Atch_02_Nellis_Creech_ID2_Handbook_201108.pdf

ID2

Installation Development and Design (ID2) Handbook

Air Combat Command

FINAL August 2011

Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases, Nevada

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TABLE OF CONTENTS ACC

v i Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases, Nevada: Installation Development and Design (ID2)

Page

Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................ 1-1

1.1 Document Scope, Applicability, and Audience ....................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1.1 Applicability ................................................................................................................................................ 1-1

1.1.2 Audience .................................................................................................................................................... 1-3

1.2 Development and Design—A Holistic Approach..................................................................................................... 1-3

1.2.1 HQ ACC/A7P ............................................................................................................................................. 1-3

1.3 Development and Design—Requirements and Evaluation Metrics ........................................................................ 1-3

1.3.1 HQ ACC/A7P Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 1-3

1.3.2 Installation Requirements........................................................................................................................... 1-3

1.3.3 HQ ACC Development and Design Review Board (D2 Board) Evaluation Metrics ................................... 1-3

1.3.4 HQ ACC D2 Board Evaluations ................................................................................................................. 1-4

1.3.5 Installation Evaluation Metrics and Evaluations ......................................................................................... 1-4

1.4 Organization of this Document ................................................................................................................................ 1-4

Chapter 2 Installation Image ...................................................... 2-1

2.1 Installation Context .................................................................................................................................................. 2-1

2.1.1 Resource Overview .................................................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.2 Design Information ..................................................................................................................................... 2-2

2.2 Installation Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 2-2

2.3 Installation Development ......................................................................................................................................... 2-3

2.4 Image Elements ...................................................................................................................................................... 2-3

2.4.1 Paths .......................................................................................................................................................... 2-3

2.4.2 Edges ......................................................................................................................................................... 2-7

2.4.3 Nodes ......................................................................................................................................................... 2-8

2.4.4 Landmarks ................................................................................................................................................. 2-8

2.4.5 Districts ...................................................................................................................................................... 2-9

Chapter 3 Development Considerations ................................... 3-1

3.1 Reuse Opportunities ............................................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.2 Infill Opportunities ................................................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.2.1 Infill Site #1 ................................................................................................................................................. 3-3

3.2.2 Infill Site #2 ................................................................................................................................................. 3-3

3.2.3 Infill Site #3 ................................................................................................................................................. 3-3

3.2.4 Infill Site #4 ................................................................................................................................................. 3-3

3.3 Circulation ............................................................................................................................................................... 3-4

3.3.1 Vehicle Circulation ..................................................................................................................................... 3-4

3.3.2 Pedestrian Circulation ................................................................................................................................ 3-4

3.4 Land Use ................................................................................................................................................................. 3-4

3.5 Sustainability Initiatives ........................................................................................................................................... 3-6

3.5.1 Natural Area Preservation .......................................................................................................................... 3-6

3.5.2 Energy Conservation Initiatives ................................................................................................................. 3-6

3.5.3 Water Conservation Initiatives ................................................................................................................... 3-7

3.5.4 Waste Reduction Initiatives ........................................................................................................................ 3-7

3.6 Constraints .............................................................................................................................................................. 3-7 ii

Chapter 4 Illustrative Plan .......................................................... 4-1

Chapter 5 Development and Design Guidelines ...................... 5-1

5.1 Sustainable Development and High Performance Green Building Design (SD&HPGBD) ..................................... 5-1

5.1.1 Regional Priority Credits (RPC) ................................................................................................................. 5-1

5.2 Site Development .................................................................................................................................................... 5-1

5.2.1 Solar Orientation and Building Siting ......................................................................................................... 5-2

5.2.2 Access ........................................................................................................................................................ 5-3

5.2.3 Parking and Roads ..................................................................................................................................... 5-4

5.2.4 Landscape .................................................................................................................................................. 5-6

5.2.5 Open Space ............................................................................................................................................... 5-9

5.2.6 Energy and Utilities .................................................................................................................................... 5-9

5.2.7 Storm Water ............................................................................................................................................. 5-12

5.3 Architectural Design .............................................................................................................................................. 5-12

