11.20.23 Downtown Advisory Committee Minutes'rows or
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A Place Where Everyone Matters
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Call to Order / Roll Call.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
Committee Members Present:
Chris Wardlaw, Chair
Melissa Randle, Vice -Chair
Mike Lopez
Roger Thedford
Gavin Hernandez
Mike Pettis
Grant Mendeljian
Committee Members Absent:
Trovette Tottress
Councilmembers Present:
Chris Kern
Marcus Ray (arrived at 5:48 p.m.)
Councilmembers Absent:
Amy Bartley
MINUTES
Downtown Advisory Committee
Monday, November 20, 2023
Staff Members Present:
Robyn Battle, Executive Director
Mario Canizares, Town Manager
Chuck Ewings, Assistant Town Manager
David Hoover, Development Services Director
Leigh Johnson, IT Director (arrived at 6:11 p.m.)
Consider and act upon the minutes from the November 6, 2023, Downtown
Advisory Committee meeting. (RB)
Melissa Randle made a motion and Mike Pettis seconded the motion to approve the
minutes from November 6, 2023. The motion was approved unanimously.
Comments from the Public.
There were no comments from the public.
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4. Discussion on Downtown parking strategies. (DH)
Mr. Hoover presented information about a parking analysis Town staff had previously
conducted. Staff will continue to refine the analysis to provide a more accurate account
of private and public parking capacity in Downtown. The Committee discussed several
parking strategies, including the possibility of shared parking agreements among
downtown merchants and property owners to maximize public parking. Town staff will
pursue coordinating shared parking among new developments as they occur.
The general consensus among staff and the Committee is that a parking structure/
garage is not necessary at this time, but a parking structure should be considered as
part of a long-term parking strategy. The Committee asked staff to explore asphalt
paving for the Town -owned lot on the east side of Main Street just south of the Prosper
EDC building, as well as a paved walkway that would run east of the property to
Coleman.
In order to maximize parking at Town Hall, Town staff have already been directed to
park fleet vehicles on the west side of the lot to maximize public parking on the north
side. Town staff will explore relocating fleet vehicles to the Public Works site to free up
even more public parking at Town Hall. Valet parking was introduced as an option to be
considered. The idea was raised to pave the EDC lot west of Town Hall with gravel;
however, the Committee decided against this option since gravel paving would not
comply with Town paving standards.
The Committee discussed additional lighting in and around Downtown to create a more
welcoming environment for visitors, including lighted bollards in the Town Hall parking
lot and along the walkway between Town Hall and Broadway. Additional wayfinding and
public parking signage directing visitors to public parking would also be helpful. Staff will
investigate the parking strategies discussed by the Committee and bring these items
back for discussion at a future meeting.
5. Discussion on Public Wi-Fi in Downtown. (U)
Mr. Johnson presented information on providing free public Wi-Fi service in the
Downtown area. Some Downtown merchants still struggle to have reliable Wi-Fi
services. The Committee decided to focus on the area around Town Hall, Broadway
and Main for an interim solution until the market drives Broadband providers to fill in
service gaps. Mr. Johnson will compile a cost estimate for a turnkey solution for public
Wi-Fi, including installation and ongoing maintenance and present the information at a
future meeting.
6. Discussion on the use of Town and EDC funds for Downtown. (RB)
Mrs. Battle reviewed the list of options that have been submitted to date for the use of
the $1 million in combined funds set aside by the Town and the EDC for Downtown
improvements. The Committee has been tasked with identifying the priority uses for
these funds that can be implemented quickly and have the highest impact. The list will
be updated and reviewed as ideas are presented and cost estimates are gathered.
The Committee had previously discussed installing string lights across Broadway and
Main. Staff was directed to expand the scope of the project along Broadway from
Coleman to McKinley and on Main Street from First to Broadway. Wrapped tree lights
and uplighting should also be installed and lit year-round in this same area. Staff will
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investigate whether the lights are on timers. Electricity will need to be run to the light
poles along Main in order to install outlets on the poles and uplighting. As an alternative
to string lights, the Committee would like to pursue cost estimates for several lit archway
structures that extend across Broadway and Main at key intersections. These
permanent structures could possibly contain conduit for future Wi-Fi or other
infrastructure improvements and could include colored lights that can be changed for
holidays or special events. Initial locations for the archway structures would be along
Broadway at the intersections of Coleman, Main, Crockett and McKinley. Additional
structures may be added along Main Street.
The Committee requested that trash receptacles be installed along Broadway as soon
as possible. Staff will return with design options and a quote at the December 4
meeting. Additional staff resources may be needed as Downtown continues to grow to
keep the streets and sidewalks clean.
Staff is recommending that the trees along Broadway and Main be replaced with
different tree species that are more suitable for the area, and that will grow to provide an
adequate shade canopy. The tree wells may need to be replaced to accommodate the
new trees. If possible, staff will make an effort to install the necessary electrical conduit
on Main Street as the new trees and tree wells are installed.
Ms. Battle will update the Downtown improvements list and email it to the Committee
members so they may begin prioritizing the projects.
7. Discussion on the Downtown Overlay District. (DH)
Mr. Hoover provided an overview of the process to create a Downtown Overlay District,
which will establish development standards in the Downtown area that draw from the
Town's existing Zoning Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, and the Downtown Master
Plan. The Overlay District will create cohesion and compatibility in Downtown, while
establishing a unique sense of place. Town staff will bring a draft of the Overlay District
for the Committee to review in February.
8. Discussion on ideas for vacant lot at northeast corner of Main and Broadway.
(MR)
The Committee discussed potential uses for the property to be preserved as an
amenitized open space. While the property is privately owned, the Committee asked
staff to prepare some conceptual designs that may include a gazebo or gathering space,
seating, lighting, a historical marker and paved paths to create a unique focal point in
Downtown. Town staff will prepare conceptual designs for the Committee to consider at
a future meeting.
9. Requests for future agenda items.
The Committee will review the list of potential items for funding and begin prioritizing
items at the next meeting.
10. Discuss January 2024 meeting dates. (RB)
The January 1 and January 15 regular meeting dates will fall on Town holidays. Mrs.
Battle will propose alternative meeting dates for January via email.
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11. Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. on Monday, November 20, 2023.
These minutes were approved on Monday, December 4, 2023.
Chris Wardlaw, Chair
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