FUTURE SCENARIOS
FOR THE TOWN OF SUNSET
Developed for the
Town of Sunset Comprehensive Plan
November 2014
Overview Table
1
A. Preserved Small Town Feel
& Incremental Development
2
B. The Modern & Walkable
Small Town
6
C. Economic Thriving &
Progressive Development
10
Poll Question Results
14
OVERVIEW TABLE
Transportation
Duffy Avenue
SCENARIO A: Preserved Small Town Feel & Incremental Development
• A three-way traffic light will be added at the intersection of Duffy and Napoleon Avenues
• A multi-use trail will be installed on the former railroad corridor from Napoleon Ave to Sunset
Elementary School
• Sidewalks will be improved and bike paths will be added on existing streets that connect major
facilities (town center, commercial triangle, school, baseball fields)
SCENARIO B: The Modern & Walkable Small Town
• A roundabout will be added at the intersection of Duffy and
Napoleon Avenues
• A multi-use trail will be installed on the former railroad corridor from Railroad/Pershing Avenue
to Doral Drive
• Sidewalks will be improved and bike paths will be added on existing streets that connect major
facilities (town center, commercial triangle, school, baseball fields); wayfinding signage will also
be added
• Pedestrian and bike trails will be added to connect Shady Meadows and Oak Trace to the new
railroad multi-use trail, which will improve the connectivity and walkability in the Town
• The corridor will transform into a mix of residential and neighborhood commercial use; vacant
parcels will be developed as small office, medical, and retail--commercial infill between
residential buildings will make the corridor appear more dense and lively
• The corridor will be reduced to two travel lanes, one in each direction; a raised, landscaped
median and safe pedestrian and bike facilities will be added
• Traffic controls, landscaping, and wayfinding signage will be added
• Commercial development will continue in this area
• Medical development will also occur
SCENARIO C: Economic Thriving & Progressive Development
• A roundabout will be added at the intersection of Duffy and
Napoleon Avenues
• A multi-use trail will be installed on the former railroad corridor from Railroad/Pershing Avenue
to Sunset Elementary School
• Sidewalks will be improved and bike paths will be added on existing streets that connect major
facilities (town center, commercial triangle, school, baseball fields)
• Pedestrian and bike trails will be added to connect Shady Meadows and Oak Trace to the new
railroad multi-use trail, which will improve the connectivity and walkability in the Town
• The corridor will remain commercial with Main Street character; the merchant alliance will join
the Louisiana Main Street Program and the corridor will be designated as an official Louisiana
Historic Main
Street Corridor
• Complete Street improvements will be made between Duffy Avenue and Pershing Highway,
including safer pedestrian and biking facilities, landscaping with shade trees, and traffic calming
measures; the segment from Castille Street to Landry Street will receive design improvements to
become more of a recognizable town center
• Green infrastructure will be installed at the Castille Street intersection in order to reduce
localized flooding that presently occurs
• Shade trees will be planted along the multi-use trail to improve user-friendliness, definition,
• The area between the multi-use trail and Castille Street will be redeveloped as a public
and aesthetics
plaza; this area and the sement of Napoleon Avenue between Landry and Castille Streets
• Existing buildings in the area will be renovated; surrounding streetscapes will receive
will constitute the Sunset town center; the plaza will include shade trees, benches, and
landscpaing improvements; roads will be repaired
landscaping; it will be programmed with a weekly farmers market and periodic flea markets
• Vacant land currently used for parking and storage will be visually structured and screened with • The existing swale along the rail corridor will be retrofitted to a bioswale
landscaping
• Existing buildings in the area will be renovated and the surrounding public spaces will receive
• Residential infill development will incrementally reconnect the urban fabric
design enhancements
• The existing red barn will be restored to function as retail space for an antique-type business
• The corridor will remain commercial with Main Street character; commercial infill on existing
vacant properties, focused on tourism and antiques, will further diversify the corridor
• Complete Street improvements will be made between Duffy Avenue and Pershing Highway,
including safer pedestrian and biking facilities, landscaping with shade trees, and traffic calming
measures
• The from the roundabout to Budd Street will develop as Sunset's town center
• Green infrastructure will be installed at the Castille Street intersection in order to reduce
localized flooding that presently occurs
• The two large parcels northwest of Duffy Avenue will be subdivided into large lots for singlefamily residential development; the area will be connected to main transportation corridors and
the elementary school via bike- and pedestrian-friendly routes
• Single-family residential development will occur along Sunset Strip between Churchill Street
and Tommy's Road
• The Town will annex additional lands south of the town limits to expand areas for low-density
residential development
• The two large parcels northwest of Duffy Avenue will be developed as a residential area with
diverse housing choices, including townhouses and apartments; the area will be connected to
main transportation corridors, the elementary school, and the baseball fields via bike- and
pedestrianfriendly routes
