HomeMy Public PortalAboutEastern Gateway District StreetscapeDate of Meeting: October 15, 2020
TOWN OF LEESBURG
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Subject: Streetscape Plan
Staff Contact: Richard Klusek, Senior Planner
Susan Berry-Hill, Director
Applicant: None - Town Council initiated plan.
Proposal: The Streetscape Plan is one component of an ongoing implementation
effort for the recently created Gateway Overlay District. The Streetscape
Plan, when combined with other efforts will provide a holistic focus on
site, building, and streetscape design within the overlay district.
Planning Commission Critical Action Date: None
Recommendation: Staff recommends the Planning Commission forward the
Streetscape Plan to the Town Council with a recommendation of
approval by incorporating the Plan into the Legacy Leesburg Town
Plan Update. Staff further recommends the Planning Commission
recommend further refinement of the Streetscape Plan for the
Edwards Ferry Road Corridor [or alternate priority corridor as
preferred by the Planning Commission].
Initiation Date: The Town Council considered and endorsed recommendations
from the H-2 Work Group to develop a Streetscape Plan for the
Gateway District in February, 2018. More recently, the Streetscape
Plan and other elements of the Gateway District including Zoning
ordinance Overlay and Design Standards and Design Guidelines
were reaffirmed by the Town Council on October 15, 2019.
Specific recommendations of the H-2 Work Group (H2WG) which
recommended development of a Streetscape Plan were endorsed by
the Town Council on December 9, 2019.
Web Link: https://www.leesburgva.gov/government/departments/planning-
zoning/current-planning-zoning-projects/gateway-project
Suggested Motions:
Approval
I move that the Streetscape Plan be forwarded to the Town Council with a
recommendation of approval and formal incorporation into the Legacy Leesburg Town
Plan Update. I further move that the Planning Commission recommend the
implementation actions contained in the Planning Commission’s October 15, 2020 staff
report, including initiation of more detailed streetscape planning efforts for all five
Gateway District Streetscape Plan
Planning Commission Staff Report
October 15, 2020
Page 2 of 5
corridors of the Gateway District starting with the Edwards Ferry Road Corridor [or
alternate priority corridor as preferred by the Planning Commission].
Or
Alternate Motion
I move that ________________________________.
Background Information
The Planning Commission first received the Draft Streetscape Plan in its October 1, 2020
Meeting Packet. However, a meeting was not possible due to lack of a quorum. As such,
the contents of this staff report are largely duplicated with the exception of some
refinements to recommend specific action at the October 15, 2020 Planning Commission
Meeting. To the extent that Planning Commissioners have specific comments or
questions regarding the contents of the Streetscape Plan, they are encouraged to discuss
them with Staff prior to the meeting to facilitate discussion and expedite the overall
review process.
Background of the Gateway District: In October, 2016 the Town Council initiated the
H2Work Group (H2WG) to consider updating or replacing the H-2, Historic Corridor
Architectural Control Overlay District. In February, 2018, after receiving the H-2 Work
Group’s recommendations, Town Council initiated amendments to the Official Zoning
Map and the Zoning Ordinance, including design guidelines, to establish the Gateway
District as an overlay district on portions of the following five major corridors into town:
1. West Market Street
2. North King Street
3. South King Street
4. East Market Street
5. Edwards Ferry Road
The main purpose of these amendments to the Official Zoning Map and the Zoning
Ordinance is to establish the Gateway District with its upgraded requirements as soon as
possible to give the Town more ability to demand a higher, more traditional level of
architecture in these corridors to better protect these major entryways into Leesburg. For
four of the corridors the Gateway District would replace the H-2, Historic Corridor
Control Architectural Overlay District (“H-2 District”).
On October 15, 2019, Council approved Resolution 2019-158 entitled “Initiation to
amend zoning ordinance articles 7 and 18 to establish a new architectural design overlay
district for areas within the Eastern Gateway District”.
Gateway District Streetscape Plan
Planning Commission Staff Report
October 15, 2020
Page 3 of 5
On November 26, 2019, the H2WG and staff met to revisit earlier recommendations. As
such, the Group reaffirmed the approach recommended in 2018 with the addition of #4
below:
1. Adopt Gateway overlay district in the Zoning Ordinance with new boundaries on
East and West Market; North and South King Street; and Edwards Ferry Road east
of Heritage Way.
2. Adopt a holistic approach to design in the corridor by focusing on site, building and
streetscape design.
