2004 GROWTH CENTER PLANNING
2003 GROWTH CENTER PLANNING | 2005 GROWTH CENTER PLANNING
2006 GROWTH CENTER PLANNING | 2007 GROWTH CENTER PLANNING

What is a Growth Center?

Growth Centers are areas of concentrated activity such as retail, office, public facilities, a range of residential development, cultural and recreational activities linked with a variety of transportation choices such as vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian. There are two types of Growth Centers.

Regional Growth Centers
Include regional shopping centers, institutions, higher density office and residential complexes, medical centers, and other major activities serving both the City Parish and adjacent parishes.

Community Growth Centers
Include community shopping centers, office and residential complexes, public and recreational facilities and similar activities serving community areas.

Growth Centers were adopted with the Horizon Plan in 1992. Specific boundaries for the Growth Centers were delineated in 1997 after a series of public meetings around the parish.

There are 29 Growth Centers designated throughout the Parish, 23 Community and 6 Regional. We are beginning the Growth Center Community Planning Process in the southern part of the parish with Growth Center 1, and moving north through the parish addressing each Growth Center in numerical order. The Planning Commission staff will visit 5-6 Growth Centers each year from 2003-2007.

Growth Centers Information Bulletin

What is Growth Center Community Planning?

Read about Growth Center Community Planning in the May issue of Planning Newsletter.

What Happens at Growth Center Community Planning Meetings?

Growth Center Community Planning Meetings give residents, patrons, and property owners an opportunity to participate in community planning for their growth center. Elements studied in each growth center are transportation, land use, environmental features, and design. Topics for discussion at the meetings focus on possible design guidelines for, bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities, landscape improvements, and future construction in growth centers.

Questions From Growth Center Meetings

What do Urban Design Guidelines Look Like?

Before	After
If design guidelines for landscape improvements, pedestrian amenities, lighting, and signs were in place, this intersection would look very different.

Below are two visual examples of how Urban Design Guidelines might address the needs of Growth Center Communities.

Before	After
Design guidelines for sidewalks, landscape improvements, and signs would make this corridor a much safer and more pleasant place to walk.

If design guidelines for landscape improvements, pedestrian amenities, lighting, and signs were in place, this intersection would look very different.

Design guidelines for sidewalks, landscape improvements, and signs would make this corridor a much safer and more pleasant place to walk.

Urban Design District Fact Sheet

How Can I Get Involved in Growth Center Community Planning?

After the Growth Center Community Planning Meeting, contact the Metropolitan Council Representative for the Growth Center.

Metropolitan Council members will work with Planning Commission staff and local community leaders to appoint members to a Growth Center Community Planning Committee. While subcommittees may be formed to discuss certain issues or areas, it is recommended that the Growth Center Community Planning Committee should consist of no more than 15 members.

Growth Center Community Planning Committee Composition
It is suggested that the committee include representatives from the following groups:

Five (5) representatives from area civic or neighborhood associations;

Three (3) representatives from the Growth Center business community;

Two (2) representatives from the real estate/development community;

Two (2) representatives from the design field (architecture, landscape architecture, planning);

One (1) representative from the field of engineering (civil or transportation);

One (1) Metropolitan Council member or representative;

One (1) Planning Director as ex officio member

The Planning Commission and representatives of the Department of Public Works will be invited to participate.

Growth Center Community Design Committee Process

After defining the purpose of the Urban Design Overlay District (UDOD), the committee works together to establish boundaries, requirements, and incentives for the UDOD. The committee then works with the Planning Commission staff to write the boundaries, requirements, and incentives into an Urban Design Overlay to present to the Planning Commission and Metropolitan Council. Committee members advocate passage of the UDOD through public education and support.

Public Meetings

The Growth Center Community Design Committee is encouraged to hold its own public meetings regarding proposed Urban Design Districts. In addition to any meetings held by the committee, Public Hearings on the proposed Urban Design Districts will be held by both the Planning Commission and the Metropolitan Council.

Process Flow Chart

Community Planning Resources

2003 GROWTH CENTER COMMUNITY PLANNING

Growth Center 1
Includes the intersections Lee Drive with Highland Road and Burbank Drive

Growth Center 2
Includes the intersections of Gardere with Burbank Drive and GSRI Avenue

Growth Center 3
Includes the intersection of Perkins Road with Seigen Lane and YMCA Plaza Drive.

Growth Center 4
Includes the intersection of Perkins Road with Bluebonnet Boulevard.

Growth Center 5
Includes the intersection of Interstate 10 with Siegen Lane.