Urban Design

(Illustrations may be downloaded at right.)

Reinforcing and preserving vistas to the Town's natural assets are important to maintaining the rural state of the existing site.

The six (6) prominent knolls are strong visual elements as viewed from SH 114 and 377.  They become less pronounced from the northerly views of higher elevations to the south.  From these hill tops, one has strong distant and panoramic views to the northwest and northeast.

The Solana complex is an example of good site planning to reduce one's awareness of development.  However, large amounts of soil were moved in order to achieve some of the screening effects.

Strong, positive views of the Solana entry at Hwy 114 sets a Town precedent for other potential "doors into the Town".  Solana has established landscaped setbacks of an average of 200 feet from the Freeway right-of-way, 100 feet from Kirkwood Blvd. and 85 feet from Sam School Rd.

Westlake is a unique area in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  It has a very attractive rolling topography, distinctive drainage patterns and stands of major hardwood trees.  This is probably like much of the Dallas/Fort Worth area before insensitive development "had its way" with the land.

There is no reason why development cannot be accommodated while preserving the area's special rural character and key prominent features in the Township.  Westlake's uniqueness can be enhanced by assuring that development is consistent with the vision for Westlake.

Goals and Objectives

1. Avoid all forms of visual pollution.
   

   Policies

   1. Utilize traffic sign and signal hardware that is non-obtrusive.
   2. Avoid commercial signage that seeks to gain attention.
   3. Utilities should be placed underground.
2. Ensure that attractive views which enhance the rural character of Westlake are maintained and taken advantage of.
   

   Policies

   1. Buildings and roadways should be located to preserve view to prominent knolls, and from high elevations down to the valleys.
   2. Building should be set back from freeway frontage roads, and Major and Minor Collectors to provide for a landscape buffer and reinforce the rural feeling.
   3. Disturbances of the natural topography and vegetation on all lots and buffer areas should be kept to a minimum.
   4. Each corporate campus and residential development should be master planned to preserve open space, vegetation and view corridors
3. Building sites and structures should be laid out so that the area maintains its natural character.
   

   Policies

   1. Building heights in excess of 2-2 1/2 stories should only be allowed in low elevation areas adjacent to Hwys 377, 170 and 114.  Commercial buildings up to 7 stories may be approved as part of a comprehensive site plan, taking into account other development in the area, the preservation of view corridors, and the maintenance of the rural character of the Township.
   2. Building envelopes should be limited and located on that portion of the site most suitable for development.  Site areas beyond envelopes should be restricted against structures.  The maximum amount of natural slope and vegetation should be preserved.
   3. Building envelopes should not include tops of ridges, wetlands, buffer areas, flood plains and slopes in excess of 25% grade.
   4. Trees on ridge lines should not be removed.
4. Public works projects such as roads and bridges should be sensitively designed and constructed to contribute to Westlake's overall character.
5. Lighting should not detract from the rural character of Westlake.
   

   Policies

   1. On-site lighting should occur only where specific safety conditions warrant, or where it will reinforce the rural character of development.
   2. Street lighting standards should only be located primarily at intersections.  Otherwise, it should be approved as part of a comprehensive development plan.