Prescott 2050

Ambiance Report

Ambiance Sub-Committee
Final Recommendations

March 24, 2009

Sub-Committee Members
Jim Sheridan, Chair
Deborah Thurston, Vice Chair
Dawn Marie Hueur, Recorder
Hoyt Johnson
Vivian Lucchesi
John O’Neil Lutes
Mary Schulte
Jeri Smith-Fornara
Jack Wilson

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 3
A. Approach Overview 3
B.  Mission Statement 3
C. Ambiance Sub-Committee Goals 4
D.  Our Sub-Committee Scope Limitations 4
Ambiance Coordination with other 2050 Committees 4
Recommendations & Implementation Steps 7
Overview of Key Recommendations 7
Architectural Design Standards 7
Entrance Signage Design Standards 10
Landscaping Design Standards 12
Survey Segments of the Prescott Population 14
Appendix 1 – Youth Survey 16

Executive Summary
A. Approach Overview
Prescott Mayor Jack Wilson initiated the creation of a Prescott 2050 Visioning Advisory committee comprised of local participants to determine what Prescott should look like in the future. This Prescott 2050 Visioning Committee consisted of multiple volunteer organized subcommittees which met and prepared recommendations. The Ambiance Subcommittee is providing this document of our recommendations to the 2050 Visioning Steering Committee.
The Mayor’s Prescott 2050 vision is about preserving, maintaining, and enhancing the many attributes of our “Everybody’s Hometown” brand because it is our “reputation capital,” while we grow into the future.
In line with these thoughts, the Ambiance Committee took the following approach to developing our recommendations:
• Developed a Mission Statement
• Brainstormed Ambiance issues
• Prioritized those issues
• Researched solutions to the issues
• Prepared preliminary recommendations and develop preliminary Implementation Plan.
• Met with other 2050 committees to determine areas where recommendations overlapped and where integration of recommendations should occur
• Developed this Final Recommendations report which incorporates areas of common concern between the Ambiance committee and other 2050 committees.
B.  Mission Statement
Our mission is to preserve and enhance Prescott’s Ambiance as Prescott grows toward its build out population.

Definition of Prescott’s Ambiance
Prescott’s Ambiance is characterized by the positive first impression people have when they experience our friendly, small town atmosphere, the sense of our place in Arizona history, and our unique high desert environment that is nestled in the pine-forested mountains. People who come to live in Prescott enter a welcoming community where they can live, work, and make their own vital contributions to our thriving culture.

In addition, Prescott makes you feel that you are as welcome as an old friend.  Visitors often comment on our slow pace and the friendliness of our residents. That friendliness reflects our motto of “Everyone’s Hometown” and is not contrived.

Arts and heritage define the heart and soul of Prescott and are centered on the historic downtown plaza--which recalls images of the small towns across the East and the Midwest that have central courthouses. Our preserved historic buildings, augmented by varied works of public art, are also part of the appeal.  Prescott would not be “Prescott” without preservation of our natural environment including our special setting, hills, and mountain vistas.

Our guiding principal is:

At a minimum we will maintain Prescott Ambiance, but our ultimate goal is to enhance that Ambiance for the young professional population that we hope is in the future of Prescott as well as to improve overall quality of life for all or residents.
C. Ambiance Sub-Committee Goals
• Maintain and enhance Prescott’s Ambiance as it grows.

• Develop signage standards for all of Prescott entranceways, including all road entrances, the airport and City of Prescott’s web site.

• Investigate the development of Architectural Design Standards to augment currently existing Historic District Design Standards. 

o Architectural Design standards should be developed for areas of the city, not city-wide.  As an example, commercial structures on major roads within Prescott.
o Review existing Historic District Design Standards to see what additional criteria must be added, such as color palettes.
o Review other municipalities (such as Sedona & Cave Creek AZ and Boulder Colo.) prohibition on rubber-stamp franchise architectural designs.
D.  Our Sub-Committee Scope Limitations
We recognized that the Ambiance Committee’s recommendations are inter-dependent and needed to be coordinated with other committee recommendations, as well as with other city and regional activities.
Ambiance Coordination with other 2050 Committees
Downtown Planning Committee
Jack Wilson attended the November 10, 2008 meeting held at the Mountain Artist Guild (228 Alarcon) with the 2050 Downtown Planning Committee.  They provided a copy of their preliminary recommendations.  We identified areas where recommendations either overlapped and/or supported each other as follows:

They split their recommendations into components with several elements in each component.
The Arts and Entertainment Component
Element:  Identify districts critical to downtown; arts, antiques, entertainment venues, and redevelopment.