• Single-family residential development will occur between Napoleon Avenue, Pershing
Highway, and the town limits as well as the southern area along Sunset Strip
• The two large parcels northwest of Duffy Avenue will be developed as a residential area with
diverse housing choices, including townhouses and apartments; the area will be connected to
main transportation corridors, the elementary school, and the baseball fields via bike- and
pedestrianfriendly routes
• Single-family residential development will occur between Napoleon Avenue, Pershing
Highway, and the town limits as well as the southern area along Sunset Strip
• One to three additional bed & breakfasts will open within the town limits
• One to three new restaurants and a new café will open on Napoleon Avenue
• A national chain hotel will construct a location in Sunset, along the
I-49 corridor
• A second bed & breakfast will open within the town limits
• New restaurants and a new café will open on Napoleon Avenue
• A national chain hotel will construct a location in Sunset, along the
I-49 corridor
• One to three additional bed & breakfasts will open within the town limits
• New restaurants and a new café will open on Napoleon Avenue
• Marie Street Park will be furnished with benches and landscaping improvements will be added
along the fringe; the existing basketball courts will be refurbished; a permanent restroom facility
will be added
• The baseball fields north of Sunset will be refurbished and a small building with restroom
facilities will be added
• The vacant town-owned property on Anna Street will be transformed into a public park with
play structures for children as well as a picnic area
• The Town will construct a public football field on the vacant land behind the old high school
building and existing community center
• Marie Street Park will be furnished with benches and landscaping improvements will be added
along the fringe; the existing basketball courts will be refurbished; a permanent restroom facility
will be added; a walking trail and a play structure for children will also be added
• The baseball fields in the North of Sunset will be refurbished and a small building with restroom
facilities will be added
• The vacant town-owned property on Anna Street will be transformed into a public botanic
garden, featuring park furniture and a picnic pavilion
• A community facility with a public pool and volleyball courts will be constructed on the vacant
land behind the old high school building and existing community center
• The old high school building will be renovated to serve as the new community center
• The existing community center will be reconfigured to serve as a community fitness center,
including fitness equipment and classes
• Marie Street Park will be furnished with benches and landscaping improvements will be added
along the fringe; the existing basketball courts will be refurbished; a permanent restroom facility
will be added; a walking trail will also be added
• The baseball fields in the North of Sunset will be refurbished and a small building with restroom
facilities will be added
• The vacant town-owned property on Anna Street will be transformed into a public park with
tennis courts, a walking/running trail and outdoor
fitness stations
• The property behind the old high school building and existing community center will serve as
the Town's festival grounds
• A small rubboard festival and the herb festival will be held annually at the Marie Street Park
• The old high school building will be renovated to serve as an arts incubator facility as well as
classroom space for community activities and classes
• The herb festival, a small rubboard festival, and a local art festival will be held at the Marie Street • A bigger herb festival and a two-day rubboard festival will be held annually at the new festival
grounds
Park
• The old high school building will be renovated to serve as an antiques mall and a rubboard
museum
• The old Bank of Sunset building will become a Sunset history museum, which will begin
operating only on weekends
• The corridor remains residential; existing vacant parcels will be developed as single-family
residential units
• Travel lane widths will be reduced; bike lanes and crosswalks will be added
• Traffic controls, landscaping, and wayfinding signage will be added
• Commercial development will continue in this area
Duffy- I-49 Triangle
• The corridor will remain commercial with Main Street character; commercial infill on existing
vacant properties will further diversify
the corridor
• The segment from Budd Street to Castille Street will be designed as a town center with
Napoleon Avenue landscaping and street furniture
• Bike lanes will be added in each direction
• Green infrastructure will be installed at the Castille Street intersection in order to reduce
localized flooding that presently occurs
Trailhead
Residential
Tourism
Recreation
Culture
1
• The corridor will transform into a commercial corridor; existing vacant parcels will be
consolidated to form larger plots that support a mix of local and national stores and restaurants;
residential units will incrementally phase out
• Access management, a shared parking lot, and safe pedestrian and bike facilities will be added
• Traffic controls, landscaping, and wayfinding signage will be added
• Commercial development will continue in this area
• Medical development will also occur
• A commercial office park will be added
• The area between the multi-use trail and Castille Street will be redeveloped as a public park; the
park will include a playscape for children as well as a picnic area
• Signage will incorporated into the park to inform users about the Sunset's history and nearby
historic buildings
A.
