FIRM ROLE

During a five-year process, the firm performed the role of interpreting the client's and the project's requirements. The firm's role was to pursue strategies that were relevant to the context, the environment, and issues within the bounds of the region's social and moral responsibilities. At the city and county levels, the firm supported the public policymaking process for the management of urban growth. While promoting transit-oriented alternatives to urban sprawl, and determining how the environment could be protected, the firm played its role of general management of the project.

PROJECT RESOLUTION

The Robinson Ranch Planned-Unit Development (PUD) calls for mixed-use, transit-oriented development. It was intended to exceed the most intensive urban plans in the region and it is to manage and preserve almost 30% of the ranch as open space. This open space is primarily in continuous, broad greenbelts along three major creeks and minor tributaries crossing the ranch.

The full-purpose annexation of the Robinson Ranch - the largest in Austin's history - provides a development platform which addresses the low-density sprawl pressures of coming decades. The entire 6,000-acre property is zoned for either "mixed-use" or "transit-oriented" development requiring projects to emphasize a pedestrian-oriented environment and reinforce the use of public transportation.

PROJECT SIGNIFICANCE

This area was specifically selected as one of the community "test sites" by Envision Central Texas, a regional planning effort to bring about broader discussions of density and urbanization issues. The Robinson Ranch sits at the interchange of the Union Pacific and Northwestern freight rail lines, both of which have been voter-approved for conversion to passenger commuter rail. In addition, two major toll-road projects already under way, SH 45 and the MoPac extension, run through and intersect the property.

UNIQUE SOLUTIONS TO UNUSUAL PROBLEMS

The undeveloped conditions of the property and a variety of surrounding low-density suburban uses allowed for large, contiguous open space dedications. More concentrated, pedestrian-oriented urban environments resulted.

Future commuter light rail - alignments, two tolled highways, several major arterials adjoining or intersecting on the property and a variety of existing bordering land uses gave unique opportunities for zoning more intensive transit-oriented development.

The property sits on limestone rich geology. There are important aquifer recharge and storm drain and other catching properties that provide opportunities for preservation integrated to the open space and recreational areas.