5.3.1 Architectural Order ................................................................................................................................... 5-12

5.3.2 Architectural Elements ............................................................................................................................. 5-17

5.3.3 Additional Architectural and Design Direction .......................................................................................... 5-20

Chapter 6 List of Acronyms ....................................................... 6-1

Appendix A Figures ................................................................... A-1

A-1 Nellis AFB Buildings ................................................................................................................................................ A-1 A-2 Nellis AFB Habitat Areas ......................................................................................................................................... A-2 A-3 Nellis AFB Noise Contours ...................................................................................................................................... A-3 A-4 Nellis AFB Noise Contours (Base View) ................................................................................................................. A-4 A-5 Creech AFB Buildings ............................................................................................................................................. A-5

Appendix B Technical Constraints and Considerations ........ B-1

B.1 Background ............................................................................................................................................................. B-1 B.1.1 General ...................................................................................................................................................... B-1 B.1.2 Brand Name References............................................................................................................................ B-1 B.1.3 Design Criteria for Additions ...................................................................................................................... B-1 B.1.4 Codes and Standards ................................................................................................................................ B-1 B.1.5 Secured Facilities ....................................................................................................................................... B-1

B.2 Architectural Design Elements ................................................................................................................................ B-1 B.2.1 Roofs and Gutters/Downspouts ................................................................................................................. B-1 B.2.2 Exterior Walls ............................................................................................................................................. B-2 B.2.3 Windows and Doors ................................................................................................................................... B-3

B.3 Site Design .............................................................................................................................................................. B-4 B.3.1 Parking ....................................................................................................................................................... B-4 B.3.2 Sidewalks ................................................................................................................................................... B-5 B.3.3 Fences and Site Walls ............................................................................................................................... B-5 B.3.4 Shade Structures ....................................................................................................................................... B-6 B.3.5 Site Furnishings ......................................................................................................................................... B-6 iii

B.4 Landscape ............................................................................................................................................................... B-7

B.4.1 Landscape Materials .................................................................................................................................. B-7 B.4.2 Irrigation ..................................................................................................................................................... B-7 B.4.3 Landscaping Plants Allowed on Nellis AFB ............................................................................................... B-7

B.5 Signage ................................................................................................................................................................. B-10 B.5.1 Exterior Signs ........................................................................................................................................... B-10

B.6 Lighting Standards ................................................................................................................................................ B-11 B.6.1 General .................................................................................................................................................... B-11

B.7 Engineering Standards .......................................................................................................................................... B-12 B.7.1 Civil ........................................................................................................................................................... B-12 B.7.2 Structural .................................................................................................................................................. B-15 B.7.3 Plumbing/Mechanical ............................................................................................................................... B-16 B.7.4 Electrical ................................................................................................................................................... B-23

B.8 References ............................................................................................................................................................ B-26

Appendix C Air Force Metering Policy ..................................... C-1

Appendix D Air Force Sustainable Design and Development Policy ................................................................... D-1 iv Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases, Nevada: Installation Development and Design (ID2)

List of Tables Page

B-1 Approved Landscape Plants ................................................................................................................................... B-8

