The Village Of Ponderosa, in alignment with the "Town Center Overlay District Guidelines", aims to encourage pedestrian movement and opportunities for pedestrian interaction through a series of interconnected sidewalks and trails which lead to the office and retail establishments within the Village Of Ponderosa and adjoining developments, outdoor plaza areas, the lake feature, dog park, and community open space and gathering spots. Exhibit 18 illustrates these trails, sidewalks, plaza areas and features. Development of these areas shall comply with the following guidelines with details of the development of each area to be specified, reviewed, and approved at the time of site plan development. Unless otherwise specified, the installation of these pedestrian elements shall be by the developer(s) of the Village Of Ponderosa in conjunction with or before the development of the surrounding areas.
A. Trails And Sidewalks:
1. Identification Markings: Pedestrian street crossings should be identified through street markings, contrasting pavement colors, or textured pavement treatments.
2. Vertical Clearance: A minimum of eight feet (8') of vertical clearance shall be maintained at all times over all pedestrian travelways.
3. Public Trails:
a. Public trails shall be installed within the Village Of Ponderosa in alignment with the City's master trail plan or as agreed upon with the City of West Des Moines and detailed as part of the park land dedication agreement.
b. Trails shall be constructed in accordance with the City of West Des Moines' standard specifications except for those trails intended to serve as an access route for City maintenance vehicles. In these situations, the trails shall be constructed over a six inch (6") compacted rock base in order to accommodate the weight of the maintenance vehicles.
c. A minimum of two feet (2') of clear shoulder should be provided on each side of the trail.
d. Signage traditionally located along public trails shall be provided and installed by the city of West Des Moines; except trail size stop signs at all street crossings which shall be installed by the developer immediately following construction of trails. Nontraditional signage, if desired, to mark circuit distances, direct pedestrians to features/areas within the development, etc., shall be procured, installed, and maintained by the developer. The locations of any private signage along public trails shall be approved by the city of West Des Moines prior to installation.
e. Emergency call boxes located along public trails may be provided and installed by the city of West Des Moines.
f. Trail markings on the trail surface itself utilized to indicate road crossings, direct traffic, etc., shall be approved by the city of West Des Moines prior to installation. Responsibility for installation and maintenance of markings shall be as determined and agreed upon with the city of West Des Moines.
g. Repairs to the public trails shall be the responsibility of the city following a four (4) year maintenance period. General maintenance (snow removal, sweeping, etc.) of the trails shall be as agreed upon between the city and the developer. In general, the trail along South 60th Street shall be maintained by the city, all other trails within the development shall be maintained by the developer.
h. Installation, maintenance and replacement of trail lighting, if incorporated, shall be the responsibility of the developer. Locations of light fixtures along public trails shall be set to the appropriate distance from the trail and approved by the city of West Des Moines prior to installation.
i. The following public trails shall be constructed within the site:
(1) South 60th Trail: As shown on exhibit 18, a trail will be created from the northern to southern property boundary along South 60th Street. As indicated, this trail will meander in and out of the right of way, but shall not encroach into the right of way farther than typical public trail placement at one foot (1') off of the property line would allow (11 feet from property line to street edge of trail).
(A) This trail shall be five inch (5") PCC, saw cut at ten foot by ten foot (10' x 10') panels. No longitudinal/centerline joints allowed.
(B) In order to fulfill part of the developer's park land dedication requirements, the developer shall pay all costs associated with the construction of the entire ten foot (10') trail.
(2) Ponderosa Creek Trail: As shown on exhibit 18, a public trail will be installed which connects the South 60th Street trail to Willow Springs Park located directly to the north. This trail shall be located along Ponderosa Creek as part of an open space "meadow".
(A) This trail shall be six inch (6") asphalt, except those portions that are to serve as an access route for city maintenance trucks. These portions shall consist of six inch (6") asphalt pavement constructed over a six inch (6") compacted rock base. Approaches at all street crossing are to be concrete. Midblock crossings shall be designed, constructed, and maintained according to MUTCD standards (figure 9B-7 of manual).
(B) To accommodate grade changes, retaining walls may be necessary along this trail. These retaining walls shall be set back a minimum of two feet (2') from the trail edge in order to provide a clear recovery zone and to minimize the potential for bicycle handlebars and wall contact. Exhibit 19 illustrates the relationship between trail and retaining wall.
(C) In order to fulfill part of the developer's park land dedication requirements, the developer shall be responsible for all costs associated with the construction of this ten foot (10') trail. In addition, the developer shall be responsible for the extension of the Willow Springs Park Trail south to connect with the Ponderosa Creek Trail in this development.
