwoman Stacy Head Nicole Hobson, Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation James Huger Phil Goff, Goody Clancy & Associates Jill Hickson, Councilman Fielkow s Office Robert Mendoza, Public Works C. Elliott Perkins, HDLC Wade Ragas, Wade Ragas Real Estate Yolanda Rodriguez, CPC Thomas St. Germain, New Orleans Fire Department Eric Stachan, Councilwoman Clarkson s Office Tracy St.Julien, HDLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS refined height plan 1.1 Purpose...4 1.2 Planning Process...4 1.3 Refined Height Plan...4 1.4 Principles...5 1.5 Model Images...6
Downtown Development District of New Orleans INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose: This document is an addendum and refinement to the Lafayette Square Upper CBD Height Study dated October 2, 2009 as approved by the Downtown Development District of New Orleans. The purpose of this addendum is to refine only the height recommendations as contained within the Lafayette Square Upper CBD Height Study in order to ensure all recommendations are provided on at least a block by block basis for consideration by the City Planning Commission as they move forward in the City wide Zoning Code Planning Process. 1.2 Planning Process: The Height Study Task Force convened for two additional meetings on June 15, 2010 and July 8, 2010 respectively to consider the block by block refinements to the Lafayette Square Upper CBD Height Study dated October 2, 2009. At the June 15, 2010 meeting the Task Force agreed upon a set of principles for refining the Height Study to a block by block approach. In principle, the only area for refinement was the core of the study area in which there were site by site recommendations. Three options of translating these site by site recommendations into block by block recommendations had been developed by the consultant for consideration by the Task Force at their June 15, 2010 meeting. The Task Force selected the option which included a consistent three to five story height recommendation in the core of the study area. The Task Force requested further investigation of the area along Convention Center Boulevard by the consultant. At the Height Study Task Force Meeting of July 8, 2010 the principles were reviewed, amended and approved (see below). In addition, the previously selected height option throughout the core of the study area was again reviewed and approved as well as the options for Convention Center Boulevard considered and one option selected as recorded in the attached document. 4 LAFAYETTE SQUARE/UPPER CBD HEIGHT STUDY Based upon this meeting the Task Force approved the attached refinement to the Height Plan. Furthermore, it was fully understood by the Task Force that any proposal that the Task Force suggests may not be automatically adopted by the City Planning Commission. 1.3 Refined Height Plan for Consideration by the City Planning Commission: The enclosed Refined Height Plan (SHOWN ABOVE) dated July 8, 2010 was developed by the Height Study Task Force of the Downtown Development District of New Orleans inclusive of the understated principles. (SEE OPPOSITE PAGE) NEW ORLEANS
H3 Studio FAR Based Heights 10 Storey (125 ) Limit with Setback at 6 Stories (75 ) 1.4 Principles: The refinements to the Height Plan for consideration by the City Planning Commission as they move forward in the City wide Zoning Code Planning Process were developed based upon the following principles: 15 Storey (185 ) Limit 6 Storey (75 ) Limit 10 Storey (125 ) Limit 3 Storeys (40 ) to 5 Storeys (65 ) Height Range 1) Zoning controls must be direct, rational and consistent. 2) Zoning controls must be in the form of a standard that is easily understood and measureable i.e. not a guideline. 3) Zoning controls should be developed upon a block by block basis. 4) The zoning ordinance should establish maximum and minimum heights, measured in feet from grade to measurable location on the roof line. The ordinance should state that no habitable space can be constructed or occupied on floors in the building, or any or any other structures that exceed that height. In addition, the ordinance should state the max. accessory/common space permitted on the roof as a % of the roof space. 5) Zoning controls should apply a standard height system, such as: 3 stories (40ft.); 4 stories (52ft.); 5 stories (65ft.); 6 stories (75ft.); 8 stories (100ft.); 10 stories (125ft) and a 10 story height with a setback at 6 stories; 15 stories (185ft.); and FAR based height. Note: these heights will not necessarily apply to parking structures. 6) Zoning controls should apply a three storey minimum height in the area. 7) Zoning controls should include no side yard requirements and all primary streets should have a zero setback requirement 8) Block by block zoning controls should be based upon Primary Streets having a consistent height both sides of the street for contiguous lengths. 9) Zoning will serve as a base condition and as such historical resources are not shown on the zoning map. The overall zoning code will detail the procedural method as to how historic resources will be considered. 10) The only regulatory authority over demolition of historical resources is HDLC. 11) Zoning controls should detail an approach to the issue of Legal Non-Conformity. 12) Zoning controls should provide a detailed process and procedure for those projects for which a building permit has been issued and construction has been started. 13) Zoning controls should provide a detailed process and procedure for plot consolidation and/or sub-division that might overlap different use, height, bulk, or street character zones. 14) Zoning controls should be supported with specific design guidelines developed and administered by HDLC that ensure high quality buildings, streets and public space in this area 15) The City-wide Master Plan shall be consistent with the Height Study and include detailed language matching the vision, goals and principles of the Height Study. 1.5 MODEL IMAGES: The following pages (6-15) show images of the proposed Height Plan in the 3D Model of the Study Area. These images were created using the Revised Height Plan (1.3) and Principles (1.4). LOUISIANA REFINED HEIGHT PLAN 5
Downtown Development District of New Orleans DOWNTOWN VIEW 6 LAFAYETTE SQUARE/UPPER CBD HEIGHT STUDY NEW ORLEANS
H3 Studio RIVER VIEW LOUISIANA REFINED HEIGHT PLAN 7
Downtown Development District of New Orleans UPTOWN VIEW 8 LAFAYETTE SQUARE/UPPER CBD HEIGHT STUDY NEW ORLEANS
H3 Studio LAKE VIEW LOUISIANA REFINED HEIGHT PLAN 9
Downtown Development District of New Orleans BARONNE STREET 10 LAFAYETTE SQUARE/UPPER CBD HEIGHT STUDY NEW ORLEANS
H3 Studio CAMP STREET LOUISIANA REFINED HEIGHT PLAN 11
Downtown Development District of New Orleans CARONDELET STREET 12 LAFAYETTE SQUARE/UPPER CBD HEIGHT STUDY NEW ORLEANS
H3 Studio MAGAZINE STREET LOUISIANA REFINED HEIGHT PLAN 13
Downtown Development District of New Orleans ST. CHARLES AVENUE 14 LAFAYETTE SQUARE/UPPER CBD HEIGHT STUDY NEW ORLEANS
H3 Studio JULIA STREET LOUISIANA REFINED HEIGHT PLAN 15