List of Figures Page

1-1 Vicinity Map ............................................................................................................................................................. 1-2 2-1 Installation Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 2-4 2-2 Creech Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 2-5 2-3 Installation Image Elements .................................................................................................................................... 2-6 2-4 Districts .................................................................................................................................................................. 2-11 2-5 Mixed Use Central Core ........................................................................................................................................ 2-12 2-6 Flightline and Operations ...................................................................................................................................... 2-14 2-7 Facilities Engineering and Logistics Readiness .................................................................................................... 2-16 2-8 Recreational .......................................................................................................................................................... 2-17 2-9 RED HORSE ......................................................................................................................................................... 2-19 2-10 Area III District ....................................................................................................................................................... 2-20 2-11 Districts/Image Elements ...................................................................................................................................... 2-22 3-1 Infill Sites ................................................................................................................................................................. 3-2 3-2 Circulation ............................................................................................................................................................... 3-5 3-3 Composite Constraints ............................................................................................................................................ 3-8 4-1 Illustrative Site Plan ................................................................................................................................................. 4-3 4-2 Infill Site #1 .............................................................................................................................................................. 4-5 4-3 Infill Site #2 .............................................................................................................................................................. 4-7 4-4 Infill Site #3 .............................................................................................................................................................. 4-9 4-5 Infill Site #4 ............................................................................................................................................................ 4-11 5-1 Existing building orientation detail in the main cantonment area ............................................................................ 5-2 5-2 Solar orientation restrictions at Creech AFB ........................................................................................................... 5-3 5-3 Solar orientation restrictions at Nellis AFB .............................................................................................................. 5-3 A-1 Nellis AFB Buildings ................................................................................................................................................ A-1 A-2 Nellis AFB Habitat Areas ......................................................................................................................................... A-2 A-3 Nellis AFB Noise Contours ...................................................................................................................................... A-3 A-4 Nellis AFB Noise Contours (Base View) ................................................................................................................. A-4 A-5 Creech AFB Buildings ............................................................................................................................................. A-5 B-1 Roof Materials ......................................................................................................................................................... B-1 B-2 Exterior Materials .................................................................................................................................................... B-3 B-3 Aluminum Window Section ..................................................................................................................................... B-3 B-4 Typical screened parking lot ................................................................................................................................... B-5 B-5 Typical screened parking lot ................................................................................................................................... B-5 B-6 Mechanical Enclosure ............................................................................................................................................. B-5 B-7 Dumpster Enclosure ................................................................................................................................................ B-6 B-8 Building Numbers .................................................................................................................................................. B-10 B-9 Directional Signage ............................................................................................................................................... B-10 B-10 Unit Patch and Building Lettering .......................................................................................................................... B-11 B-11 Building-Mounted Light ......................................................................................................................................... B-12 B-12 Building-Mounted Light ......................................................................................................................................... B-12 B-13 Building/Sign Flood Light ...................................................................................................................................... B-12

INTRODUCTION ACC

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1 Introduction

This ID2 Handbook addresses planning, design and construction criteria guidance for Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases (Nellis AFB and Creech AFB) (Figure 1-1) so that implementing Sustainable Development and High Performance Green Building Design (SD&HPGBD) objectives become primary considerations along with building site, context, program needs and function.

Located in Clark County, Nevada, Nellis AFB is located northeast of the City of North Las Vegas. The base is located approximately eight miles northeast of downtown Las Vegas and covers more than 14,000 acres. The base is home to the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, which oversees operations of the 57th Wing, the 98th Range and 99th Air Base Wings at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Located in Clark County, Nevada, Creech AFB is located 43 miles northwest of Nellis AFB. The base covers 2,070 acres. The base is home to the 432d Wing under Air Combat Command's 12th Air Force. The 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) consists of combat ready airmen who fly the MQ-1 Predator and MQ- 9 Reaper aircraft to support American and Coalition warfighters. The remotely piloted aircraft systems provide real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision attack against fixed and time-critical targets.

The development vision for Nellis AFB is to:

Maintain, revitalize, and expand facilities to support 21st Century Air Force missions that play a predominant role in protecting and preserving the national interests of the United States of America. It is imperative that we recognize our goals and objectives and develop built-in flexibility to support changing requirements.

The combined missions of Nellis AFB, Creech AFB and Nevada Test and Training Range1 (NTTR) are to ensure national security through advanced training and operational testing activities.

1.1 Document Scope, Applicability, and Audience

Current guidance removes design process short-circuits by realigning constraints, changing mandates into a

1The Nevada Test and Training Range is a training facility of the United States Air Force located in the desert of southern Nevada in the United States. It is the largest of its kind in the US, with 4,687 square miles (12,140 km2), and is operated by the USAF Warfare Center's 98th Range Wing.

performance framework and limiting prescriptive requirements to those critical in meeting Command and Installation functional requirements. Prior editions of design guidance, both at the Command and Installation level, relied heavily on mandates and prescriptive formulas relating to the building form, aesthetics and materials, and this often narrowed design-phase investigations into plan arrangement exercises.