The Ambiance recommendation that is closely related to this is the development of Architectural Design Standards by district or area.

Element:  Provide directional signage to easily locate points of interest.
The Ambiance recommendation that is closely related to this is the development of Entrance Signage.  These two recommendations should be combined into an overall signage recommendation including the suggested design competition to develop the signage design (theme, color way, material palette and design).
Natural Area Preservation Committee
Jack Wilson attended a meeting on November 13, 2008 with the 2050 Natural Area Preservation Committee at The Grove (119 Grove Avenue) to coordinate recommendations with the 2050 Ambiance Committee.  We identified areas where recommendations either overlapped and/or supported each other as follows:

They support our approach to develop of Landscape Design Standards.
Development/Smart Growth Committee
Jim Sheridan and Jack Wilson had a lunch meeting with Matt Ackerman of the 2050 Development/Smart Growth Committee on November 25, 2008.  We identified areas where recommendations either overlapped and/or supported each other as follows:

Smart Growth committee’s primary recommendation is the adoption of Form-based or Smart Building Codes. We found this to be directly complementary to our recommendations for architectural standards.  In addition, the concept of having a competition for the overall Prescott “Brand” in terms of both signage and architectural standards was discussed and is recommended as a strong approach. It could kick-start these processes and generate enthusiasm from the community.
Arts and Cultural Affairs
Meeting was held on Tuesday, November 18 at Gary’s house. Jim Sheridan attended. Deb Thurston, a member of the Arts and Cultural Affairs committee, was also there.

It would be important to coordinate efforts in the signage/entrance signage contest.  Also important to note that the recommendations from this committee: Development/marketing of our arts community to be a major tourism draw, better funding and support for the arts, broader range of events and activities, professional theater, Elks Opera House to develop into a center for the arts in Prescott, and more, will support the general improvement of the Ambiance of Prescott and help develop the young professional population that we hope is in the future of Prescott as well as to improve overall quality of life for all or residents.
Transportation
Jim Sheridan met with Sky (chair of the Transportation Committee) on Sunday, November 30, 2008.

Many of the recommendations of this committee, Public transportation/Bus system, increased usage of alternative transportation (bicycles for example) to reduce our carbon footprint and improved pedestrian areas will only add to the overall ambiance in Prescott and improve the quality of life for all residents.  More people out and about and out of cars may have some residual effects on creating closer community bonds as well.

Recommendations & Implementation Steps
Overview of Key Recommendations
Our recommendation fall into these areas:

• Architectural Design Standards
• Prescott Entrance Standards
• Landscaping Design Standards
• Survey of Segments of the Prescott Population
Architectural Design Standards
Description: Develop City of Prescott Architectural design standards that will provide strong design review guidelines that are specific to the historic character and resources of each neighborhood/section.

The aim of these standards is to identify a Prescott “brand” that visually represents and preserves what is unique about our city.  These standards will protect local heritage, preserve existing character, control alterations, and regulate new development/growth so that it will be compatible with existing structures/styles. The standards must allow for innovation and creativity, recognize the context of time and technology, and address the need for energy sustainability.

The Downtown Planning Committee in their Arts and Entertainment Component recommended identifying districts critical to downtown; arts, antiques, entertainment venues, and redevelopment.  This aligns well with our recommendation to inventory the built environment.

The Development/Smart Growth committee’s primary recommendation is the adoption of Form-based or Smart Building Codes. We found this to be directly complementary to our recommendations for architectural standards.

• Citywide design guidelines are extremely difficult and costly to develop. Many community meetings and presentations are required to determine what the community wants to be and how the built environment should look and function.
• The first step should be an inventory of the built environment to date. This may result in different guidelines for different parts of the City. The General Plan is a good resource for this initial assessment.
• Examine local residential developments that also have good design review guidelines with good graphics and explanations of the process the homeowner has to follow. High Valley Ranch, American Ranch and Talking Rock are examples that can be looked at.
• Once the preceding recommendations are accomplished and we are able to determine general guidelines, we recommend conducting a competition among artists, architects and designers to develop/define the overall concepts for the “Prescott Brand” (Also see Signage recommendations)
• We recommend that the City develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) in order to solicit proposals from design and planning firms. There are many examples of these efforts around the Country (Google alone has 380 listings for Design Review Guidelines for cities).

