Background
The City of Dublin began an inventory of important roadway corridors 2009 to review land use, roadway design, and roadside character. Each roadway corridor faces unique challenges in terms of transitioning land use character, aging infrastructure, and development pressures. The first of these planning efforts was the Hyland Croy Roadway Character Study, completed in June 2011.
The next area for examination is Shier Rings Road. This roadway contains a unique mix of industrial, office, residential, and City facilities, along with vacant land and infill sites. Nearly all of the area is covered by new planning efforts and zoning regulations under the Shier Rings TechFlex District and the West Innovation District.
At the same time, the City identified various business districts, principally located in the central core of the city (see Map 6). The business districts are designed to promote clusters of similar types of businesses and industries, allowing each area to benefit from appropriate access, visibility, and proximity to support uses and services.
Project Purpose
A considerable amount of planning has taken place for the far west end of the Shier Rings Road corridor west of Avery Road as part of the West Innovation District planning efforts, and portions of Shier Rings Road along Avery Road have been studied as part of the Avery Road Corridor Special Area Plan within the Dublin Community Plan. Because Shier Rings Road has never been examined in its entirety, this project will serve as an amendment to the Dublin Community Plan through the comprehensive study of this roadway.
The purpose of this study is to provide detailed policy and general design guidance for future roadway improvements and surrounding land use character in this important corridor. This study builds on the extensive planning studies completed for portions of the study area, including the Dublin Community Plan for land use and transportation network recommendations, which will guide future improvements to the design and character of Shier Rings Road.
It is important to note that none of the improvements are imminent; this study is in anticipation of future roadway projects, consistent with Dublin’s tradition of planning for future infrastructure improvements.
Study Area Overview
The Shier Rings Roadway Corridor Character Study area is bounded by US Highway 33 to the north, I-270 to the east, Cosgray Road to the west (including parcels just west of Cosgray), and properties along the south side of Shier Rings Road.
Strategically located at the juncture of US 33 and I-270, Dublin is home to over 41,000 residents, more than 3,000 businesses, and hosts an estimated 65,000 jobs in administration, technology, science, health and information. Dublin’s primary employment core along I-270 and US 33 is home to major corporations and technology-based firms. This area has been divided into seven business districts.
The Shier Rings Road Technology Flex District is one of the city’s key business districts. The area is predominately comprised of light industrial uses and forms a physical connection between the Emerald Corporate District ringing I-270 and the growing West Innovation District. Shier Rings Road provides a direct east-west connection between these two districts, while providing access to single-family neighborhoods to the south. Large undeveloped parcels within the study area provide important opportunities for new businesses and/or expansions of existing Dublin businesses. Future development will need to transition between existing development and the contemporary, high-tech development that will characterize the West Innovation District.
Planning Goals
- Analyze existing conditions and previous planning efforts, including the Dublin Community Plan Special Area Plans, Future Land Use Map, and Thoroughfare Plan.
- Provide strategies for integrating and balancing transportation mobility planning with land use and development character objectives identified in the Dublin Community Plan.
- Recommend right-of-way improvements to best support the future land use mix and community character objectives while maintaining safe and efficient transportation.
- Provide recommendations for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, as well as landscaping, lighting, and furnishings to enhance the visual appeal of the corridor.
