Agenda - Planning Commission - 12/02/2004

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Ovep/iew Guidelines ~hat address building location, organization of space and parking options tend to Iocus on what can be measured - dimensions, setbacks, number of spaces and so on. But in addition to these issues, site development guidelines must also describe the aesthetic qualities and design character of a preferred 'urban form' for the Mixed Use Core. The compact and higher density blocks that define this sub-district encourage a mix of uses, with a continuous built edge along street frontage. Innovative parking strategies support this mix, providing easy access to destination shopping, restaurant and entertainment venues. Together these elements will promote the core area as the center of activity - the place to see and be seen ,Nithiu the Town Center. Site development guidelines include the following: TC1 Land Use · Encourage both vertical mixed use (within each building) and horizontal mixeci use (within each block) throughout this district · Promote housing densib/at the core, specifically targeting locations along Sunwood Drive, Town Center Drive, along park edges and above street-level uses around the Civic Square and Downtown Commons · Include a mix of housing, civic, retail. restaurant, entertainment, performance and other uses that encourage a variety of activities throughout the day. TC1 Building Placement · Generally, buildings should be located at the street right-of-way line (zero setback), hut also allow recessed space lor outdoor dining and other street level activities providing some minor deviation Ior variety · Greater emohasis should be giveo to architectural elements, materials and other design features for buildings located at primary intersections, for examole, at Sunwood and Town Center Drives. or wi]ere streets intersect with i)arks, such .is the streets that Iront on or .]nd near the Civic Square. These !ocadon.s can often be seen irom ? xed Use Site Development several directions, perhaps terminate a view from a distance down the street or sit at a prominent node; They will likely become future landmarks or helpful orientation/wayfinding icons as the Town Center develops · Minimize openings between buildings, although limited driveway access and some provision for pedestrian connections through blocks are encouraged - gaps between buildingsto accommodate surface parking lots, greater building setbacks or other purposes are discouraged · Encourage recessed entries and windows to create street-level interest variety and enhance pedestrian scale along street frontage lC1 Parking ~trategies · Provide parking spaces ¢or typical daily use, satisfying both quantib/and location needs through a mix of on- street, small surface lot, underground and ramped parking solutions Provide options for additional/overflow parking to support holiday traffic and special events including porous. pavements, turf parking areas (Netlon and other soil amendments) or shuttle service from nearby parking areas Encourage shared parking solutions that target around the clock shifts in destination, audience or take advantage of peak/off-peak hours of operation for various uses within the core area Promote municipal parking ramps as the primary facility to meet public parking needs within the core area Minimize surface parking lots in favor ofother solutions including underground parking to serve residential buildings, on-street parking to sen/e retail shops and parking ramps Locate surface parking lots away from the major streets, either behind or to theside of primary buildings; surface parking lots along major street frontage are not allowed in the core area Discourage driveway access to parking facilities along Sunwood Drive in favor of side streets or Civic Center Drive ..... ,.~, u,t,lu..,men~ Guidelines 15 57