Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/16/2004 - Special Meeting

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Oue~iew The iVlaster 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 thai. support traffic flow is important, but also creating ample 8~ckground Street - quie~ residential neighborhood, parking one side Destina(ion S~ree~ - active shopping dis~ric~ s~reetscape amenKies :.-~ .~.:~ · ~ . -~: , Oonn~or Street - equally ~nvi~ing for pedes(rians and cars 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 w/il 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 cut-de-sacs, in favor of a traditional 9rid pattern and connected su-eets 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 trave~ 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 Ram.sey, Armstron9 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 Examples Creative design solutions for public realm improvements should reflect these basic street classifications (street hierarchy) including: · Destination street- signature addresses for shopping, .entertainment, se[vices, work place and other primary amenities (S'unWood Drive is a"r] e~ample) · .Connector street - primary routes that link various districts,within the Town Center, usually providing the most'direct means of getting from po/hr A to point B (Rhinestone Street is an example) · Background street - neither destination nor ?mary 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 / ~]reen space (Town Center Parkway is an example) · Se[vice - still considered public streets, service corridors provide import, ant access to delivery areas, parking lo(s/ramps and maintenance functions (Civic Center Drive is an example)