Installation-level development and design guidance focuses on the identification of regional and local design characteristics, common building methods and preferences, architectural context, landscape standards, infill and building density opportunities, future vision and the establishment of installation-centric preferences, and strategies. Building aesthetics and character cannot be fully established prior to conducting the concept charrette, as aesthetics develop and evolve in response to multiple drivers. Designing and then evaluating aesthetics and architectural character are highly subjective and must be approached on a project-by-project basis.

Companion information to this document is provided in the form of an Installation 3D mass model, photographic log database and the Installation Sustainability Assessment (ISA). The Installation 3D mass model is dimensionally accurate and reflects overall building massing, height and form. The photographic log database includes all structures on the installation, with the exception of family housing units and utility sheds.

The ISA serves to provide a current-state snapshot of the Installation’s “green posture” and will serve as a way to measure changes over time. Indicators should change for the better over time as more green design strategies and processes are put into place.

1.1.1 Applicability

Publication of this handbook serves to supersede previous installation-level design guidance. All external references to installation-level guidance documents now refer to the Installation Development and Design (ID2) Handbook. The ID2 serves to inform Future Year Development Plan site selections, Area Development Plan (ADP) designs, Requirements Document investigations and Concept Charrette Document packages. The ID2 will be summarized in the installation Electronic General Plan (eGP).

Architect-engineer scope of work descriptions, request for proposal solicitations and design-bid-build and design-build contracts shall explicitly identify Headquarters (HQ) Air Combat Command (ACC)/A7P SD&HPGBD requirements and objectives as functional requirements.

Montana

Idaho

Oregon

Wyoming

Washington

No

New Mexico

Texas

Arizona

Colorado

California

Nevada

Oregon Idaho

Wyoming

Utah

El Paso

Las Vegas

Durango

Fort Carson

Colorado SpringsGrand

Junction

Montrose

Alamogordo

Las Cruces

Los Alamos

Santa Fe

Albuquerque

Glendale

Flagstaff

Apache Junction

Scottsdale Phoenix

Tucson

Lake Havasu City

Cedar City

Provo Draper

Ogden Salt Lake City

Blythe

Twentynine Palms

Susanville

Sacramento

Yuba City

Los Angeles

San Diego

San Francisco

Carson

Reno

Nellis

AFB

Creech

AFB

Nellis

AFB

Creech

AFB

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE

Vicinity Map

Figure 1-1

Nellis

AFB

M E X I C O

Creech

AFB

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The ID2 shall be referenced in all design and/or construction solicitations to inform contractors of its existence, and to ensure that the goals underlying the ID2 are incorporated into all new projects. This reference should inform contractors that the ID2 document does not mandate facility aesthetics, character, or form, but rather that it contains broad design considerations relative to the installation's built environment. The reference should include a statement that the contractor's responsiveness to these considerations is an important evaluation factor when reviewing proposals, as well as subsequent design submittals.

1.1.2 Audience

This ID2 Handbook provides criteria and considerations used in the planning and development and design of projects. These criteria and considerations are in addition to technical criteria readily available to professional architects, planners, engineers and interior designers. This document and companion information sources shall be used as primary references in all planning/siting considerations, building renovation projects and new construction projects.

1.2 Development and Design—

A Holistic Approach

1.2.1 HQ ACC/A7P

The Command’s vision is to lead by example and serve as a role model for SD&HPGBD in the Air Force, Department of Defense (DoD) and the federal government. When “Green Design” is infused into every facet and decision, immediate and long-range benefits will be realized. The benefits will include creating healthier working environments, reducing the installation’s carbon footprint and enhancing the enduring quality of facilities while lowering the total cost of facility ownership. To this end, development and design strategies must incorporate a myriad of factors and influences. This will ensure solutions embody green building design and are appropriate to the site, sensitive to the built and natural context, reflective of functional needs and responsive to aesthetic considerations.

Green design is not optional. Implementing green building design (functional constraints) objectives is required to produce a complete and usable facility or a complete and usable improvement to an existing facility.

