Smyrna Spring Road Corridor LCI

Recommendations

Figure 4.6a: Program T1 Project Recommendations 99

CITY OF SMYRNA

SPRING ROAD CORRIDOR LCI

Recommendations T1.4: This project is a targeted repair and widening T2: Provide key street network additions The diagram on the next page illustrates an overall
effort, to the extent that current grade changes in the Gateway district (Refer Figure concept of street network enhancements in the
will allow, for the sidewalk along the west side of 4.6b) Gateway. The LCI’s implementation program
Cobb Parkway, extending approximately 800 feet identifies two of these streets as City-driven capital
north from Spring Road intersection. This length of Smyrna has a remarkable opportunity for a investment projects. While the plan envisions that
sidewalk currently has several structural deficiencies transformative redevelopment program in its most of this street network would be provided
and misaligned covers for utilities; little room for Spring Road Gateway District adjacent to Cobb through development, it recommends these publicly-
pedestrians to avoid obstructions which creates Parkway. However, the current levels of traffic, led projects as a means of defining alignments and
potential safety hazards. priorities for traffic management and street securing right-of-way that will allow these projects
and intersection designs mean that substantial to advance.
T1.5: Already in progress as apart of Cobb County’s redevelopment requiring direct access to Spring
program of improvements related to The Battery Road and Cobb Parkway may not be feasible. At the The alignments shown in the plan diagram are
Atlanta development, this project adds a traffic same time, the district’s land values and the general intended as general guidance for key corridors and
signal and pedestrian crossing approximately 600 dynamics of development opportunity suggest that destinations to connect, but specific alignments
feet north of Spring Road intersection (located at redevelopment will not occur without substantial should be determined with regard to property lines,
the first commercial driveway north of Spring Road increases in development intensity. Both of these physical barriers and legal constraints and resulting
on the west side of Cobb Parkway). factors point to a need for additional circulation development sites that would allow feasible, realistic
in the area to distribute traffic to and from new development to occur. The alignments shown
T1.6: Additional enhancements in the Jonquil Drive development and to provide multiple routes for have been selected with the LCI study’s proposed
commercial node are recommended. This project movement that help create a more walkable, development concept in mind and is intended to
would add bicycle and pedestrian amenities along the connected district. allow appropriate building dimensions and types for
Spring Road Trail in the vicinity of the Jonquil Drive the mix of development that the real estate market
intersection. These improvements would occur for This means that new development in this area should analysis has identified as feasible.
approximately 500 feet on either side of Spring Road. be supported by an enhanced local street network.
This could possibly involve driveway consolidation, New public streets serve multiple benefits for T2.1: The first major east-west connection project
but is intended primarily to provide a safer and more transportation, including: would link the primary Gateway development site to
pleasant experience for cyclists and pedestrians using Jonquil Park. The master plan proposes two potential
the trail. • Reducing the need for direct driveway access alignments and this capital project would advance
from major thoroughfare streets to private one of those. The critical connection objective for
Priority trail lighting is addressed in T1.3 near development land uses; this project is between development sites at the
Argyle Elementary School, however, lighting should Cobb Parkway/Spring Road intersection and Jonquil
be addressed along the entire length of the trail, as • Distributing development-related vehicle traffic Park. This provides a critical link between new
funds become available. to major regional thoroughfares in a more development and public recreational facilities.
efficient and safe manner;
An additional trail enhancement to consider,
which sits just outside of the study area, is the • Increasing the overall vehicle-carrying capacity
implementation of a 10’ multi-use trail along of the district; and
Campbell Road from Atlanta Road to Spring Road.
This trail would provide additional accessibility to • Increasing and enhancing pedestrian paths and
and from the study area corridor. improving connectivity and walkability within
the district.
110000

In the short term, prior to major redevelopment Recommendations
occurring along the north side of Spring Road, this
connection would provide alternate access for
existing residents and reduce the need for Spring
Road to provide access to land uses to the north.