3. Adopt general zoning text regulation to provide regulatory ‘teeth’ to basic design
concepts.
4. Adopt general guidelines for the entire Gateway District (all five segments).
5. Based on the character of each segment, adopt specific guidelines for each of the
five segments.
6. Develop Streetscape Plans for all segments of the Gateway District which would be
implemented over time through private development as well as public sector
improvements achieved through the Town’s Capital Improvements Plan.
The Town Council endorsed this approach on December 9, 2019. Different parts of this
effort are moving forward simultaneously and are being presented to the Planning
Commission as they are completed. At this time, Staff is presenting the Draft Streetscape
Plan which addresses item #6 of the Town Council Endorsed approach. The H2WG is
currently continuing their efforts on development of building and site design guidelines
and they will be presented to the Planning Commission at future date. The zoning
ordinance amendments have already been adopted by the Town Council.
Draft Streetscape Plan: The Draft Streetscape Plan is included as Attachment 1. The
plan and its contents were developed with input from the H2WG based on comments,
questionnaires, and surveys completed by the H2WG members. The H2WG has reviewed
the draft plan and determined that the Planning Commission should take the lead in
further refining the plan and developing an implementation approach. The H2WG
generally felt that the Planning Commission and Town Staff would be the primary parties
responsible for implementing the Streetscape Plan and ensure that future rezonings and
Capital Projects adhere to its guidance. The Planning Commission should review the
goals of the plan and the overall vision and recommend approval to the Town Council
with any further edits deemed necessary.
Based on direction received, the primary purpose of the Gateway District Streetscape
Plan should be to promote a vision for preserving/enhancing more defined gateways into
the Town. This involves improving the sense of arrival and identity and preserving the
defining character elements of Leesburg. At the same time, the gateway Streetscape Plan
presents an opportunity to improve the pedestrian experience and to enhance overall
aesthetics.
The Streetscape Plan represents a desired aesthetic and function to the corridors but it
does not fully consider the range of engineering constraints of other obstacles that might
prevent the Town from achieving the stated vision. Standards of outside agencies like
VDOT and Dominion Power will also affect implementation of this plan. As such, the
Gateway District Streetscape Plan
Planning Commission Staff Report
October 15, 2020
Page 4 of 5
vision in this plan should be the starting point for a conversation regarding the stated
vision. The Streetscape Plan is only the first step in an overall effort to appropriately
preserve or retrofit the streetscape conditions in the gateway corridors. Future efforts will
be needed to determine how and if the vision can be achieved.
Streetscape Plan Implementation: The Draft Streetscape Plan is a general plan and it
has not been prepared to provide specific approaches to implement streetscape design.
The Plan is only a first step in articulating and ultimately achieving a desired vision. It
provides general guidance that applies to the five corridors located in the gateway district
but specific details for each corridor will need to be considered at some point in the future
to the achieve the stated vision. Currently, the Plan is intended to guide Capital
Improvements (CIP) projects that might be developed in the future as well as to guide
development of proffers for applications along the corridors. However, in the absence of
a specific project or rezoning application, there is no plan for implementing the vision.
As such, Staff recommends the Planning Commission recommend further work on the
Streetscape Plan to the Town Council based on corridor priorities. The Planning
Commission can develop appropriate criteria for prioritizing more detailed streetscape
planning for each corridor. Such criteria could include such factors as: potential for
redevelopment or development; need for safer pedestrian and/or vehicular environments;
planned road improvements/CIP projects for which streetscaping can and should be a part
of the plan; greatest need for aesthetic improvements; or other factors. Without
overthinking this, Staff believes the corridor with the highest priority for additional
streetscape planning is the Edwards Ferry Road corridor. This priority is based on factors
that include potential redevelopment of the old Walmart site, a high number
pedestrian/vehicle traffic conflicts, and the potential for the Streetscape Plan to influence
the Edwards Ferry Road interchange design.
In Staff’s assessment, other corridors in decreasing order of priority for further study are
East Market Street, South King Street, North King Street, and West Market Street. In
general this decreasing level of priority for further study is based on how dynamic these
corridors are with respect to land use changes and the extent to which changes are
deemed necessary in the corridors.
A refined Streetscape Plan for each specific corridor would consider more detailed
studies, a public input process, and specific engineering constraints that would lead to a
more specific vision for each segment of the corridor.