A green building design approach forms the functional and technical foundation for all performance requirements, development considerations, and design constraints made, referenced, or otherwise used in this document.

“Green design” is synonymous with “quality design.”

Quality design strategies produce results that conserve energy; make efficient use of resources; produce visually appealing structures; reduce environmental degradation;

create built environments that are livable, comfortable, safe, enduring, and productive; and shrink the environmental impact of our operations.

1.3 Development and

Design—Requirements and Evaluation Metrics

1.3.1 HQ ACC/A7P Requirements

Command-level requirements are described in ACC Instruction, ID2 (publication forthcoming). This document establishes SD&HPGBD objectives as primary functional constraints, prescribes HQ ACC/A7P review and oversight processes, identifies architectural and engineering design considerations, and promulgates performance and prescriptive constraints.

1.3.2 Installation Requirements

The ID2 aligns with command-level guidance and is intended to be a vital component in developing strategies appropriate to smart growth development and the building site, sensitive to the built context, reflective of building program and scale and responsive to object/background importance. It should also fully implement SD&HPGBD objectives. The ID2 describes constraints and identifies objectives necessary to accomplish quality design. Topics and focus areas include installation context, architectural context, an Illustrative Plan, overarching development and design guidelines, site selection and development considerations, landscape design issues, architectural design objectives and technical constraints.

Technical constraints can be generally categorized either as “Non-Negotiable,” such as compatibility with existing fire-alarm communication or keying systems, or “Negotiable,” such as a concrete masonry unit (CMU) generally used throughout the installation. “Non- Negotiable” constraints should not directly or indirectly predetermine building aesthetics, character, or form or limit/restrict investigation of high performance green building design strategies.

1.3.3 HQ ACC Development

and Design Review Board (D2 Board) Evaluation Metrics Projects meeting threshold levels established in the ACC Instruction (publication forthcoming) will be evaluated by the HQ ACC D2 Board. D2 Board evaluations seek to

1-4 validate conformance with requirements established by Command-level guidance and this document and seek to validate adherence to principles of quality design.

These principles include optimizing benefits from site selection and energy use, protecting and conserving water resources, utilizing environmentally preferable products, enhancing indoor environmental quality and optimizing operational and maintenance practices. All development and design solutions must embody an “appropriate response” and reflect a responsible use of public funds.

Evaluations of aesthetics and architectural design are inherently subjective, and the D2 Board reserves latitude in evaluating design strategies on a project-by-project basis. Design aesthetics, architectural character, and appropriate building form cannot be prescriptively determined in advance of conducting a concept development charrette, as these characteristics arise only after consideration and synthesis of all design drivers. Setting aesthetic preconditions short-circuits design development and will be avoided.

1.3.4 HQ ACC D2 Board Evaluations

D2 Board evaluations may produce recommendations (non-mandatory), directives (mandatory), or a combination of both. In extreme cases, D2 Board directives may include project stoppage in order to address continued or critical failures in meeting functional constraints.

Directives must be implemented, unless in very rare and extenuating circumstances a waiver is first endorsed by the D2 Board and then approved by HQ ACC/A7. Waiver requests must be submitted by the Base Civil Engineering Squadron Commander, must clearly document the basis for non-compliance, and describe actions that will be taken to offset the deviation.

Issuance of a waiver does not establish precedent or a basis for justifying other projects’ non-compliance.

1.3.5 Installation Evaluation

Metrics and Evaluations Installation metrics are those used by the D2 Board with additional interest in evaluating the implementation of installation-centric technical requirements. Installation evaluations may result in recommendations (non-mandatory), directives (mandatory), or a combination of both.