T2.2: On the south side of Spring Road, a parallel
street connection could also help to distribute
Spring Road traffic turning south onto Cumberland
Boulevard. This could accommodate local buses
currently destined for the CobbLinc Transfer Center
on Cumberland Boulevard, as well as, school buses
circulating to Argyle Elementary School.

The remainder of streets generally follow a series
of block-dimension standards intended to increase
walkability in the district but also allow flexibility for
accommodating different development forms. These
establish the basis for policy and ordinance updates
related to development standards summarized in the
following recommendation:

T2.3: Update appropriate standards in the City’s
zoning ordinance and other land development
code sections to include street network dimension
standards as follows:

• Block faces along major corridors (Spring Road,
Cobb Parkway and Cumberland Boulevard) with
a length of at least 300 feet but no more than
800 feet.

• Total block perimeter not to exceed 2,000 feet,
intended to allow for blocks of irregular shape
but still control overall size.

Figure 4.6b Street Network Additions 101

CITY OF SMYRNA

SPRING ROAD CORRIDOR LCI

At present, block standards in the City’s Subdivision TWO-LANE LOCAL STREET
Regulations (Section 708.1 of the City Code of
Ordinances) only define block lengths for residential This is a typical section that would serve the major connections envisioned in
blocks, with a minimum block length of 600 feet and projects T2.1 and T2.2. On-street parking may be added if land uses suggest a
a maximum of 1,800 feet. It is important to define need.
special conditions for the Gateway district, where a
more mixed use character and need for enhanced
circulation network suggests that a smaller overall
block size would be more appropriate.

The street network additions recommended in this
master plan are envisioned to provide two-lane
streets meeting City minimum right-of-way standards
(as defined in Section 707 of the City’s Subdivision
Regulations) but adding bicycle accommodations to
new network streets, especially in that area between
the Gateway redevelopment and Jonquil Park.

The typical cross-sections shown in the illustrations
to the right provide guidance on dimensions to
follow in street design when pursuing public projects
or in reviewing development applications where new
streets are to be provided.

Recommendations

110022 Figure 4.6c: Local Street Section - Sharrows

















Implementation Plan

TEMPLATE

FIVE YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Priority Projects - 100 Day Action Plan

1. City of Smyrna City Council to Adopt LCI Plan as amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan (L1)
2. Apply for Supplemental LCI Study Funding for:

a. Spring Road Corridor Design Guidelines - Procure Consultant and Partner with ARC Community Choices or Complete In-House (L5)
b. Scoping/Feasibility Study for Baseball Blvd. (T2.1)
c. Scoping/Feasibility Study of transit stop enhancements and bus stop enhancements (T4) (considering partnering with Cobb County)
d. Scoping/Feasibility Study of Cobb County Transfer Center Location (partner with Cobb County and Cumberland CID)
3. Attract Implementation Project LCI Funding for the following:
a. Design and Engineering of Spring Road Trail Lighting
b. Design and Engineering of relevant T1 projects (consider bundling this project with Cobb County proposal)
4. Begin selection process of consultant to develop a marketing and rendering package of the Base Line in partnership with Cumberland CID (T3)
5. Update Future Land Use maps per recommendations within this report - coordinate with the Comp Plan Update (L2)

Atlanta Regional Commission 4/21/2017

TEMPLATE

Other Local Initiatives Cost Year Responsible Funding
Land Use & Zoning N/A Party Source

Description/Action

L1 Amend the Comprehensive Plan: Adopt this LCI study as a part of the Comprehensive Plan. 2017 City of Smyrna N/A

Consider the following amendments to the City of Smyrna Future Land Use: N/A 2017-2018 City of Smyna City of Smyrna,
ARC
Amendments per proposed future land use map. Amend as part of the Comprehensive Plan

L2 Update currently underway, at the writing of this report, to be completed and adopted by

October, 2017.

L3 Consider updates to the Spring Road Corridor Design District Overlay as described in this N/A 2017-2018 City of Smyrna City of Smyrna,
report. ARC

L4 Consider updates and changes to the Mixed Use Zoning Category as described in this report N/A 2017-2018 City of Smyrna City of Smyrna,
ARC

L5 Develop Design Standards/Guidelines for the Spring Road Corridor, including streetscape $50,000 or completed 2017-2018 City of Smyrna City of Smyrna,
standards, block sizes, setbacks, etc. Align guidelines with recommendations as found within in-house Cobb County
this report.