Another aspect to be considered in implementing the Streetscape Plan is how it will be
officially adopted. At this time, Staff believes that the Town would be best served by
having the Town Council formally endorse the contents of the Streetscape Plan at its
earliest convenience and having the Streetscape Plan formally incorporated into the Town
Plan by reference. To avoid the increased workload of completing a Town Plan
Amendment in the near future, Staff recommends the Streetscape Plan be formally
incorporated into the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan Update. This approach will minimize
the need for additional public hearings necessary to amend the current Town Plan.
Gateway District Streetscape Plan
Planning Commission Staff Report
October 15, 2020
Page 5 of 5
Recommended Streetscape Plan Implementation Steps: Staff believes that the
Planning Commission should recommend the following implementation steps to the
Town Council:
1. The Planning Commission should recommend approval of the Streetscape Plan to
the Town Council.
2. The Town Council should endorse the contents of the Draft Streetscape Plan at its
earliest convenience to confirm the overall direction and guidance in the draft.
3. The Town Council should initiate further efforts to refine the streetscape vision
for each corridor, beginning with the Edwards Ferry Road Corridor.
4. The Streetscape Plan should be formally adopted by reference at the time of
approval of the forthcoming Legacy Leesburg Town Plan Update. This formal
adoption will come in the form of Legacy Leesburg references to the Streetscape
Plan
________________________________________________________________________
Attachments:
1. Draft Streetscape Plan
Streetscape Plan
GATEWAY
DISTRICT
TOWN OF LEESBURG DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING
PREPARED BY
TOWN OF LEESBURG
Purpose of the Streetscape Plan
01
SOUTH KING STREET NORTH KING STREET
EAST MARKET STREET WEST MARKET STREET EDWARDS FERRY ROAD
Improving Sense of Place1.
2
STONE WALLS STREET FURNITURE
GATEWAY SIGNAGE
CONSISTENT STREET LIGHTS
LANDSCAPING EARTH TONED GUADRRAILS
2. Enhancing the Visual E x perience
3
STREET TREESLANDSCAPE AREAS
SCREENING
Backs of buildings can be screened by new street trees ART AND SCULPTURE
3. Creating a w elcoming e x perience
4
BRICK SIDEWALKSGATEWAY SIGNS
LANDSCAPED MEDIANS
ESIGN
STREET FURNITURE
4. Preserving Character Defining Elements
5
HISTORIC STRUCTURESSTONE WALLS
RURAL ROAD SECTIONS AGRICULTURAL HERRITAGE AND SCENIC VISTAS
6
East Market Street
EXISTING CONDITIONS
East Market Street
7
East Market Street
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The Primary Purpose of the re -imagined East Market
Street Corridor streetscape is to create a prominent
gateway and to improve the sense of arrival through
improved aesthetics . East Market Street will serve as a
visual transition between suburban areas to the east and
downtown Leesburg . East Market Street will also serve a
key role in helping to reinforce a sense of place for
Leesburg in recognition of its importance .
8
STREETSCAPE GOAL
East Market Street
KEY THEMES FOR THE CORRIDOR
02
SENSE OF PLACE
Enhancements to the sense of place will rely on
consistent use of high quality materials and
specific colors . New decorative light posts with
distinctive patterns of street trees will also be part
of the sence of place .
ENHANCE THE
VISUAL /AESTHETIC
EXPERIENCE
Improving the aesthetics of East Market Street
involves new landscape treatments and a
consistent design theme that differentiates the
Town from points east . Since East Market Street is
a highway , these aesthetics are largely about
things that can be seen and appreciated from a
moving vehicle .
CREATE A
BETTER
GATEWAY
Most people that enter the Town on East Market
Street never know when they cross the Town Line .
Given the number of people that travel on this
road , it can play a major role in saying "welcome
to Leesburg ".
Leesburg ART AND
SIGNAGE
New and larger entry signs are clear ways to
signify arrival into Leesburg . A large art installation
such as a fountain or monument can also serve as
a visual indicator that Leesburg is worth visiting .
STREET TREES
The East Market Street Corridor will have a
consistent pattern of tree planting along both
sides of the road and in the median that provide
an enjoyable experience for motorists and better
serve the road 's gateway function . Installation of
new trees can also serve a traffic calming function .
East Market Street
CREATE A
BOULEVARD
CHARACTER
A boulevard is a relatively wide landscaped road
that gives the appearance of driving through a
park . East Market Street can be transformed by
making trees and landscaping a more dominant
feature of the road .
