Agenda - Council - 09/23/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Overview The Master Plan defines a specific strategy for the layout of streets and blocks within, and around the Town Center district. The size, type and configuration of this street hierarchy is based on a combination of projected traffic volume, level of service at intersections, intended use (shared by vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians) and aesthetic character. · Build a connected street network to distribute pedestrian and vehicular traffic throughout the retail/commercial podion of the development. The street heirarchy should follow land use designations, and encourage pedestrian activity. · Provide key views to and from the central core district and adjacent parks · Design streets and public spaces to meet the particular requirements of each district. Design should address the notion of progression from public to private spaces Guideline Recommendations The street is possibly the most important component of the public realm in the new Town Center. The guidelines promote a street system that is balanced - that is, it accommodates bicycles and pedestrian equally with cars and transit. The street system will be designed to promote convenient access by car, but it will also encourage residents, visitors and workers to park the car and conduct business in the Town Center on foot. The pattern of streets and blocks will be urban in nature, in that there are no dead- ends or cul-de-saCs: all streets will link to and connect with other streets, providing a traditional grid pattern, proven to promote a more dispersed and less congested flow of traffic. Parallel parking will be allowed on all Town Center streets, in some districts 24 hours a day. Examples · Design A clear hierarchy of streets will result in a simple and understandable system for moving through Town Center; access from the perimeter streets will be from controlled intersections. · Design Perimeter streets (Ramsey, Armstrong and Bunker Lake) will be converted to "urban" sections from current "rural" sections, allowing for sidewalks and/or trails along their edges. · Design All internal streets will allow parallel parking, a proven "traffic-calming" device that discourages speeding and provides a convenient parking reservoir. · Design All streets will connect to other streets in a traditional grid pattern. · Design Bicycle and pedestrian movement will be accommodated through the design of streets with. wide sidewalks (that include trees and furnishings) and bike paths or dedicated on-street routes.