Atlanta Regional Commission 4/21/2017

TEMPLATE

Consider including greenspace recommendations within the Spring Road Corridor Design City of Smyrna,

L6 Standards and/or Corridor Overlay. Suggested guidelines for new (re)development to include N/A 2017-2018 City of Smyrna ARC,
Community
a ratio of 10 acres per 1,000 residents and allowing of a variety of park sizes.
Choices

City of Smyrna,

L7 Consider including a requirement to provide connections to the Spring Road Trail and/or other N/A 2017-2018 City of Smyrna ARC,
area trails as part of the Spring Road Corridor Design Standards and/or Corridor Overlay. Community

Choices

It is recommended that the City of Smyrna begin conversations with Cobb County to address City of Smyrna,

L8 the future need for a new elementary school in or near the Spring Road Corridor. As N/A 2017-2018 City of Smyrna ARC,
redevelopment occurs in this corridor the need for a new elementary school will likely Community
Cost
increase. $10,000 Choices

Economic Development Year Responsible Funding
Party Source
Description/Action

E1 Consider the creation of a Special Use District/Community Services District to address various 2017-2020 City of Smyrna City of Smyrna,
redevelopment issues and needs within the study area. ARC

E2 Consider the creation of a Smyrna Community Improvement District to act as a mechanism to $10,000 2017-2020 City of Smyrna City of Smyrna,
encourage private sector investment in the study area. ARC

E3 Pursue infrastructure grants to help offset up-front infrastructure development costs. N/A 2017-2020 City of Smyrna, City of Smyrna,
Cobb County Cobb County,
ARC, GDOT

Atlanta Regional Commission 4/21/2017

TEMPLATE

E4 Pursue green SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) to create funds for urban N/A 2017-2020 City of Smyrna, City of Smyrna,
open greenspace that could act as anchors for key redevelopment sites. Cobb County Cobb County,
ARC, GDOT

E5 Pursue green SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) to improve and potentially N/A 2017-2020 City of Smyrna, City of Smyrna,
expand Jonquil Park, providing for a "green" anchor to redevelopment. Cobb County Cobb County,
ARC, GDOT

City of Smyrna to consider the development of a "shared" parking structure near the new City of Smyrna,
Cobb County,
E6 location of the CobbLinc transit hub, that could accommodate both commuter transit parking, N/A 2017-2020 City of Smyrna, ARC, GDOT
as well as apartment and retail parking. Develop site in a Transit-Oriented-Development N/A Cobb County

concept. Consider reducing parking requirements for the apartments within the TOD.

To attract (re)development, consider the following strategies to beautify Spring Road Corridor: City of Smyrna,
Cobb County,
E7 Re-landscape the medians and buffer strips at sidewalks/trails to define the corridor; work with 2017-2020 City of Smyrna, ARC, GDOT
the Smyrna Arts and Culture Council to reserve strategic public art locations along the Cobb County

corridor; develop gateway and wayfinding signage at bridges and key intersections.

Atlanta Regional Commission 4/21/2017

TEMPLATE Cost Year Responsible Funding
N/A Party Source
Housing Projects/Initiatives N/A
N/A City of Smyrna,
Description/Action N/A 2017-2018 City of Smyrna Cobb County,

Consider incentives for workforce housing in the Spring Road Corridor Design District Overlay ARC

H1 area. Incentives include: tax credits and matching funds from County and/or State housing City of Smyrna,
2017-2018 City of Smyrna Cobb County,
departments.
ARC
Consider inclusionary zoning as set forth in the 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update.
City of Smyrna,
H2 Inclusionary zoning or housing requires a given share of new construction to be workforce 2017-2018 City of Smyrna Cobb County,

housing. ARC

Establish a recommended mix of unit sizes in new multi-family developments, in the Corridor City of Smyrna,
2017-2018 City of Smyrna Cobb County,
H3 Design District Overlay to encourage a mix of incomes and multi-generational access to
ARC
housing.