9
10
STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS
Approximately 200 to 215 ' Right of Way
3 travel lanes in each direction that are each 12 feet wide
12 foot reservation for future travel lanes
25 ' Landscape Area
Wide landscaped center median
Installation of curb and gutter where possible
Leesburg
East Market Street
Trees in Center Median
Trees in 25 ' landscape area on either side of the road
Trees spaced every 50 '
150 ' natural buffer area between the road and buildings
Larger and more prominent gateway signage
Limited use of banners
Lighting is intended primarily as a decorative element but will serve
the purpose of illuminating the road as well
Lights poles should be spaced every 300 ' and be located on both sides
of the road and in the median .
Light Poles should be painted black .
Buildings are set back approximately 150 ' from landscape area .
WILD FLOWERS
STREET TREES
Trees at regularly space intervals
GATEWAY SIGNS
Prominant gateway signage
Wild flowers to improve aesthetics
STREET LIGHTS
Decorative Street Lights
East Market Street
STREETSCAPE FEATURES FOR EAST MARKET STREET
SENSE OF PLACE
Improve sense of place
MEDIAN PLANTING
Trees at regularly space intervals
ART AND SCULTPURE
Art instalations appropriate for
highway speeds
PLANTING BEDS
Landscaped areas with flowers and
other appropriate landscaping
11
CENTER MEDIAN
East Market Street
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
LIGHTING
SENSE OF PLACE
12
TRAFFIC CALMING
STREET TREES
E A ST Market Street
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
ART AND SCULPTURE
LANDSCAPING
GATEWAY SIGN
13
14
West Market Street
EXISTING CONDITIONS
West Market Street
15
West Market Street
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The Primary Purpose of the West Market
Street Corridor streetscape is to preserve
rural residential features and to improve
the sense of arrival .
16
STREETSCAPE GOAL
WEst Market Street
KEY THEMES FOR THE CORRIDOR
02
SENSE OF PLACE
West Market Street has a more organic rural
character . Some existing elements along this
corridor can be used in other corridors . To relate
this corridor to others , common lighting features ,
street furniture , and landscape treatments can be
incorporated into the design .
ENHANCE THE
VISUAL /AESTHETIC
EXPERIENCE
A key way to improve the visual experience along
West Market Street is to improve the south side of
the road . Under story trees and low lying vegetation
can address this goal by providing a screen and and
an attractive design . Other streetscape elements like
street furniture and new pedestrian lighting can also
be part of an attractive road design .
CREATE A
BETTER
GATEWAY
The character of West Market Street itself provides
for a welcoming gateway as the character changes
once entering into the Town . A gateway sign ,
improvements to the far western end of the
corridor , and more consistent streetscape design
can further improve the gateway .
PRESERVE
CHARACTER
DEFINING
ELEMENTS
Stone walls , brick pavers , and hedge -grows , are
key character defining elements along West
Market Street that are not found along other
corridors . These elements are consistent with
some characteristics of the downtown area and
should be preserved and further used where
possible .
Leesburg ART AND
SIGNAGE
Given the relatively small scale of West Market
Street , opportunities for new art may be limited but
a new gateway sign and entrance feature should be
installed at the western town limit line or at Catoctin
Cicrcle .
STREET TREES
Street trees on the south side of West Market
Street have grown very large and do not
necessarily match the scale of the road but
provide excellent tree canopy coverage . These
trees can be supplemented with additional new
under story trees that better serve aesthetic and
screening purposes at lower heights .
West Market Street
17
STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS
West Market Street
18
Approximately 60 ' Right of Way
One 10 foot travel lane in each direction
4 foot brick sidewalk on north side of road
18 " Planting strip between sidewalk and curb on north side of road
Leesburg
Maintain existing tree cover
Install new trees under story trees on south side to provide screening .
New gateway sign
3 foot tall stone wall on north side where possible
New Lighting for aesthetics and pedestrian safety .
New lighting on 18 foot poles for aesthetics .
New Light poles should be painted black .
Flower Baskets mounted to light poles .
Buildings should be set back approximately 50 ' from ROW line .