1.4 Organization

of this Document

This ID2 Handbook is organized into five main chapters:

Chapter 1, Introduction—Familiarizes the reader with the need, scope and applicability, requirements and organization of the document

Chapter 2, Installation Image—Provides insight into the existing conditions found on base, specifically in areas where new development can be accommodated

Chapter 3, Development Considerations—Provides information regarding opportunities and constraints found within the development areas

Chapter 4, Illustrative Plan—Provides a view of potential development opportunities in the next 10 to 20 years

Chapter 5, Development and Design Guidelines—

Highlights approaches to areas of SD&HPGBDs, site development and architectural design

Appendices—Identify specific technical considerations and constraints and other supporting materials

INSTALLATION IMAGE ACC

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2 Installation Image

This chapter presents a discussion of the installation context, which identifies the natural and manmade condition present at the installation. It is within these conditions that planning, design, and construction decision are made. The context discussion is followed by a discussion of design goals that help define the future “image of the base.” Also identified and evaluated are the physical elements of the installation that make up the current “image” of the base. These elements include paths, edges, nodes, landmarks, and districts. This report uses the element framework established in Kevin Lynch’s The Image of the City, which was first published in 1960 by the M.I.T. Press.

The physical elements that make up an image of a community or military installation form an impression of the installation for military and civilian personnel, families, and visitors. The sense of place that is established through the combination of paths, edges, nodes, and landmarks adds to the quality of life for installation residents and workers. The way these elements are treated can add to the knowledge or perception of the important locations on the installation and provide visual directions for traversing the installation.

A well-established hierarchy of roads (or paths) provides a driver with strong clues as to whether they are in the right location. An important element of road hierarchy is how the streetscape is treated. Roads should be limited, serve a defined purpose and, in most instances, the streetscape should be shared with pedestrians.

The hierarchy of paths also extends to the pedestrian environment. Paths should provide a pleasant way to walk, bike or jog throughout the installation and should be designed appropriately for their task, which ranges from simple access to a building, an installation-wide bike trail or pedestrian plazas and walkways in high-density nodes.

Edges can physically separate areas and function, but edges can also form screens to reduce or eliminate views of certain areas. Edges can be used to frame a visitor’s perspective of an installation, frame nodes, and highlight landmarks.

Nodes are associated with multiple image elements, such as locations where decisions are made or locations that draw higher densities of people. A node is in many cases distinctly different from many other locations on an installation because that area is a relatively constant center of gravity for social or work-related gatherings. Nodes can be highlighted and identified through the establishment of a landmark.

Although signage is necessary to assist people in wayfinding, landmarks are an important way to direct people from one place to another. Landmarks serve many purposes, from inspirational to simple functional structures. Height, scale, and site are typical elements of a landmark; however, they are not always used to the maximum extent.

2.1 Installation Context

Planning, design and construction decisions need to be based on the fundamental tenets of sustainable design1.

They also require an understanding of natural resource conditions from the region to the site, geographically-specific environmental priorities, and the needs of personnel to effectively complete their tasks.

2.1.1 Resource Overview

Nellis AFB and Creech AFB lie in interior western North America. With the Sierra Nevada Range approximately 90 miles to the west and the Wasatch Range 135 miles to the east, Nellis AFB and Creech AFB lie within the Colorado River drainage area. Separated from the moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean by hundreds of miles and by the lofty Sierra Nevada, Nellis AFB and Creech AFB are dominated by a continental climate with pronounced winter and summer seasons and low rainfall. The bases are separated by a distance of 43 miles.

The climate at Nellis and Creech AFBs is typical of the desert southwest.

The climate is arid with an average humidity of 21 to

39 percent and a precipitation of approximately 4 inches annually.

Most of the rainfall occurs during January-February and July-August.

Summers are hot, with maximum temperatures commonly in the range of over 100°F.

Winters are mild with daytime maximum temperatures reaching 60°F and minimum temperatures averaging about 35°F.

1Sustainability is generally considered to be the integration of ecology, sociology, and economics in addressing master planning and building design; however, master planning and design for military installations requires additional considerations. Sustainable planning and design solutions for military installations are directly linked to mission sustainment, quality of life for personnel and families, conservation of natural resources and economic realities.

2-2

Each summer, usually during a brief, two-week period, the infusion of warm moist tropical air causes scattered thunderstorms and flash flooding.

Evaporation rates are very high and have been estimated at approximately 58 to 69 inches per year.