Implementation Steps – Architectural Design Standards:

Key Long Range Implementation Phases:

• Phase I (2009) –
• Phase II (2010 – 2011) –
• Phase III (2011-2015)
• Phase IV (2016 – 2020)
• Phase V (2021 – 2025) –
• Phase VI (2025 + timeframe) –
Time Line Prescott Population
Projection Recommendations To Be Accomplished Tied In With Other Committees (Y/N) List Financial Funding From COP (Y/N) Private / Public Funding (Y/N) (Approx Amt) Tied In With Other Towns / Cities

2009
45,813 As built inventory
2010
47,169 Request for Proposals (RFP) for firms to develop Architectural Design Guidelines as a component of an overall design competition.
2015
53,484
2020
60,645
2025
68,754
2030
77,959
2035
88,397
2040
100,231
2045
113,645
2050
128,815

Entrance Signage Design Standards
Description: Develop design standards for entrance signage on roadways (multiple) and at Love Field supported with a plan for funding and installing this entrance signage.  Another “entrance” that should employ this entrance design is the City of Prescott’s web site. The aim is to develop signage that represents our Prescott “brand” and that visually represents what is unique about our city. As specified, this recommendation is for Entrance Signage; however, an expanded recommendation could encompass overall “Prescott” signage to include Entrance, Trails, Open Space and Creeks and downtown area directional signs.
We have 6 major entrances to Prescott; 89 South, 89 North, 69 West, 89A West, the airport entrance and East Iron Springs Road.

• Research legal standards and restrictions for highway signage.
• Distinctive “Welcome to Prescott” signs at the 6 entrances will not only welcome visitors but hint at our western heritage.
• An arch or entry gateway at the Gurley-Sheldon intersection needs to be constructed showing the way to “Historic Downtown Prescott”. 
• Design of these projects can be done without expense to the city by having a city wide design competition (See also Architectural Design Standards recommendations above).  The design requirements should include use of natural materials such as river rock, flagstone and iron.
• Requests for donations then would be sought from the public, contracting companies and fraternal organizations that currently have signs posted at city entrances.
• Signage would be thematic to Prescott’s heritage and become our “BRAND”; this can only enhance our place in Arizona history.

The Downtown Planning Committee in their Arts and Entertainment Component recommended providing directional signage to easily locate points of interest.  Their recommendation should be combined with our Entrance Signage recommendation as part of an overall signage recommendation in the overall Prescott 2050 Visioning recommendations including the suggested design competition to develop the signage design (theme, color way, material palette and design).

The Arts and Cultural Affairs committee noted it would be important to coordinate efforts in the signage/entrance signage contest.

Implementation Steps:

Key Long Range Implementation Phases:

• Phase I (2009) –
• Phase II (2010 – 2011) –
• Phase III (2011-2015)
• Phase IV (2016 – 2020)
• Phase V (2021 – 2025) –

Date Population Projections Tasks Tied in with other committees? Financial Funding from COP? Private /Public Funding? Outside Groups Other plans
2007 43,217
2009 45,813 Public competition for design of Prescott Brand to include: entrance design standard. Yes - Development Yes - Via ADOT grant. Solicit funding through civic and professional organizations. PAAHC, Chamber of Commerce, PACT Yes - Airport Master Plan
2010 47,169 Codify entrance design standards for the City of Prescott Yes - Development Yes Yes - Probably in kind design
2015 53,484 Entrance signage at Love Field with new airport terminal Yes - Airport Yes - Via FAA grant for new airport terminal Yes - Airport Users Association Yes - Airport Master Plan
2020 60,645 Resign all existing Prescott highway entrances No Yes - Via ADOT grant(s). No No No
2025 68,754 Sign new Prescott entrances per standards Maybe - Development Yes - probably as part of Development Agreement Yes - probably as part of Development Agreement Major landowners and developers General Plan: Annexation areas
2030 77,959
2035 88,397
2040 100,231
2045 113,645
2050 128,815

Landscaping Design Standards

After location, location, location curb appeal is of prime importance to the desirability of a home, business and especially a city.  Unkempt landscape or inappropriate types of planting does little to enhance a positive feel to visitors or residents.

