Streetscape Characteristics - "Cute Streets"

The phrase "cute streets" was first brought up during an early Planning Commission meeting, referring to pleasant residential streetscapes. These streetscapes were described as being superior and creating more livable neighborhoods. This shorthand phrase refers to streets in residential neighborhoods that have a number of common favorable characteristics, in terms of there built form and design, for example:

• trees along the street;
• sidewalks;
• buildings that "address" the street with their windows and entrances;
• narrower drive and parking lanes;
• building facades that are not dominated by garages;
• landscaping along the street; and,
• access to parks, trails and/or open space from the street.

The same sentiment has been echoed to me a number of times during this project, by both the general public (at coffeehouse, and Rotary meetings); as well as, meetings with those involved in the business of developing residential neighborhoods (Realtors, and developers).

The Code changes resulting from the 10 areas of direction will combine to help the community achieve more livable "cute streets" with future subdivisions.

Landscape Buffers & Tracts

The Subdivision Code requires specific landscape buffers along some of the major streets in Oak Harbor. The purpose is defined in the Code:

"to minimize the impact of the arterial on the adjacent land uses and is not to allow access to individual parcels".

The aesthetic design of these landscaped areas has a significant impact on one's experience driving or walking through our community. The Code allows for a variety of design options; which has resulted in less than favorable continuity or quality of these corridors. The public, Planning Commission, Staff and City Council have dealt with these issues repeatedly.

As per item 1 on the list of recommended direction, staff will be refining the buffer/corridor design regulations to provide:

• more continuity (while maintaining some flexibility for site differences);
• better quality aesthetics;
• better maintenance regulations; and,
• a healthier urban forest.

Subdivision Entrance Designs

Early on in this Project the members of the Planning Commission expressed interest in developing design parameters for subdivision entrance features. Some of the concern was to ensure that these features are well maintained and fitting with adjacent buffer/landscape areas. These entrance features can act as reference points, or gateways into a new neighborhood/subdivision; and help define a sense of place for the area.

Over the past few years these features have become more prominent, and larger in scale. This may be due to changing aesthetic trends and larger development size. Staff are not aware of any instance of concern for these features in terms of negative impacts.

The location of any such feature must not conflict with sight lines for roadways and is regulated through the application review phase by engineering standards for road safety. Additionally, the maintenance of these features are the responsibility of the respective homeowners' associations. In fact the maintenance of all commonly owned property/tracks in new subdivisions are typically the responsibility of the homeowners' associations; and these requirements can be found on the recorded subdivision plats.

Staff will review the maintenance, buffer, and landscape requirements defined in the code to ensure there are no conflicts. This will fit within the ten areas of direction defined at the conclusion of the first phase analysis for this project.

Community Ideas

The next series of posts will focus on the items listed in the two virtual flip charts on this blog.

The charts were designed to track ideas and concepts raised during the project, provide accountability, and a form of action research whereby the stakeholders’ involvement directs the focus of the project more so than in “standard” planning processes.

This is done by using the charts to;
1) document concepts raised by participants;
2) present a reference list to guide project direction; and finally,
3) provide a way of assessing progress by comparing the stakeholders’ ideas with the actions taken during the project.

Roundtable Meeting May 14th

On May 14th I facilitated the first stakeholder roundtable meeting.

The 7 participants included representatives from the development industry (including locally based builders), and community members that have a long history of community service through participation in various planning initiatives.

The discussion went very well with many important points raised. The overall themes included:

• providing clear design direction;
• allowing for site specific flexibility;
• performance based measures for requirements; and,
• infill development with alternative short plat regulations.

I will be posting a complete list of items from this, the April 9th and May 7th meetings shortly; as well as, adding items to the Ideas/Concepts Flip Chart.

Leave Your Comments

The ability to learn from each other, participate in discussions, and inform staff of your views are some of the benefits of using this blog. You can be part of the discussion by adding your remarks to the various blog posts (click COMMENTS link under each post).

By checking the Ideas/Concepts Flip Chart (see left column), where key subjects for the project are listed, you can see if your “issues” are being addressed. You can also provide direction for the project, as I am taking the issues you raise and tracking them in the Flip Chart.

Community Ideas

In response to blog comments and the recent Planning Commission meeting, I am adding two features to keep track of the ideas people bring up; to help us ensure that we discuss them in the future.

1. Ideas & Concepts Flip Chart - for tracking ideas, questions and concepts about subdivisions and neighborhoods that you bring up.

2. "To Do" Flip Chart - for listing those things you come up with, that I/we need to take care of.