HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-11; Council Policy No. 66 (RESCINDED) - Development of Livable NeighborhoodsCOUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
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Policy No. 66
Date Issued - Effective Date 12/11/01
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
General Subject: LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Specific Subject: PRINCIPLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and Division Heads,
Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
POLICY:
The City wishes to establish principles for the development of livable neighborhoods. Livable neighborhoods
have a sense of identity and community where residents are encouraged to walk instead of using their cars;
where homes are in scale to the size of their lots; where streets are pedestrian-friendly with walkways to
common destinations such as schools, parks, stores, and transit; where houses are interesting to look at with
strong architectural elements; and where open spaces form focal points, gathering places, and recreational spaces for a variety of age groups.
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Buildinq Facades, Front Entries, Porches
Facades create interest and character and should be varied and articulated to provide visual interest to
pedestrians. Clearly identifiable front doors and porches enhance the street scene and create
opportunities for greater social interaction within the neighborhood. Building entries and windows should
face the street. Front porches, bay windows, courtyards and balconies are encouraged.
Garaaes
Homes should be designed to feature the residence as the prominent part of the structure in relation to the
street. A variety of garage configurations should be used to improve the street scene. This may include
tandem garages, side-loaded garages, front-loaded garages, alley-loaded garages and recessed garages.
An interconnected, modified (grid) street pattern should be incorporated into project designs when there
Street Desiqn
are no topographic or environmental constraints. Interconnected streets provide pedestrians and
automobiles many alternative routes to follow, disperse traffic and reduce the volume of cars on any one
street in the neighborhood. Streets should be designed to provide both vehicular and pedestrian
connectivity by minimizing the use of cul-de-sacs.
The street network should also be designed to create a safer, more comfortable pedestrian and bicycling
environment. Local residential streets should have travel and parking lanes, be sufficiently narrow to slow
traffic, provide adequate access for emergency and service vehicles and emergency evacuation routes for
residents and include parkways with trees to form a pleasing canopy over the street. Local residential
streets are the public open space in which children often play and around which neighborhoods interact.
Within this context, vehicular movement should be additionally influenced through the use of City-accepted
designs for traffic calming measures.
Parkwavs
Street trees should be planted in the parkways along all streets. Tree species should be selected to create
a unified image for the street, provide an effective canopy, avoid sidewalk damage and minimize water
consumption.
1 COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
General Subject: LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Policy No. 66
Date Issued - Effective Date 12/11/01
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
"
Specific Subject: PRINCIPLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and Division Heads,
Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
5.
6.
Pedestrian Walkwavs
Pedestrian walkwavs should be located along or visible from all streets. Walkways (sidewalks or trails)
should provide clear, comfortable and directaccess to neighborhood schools, parkslplazas and transit
stops. Primary pedestrian routes should be bordered by residential fronts, parks or plazas. Where street
connections are not feasible (at the end of cul-de-sacs), pedestrian paths should also be provided.
Centralized Communitv Recreation Areas
Park or plazas, which serve as neighborhood meeting places and as recreational activity centers should
be incorporated into all planned unit developments. As frequently as possible, these parkslplazas should
be designed for both active and passive uses for residents of all ages and should be centrally-located
within the project. Parks and plazas should be not be sited on residual parcels, used as buffers from
surrounding developments or to separate buildings from streets.