Located in the Northampton Boulevard Corridor, the Burton Station Strategic Growth Area (SGA), is one of eight SGAs identified in the
Comprehensive Plan. While plans have been generated for Burton Station in the past, those plans were not implemented. For this SGA plan, the City selected
Urban Design Associates and
Landmark Design Group to help guide the process of creating new plans for the Burton Station/Northampton Boulevard Corridor area. Urban Design Associates and Landmark Design Group worked with the City and public to develop strategies necessary to enhance public infrastructure, economic development, and marketing efforts.
Adopted by City Council on January 27, 2009, the
Burton Station/Northampton Boulevard Corridor Strategic Growth Area Implementation Plan was based on community input and designed to have a high probability of implementation. The plan is also intended to serve as a tool to increase public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the strategic planning policies established for the Burton Station/Northampton Boulevard Corridor Area.
The process for the Strategic Growth Area Plan included the following three phases:
Phase 1: “Understanding”
The Landmark/UDA team gains a detailed understanding of the problems, opportunities, and the goals of the stakeholders.
On April 1 and April 2, 2008, the Landmark/UDA team conducted interviews of various stakeholders in the Northampton Boulevard Corridor/Burton Station Area. The team also attended a bus tour of the area and conducted a public meeting at Norfolk Academy on April 2. The public meeting was attended by approximately 90 members of the public, representing neighborhood residents and business owners of Burton Station and other areas of the City. The Phase 1 interviews, bus tour, and public meeting made the Landmark/UDA team aware of the wide range of perspectives regarding the problems, opportunities, and goals of the area. The Landmark/UDA team analyzed the collected data and created plan options based on input from the stakeholder interviews and public meeting. Photos from Phase 1 interviews and public meeting are available to view under Related Documents to the right.
Phase 2: “Exploring”
The team uses plan and perspective drawings in a design charrette to evaluate a number of possible designs.
A design charrette was held on April 29 through May 1, 2008 at the Lake Wright Hotel at 6280 Northampton Boulevard. Residents, business owners, and the general public were encouraged to attend. All in attendance had a first-hand opportunity to be involved in the planning process to create the Northampton Boulevard Corridor/Burton Station Plan. The Landmark/UDA team conducted a public hearing at the Lake Wright Hotel on May 1, 2008. The presentation given at the public meeting is available for download under Related Documents to the right.
Phase 3: “Deciding”
The design team and stakeholders narrow the choices to arrive at consensus solutions.
The Phase 3 public meeting was held June 16, 2008 at the Lake Wright Hotel. During the public meeting, a financial consultant, David Starnes with Basile Baumann Prost Cole & Associates, Inc. along with the UDA Team and City Staff discussed options for the strategic growth area and their economic impacts on the community. In order to allow for additional consensus building regarding the discussed options, City Staff held an additional meeting on September 29, 2008. Information regarding the financial structures associated with each option was provided at that meeting.
In addition, the City held two workshops to provide more information pertaining to the development processes within the City. Following the workshops, public hearings were held by the Planning Commission and City Council to adopt the final plan. Finally, the community gathered to celebrate the adoption of the plan and archive Burton Station's rich history.
October 20, 2008 - Workshop #1
The Formal Public Hearing Process,
Zoning and Subdivision
6:30 pm
Bayside Elementary School
5649 Bayside Road
School Library
November 17, 2008 – Workshop #2
Private Development Options and
the City’s Capital Improvement
Program Process
6:30 pm
Bayside Elementary School
5649 Bayside Road
School Library
December 10, 2008 – Planning Commission
Formal Public Hearing on the Plan
12:00 noon
City Council Chambers
Municipal Complex
2401 Courthouse Drive
Building #1, City Hall
Second Floor
January 13, 2009 – City Council
Formal Public Hearing on the Plan
6:00 pm
City Council Chambers
Municipal Complex
2401 Courthouse Drive
Building #1, City Hall
Second Floor
February 15, 2009 – Celebration of Burton Station
Burton Station property owners and residents were invited to share their oral history at the Bayside Library where all information and stories were video and audio taped. Any old pictures and documents brought for sharing were scanned. All material is a permanent part of the library collection.
Bayside Library
936 Independence Boulevard
2:30 – 5:30 pm