1415 Highway 6 South – Suite A-300 | Sugar Land, TX 77478 Phone : 281.242.2960 Fax : 281.242.4115

June 14, 2012

Mayor Bobby Font City of Walker Walker Municipal Building

P.O. Box 217 / 10136 Florida Boulevard Walker, LA 70785

Dear Mayor Font:

We are pleased to submit the final Walker Sustainability Master Plan as unanimously adopted by City Council on May 14, 2012. The plan document was prepared in accordance with our Professional Services Agreement with the City, and with the assistance of John R. Dardis, AICP and our subconsultant T. Baker Smith/LJC Poole.

This new long-range plan aims to ensure Walker’s growth is both manageable and sustainable, one that is proactive in accommodating the growth that will stem from the development of some of the City’s newest economic assets – the Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center and Juban Crossing. It will help prepare the City to better manage its growth at the fringe; ensure adequate provision of infrastructure, parks, and public services as new development occurs; accommodate safer and more convenient circulation of pedestrians and bicycles; and continue to enhance Walker’s image and aesthetics. Recognizing these opportunities and challenges, this plan also elevates the concept of community character, which is a way of looking beyond just the use of land to those site and building design features that influence the “look and feel”—and the true compatibility—of development.

Goals and action strategies in this plan originated from a variety of community outreach efforts, including informal listening sessions with a cross section of residents and leaders, a Town Hall Meeting July 2011, three working sessions with the Technical Advisory Committee, and a workshop with the City Council prior to the final public hearings in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Now attention turns to the pursuit of near-term action initiatives while maintaining a focus on the longer-term vision and strategic direction set by the plan. Change is inevitable, but positive, beneficial change for Walker will require the ongoing commitment of all who contributed their time and ideas to this plan.

On behalf of our firm, it has been a pleasure working with all involved. We sincerely appreciated the opportunity to lend our professional skills and experience to this process. We look forward to seeing the continued success and enhancement of Walker in the years ahead.

Respectfully submitted,

KENDIG KEAST COLLABORATIVE

Bret C. Keast, AICP President

Performance Concepts in Planning

www.kendigkeast.com
C EN TEN N I A L , C O | EL K G RO V E, C A | O M A H A , N E | STU RG EO N BA Y , W I | SU G A R LA N D , TX

Acknowledgements

Mayor and City Council

Bobby Font Richard Wales Arthur Israel Scarlett Milton Major James Phillips Jack Summerell Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Alderman Alderman Alderman Alderman

Planning and Zoning Commission

William Webster Deborah Forbes Herbert Travis Lavelle Craig Richard Granger

Jerome “Jerry” Klier

Bernie Torres Gryzbac

City Staff

Fred Raiford Myra Streeter Irys Allgood Jimmy Watson Nancy Kimble Denise Denicola Lisa Frey Cindy Breaux Darren Blevins Jamie Etheridge Larry Williams

Consultant Team

Kendig Keast Collaborative

Bret C. Keast, AICP Matt Bucchin, AICP, LEED GA Liz Probst, AICP Susan Watkins, LEED GA Michelle Queen

T. Baker Smith / LJC Poole and Staff

Lucien Cutrera, AICP, L.A. Jason Abshire

Project Liaison for City of Walker

John R. Dardis, AICP Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner

Chief of Staff City Clerk City Attorney Building Inspector Floodplain Manager Grants Coordinator/Administrative Assistant Administrative Assistant Finance Director Public Works Director Water/Wastewater Superintendent Gas Superintendent

President Project Manager Associate Planner/Urban Designer Associate Planner Associate Planner

!nd Special Thanks to …

individual residents, business owners, property owners, community organizations, and others who participated in and contributed their insights and ideas to Walker’s long term sustainability master planning process.

Finally, thanks to the Louisiana Department of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the financial support which made this long term planning process possible.