• Existing ordinances requiring personal and business owners to maintain their landscape premises must be enforced.
• The City of Prescott needs to set examples to the public of low water indigenous xeriscapes all over the city.  A beautiful example is the landscape in front of the Granite Street Garage. 
• A suggested start would be the City Hall corner of Cortez and Goodwin; the evergreen bushes are so overgrown it’s hard to see the building and the shaping looks like a bald head.
• Follow suit with re-landscaping the planter boxes at major intersections in the city to show the public how beautiful indigenous plantings can be.
• The above projects can be done without expense to the City by asking local garden clubs, service clubs and landscaping companies to come up with designs; then asking the public, nurseries, garden clubs, service clubs, high school service clubs and landscape contractors to donate time and plants for the projects.  Alta Vista Garden Club was very responsive to this idea.  A wonderful example of public cooperation is the beautiful front landscaping at Antelope Hills Golf Course.

Implementation Steps:

Key Long Range Implementation Phases:

• Phase I (2009) –
• Phase II (2010 – 2011) –
• Phase III (2011-2015)
• Phase IV (2016 – 2020)
• Phase V (2021 – 2025) –

Date Population Projections Tasks Tied in with other committees? Financial Funding from COP? Private /Public Funding? Outside Groups Other plans
2007 43,217
2009 45,813 Develop Landscape Design standards Yes – Smart Growth Yes - Via ADOT grant. PAAHC, Chamber of Commerce, PACT, Major landowners and developers
2010 47,169 Codify Landscape design standards for the City of Prescott Yes - Development Yes Yes - Probably in kind design ditto
2015 53,484
2020 60,645
2025 68,754 Major landowners and developers
2030 77,959
2035 88,397
2040 100,231
2045 113,645
2050 128,815

Survey Segments of the Prescott Population

Description: In order to more clearly understand what sorts of services, activities, and entertainment will be needed to support the diversification of the population of Prescott as we look at trying to attract more young professionals in technology related fields we recommend that surveys be prepared and administered to different segments of the existing population.

o Youth:  High School/Early Twenties – The Ambiance committee worked with the Mayors Youth Advisory Committee and various interested parties to formulate a survey for this group that can be used. A copy is included in the appendices.
o Young Professionals:  Mid Twenties to late Thirties
o Middle age:  Early Forties to Late Fifties
o Retired:  Early 60s on

Implementation Steps:

Key Long Range Implementation Phases:

• Phase I (2009) –
• Phase II (2010 – 2011) –
• Phase III (2011-2015)
• Phase IV (2016 – 2020)
• Phase V (2021 – 2025) –

Date Population Projections Tasks Tied in with other committees? Financial Funding from COP? Private /Public Funding? Outside Groups Other plans
2007 43,217
2009 45,813 Design and administer surveys Yes - MYAC,
PV 2050 Youth Committee, Aging Committee School district,
Yavapai College
2010 47,169 Begin integration of information into plans
2015 53,484
2020 60,645
2025 68,754
2030 77,959
2035 88,397
2040 100,231
2045 113,645
2050 128,815

Appendix 1 – Youth Survey
Ambiance Committee Youth Survey

The Prescott 2050 Visioning project began in Spring ‘08 with the goal of looking ahead at Prescott’s potentials and making recommendations to the City Council for improvements and changes that will be important to make in order to best prepare our community for the future.  The Ambiance Committee is a subcommittee of this process and we are looking at the overall atmosphere in Prescott and what it offers it’s residents of all ages, what activities, services, and programs should we anticipate offering and that can be put in place to protect the special atmosphere that is Prescott.

This survey is intended to gather information from high school students that will be helpful in planning for both the near future and even further ahead.

Our committee thanks each of you in advance for your time in completing this survey and your honesty in answering our questions.