TRAFFIC CALMING
TREES
Trees planted in natural pattern
GATEWAY SIGN
New Gateway Sign at Western Town Line
Slow down vehicles coming from
the highway
STREET LIGHTS
Decorative Street Lights
West Market Street
STREETSCAPE FEATURES FOR WEST MARKET STREET
SENSE OF PLACE
Use design elements to improve sense of
place
STONE WALLS
Encourage Stone Walls where possible
Street furniture in limited locations FLOWER BASKETS
Flower Baskets mounted on lights
poles
STREET FURNITURE
19
STREET TREES
WEst Market Street
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
SCREENING
PLANTING BEDS AND
FLOWER BASKETS
GATEWAY SIGN
20
SIDEWALKS
West Market Street
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
LIGHTING
BANNERS
SENSE OF PLACE
21
22
South King Street
EXISTING CONDITIONS
South King Street
23
South King Street
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The Primary Purpose of the South King Street
Corridor streetscape is to improve the sense of
arrival . This corridor is envisioned to be retrofitted
with improved plantings , new street furniture ,
artwork , and sculptures . Another key part of the
long -term vision is improved transit service and an
improved pedestrian and bicycle experience
including sidewalks on both sides of the roadway .
5
STREETSCAPE GOAL
South King Street
24
KEY THEMES FOR THE CORRIDOR
The primary elements to contribute to sense of
place in this corridor will be street trees ,
decorative lighting , and signage . New street
furniture and lighting fixtures should be painted
black to help create a consistent theme .
There are several opportunities to enhance the
visual and aesthetic experience along South King
Street . Art installation , improved plantings , street
furniture , and decorative lighting will all play a
role in improving aesthetics . This corridor is
envisioned to provide a transition between rural
and urban areas by creating a "boulevard " feel
along the corridor .
South King Street has the building blocks of a
great gateway corridor . The road changes from 2
lanes to 4 lanes with a median when entering
town and there are distinct changes in the overall
character . Additional improvements can help
make it clear that Leesburg is a special place .
The South King Street Corridor is lined by mowed
and cleared areas that lend themselves to street
trees . New trees will contribute to sense of place
while also serving to provide screening of many of
the backs of buildings that line the roadway .
SENSE OF PLACE
ENHANCE THE
VISUAL /AESTHETIC
EXPERIENCE
CREATE A
BETTER
GATEWAY
02
Leesburg ART AND
SIGNAGE
STREET TREES
South King Street
South King Street is lined by several residential
neighborhoods . A shared use path on the west
side of South King Street is well used for
recreation and by people walking into the
downtown area . Neighborhoods on the east side of
the roadway do not have a sidewalk or trail .
Several opportunities to improve safety and the
overall experience for pedestrians exist .
IMPROVE THE
PEDESTRIAN AND
BICYCLE
EXPERIENCE
The entry sign at the southern town limit line can
be enhanced with another sign in the median to
clearly signify arrival into Leesburg . This corridor
also provides opportunities for a large art
installation such as a fountain , monument , or
sculpture that can also serve as a visual indicator
that Leesburg is worth visiting .
CREATE A
BOULEVARD
CHARACTER
South King Street can be transformed into a
Boulevard by making trees and landscaping a
more dominant feature of the road . A combination
of large canopy trees and neatly manicured
landscaping will contribute to the enhanced
character and transition to downtown Leesburg .
25
5
STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS
2 travel lanes in each direction (One 12 and one 11 feet ).
10 foot wide shared use path on west side of road .
New 5 foot wide sidewalk on east side of road .
30 foot wide landscaped center median .
12 foot wide planting strips on either side of road .
Curb and Gutter for drainage .
Leesburg
South King Street
Street trees in median and on either side of the road to provide boulevard
character .
Utilize existing median plantings where present .
Incorporate existing trees into street tree pattern where possible and where
they can contribute to the desired character .
Trees for landscape screening where appropriate .
Consider use of wildflowers in certain areas .
Additional gateway sign in center median at southern town line .
"Now Leaving Leesburg " sign at southern town line .
New decorative lighting on either side of road .
New decorative lighting in median .
Lighting should emphasize pedestrian and decorative functions .
Lighting fixtures and poles should be painted black .
26
PEDESTRIAN IMPROMENTS
TREES
Trees at regularly space intervals in planting strips on
either side of the road and in the median.
GATEWAY SIGNS
Additional gateway sign
Improve bicycle and pedestrian
safety and amenities
STREET LIGHTS
Decorative Street Lights
STREETSCAPE FEATURES FOR SOUTH KING STREET
SENSE OF PLACE
Enhanced Sense of Arrival
ENHANCED MEDIAN PLANTING
Additional trees, flowers, and ornamental grasses to
complement and enhance existing plantings.