Most of the soils at Nellis AFB are alluvial soils produced by erosion and wash of soils from surrounding mountains. The upper soil layer is light brown sandy loam with gravel and clay-rich sand. The average depth of topsoil ranges from 6 to 24 inches. Below 24 inches are strata of caliche, which are often impenetrable to water and physical disturbance. Soils at Creech AFB are predominantly alluvial, derived from carbonate parent material. With a poorly developed A horizon, the B horizon has a cumulic character due to the substantial influx of silt and clay-sized particles.

There are no natural perennial or intermittent streams, lakes, or springs on Nellis or Creech AFBs. Three groundwater wells on Creech provide the base with all its potable water. The source of approximately 29 percent of the potable water used on Nellis is groundwater. Although there has been no formal determination, investigation into the identification of wetlands on both Nellis and Creech AFBs indicate there are no jurisdictional wetlands.

Of the four species cited as found on Nellis AFB in the 2010 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), only the Desert Tortoise is protected under the Endangered Species Act. There are two sensitive plant species, the Las Vegas Bearpoppy and Las Vegas Buckwheat. During The Nature Conservancy’s surveys of rare plant species on the NTTR (including Creech) in 1992 and 1994, no species were identified that are currently federally-listed as threatened or endangered. However, there are approximately 20 rare species that have conservation goals. The 2010 INRMP also provides conservation goals for seven animal species.

2.1.2 Design Information

The following is location information for bases:

Nellis:

Latitude = 36° 14′ 10″ North and Longitude =

115° 2′ 3″ West

Altitude Above Sea Level = 1,900 feet Cooling Design: 0.4 percent cooling design dry bulb is 115 F at a WB temp of 67.6 F Heating Design: 99.6 percent heating dry bulb temp is 28.2 F (99 percent temp is 31.5 F) Summer Cooling Tower Designs: 0.4 percent evaporation wet bulb at a mean coincident dry bulb of 72.5 F wet bulb at 95 F dry bulb

Wind Load Criteria: 90 MPH

Creech:

Latitude = 36° 35′ 14″ North and Longitude =

115° 40′ 24″ West Altitude Above Sea Level = 3,133 feet

Las Vegas:

Heating Degree Days = 2,276 (based on 65 F) Cooling Degree Days = 3,168 (based on 65 F) Sun Altitude Angles = Noon on 21 December =

30.4; Noon on 21 June = 77.3 USDA Plant Hardiness = Zone 8b -9a (15 -25 F) Annual Precipitation = 4 inches Wind Power Classification = 1 - 2 (weak-marginal) Annual Clear Days = 210 Annual Cloudy Day = 73

2.2 Installation Goals

and Objectives

It is the goal of this document to enrich the unique character of each district while simultaneously establishing base-wide policies that create overall clarity and harmony and are grounded in sustainable design principles. These Design Compatibility Objectives have been formulated to:

Bring current base policy into conformance with the Air

Combat Command (ACC) Design Standards.

Further the development of a base-wide “corporate image” through the creation of a base-wide campus atmosphere that encourages walking, increases development density and provides a variety of outdoor spaces to enhance the quality of life for Airmen, families and civilian personnel.

Create an architectural style that responds to the climatic influences of the area and reflects appropriate materials and scale in context to surrounding buildings.

Desert Tortoise

2-3

2.3 Installation Development

Although Nellis AFB has a massive land base, the developed areas are limited to the Main Base (Area I), west of the flightline, Area II to the north and Area III, which is west of Las Vegas Boulevard (see Figure 2-1).

The Main Base contains most of the facilities at Nellis AFB. This area is a combination of community service and commercial facilities, administrative, housing, and some operations. The flightline is on the east side of Main Base, Area I. Area II is a former federal detention facility that has been converted primarily for use by RED HORSE and the 58th Rescue Squadron. Area III is a mix of family housing, tenant facilities, and large solar array.

Creech AFB is located 43 miles north of Nellis AFB and is undergoing a significant transformation. The installation is essentially being rebuilt to accommodate security requirements for its mission. Creech AFB will generally be divided into two areas: Mission Operations and Main Base (see Figure 2-2). The Mission Operations area is to the northeast and the Main Base area will occur through redevelopment in the current area bordering Highway 95.

