2. PCSR 09-13-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Put public buildings in central locations. Encourage the location of civic buildings, such as a town hall, post office, library, school, or house of wor- ship, in visually prominent central locations. Provide design flexibility for civic buildings to allow them to make unique contributions to their sur- roundings. Build neighborhood parks. Encourage small parks or squares (as small as 0.25 acre) in neighborhoods. The Charter of the New Urbanism places particular emphasis on the rela- tionship between the metropolis and its agrarian surroundings and natural landscape. Local development regulations must address the potential con- flict between urbanism and environmental preservation while supporting productive agriculture, rural communities, and a clear urban/rural edge. This is particularly challenging because the enactment of provisions address- ing the relationship between urban and rural areas requires significant coop- eration and consistent actions by neighboring localities. SHAPING METROPOLITAN REGIONS Define and zone the expanding metropolitan edge. The metropolitan edge-whether that of a city or a small town-needs to be defined as a dis- tinct transitional zone, in which new development, if desired, will be care- fully phased in tandem with municipal utilities, such as central sewer and water service. Use urban growth boundaries and/ or annexation agree- ments to manage this process among neighboring urban and rural jurisdic- tions. Use design standards to ensure that the urban expansion area respects and echoes the character of the existing town or neighborhood. Define and protect the most productive farmland through exclusive agri- cultural zoning. Where legally permissible, exclusive agricultural zoning or programs for purchase or transfer of development rights (PDRs or TORs) will help protect productive farmland. Such zoning should allow farmers to engage in a variety of compatible small-scale businesses on their farms to - enable them to supplement their farm income, especially in the off-season. Use conservation subdivision techniques to separate and integrate open. space and residential development. In areas where residential uses and-active farming can co-exist, use conservation subdivision techniques to establish defined neighborhoods surrounded by protected open space or farmland. Because residential development in close proximity to intensive agriculture often produces conflict over noise, dust, and odors, such developments must be carefully designed to buffer farms from their residential neighbors. Chapter 1. New Urbanist Essentials 23 FIGURE 8. THE BUILD.TO LINE COMPATIBLE STREET FRONTAGE INCOMPATIBLE STREET FRONTAGE Bringing buildings, entmnces, and windows- to the street adds to street activity, surveillance, and a sense of spatial enclosure. Codes should include "build-to," "build-near-to," or maximum setback requirements to attain this goal.