ART AND SCULTPURE
Art installations appropriate for
motorists and pedestrians
PLANTING BEDS
Landscaped areas with flowers
South King Street
27
STREET TREES
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
ART AND SCULPTURE
PLANTING AREAS
GATEWAY SIGN
South King Street
28
CENTER MEDIAN
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
LIGHTING
PEDESSTRIAN IMPROVMENTS
SENSE OF PLACE
South King Street
29
30
North King Street
EXISTING CONDITIONS
North King Street
31
North King Street
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The Primary Purpose of the North King
Street streetscape vision is to preserve
and enhance the rural open space
character and vistas of the roadway .
Some enhancements to improve the
gateway function , pedestrian experience ,
and sense of place are also envisioned .
5
STREETSCAPE VISION
North King Street
32
KEY THEMES FOR THE CORRIDOR
The open space and scenic vistas that already exist
on North King Street contribute to a desired sense
of place . New lighting , street furniture , and
landscaping that respects the existing organic
character can also be incorporated .
North King Street is not just for cars . The shared
use path on the east side of North King Street is
heavily used for recreation and by people walking
into the downtown area . The pedestrian
experience also needs improvements for safer
crossing of the roadway . The experience for
pedestrians and cyclists should be improved
where possible .
When traveling south , into Leesburg , a gateway
sign exists but there is little else to distinguish
Leesburg from points north or to create a defined
boundary .
PRESERVE
CHARACTER
DEFINING
ELEMENTS
North King Street is characterized by open space .
In some respects it has a rural character . This
character should be preserved , maintained , and
enhanced where possible .
Providing an additional gateway sign on the east
side of North King Street can help welcome
people . In this unique corridor , nature and open
space will serve as the majority of the art .
Trees will be placed on the east side of the road .
The primary intent of new trees is to create a
visual screen between the road and homes and to
promote an open space character .
02
SENSE OF PLACE
IMPROVE THE
PEDESTRIAN AND
BICYCLE
EXPERIENCE
CREATE A
BETTER
GATEWAY
Leesburg ART AND
SIGNAGE
STREET TREES
North King Street
33
5
STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS
Leesburg
Thick vegetation or open space as appropriate to maintain open space
character
Street trees on east side of the road
Thick vegetation for screening on east side of shared use path
Consider appropriate landscaping to preserve open space character along
the parcel north of Ida Lee
North King Street
Additional gateway sign on east side of road to welcome inbound traffic
New decorative lighting to serve pedestrians on east side of the road
New lighting should be painted black
11 foot wide travel lanes in either direction
28 foot planting strip on east side of road
10 foot wide shared use path on east side of the road
8 foot wide shoulder on west side of road
Safer crossings of the roadway
34
PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS
TREES
Trees planted in a natural pattern
GATEWAY SIGNS
Improve pedestrian amenities and
safety
STREET LIGHTS
Decorative Street Lights
STREETSCAPE FEATURES FOR NORTH KING STREET
SENSE OF PLACE
Enhanced sense of arrival
SHARED USE PATH
10 foot paved path for pedestrians and cyclists
STREET FURNITURE
Install consistent black street
furniture
PLANTING BEDS
Landscaped areas with flowers
North King Street
35
STREET TREES
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
STREET FURNITURE
PLANTING BEDS
GATEWAY SIGN
North King Street
36
OPEN SPACE
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
LIGHTING
PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS
SENSE OF PLACE
North King Street
37
38
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
39
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
EXISTING CONDITIONS
5
STREETSCAPE GOAL
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
he Primary Purpose of the re -imagined Edwards Ferry Road streetscape will depend on the
location in the corridor . Existing conditions and physical variations make a consistent right -of -way
design difficult to achieve but a key part of the goal is enhancing the link across the bypass .
At the eastern end , the primary goal is to enhance the pedestrian experience and improve the
aesthetics of the corridor . Street trees and pedestrian scale lighting are integral to the long -term
vision and represent important unifying elements . Aesthetic improvements including improved
landscaping , street furniture , artwork , and sculptures will be incorporated where possible to
create a valued aesthetic experience and encourage pedestrian activity in this area which does
and will continue to serve as both a neighborhood and regional destination .
The primary goal for the western end of the corridor approaching downtown Leesburg is to
preserve key elements of the existing streetscape and small town feel while seizing opportunities
to reinforce Leesburg 's sense of place and improve aesthetics .