2
Preserved Small Town Feel
& Incremental Development
FUTURE SCENARIO A
• New road constructions
connect existing and
new development
• Bike trails connect Shady
Meadows & Oak Trace to
the town core
• Traffic light on
Napoleon Ave. & Duffy Ave.
• Bike lane on
Duffy Ave. & Napoleon Ave.
• Rail corridor trail between
Napoleon Ave. and the
elementary school
• Stormwater management on
Napoleon Ave. & Castille St.
TRANSPORTATION
3
FUTURE SCENARIO A
• Town center on
Napoleon Ave. & Marie St.
• Duffy Ave. remains in
residential use
• Low density residential
northwest of Duffy Ave.
• Main street commercial
infill on Napoleon Ave.
• 2-3 new bed & breakfasts
• More commercial
development in the
triangle northeast of
Duffy Ave.
• Residential infill in
the town center
adjacent to the
railroad corridor
DEVELOPMENT
4
FUTURE SCENARIO A
• Improved basketball courts
on Marie St.
• Improved park on Marie St.
with landscaping and park
furniture
• Football field on the vacant
lot behind the Sunset
High School
• Park with a playground for
children and a picnic
shelter on the vacant town
property on Anna St.
• Improved baseball fields
north of Sunset
RECREATION
5
B.
6
The Modern & Walkable
Small Town
FUTURE SCENARIO B
• New road constructions
connect existing and new
development
• New bike trails connect
disconnected areas for
pedestrians and bicyclists
• Roundabout on
Napoleon Ave. & Duffy Ave.
• Bike Lane and raised
median on Duffy Ave. &
bike lane on Napoleon Ave.
• Comprehensive bike lane
& sidewalk network
• Complete Street on
Napoleon Ave.
• Rail corridor trail from
Pershing Hwy. to Doral St.
• Stormwater management
on Napoleon Ave. & Castille St.
TRANSPORTATION
7
FUTURE SCENARIO B
• Downtown plaza on the
vacant land along the rail
corridor
• Town center between
Napoleon Ave., Landry St.,
and Castille St.
• Mixed-use and neighborhood commercial infill
along Duffy Ave.
• Medium density residential
northwest of Duffy Ave.
• Napoleon Ave. becomes
official Louisiana
Mainstreet Corridor
• National chain hotel
• Medical development
in the triangle
northeast of Duffy Ave.
DEVELOPMENT
8
FUTURE SCENARIO B
• Improved basketball courts on
Marie St.
• Improved park on Marie St. with
landscaping, park furniture, and
a playground for kids
• Public pool and volleyball courts
behind the High School
• Fitness center in the existing
community center building
• Community center in the
renovated Sunset High
School building
• Potential botanic garden with
picnic shelter on the vacant
town property on Anna St.
• Improved baseball fields
north of Sunset
RECREATION
9
C.
10
Economic Thriving &
Progressive Development
FUTURE SCENARIO C
• New road construction
connects disconnected
areas for vehicular traffic
• Roundabout on
Napoleon Ave. & Duffy Ave.