Study Area

Livingston Parish

Walker

Livingston Parish

Livingston Parish

0 0.2 0.4 0.8 Miles

Creeks and StreamsLakes and Water BodiesCity LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish

ADOPTED 05.14.12

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Household and Family Income

When compared with select

$80,000

similar communities, Walker has the third highest median $70,000 family income. When $60,000

compared with Livingston

$50,000

Parish and the State of

$40,000

Louisiana, Walker families earn less than the average $30,000 parish family but more than $20,000 the average Louisiana family. $10,000

Source: US Census Bureau

$

2005-2009 ACS

Poverty Level

Correlated with the income levels, Walker has a lower percentage of families below the poverty level than three of

the five comparison cities.

However, compared with the parish and the state, the percentage of individuals below the poverty level is higher in

Walker. The percent of families

below the poverty level in Walker are only slightly higher as in the state, but are considerably higher than the

parish level.

Source: US Census Bureau 2005-2009 ACS

Median Family Income Median Household Income

0.00% 2.00% 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% 12.00% 14.00% 16.00% 18.00%
Families below poverty level

Single Unit Structures

Multi unit Structures

Mobile Homes

Boat, RV, van, etc.

Educational Attainment

% With High School and Advanced Degrees

Walker has a high percentage of high school graduates when compared to the other cities, parish, and state, but the second lowest percentage of bachelor’s degrees or higher compared to the comparison cities and lower than both the parish and the

state. As new professional

jobs move to Walker, existing residents may be at a

disadvantage in being hired. Source: U.S. Census Bureau

2005-2009 ACS

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

The City has a significantly higher percentage of people between the

ages between 5 and 19 years old than both Livingston Parish and the State of Louisiana, while the working age population, ages 25-44, are

significantly less than that for the parish and slightly less than the state.

Many families live in Walker, but the retention of working age

individuals is low. This may be due to the lack of diversity of jobs. With

the new employment opportunities in Walker’s near future, the City has 180,000 a chance to reverse this trend. 160,000

Source: US Census Bureau 2005-2009 ACS

140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

LA

Demographic Comparison

of Communities in Louisiana

Age Distribution

Bachelor s or higher High school graduate or higher

100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%

45.0% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0%

Walker Livingston Parish LA

Owner Occupied Housing Units

Individuals below poverty level

Age of Housing Stock

Percent Constructed Before 1969

At approximately 10 percent, Walker has the lowest percentage

of homes constructed before 1970

of all the comparison cities. A

healthy housing market over the past four decades has increased its newer housing stock, and corresponds to the fact that not many areas are in need of

redevelopment.

Source: US Census Bureau

2005-2009 ACS

Housing Type

90.0%

Single-family, Multi-family, Mobile Home and Other 80.0%

70.0%

Walker has the lowest percentage of one-unit structures 60.0% and the highest percentage of

50.0%

mobile homes. As new

professional jobs are added in

40.0%

Walker, there will most likely be an increase in demand for single-30.0%

family housing.

20.0%

Source: US Census Bureau

2005-2009 ACS

10.0%

0.0%

Owner-Occupied Housing

90.0% Owner occupied housing is the 80.0% third highest in Walker. Since 70.0% there are few areas of 60.0%

50.0%

multi-family, much of the renter

40.0%

occupied housing must be in

30.0%

mobile homes.

20.0%

Source: US Census Bureau

10.0%

2005-2009 ACS 0.0%

Housing Values

The high percentage of owner

occupied homes and high median family income likely contributes to the fact that Walker has the second highest home owner median value of the comparison

cities.

Source: US Census Bureau 2005-2009 ACS

% Constructed before 1970

Median Value Owner Occupied Homes (dollars)

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ADOPTED 05.14.12

Job Locations

Of the almost 3,000 jobs held by the residents of Walker, only 2.4

Walker town, LA

percent of those jobs are actually

Baton Rouge city, LA

in the City of Walker. About a

Livingston town, LA

third of residents commute to

Denham Springs city, LA

Baton Rouge and another 18.2

Westminster CDP, LA

percent commute to nearby

Hammond city, LA

places such as Livingston, Denham Springs and Hammond,

New Orleans city, LA

with the remainder (46.4 percent)

Metairie CDP, LA

traveling to other locations.