Consider allowing smaller lot sizes, smaller minimum building footprints, and acccessory

H4 dwelling units to encourage a diversity of housing types that can accomodate the increasing

land values in the area.

Additional Items Cost Year Responsible Funding
N/A Party Source
Description/Action
2017-2022 City of Smyrna City of Smyrna,
Attract Supplemental LCI and TIP Funds: Complete ARC requirements to apply for LCI/TIP ARC
funds to plan priority projects, as listed in "Priority Projects".

Atlanta Regional Commission 4/21/2017

SPRING ROAD LCI TRANSPORTATION PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS
City of Smyrna

Project Project Name Project Description/Extent Type of PE ROW/Utilities Construction Total Primary Responsible Potential Funding Local Match
Number Improvement Year Cost Year Cost Year Cost Project (Lead) Agency Sources
Cost City of Smyrna
City of Smyrna
Widen sidewalks and add streetscape elements City of Smyrna
Cobb DOT/GDOT
T1.1 Jonquil Commercial District on the south side of Spring Road, from Mosaic Bicycle/ 2018 $ 20,000 2019 $ 100,000 2020 $ 200,000 $ 320,000 City of Smyrna TIP or LCI $ 64,000
Sidewalks
Way to alignment of Emory Lane, Pedestrian City of Smyrna

approximately 900 feet. City of Smyrna

Objective 1: T1.2 Poplar Creek Bridge Pedestrian Replace south side guardrail adjacent to Bicycle/ 2018 $ 25,000 2019 $ - 2020 $ 250,000 $ 275,000 City of Smyrna TIP or LCI $ 55,000
Enhance and Enhancements sidewalk with decorative elements and widen Pedestrian 2019 $ 25,000 2020 $ - 2021 $ 250,000 $ 275,000 TIP or LCI $ 55,000
strengthen sidewalk, approximately 450 feet 2019 $ 30,000 2020 $ - 2021 $ 300,000 $ 330,000 City of Smyrna TIP or LCI $ 66,000
corridor’s
current T1.3 Argyle Elementary Sidewalk Repair south sidewalk and enhance lighting, Bicycle/
multimodal Enhancement
facilities especially through tree canopy area Pedestrian

T1.4 Cobb Parkway West Sidewalk Repair and expand west sidewalk Bicycle/
Enhancement approximately 800 feet north from Spring Road Pedestrian
intersection

Add bicycle and pedestrian amenities along

Spring Road trail in the vicinity of the Jonquil

T1.5 Jonquil Commercial District Trail Drive commercial district, approximately 500 Bicycle/ 2019 $ 20,000 2020 $ 50,000 2021 $ 200,000 $ 270,000 TIP or LCI $ 54,000

Enhancements feet on either side of Jonquil Drive. This may Pedestrian

involve driveway consolidation in the limited

opportunities for it.

Up to full cost:

Connect Gateway Development site to Jonquil City funds; Private Federal funds
Development likely not
T2.1 Jonquil Park-Gateway East-West Park with at least one east-west street Roadway (Local 2019 $ 275,000 2020-2021 $ 1,500,000 2022 $ 2,750,000 $ 4,525,000 Contributions
applicable due to
Objective 2: Street Connection connection. Two alternatives are shown in LCI Street Network) local street

Provide key Master Plan.

street network classification

additions in the Add new network street parallel to and south of Up to full cost:

Gateway Spring Road from Argyle Elementary School City funds; private Federal funds
development likely not
T2.2 Argyle Elementary East-West east to Cumberland Boulevard. This street's Roadway (Local 2020 $ 300,000 2021 $ 1,500,000 2022 $ 4,000,000 $ 5,800,000 contributions
Connection $ 100,000 2022 $ 250,000 applicable due to
alignment should utilize existing street Street Network) 2021, $ 800,000 2022 $ 1,000,000 local street
Spring Road 'Baseline' Crossing estimated
connections along its course, including
Spring Road - I-285 Connector 2021,
Path Cumberland Way and Woodruff Drive. estimated classification

Concurrent with redevelopment of the Gateway

district, install a grade-separated crossing of

Spring Road between Cumberland Boulevard

T3.1 and Cobb Parkway. This should generally align Bicycle/ 2022 $ 1,000,000 $ 1,350,000 TIP or LCI $ 270,000
T3.2 with an alignment of protected bicycle and Pedestrian 2023 $ 8,000,000 $ 9,800,000
pedestrian trails (referred to in the LCI Master

Plan as the 'Baseline' trail concept) connecting

the Battery development with other major

destinations in the district.