Improved transit service and bicycle accommodations will also need to be addressed in the
streetscape design for both ends of the corridor .
40
KEY THEMES FOR THE CORRIDOR
Sense of place for the Edwards Ferry Road Corridor
is a critical component of the Streetscape
considering that so many people from throughout
the region visit the corridor for retail needs .
Design elements can reinforce to visitors that they
are within the corporate limits . Specific elements
in this corridor should include street trees ,
decorative lighting , and signage . New street
furniture and lighting fixtures should be painted
black to help create a consistent theme .
There are several opportunities to enhance the
visual and aesthetic experience on the east end of
the corridor with additional trees , landscaping , art ,
lighting , and street furniture . Opportunities are
more limited closer to the downtown due to space
constraints .
There are a variety of conditions found in the
Edwards Ferry Road Corridor and not all areas can
accommodate new street trees . However , to the
extent there is space for trees along the sides of
the road or in medians , they should be planted to
reinforce Leesburg as a Tree City USA and to
provide shade and improve the pedestrian
experience .
SENSE OF PLACE
ENHANCE THE
VISUAL /AESTHETIC
EXPERIENCE
02
Leesburg ART AND
SIGNAGE
STREET TREES
The Town of Leesburg corporate limits for the
Edwards Ferry Road Corridor generally begin at
the intersection of Edwards Ferry Road and
Battlefield Parkway . However , all of Battlefield
Parkway is already included in the Town limits and
most travelers from the east will have been within
Town limits for some time before getting to
Edwards Ferry Road . This results in a lesser need
for gateway signage and instead on a greater need
for art and themed directional signage .
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
41
The Edwards Ferry Road corridor is lined by a mix
of residential neighborhoods and commercial
uses . These areas have relatively high amount of
pedestrian traffic but an inconsistent bicycle and
pedestrian network . A safe , complete , and
enjoyable pedestrian network to connect residents
with businesses should be a top priority for this
corridor .
IMPROVE THE
PEDESTRIAN AND
BICYCLE
EXPERIENCE
PRESERVE
CHARACTER
DEFINING
ELEMENTS
There are several elements contributing to a small
town character in the western end of the corridor
that should be preserved . They include stone
walls , brick pavers , hedge -grows , and large trees .
In many instances , these elements are consistent
with some characteristics of the downtown area
and should be preserved .
The number and width of travel lanes will vary throughout the corridor .
A landscaped center median should be provided where possible .
Sidewalks should be provided on both sides of the road where possible .
Area should be reserved for wider sidewalks along the eastern end of the
corridor for future commercial activity .
Planting strips for street trees should be provided between vehicle lanes and
sidewalks where possible .
Curb and Gutter for drainage should be provided where possible .
Enhanced crosswalks and pedestrian safety elements should be installed .
Thoughtful consideration of preferred colors and materials for the future
interchange
5
STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS
Street trees should be provided in center medians when possible .
Street trees should be provided along both sides of the road where possible .
Street trees be placed betwwen vehicle travel lanes and sidewalks where
ever possible .
New decorative lighting on either side of road in eastern end of the corridor .
Take advantage of limited opportunities for pedestrian scaled light fixtures
in western end of corridor .
Lighting should emphasize pedestrian and decorative functions .
Lighting fixtures and poles should be painted black .
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
42
Black street furniture including benches , trash receptacles , and bicycle racks
should be located throughout the corridor .
Bus shelters should be located adjacent to retail uses and near key
intersections throughout the corridor . These bus shelters should maintain
consistency with other design elements .
TRAFFIC CALMING
TREES
Trees at regularly space intervals in planting strips on
either side of the road and in the median.
INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE
Highlight Leesburg's History
Traffic Calming techniques
STREET LIGHTS
Decorative Street Lights
STREETSCAPE FEATURES FOR EDWARDS FERRY ROAD
SENSE OF PLACE
Encourage consistent design
elements
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY FEATURES
Improve pedestrian mobility and safety.
ART AND SCULTPURE
Art installations appropriate for
motorists and pedestrians
PLANTING BEDS
Landscaped areas with flowers
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
43
STREET TREES
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
ART AND SCULPTURE
PLANTING AREAS
PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
44
CENTER MEDIAN
STREETSCAPE FEATURE DETAILS
LIGHTING
TRAFFIC CALMING
SENSE OF PLACE
Ed w ards Ferr y Road
45