Gonzales city, LA

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,

Zachary city, LA

OnTheMap Application and

All Other Locations

LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (Beginning of Quarter Employment, 2nd Quarter of 2002-2009)

Commute Time

Minutes

The commute time in Walker is 40 longer than any of the compari-35

son cities and over five minutes

30 longer than the state. This 25 situation is created by a discon-20nected and unplanned thoroughfare system. When combined 15 with long travel distanes to get to 10 work, it has resulted in heavy 5 peak-hour congestion. 0 Source: US Census Bureau 2005-2009 ACS

Distance from Home to Work

Over half of the employed labor 6.1% 13.3%

23.5%

force travel between 10 and 24

Less than 10 miles

miles to work. A considerable

10 to 24 miles

(13.3 percent) of workers travel greater than 50 miles. Less than a

25 to 50 miles 57.2%

quarter of workers work within

Greater than 50 miles

10 miles of their home in Walker, compared to 51 percent of workers in the state. Source: US Census Bureau OnTheMap Application and LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (Beginning of Quarter Employment, 2nd Quarter of 2002-2009)

LA Labor ForceReadiness for

% Total in Labor Force

% employed

% In Labor Force

Walker has the third lowest

80.0%

percentage (58.6 percent) of

70.0%

Economic

employees in the labor force

60.0%

when compared with the

50.0%

comparison cities; and

40.0%

significantly lower than the

30.0%

parish (64.5 percent) and the

Development

20.0%

state (61.5 percent). With 55.9 percent of the 58.6 percent 10.0% employed, Walker also has 0.0% the third lowest unemploy

ment rate. Source: U.S. Census 20052009 ACS

Occupations

Management, professional,

and related occupations

A relatively high percentage,

about 39.2 percent, of Walker

Service occupations

residents work in service or sales

9.8%and office occupations. 30.0%

19.5% Sales and office occupations

Approximately one third (30.0 percent) of the City’s working age

Farming, fishing, and

15.3%

population are in management, 1.5% 23.9%

forestry occupations

professional, and related fields,

Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair

which contributes to the City’s

relatively high family income.

occupations

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations

Source: US Census Bureau

2005-2009 ACS

The major employer in Walker is Shaw Sunland Fabricators, followed by the

Class of Worker

school district, Wal-Mart, and Waste Management. With the development of

Private wage and salary a regional medical center and a retail center at the future Juban Crossing, 7.0% workers

At 75.2 percent, the majority of Walker will have an influx of employment opportunities which will result in workers in Walker are salaried or

Government workers

17.8%

a shift in top employers. Currently, much of the employed labor force private wage earners. Govern-travels a considerable distance to work everyday. Walker can encourage ment workers make up most of these new workers to live in the community where they work by providing the remaining income earners 75.2%

Self employed in own not

incorporated business

(17.8 percent).

an adequate and diversified housing stock and other quality of life improve-

workers

Source: US Census Bureau

ments. If this strategy is combined with an implemented thoroughfare plan,

Unpaid family workers

2005-2009 ACS

it could also make a significant improvement in the commute times

currently being experienced by Walker residents. Source: Demographic and Business Overview of the City of Walker, Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana University

Top 10 Employers in Walker

Employer Number of Employees
Shaw Sunland Fabricators, Inc. Livingston Parish School Board Wal-Mart Supercenter 600 317 300
Waste Management, Inc. Winn-Dixie 300 150
Custom Ecology, Inc. (CEI) City of Walker 135 100
Pharma Safe Industrial Services Stine Lumber 88 80
McDonald's 50
Total for 10 Major Employers 2,120

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Livingston Parish

Natural Resources

Creeks and StreamsLakes and Water Bodies

City LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish

Flood Zones100-Year Flood Zone500-Year Flood Zone

Flood zones are derived from the 1999 Livingston Parish FEMA designations provided by the City of Walker.

Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1

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Storm Drainage

Livingston Parish

System

Repetitve Loss StructuresCurbGutterDrainage DitchesCreeks and StreamsLakes and Water BodiesCity LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish

Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1

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Livingston Parish

Wastewater Collection System

Pump StationWastewater SystemSewer Lines

0-3 4-6 7-12

!AWWTP !5 Water TowerCreeks and StreamsLakes and Water Bodies

City LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish

Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1

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Livingston Parish Water Storage and Distribution System

!AWWTP !5 Water TowerWell er Lines0-3 in.3-6 in.6 -12 in.Creeks and StreamsLakes and Water Bodies

City LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish

Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1

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Livingston Parish

Gas System

Gas LinesCreeks and StreamsLakes and Water BodiesCity LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish

Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1

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MONROE PERKINS RD

CAROLLYNN RD CLANTON DR

SHERRIE LN

BUCKINGHAM AV SEMINOLE RD

CAMBRE LN

S

U

L

I

P

AN PARK DR

BONNIE BLEAU DR DENHAM PL DUBOIS LN

JUDALON RD CARDINAL DR

LO

IS LN POLLY DR

CHERYL DR

SMITH DR

U

V

1026

£¤

190

JAMIE DR

SANDRA DR COLYELL DR INA DR BRIMINTON LN

LAKELAND DRTHREE LAKES DR

M

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12

U

V

1026

LONEP

INE DR

U

V

447

BUDDY ELLIS RD

BROOKS DR

N SI

A

E

D

D

S

T

N

ILTON LN

BARRI

BLEY RD

STACEY LN HARTMAN RD

G

A

Y

L

O

GAYLORD RD

E AV SHARON AV

PINE LNSALT DOME RD

PINE PARK DR

U

V

449

I

D

C

O

B

CROSSOVER RD

WALKER NORTH RD

LOD STAFFORD RD

Blueprint of a City

Map 2.6

Transportation Livingston Parish System

ALVI

WHITE RD

A

I

M

E

S

T

U

V

1024

BLOUNT LN

MCLIN RD

Sidewalks

Functional ClassInterstatePrincipal ArterialSecondary ArterialCollectorLocalCreeks and StreamsLakes and Water BodiesCity LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish

BLACK MUD RD

INTERSTATE 12

SPRING RANCH RD

Livingston Parish

DRAKEFORD MCMORRIS RD

W

N

H

A

Miles

0 0.25 0.5 1

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Public Services

and Facilities

Livingston Parish

Public Services & FacilitiesSchoolParkPolice StationFire StationGovernment Facility

