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Foundations for a Plan Guiding Principles for Downtown The community's vision for Chanhassen is based on thefol- lowing guiding principles. Decision makers can check the fit of new plans by using these rules to evaluate development proposals. Build community. Chanhassen's downtown is the focus of the community's culture. Constructing a downtown provides opportunities to build a commitment to Chanhassen "the place," to reinforce the traditions of community and to strengthen the ties between its citizens. Create a city commons. A public open space for celebrating community life should be the highlight of the downtown, creating a center of activity and a focus for the downtown. Connect to the neighborhoods. Surrounding downtown neighborhoods should be linked, strengthening the relationship between the downtown and the community it serves. Define the pedestrian network. Some areas within the downtown should be dedicated solely to pedestrian use. They should be clearly defined, safe and provide convenient access to a variety of destina- tions. Larger outdoor rooms should be linked to the pedestrian network, allowing for planned community gatherings, informal activities or quiet retreat from the more active uses of the downtown. Mark the downtown. The downtown's entry points and edges should be defined, making them distinct and identifiable. The distinguishing features of the larger Chanhassen landscape should be reflected throughout the downtown. Draw from the environment. To build or enhance its character, the downtown should take its cues from its surroundings, recognizing that a distinct identity can be created by maintaining strong connections to the existing historic and natural environ- ment. Mix uses in new development. Uses within the downtown should be mixed, encouraging people to visit at different times and for a variety of purposes. Park once, shop twice. Users of the downtown should be able to walk comfortably between destinations, thereby enlivening the public space and reducing automobile traffic. Anticipate the future. The downtown should keep pace with technological change and readily adapt to the opportunities of the future. p Parks and Pedestrian "Pockets" Nor~ Outdoor rooms created along West 78th Street form spaces for meeting neighbors or local festivals. f-- ..... Pedestrian Ways L__ Nor~ The pedestrian network links neighborhoods to each other and to down- town, as well as connecting parking lots with buildings. -- J District Edge I __ New Development // // Nor~ Mixed uses in downtown serve residents with a variety of needs and interests. ~ Downtown Entryffheme ./' Nor~ Taking cues from the natural environment, each entrance to downtown is marked by different plant materials.