Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/09/2015 - Work Session

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Streets and Blocks Ai Overview The Master Plan defines a specific strategy for the layout of streets and blocks within, and around the Town Center. The size, type and configuration of this street hierarchy is based on a combination of projected traffic volume, level of service at intersections, proposed adjacent land use (destination commercial, residential, civic, recreation, etc.) and desired aesthetic character. Great streets are essential components of an attractive and inviting public realm. These guidelines promote a street system that balances pedestrian and vehicular use. Providing streets that support traffic flow is important, but also creating ample Background Street — quiet residential neighborhood, parking one side Destination Street—active shopping district with streetscape amenities Connector Street — equally inviting for both pedestrians and cars BACKGROUND STREETS CONNECTOR STREETS DESTINATION STREETS PARKWAYS STREET CLASSIFICATION DIAGRAM r space for street -side activities, gracious strolling promenades, pockets of green and other amenities is critical to the success of the Town Center. Streets will promote convenient access by car — to storefronts, to parking lots and ramps, to entertainment attractions — but will also encourage foot traffic as the primary way to move about and conduct business in the core area. Guideline Recommendations The proposed street and block pattern reflects a compact urban character, not allowing dead end streets or cul-de-sacs, in favor of a traditional grid pattern and connected streets including the following: • Provide a street network that distributes pedestrian and vehicular traffic throughout the various districts in the Town Center and encourages a more dispersed and less congested traffic flow (many choices or travel paths) • Provide a clear hierarchy of streets resulting in a simple and understandable system for movement — easy access and convenient circulation throughout the Town Center • Convert primary perimeter streets (arterials such as Ramsey, Armstrong and Bunker Lake Boulevards) to urban street sections, providing sidewalks and street trees to replace roadside ditches • Promote improvements that invite pedestrian and bicycle use including wide sidewalks, streetscape amenities and designated bicycle trails (both on and off-street) Objectives Creative design solutions for public realm improvements should reflect these basic street classifications (street hierarchy) including: • Destination street — signature addresses for shopping, entertainment, services, work place and other primary amenities (Sunwood Drive is an example) • Connector street — primary routes that link various districts within the Town Center, usually providing the most direct means of getting from point A to point B (Rhinestone Street is an example) • Background street — neither destination nor primary connector routes, these streets provide much of the rest of the street grid throughout the Town Center (residential streets are an example) • Parkway — premier `green streets' adjacent to primary public park / green space (Town Center Parkway is an example) • Service — still considered public streets, service corridors provide important access to delivery areas, parking lots/ramps and maintenance functions (Civic Center Drive is anexample) 8 Ramsey Town Center Deve of pm'ent Guidelines