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
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 |
Bobby Font Richard Wales Arthur Israel Scarlett Milton Major James Phillips Jack Summerell Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Alderman Alderman Alderman Alderman
William Webster Deborah Forbes Herbert Travis Lavelle Craig Richard Granger
Jerome “Jerry” Klier
Bernie Torres Gryzbac
Fred Raiford Myra Streeter Irys Allgood Jimmy Watson Nancy Kimble Denise Denicola Lisa Frey Cindy Breaux Darren Blevins Jamie Etheridge Larry Williams
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
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
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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
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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Job Locations
Of the almost 3,000 jobs held by the residents of Walker, only 2.4
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%
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
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
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.
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Livingston Parish
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Storm Drainage
Livingston Parish
System
Repetitve Loss StructuresCurbGutterDrainage DitchesCreeks and StreamsLakes and Water BodiesCity LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish
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Livingston Parish
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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
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Livingston Parish
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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
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Livingston Parish
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Livingston Parish
Gas System
Gas LinesCreeks and StreamsLakes and Water BodiesCity LimitsPlanning AreaLivingston Parish
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Livingston Parish
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MONROE PERKINS RD
CAROLLYNN RD CLANTON DR
SHERRIE LN
BUCKINGHAM AV SEMINOLE RD
CAMBRE LN
S
U
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I
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AN PARK DR
BONNIE BLEAU DR DENHAM PL DUBOIS LN
JUDALON RD CARDINAL DR
LO
IS LN POLLY DR
CHERYL DR
SMITH DR
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1026
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JAMIE DR
SANDRA DR COLYELL DR INA DR BRIMINTON LN
LAKELAND DRTHREE LAKES DR
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LONEP
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BUDDY ELLIS RD
BROOKS DR
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ILTON LN
BARRI
BLEY RD
STACEY LN HARTMAN RD
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GAYLORD RD
E AV SHARON AV
PINE LNSALT DOME RD
PINE PARK DR
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CROSSOVER RD
WALKER NORTH RD
LOD STAFFORD RD
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
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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
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1026
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V
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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
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Livingston Parish
0
0.25 0.5
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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
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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
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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
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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
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CAROL LYNN RD