(3) South Granite Way: As shown on exhibit 18, a trail will be implemented which runs from the Ponderosa Creek trail south and easterly through the open greenbelt to South Granite Way; south along the western side of South Granite Way to north of West Glen's retention pond; the trail shall parallel the north side of the pond to the east side of South Prairie View Drive; crossing at the intersection of South Crescent Way and South Prairie View Drive; and continuing along the west side of South Prairie View Drive to the applicant's southern property boundary.
(A) This trail shall be a combination of five inch (5") PCC and six inch (6") asphalt. In general, that portion of the trail that crosses the open space may be asphalt while that portion that parallels streets shall be PCC.
(B) This trail shall be set back a minimum five feet (5') from the back of curb of South Granite Way. The trail along South Prairie View Drive shall be set one foot (1') off of the standard right of way line and a minimum of seven feet (7') from back of curb.
(C) In order to fulfill part of the developer's park land dedication requirement, the developer shall pay all costs associated with construction of this ten foot (10') trail.
4. Private Trails:
a. Trails shall be constructed of either six inch (6") asphalt or five inch (5") PCC; choice of material shall be at the discretion of the developer unless otherwise set forth in this ordinance.
b. Whenever possible, trails shall be six feet (6') or greater in width, but in no situation shall they be less than four feet (4') in width.
c. Trails shall be set back a minimum of five feet (5') from the back of curb of private streets; however, no minimum setback from the property line shall be required for those trails within greenbelts that abut private property.
d. Signage desired along the trails shall be procured, installed, and maintained by the developer.
e. Repairs and maintenance of the trails shall be the responsibility of the developer.
f. Installation and maintenance of trail lighting, if incorporated, shall be the responsibility of the developer.
5. Public Sidewalks:
a. Public sidewalks shall be located and installed within the Village Of Ponderosa in accordance with city code.
b. Sidewalks shall be installed as a part of the public improvements associated with the lot or area being developed, in conjunction with or before the time of construction of the buildings.
c. Sidewalks shall be constructed in accordance with the city of West Des Moines standard specifications.
d. Public sidewalks within the site shall be a minimum of four feet (4') in width.
6. Private Sidewalks:
a. Sidewalks shall be located as illustrated in exhibit 18.
b. Sidewalks shall be located in relation to the adjoining private streets as indicated in the applicable street cross sections (see exhibits 9 through 16).
c. Private sidewalks within the site shall be a minimum of four feet (4') in width except in those situations in which vehicle parking overhangs the sidewalk; in these situations, the sidewalk width shall be increased two feet (2') to accommodate pedestrian movements and vehicle overhang.
B. Plaza Areas: A key element to encouraging pedestrian activities is the incorporation of plaza areas and structured pedestrian gathering areas. Exhibit 18 identifies the locations of these areas while exhibits 25 through 27 provide conceptual layouts and designs for these areas. Details for each of these plaza areas will be submitted, reviewed, and approved as part of the site plan for the adjoining parcels.
1. Plaza areas shall encourage opportunities for interaction among pedestrians through the provision of seating opportunities (benches, chairs, tables, planter walls, etc.). Within the appendix attached to the exhibit packet are representations of the site amenities including street furniture that will be provided throughout this development. Although deviations from the illustrations are permissible, the street furniture is intended to serve as a unifying element throughout the development. Without compromising the design intent of the plazas, the developer is encouraged to maximize the number of furniture/seating opportunities throughout the development.
2. Whenever possible, outdoor dining associated with restaurants and sidewalk cafes shall be implemented.
3. Open space plaza areas shall incorporate a variety of hardscape landscape materials (stone pavers, stamped concrete, field boulders, etc.) for visual interest and variety and shall implement landscape vegetation to soften, enhance, and delineate the areas. A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the plaza area shall be "green space" consisting of shrub and perennial planting beds, tree islands, or lawn areas. Whenever possible, elements that enrich the space (i.e., gazebos, art, fountains, banners, and children's play environment, etc.) should be incorporated. See exhibit 18 for locations, and exhibits 25 and 26 for conceptual character images of acceptable plaza areas.
4. Appropriate lighting should be incorporated into the plaza areas for safety reasons and to extend the usability of the area into the evening hours.
5. Plaza areas associated with establishments which serve alcoholic beverages shall provide a definable boundary (change in material, unmovable signage, physical feature, etc.) between the private establishments in which alcohol consumption is allowed and the public area in which it is not. A physical barrier (fencing, railing, landscaping, etc.) should prohibit access into the patio area from the public area; all access into the patio area should be through the interior of the establishment. The barrier specifications shall be reviewed and approved as part of the development application.
6. Details regarding maintenance and replacement responsibilities for the plaza spaces should be identified within the association documents.