• Bike Lane and raised
median on Duffy Ave. &
bike lane on Napoleon Ave.
• Additional bike lanes
• Complete Street on
Napoleon Ave.
• Rail corridor trail from
Pershing Hwy. to the
elementary school
• Stormwater management
on Napoleon Ave.
& Castille St.
TRANSPORTATION
11
FUTURE SCENARIO C
• Town center around the
intersection of Duffy Ave.
& Napoleon Ave.
• Commercial development
along Duffy Ave. replaces
homes
• More antique stores
& restaurants on
Napoleon Ave.
• Single-family residential
& townhouses northwest
of Duffy Ave.
• More bed & breakfasts
• Rubboard Museum in
Bank of Sunset building
• National chain hotel
• Office park in the triangle
northeast of Duffy Ave.
DEVELOPMENT
12
FUTURE SCENARIO C
• Improved basketball courts
on Marie St.
• Improved park on Marie St.
with landscaping and park
furniture
• Festival ground behind the
Sunset High School
• Tennis courts and outdoor
fitness equipment on the
vacant town property on
Anna St.
• Park with children's
playground and picnic
shelter on the vacant land
Downtown
• Improved baseball fields
north of Sunset
RECREATION
13
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
Public Meeting 11/12/2014
14
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
WHERE WILL SUNSET'S TOWN CENTER BE?
A:
Napoleon Avenue & Marie
Street
54%
B:
Around Napoleon Avenue &
the old rail corridor
11%
C:
Napoleon Avenue & Duffy
Avenue
34%
15
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
HOW WILL SUNSET’S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK LOOK?
A:
Basic improvements to the existing street grid;
bike lanes on Duffy Avenue & Napoleon Avenue;
8%
B:
Comprehensive network of bike & pedestrian trails;
Complete Street treatment on Duffy Avenue &
Napoleon Avenue;
73%
C:
Connection of isolated subdivisions into the Town's
street grid; access management on Duffy Avenue;
19%
16
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
HOW WILL THE DUFFY AVENUE CORRIDOR DEVELOP?
A:
Duffy Avenue remains in
residential use.
4%
17
B:
Neighborhood commercial infill
diversifies Duffy Avenue. The corridor
features residential and small scale
commercial development.
15%
C:
Medium to large scale
commercial development on Duffy
Avenue incrementally replaces existing
residential uses.
81%
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
HOW WILL THE INTERSECTION OF DUFFY AVENUE AND NAPOLEON AVENUE BE IMPROVED?
A:
Three way traffic light &
crosswalks
8%
B:
Roundabout &
crosswalks
92%
18
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
WHAT HOUSING TYPES SHOULD FUTURE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FEATURE?
A:
Detached single-family residential units
on medium to large lots infill, as well as
new subdivisions on the town outskirts
12%
19
B:
Detached single-family residential units
and town houses on medium to small
lots within the town limits
42%
C:
Detached single-family residential units
and town houses on medium to small
lots, and apartment buildings for independent living in the Town's core area
46%
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
HOW WILL THE UNDERUTILIZED LAND BETWEEN THE RAIL CORRIDOR AND CASTILLE STREET
BE USED?
A:
Residential infill
B:
Town plaza with a weekly farmer's
market
8%
20
52%
C:
Public park with children's playground
40%
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
WHERE WILL PLAY FIELDS, SPORT FACILITIES BE?
A:
Large playfield on the town property
behind the Sunset High School building
52%
21
B:
Public Pool and small playfields behind
the Sunset High School building
16%
C:
Small sport courts and fitness equipment
on the town property on Anna Street
32%
POLL QUESTION RESULTS
WHERE WILL HERB AND RUBBOARD FESTIVAL BE HELD?
A:
Small Herb Festival and Rubboard
Festival in the existing Town Park
23%
22
B:
Herb Festival and Rubboard Festival
dispersed over Town in the existing
Town Park and next to the rail corridor
12%
C:
Bigger Herb Festival and 2-day Rubboard
Festival behind the old Sunset High
School building
65%