2.4 Image Elements

Figure 2-3 illustrates the overall pattern of elements at Nellis AFB (image elements for Creech AFB are discussed in Section 2.4.5.7). Installation image elements include paths, edges, nodes, landmarks, and districts. They are the basic pattern of installation form and the way personnel and visitors perceive and relate to the installation.

2.4.1 Paths

Paths can be essentially defined as movement corridors that provide access throughout the installation. This definition of a path does not include jogging paths with an enclosed loop system.

The off-street jogging/walking trail is a closed-loop system in the recreation area.

At Nellis AFB, paths include roads and sidewalks. They function as a basic orientation to the installation by providing the means to access most areas on base.

Beyond their basic utility as a mover of people, paths provide visual experiences and wayfinding. Although there is a basic utility to the roadway system and pedestrian paths, the streetscape is a significant element to a visitor’s perception of an installation as well as an enhanced quality of life benefit for Airmen and families.

Because the Main Base has a compact development pattern, there is only one road that typifies an “arterial.”

Washington Avenue is only three blocks in length, but it is a four-lane, divided road. Because this road leads directly into the community center, or “Town Center” of Nellis AFB, it does accommodate a large volume of traffic. All other roads are two-lane. The primary paths at Nellis AFB are Washington Avenue, Fitzgerald Boulevard, Tyndall Avenue, and Ellsworth Avenue.

Primary paths on the installation are illustrated in Figure 2-3.

The primary roads direct the highest volume of traffic to their desired destinations on the installation. The secondary and tertiary funnel vehicles to the primary roads.

The streetscape along Washington Avenue is a high-volume road that also has a well established sidewalk system.

Because primary roads are high-volume paths, they should have a limited number of curb cuts to minimize safety hazards. Most curb cuts should be along secondary and tertiary streets.

On-street parking should not be constructed along primary roads. There are few areas with on-street parking and over time they should be eliminated.

Area II Area III

Area I

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE

Installation Overview

Figure 2-1 Area I

Area II

Area III

Airfield Surfaces

Buildings

Parking/Roads

Installation Boundary

0 10.5 Miles

0 2,0001,000 Meters

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE

Creech Overview

Figure 2-2 Mission Operations

Main Base

Airfield Surfaces

Buildings

Parking/Roads

Installation Boundary

0 1,500750 Feet

0 500250

Solar Array

Nellis Inn Thunderbird's Hangar

Wing HeadquartersBase

Chapel

BX

Craig Road

Las Vegas Blvd.

USAF

Warfare Center

Commissary

Mike O'Callaghan

Federal Hospital

ELLSWORTH AVENUE

PERIMETER R OA D

TYNDALL AVENUE

A STREET

MUNITIONS ROAD

KINLEY DRIVE

O'BANNON ROAD

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE

Installation Image Elements

0 2,0001,000 Feet

0 1,000500 Meters

Figure 2-3 Landmark

Edge

Nellis Town Center

Airfield Surfaces

Buildings

Parking/Roads

Installation Boundary

Node

Primary Road

2-7

Over time, and in conjunction with new facility construction, the installation should upgrade certain portions of the road system—such as the inappropriate geometry of some intersections—to improve overall circulation and safety. The first step in improving the overall circulation system would be to prepare a Traffic Study or Transportation Plan. The plan could also address the issue of traffic flow and potential use of stoplights and roundabouts at certain intersections.

To minimize vehicle accidents, on-street parking should eventually be eliminated, particularly along primary roads such as Devlin Boulevard.

Primary roads are focused on moving higher volumes of traffic throughout the installation, but at Nellis AFB they also provide a strong sidewalk system. Although pedestrian amenities and sidewalks are well established along the installation road system, there is no installation-wide bike trail system.

The pedestrian system includes “short-cuts” for pedestrians over storm water drainage channels.

The Nellis AFB Transportation Plan should include recommendations for an installation-wide bike trail that links family and unaccompanied housing with installation facilities.

2.4.2 Edges

Edges are elements that form physical or visual boundaries between areas.