C. Crescent Lake: The most significant open space in the Village Of Ponderosa is Crescent Lake. It provides an identity and gathering places for the entire village. Diverse environments and people spaces are located around the perimeter of the lake. The lake covers approximately 2.25 acres. It has been designed as a sustainable environment with depths and water quality that will support aquatic plants and animals. Recirculating pumps will create a bubbling spring effect in the lower pool. The upper pool (approximately 4 feet above the main pool) will be linked with the main pool by recirculating waterfall. Stormwater systems, including filtered bioretention swales and surface runoff will provide additional sources of water. The perimeter of the pond has been designed with minimum depths (approximately 18 inches to 30 inches) to comply with safety standards. The lake's dam, spillway and downstream watershed shall be designed in accordance with Iowa DNR (department of natural resources) and army corps of engineers' requirements.
D. Lakeside Terrace: The core gathering place for the village is the Lakeside Terrace. Located adjacent to both Crescent Lake and Market Street this strategic location provides a flexible place for diverse activities. A water feature provides a bubbling water source along the pedestrian streetscape that flows down to the lake with a waterfall and plunge pool. The water feature will provide several different sound effects, both soothing and dramatic.
The Lakeside Terrace is designed to accommodate a wide range of activities including:
1. Informal gathering of individuals, couples, families and small groups as well as special event assemblies for large groups;
2. Seating with movable chairs and small tables as well as informal seating opportunities such as sloping lawns and broad steps;
3. Paved and landscaped areas that can accommodate a range of temporary exhibits, fairs and events; and
4. Both sunny and shaded spaces that also vary according to the season and time of day including a desirable morning sun exposure and protection from westerly winds.
Another feature of the Lakeside Terrace is the clock tower. Clad in wood with an internally illuminated clock face, the tower provides an accent on the village skyline providing practicable purposes of orientation and timekeeping. No tenant signage shall be located on the clock tower, however the development name and logo may be. The tower shall not exceed fifty feet (50') in height.
E. Art And Bocce Ball Park: A public open space will be provided adjacent to the southeast terminus of Crescent Lake and its companion lake. This area will provide an area to display public art (either permanent or rotating temporary installation). In addition a lawn area with adjacent seating will be provided to accommodate bocce ball.
F. Dog Park: A fenced area (5 foot, metal grid) with shade trees, open lawn area and patio with seating will be provided for Village Of Ponderosa residents and their dogs. The area will be secure and only accessible by Village Of Ponderosa resident key card. A water fountain (designed for dog parks) will be provided. Groves of shade trees will be provided for shade and a combination of shrubs and tall grasses will reduce the visual impact of the perimeter fence.
G. Meadow: A broad open space system or meadow extends from South 60th Street to the northeastern portion of the village. Designed to function as a broad meadow with a meandering stream along its edge, it provides a passive outdoor recreation and public pathway system that links to a broader community wide open space system. Portions of the meadow are designed to reduce stormwater impacts through controlled release of peak runoff flows; public pathways are located outside of areas susceptible to stormwater storage. Stream edges and areas susceptible to erosion will be planted with appropriate riparian plant material (such as red switch grass and equisetum) and will incorporate stone features to stabilize soils and further manage water velocities. A combination of native and low maintenance grasses will be utilized to create sustainable environments while encouraging public use.
H. Art: Multiple locations have been identified for the installation of permanent or temporary/rotating art pieces. The village's main entrance off of South 60th Street is designed as an art lawn with broad lawns and unobstructed views to potentially two (2) art locations (southwest corner of Village View Drive and Market Street, and the north view terminus of Market Street).
Art and development identification elements are desired for integration into Bluestem Circle to create a development entry feature and enhance the sense of community. Details of any feature shall be submitted for review and approval by the city council prior to installation. If approved, the developer and the city shall execute an easement document in which the rights and responsibilities of the parties shall be delineated.
I. Residential Park: Courtyard type parks will be incorporated within the larger multi-family buildings located in areas 1D, 4A and 3C. These areas are intended to serve the immediate building residents, however may be accessed by other development residents or visitors. The park design should be well integrated within the building design, providing a sense of enclosure, yet allow views to the surrounding area and admit sunlight. Residential units bordering the park should include architectural features such as balconies, roof decks or large windows to reinforce the connection between the living units and the courtyard activities. A variety of paving and landscaping elements including planting beds or water features should be incorporated as well as benches, steps and defined seating areas such as gazebos to encourage social interaction. If size allows, features such as small sport courts, fitness trails, or level turf areas for group activities can be provided. Details of the residential park design shall be submitted for review and approval as part of the site plan for each building. (Ord. 2093, 6-1-2015)