Connected to T3.2, add a pedestrian TIP or LCI $ 1,960,000
connection between Spring Road and I-285 Bicycle/
including a new pedestrian bridge across I-285 Pedestrian
to the Cumberland Mall site.

Establish a pedestrian/bicycle path connection

T3.3 Cumberland Mall Pedestrian Path utilizing portions of the Cumberland Mall Bicycle/ 2021 $ 10,000 2022 $ - 2022 $ 100,000 $ 110,000 Cumberland CID/Cobb CID Funds; LCI $ 110,000
T3.4 Enhancements parking circulation and connecting to the Pedestrian County Implementation
Objective 3: existing pedestrian bridge connecting both
Connect Funds
Gateway to
Battery and sides of Cobb Parkway.
other Create a formal pedestrian/bicycle path through
Cumberland-
area locations the Galleria district and install signage,

Galleria Connection wayfinding, lighting and amenities to continue a Bicycle/ 2020 $ 30,000 2021 $ 50,000 2022 $ 300,000 $ 380,000 Cumberland CID/Cobb CID Funds; LCI $ 380,000
loop trail connecting the Battery development Pedestrian County Implementation
site to Galleria, the Cumberland Mall, and the
Funds

Spring Road Gateway area within the LCI

boundaries.
Concurrent with vertical development of the
TBD - likely
Gateway site, add a grade-separated greater than 20
TIP and CID Funds; percent, though
pedestrian connection (bridge) across Cobb Public-Private 20 percent may
Partnership be applicable to
T3.5 Cobb Parkway Pedestrian Bridge: Parkway generally in the location of Project Bicycle/ 2021, $ 500,000 2022 $ - 2023 $ 5,000,000 $ 5,500,000 City of Smyrna
estimated City of Smyrna pedestrian
Battery to Smyrna Gateway T1.5 and a landing plaza as part of Pedestrian City of Smyrna bridge portion

redevelopment projects on the Smyrna side. Up to full cost,
City funds; Private though LCI
This is envisioned to connect to a protected,
Development grants and other
grade-separated pedestrian connection. Contributions funding sources

Design and implement a signage and N/A (all may be available
wayfinding program for the Gateway District
T3.6 Signage and Wayfinding Program that may also be coordinated with the rest of the 2018 for $100,000 wayfinding N/A (funding N/A $75,000/
Spring Road corridor and extended. Funding Bicycle/ program (system installations N/A to begin in fiscal year
Objective 4: Set T4.1 estimates are for design of the system and an Pedestrian design planning and assumed to
strategic annual amount designated for implementation. design) 2019) $50,000/
locations to The system should be coordinated along with be in fiscal year
better support redevelopment of the Gateway district. existing
transit service T4.2
ROW)

Provide funding and technical assistance for 2017 for N/A (funding
program to begin in
Transit Amenity Program for Stop enhancement of transit facilities and pedestrian Transit design N/A $50,000/ N/A N/A City; CobbLinc $50,000/fiscal
Enhancement waiting areas in public right-of-way or on private 2018) fiscal year
(through FTA funds) year

property, through easements.

Station Area Access Provide funding for sidewalk enhancements, Transit or 2019 $ 200,000 2020 $ 100,000 2021 $ 2,000,000 $ 2,300,000 City of Smyrna City; CobbLinc $ 460,000
Enhancements lighting, signage and wayfinding to improve Bicycle/ (through FTA funds)
pedestrian access to a multimodal transit center Pedestrian
should it be located in the LCI boundary.



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