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Parking <br />Overview <br />Balancing the realities of car -related <br />necessities (streets, parking and so on) <br />with future transit service and the <br />desired character of the Town Center is <br />a significant challenge. The goal is to <br />provide adequate parking, both quantity <br />and location, while promoting new <br />strategies that support the overall needs <br />of the Town Center. Parking will be <br />provided through a combination of on - <br />street spaces, off-street surface lots, <br />underground lots and structured ramps <br />to support the mix of uses at the core. <br />Parking structures should contribute <br />to the overall character and image of the <br />Town Center. Ramp design should <br />include elements, colors and materials <br />that reflect, or complement surrounding <br />buildings. Liner stores or other street - <br />level uses should be integrated into <br />ramp design along important street <br />frontages. <br />Guideline Recommendations <br />Parking guidelines encourage the <br />following: <br />• Locate off-street surface parking lots <br />away from the major streets, either <br />behind or to the side of primary <br />buildings <br />• Provide a combination of fencing, <br />landscaping and landform to screen <br />parking areas from major streets and <br />important views <br />• Create strategies for shared parking <br />between adjacent uses, taking <br />advantage of peak and off-peak <br />cycles, business hours, nighttime <br />activities, special events and other <br />needs <br />• Provide alternative surfaces for <br />secondary (less frequently used) parking <br />areas including porous pavements, <br />green pavements and so on <br />• Provide facilities or services that <br />respond to and connect with future <br />transit to reduce required parking, <br />including shuttle/circulator bus, <br />bicycle lockers <br />• Work with the City to review existing <br />standards to provide flexibility including <br />hours for on -street parking, security and <br />enforcement practices, permit or <br />metering <br />Parking ramp design (building on the right) includes awnings, arched openings and similar materials to <br />reflect character of adjacent building. <br />• Provide parallel parking on both <br />public and private streets throughout <br />the Town Center, to add parking and <br />create a traffic calming, pedestrian <br />buffer <br />• Explore options to integrate stormwater <br />management requirements into parking <br />area design <br />• Explore various landscape approaches <br />to soften parking area edges, provide <br />shade, integrate native plantings, <br />offset islands and other ideas to <br />reduce to 'sea of parking' image <br />Objectives <br />The primary objective is to provide a <br />balance of surface lots, on -street and <br />structured parking, with ample quantities <br />and close proximity to serve the mix of <br />uses in the Town Center. In addition to <br />providing adequate space, excellent <br />design is a major factor as well. <br />Guidelines for the Town Center encourage <br />creativity, innovation, quality and attention <br />to detail in every aspect of project <br />development, including parking solutions. <br />Photographs on this page (and <br />throughout these guidelines) suggest <br />some of the many possibilities. <br />Surface parking lot located to the side and behind <br />grocery store, also illustrates walkway edge <br />improvements including ornamental fence and <br />plantings. <br />Structured parking (see entrance sign mid -block) <br />imbedded within mixed-use development that includes <br />ground level commercial and residential above. <br />This photo shows both on -street parking and <br />parking lot edge improvements that together <br />provide a safe and inviting pedestrian walkway. <br />Ramsey Town Center Development Guidelines 9 <br />