!AWWTP !5 Water TowerCreeks and StreamsLakes and Water Bodies

City LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish

Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1

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Livingston Parish

GROWTH AND ANNEXATION Plan

Growth and  annexation Plan

Primary Annexation Area

Secondary Annexation Area Creeks and Streams Lakes and Water Bodies

City Limits

Planning Area Livingston Parish

§¨¦

12

0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles

0

0.25 0.5

ADOPTED 05.14.12

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Livingston Parish

Rural

Rural Estate

Neighborhood Conservation

Suburban Residential

Auto-Urban Residential

Auto-Urban Mixed Residential

Suburban Commercial

BLUE HERON

LONEPINE DR

W KAREN STLEIGHT

ON LN

WHITE RD OAK ALLEY DR

TRUAX RD DUBOIS LN

JUDALON RD

CARDINAL DR

LOIS LN

BROOKS DR SHERRIE LN

WINDSOR AV BUCKINGHAM AV

ASHLAND AV

FAWNWOOD DR CHERYL DR

TEAL

LN

INA DR

LAKELAND DR

THREE LAKES DR

BUDDY ELLIS RD

ELLIS DELATTE RD

POLLY DR

LEE DR

SEMINOLE RD

CAROL LYNN RD

BURGESS RD

CLANTON DR

MARQUIS DR

COTTAGE HILL DR

WALKER NORTH RD AVANTS RD

SMITH DR

BRIAN PARK DR

BONNIE BLEAU DR

AYDELL LN

CLINT ST

TULIP

ST

CAMBRE LN MILTON LN

BARRIE AV

PINE PARK DR

SHARON AV

RAE DR

SPRING RANCH RD

HARTMAN RD

PINE VIEW DR

N CORBIN RD

E RIDGE DR BLOUNT LN

CARPENTER DR THOMAS LN

Future land Use Plan

FUTURE LAND USE Plan

UVU1024449

V

1026

U

V

447

U

V

1026

U

V

AIME ST

MCLIN RD

HornsbyCreek

DumplinCreek

Middle Colyell Creek

WestColyeCreek

ALVIN SIBLEY RD

JO ANN

DRDANA

ST

190

£

¤

GAYLORD RD

PINE LN SALT DOME RD

LOCKHART LN LEROE LN

STACEY LN BLACK MUD RD

§¨¦

12

Auto-Urban Commercial

Suburban Office Park

Business Park

Industrial

Public

Parks and Open Space

Conservation Area Thoroughfare Classifications

GAYLORD RD

Planning Area Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles

Livingston Parish

ADOPTED 05.14.12

0

0.25 0.5

1

DRAFT 10.05.11

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Beautification

Livingston Parish

Signature Gateway

Current/Future Gateway

Streetscape Enhancement

Site and Building Design Enhancements I-12 Frontage Standards

Interchange Enhancement Regional Retention and Community Park

Greenway Protection Future Parkway

Creeks and Streams

Lakes and Water Bodies City Limits Planning Area

Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles

Livingston Parish

ADOPTED 05.14.12

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BLUE HERON

THOROUGHFARE Plan

THOROUGHFARE Plan

LONEPINE DR

W KAREN STLEIGHT

ON LN

WHITE RD OAK ALLEY DR

TRUAX RD DUBOIS LN

JUDALON RD

CARDINAL DR

LOIS LN INA DR

CAMBRE LN

GAYLORD RD

PINE LN SALT DOME RD

LOCKHART LN

BRIAN PARK DR LEROE LN

BROOKS DR SHERRIE LN

WINDSOR AV BUCKINGHAM AV

0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles

ASHLAND AV

FAWNWOOD DR CHERYL DR

TEAL

LN

LAKELAND DR

THREE LAKES DR

BUDDY ELLIS RD

0

0.25 0.5

ELLIS DELATTE RD

POLLY DR

LEE DR

SEMINOLE RD

CAROL LYNN RD

BURGESS RD

CLANTON DR

MARQUIS DR

COTTAGE HILL DR

WALKER NORTH RD AVANTS RD

SMITH DR BONNIE BLEAU DR

AYDELL LN

CLINT ST

ST

TULIP

MILTON LN

BARRIE AV

PINE PARK DR

SHARON AV

RAE DR

SPRING RANCH RD

HARTMAN RD

PINE VIEW DR

N CORBIN RD

E RIDGE DR BLOUNT LN

CARPENTER DR

UVU1024449

V

1026

U

V

447

U

V

1026

U

V

THOMAS LN

AIME ST

MCLIN RD

HornsbyCreek

DumplinCreek

Middle Colyell Creek

WestColyeCreek

ALVIN SIBLEY RD

JO ANN

DRDANA

ST

190

£

¤

STACEY LN BLACK MUD RD

§¨¦

12

Livingston Parish

Interstate Principal Arterial Minor Arterial

Collector Parkway

Proposed Interchange Traffic Circle

Creeks and Streams Lakes and Water Bodies City Limits Planning Area

Livingston Parish

GAYLORD RD

Livingston Parish

ADOPTED 05.14.12

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Planned Transportation 

Livingston Parish

Improvements

Intersection Improvements New Roadway Extensions Road Improvements

Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles

ADOPTED 05.14.12

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Map 3.6

City Limits Planning Area Streams and Rivers Water Bodies All Utilities Two Utilities Individual Utilities

Creeks and Streams Lakes and Water Bodies

City Limits

Planning Area Livingston Parish

0 0.25 0.5 1

ADOPTED 05.14.12

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CAROL LYNN RD