(Please circle your answer)

Class in HS:  Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

Gender: M F

Age:  _______ How long have you lived in Prescott: ________________________

-What do you like about living in Prescott as a city? 
Please rate each category in importance to you:
1. Very Important 2. Important 3. Not important
___ Climate
___ My neighborhood
___ Easy to find the kind of friends I want
___ Arts/music and culture I can participate in
___ Arts, music, and culture I can attend and enjoy
___ Receiving good health care/health info
___ Parks, the Courthouse Square, public places to hang out
___ Public safety, drugs and crime do not worry me
___ Cost of entertainment, food, transportation
___ Social/political values of this community
___ Mountains and lakes, scenery
___ Available jobs for teens
___ Activities that student’s my age enjoy
___ Getting a quality education

-What do you dislike about living in Prescott as a city?
Please rate each category according to your reaction:
1. Strongly dislike 2.  dislike 3. No opinion

___ Climate
___ Neighborhoods with problems
___ Difficult to find the kind of friends I want
___ Lack of Arts, music, and culture I can actively participate in
___ Lack of Arts, music, and culture I can attend and enjoy
___ Not enough public places (i.e. Parks, the Courthouse Square) to hang out
___ Community, Social, and political values that are very different from my own
___ Level of crime and of those doing and selling drugs worries me
___ Lack of higher quality education
___ Lack of good jobs for young people
___ Not enough opportunities for outdoor activities for young people
___ High cost of entertainment, food
___ Cost/availability of public transportation

-What kinds of activities would you like to see in Prescott for people your age? 
Please rate each category for it’s importance to you:
1. Very Important 2. Important 3. Not important

___ Public swimming pool
___ Year round jobs __ evenings __ weekends
___ Alcohol free clubs
___ Electronic games arcade
___ Evenings of teen/youth oriented music on the square
___ Internship opportunities (unpaid)
___ Paintball
___ Open pit fires at the lakes
___ Alcohol free pool hall
___ Free Wi-Fi café friendly to teens
___ Video Arcade
___ Dippin’ dots
___ Teen Center
___ Outdoor pool
___ Drive in movie
___ Roller skating rink
___ Less expensive YMCA membership
___ Support for Garage Bands/a venue where they can play (ex. Watson Lake)
___ Café’s where under 21 allowed
___ Recreation Center
___ softball/baseball parks open later
___ Miniature golf course
___ Tennis Courts open later
___ Summer jobs through a city program
___ Sports park for pick up team sports
___ Recreation facilities open later
___ Community service programs (i.e. kids help out others, unpaid)
__ for one weekend, or one time
__ for one day per week, after school
__ during school breaks, 10-30 hours
___Lazer Tag
___18 and older club
___Restaurants open after 10:00 PM
___Affordable bus system
___Cosmic Bowling
___Skateboarding parks open later
___Other:

-I participate in church/religion-sponsored activities (other than worship services)
___ Every week
___ About once a month
___ About once every semester
___ Rarely
___ Never

-Do you participate in the YMCA programs or use their facilities:
___ Weekly
___ More than once a month
___ Rarely
___ If a friend invites me
___ I would if the membership was affordable (Youth membership)

-What do you do now for fun or entertainment in Prescott?

Do you plan to go to continue your education?
___ No, I don’t want to
___ No, I want to but probably can’t (Why?____________________________________)
___ Undecided
___Yes, part-time
___ Yes, full-time
___ Yes, but not right after high school (why?___________________________________ )

-If yes, what type: (check all that apply?)

___ College ___ Trade School
___Two Year ___Four Year
___In State ___Out of State
___In Prescott ___ In Northern Arizona
___In Phoenix

-If not College, what do you hope to do?

-What might influence you to choose Prescott as your home after you finish school or training?

___ Jobs (what type? ___________
___ Friends my own age living here
___ Cost of living
___ Close to family
___ Beautiful place
___ I plan to always live here
___ I probably won’t WANT to live here. (Why? _____________________________________)
___Other:

How do you learn about/get information about events and activities:  (Check all that apply)

Daily Courier ___ Yes __ No Television ___ Yes ___ No
Radio ____Yes ___ No If yes What radio stations do you listen to? 

Family ___ Yes ___ No
School ___ Yes ___ No
My friends ___ Yes ___ No
Facebook ___ Yes ___ No
My Space ___ Yes ___ No
IM messages ___ Yes ___ No
Texting ___ Yes ___ No
Other __________________________________________

Do you participate in any activities at the following places?
___ Prescott racquet Club
___ Yavapai College
___ Parks and Recreation
___ YMCA
___ Other:

Please list the activities:

What groups/organizations/teams/clubs are you involved with?

- Please name six things in order of priority to you that you would change to improve Prescott for teens?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.