2 Influencing Built Environment Decisions

Influencing Built Environment Decisions in Communities of

Various Sizes

2nd in a 3-Part Series

James Wagner, AICP

Key Learning Objectives

• How does City Planning anticipate needs?

• Existing development vs. New development

• Who owns the streets?

• Complete Streets outcomes

• Setting priorities through planning

12/18/2014 James Wagner, AICP 2

Planners’ Tools

1. Zoning Codea) Regulates land and buildings use & form

b) Parking requirements

2. Subdivision Regulationsa) Regulate subdivision of land & access to streets

b) Utilities

3. Development Standardsa) Specify size of utility and in some cases

sidewalks


Key elements of Subdivision Regulations

• Sidewalks are provided in all subdivisions on BOTH sides of all street types (arterial, collector and residential), including along reserve areas adjacent to the street

• Pedestrian crosswalks are provided, at a minimum, between streets where the distance between intersecting streets exceeds 1,000 feet

• Bike paths or lanes are provided in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan for bicycle facilities and are dedicated to the city

• Streets are aligned to join with planned or existing streets (this ensures connectivity to future subdivisions)


Example #1Public Rights-of-Way – Access to a Trail

Subdivision Regulations



Access to trails


Language to add connections to future development


Example #2Public Rights-of-Way – Access to Future Development




New

elementary

school

Playgroun

d

Main Arterial Road


Access to trail or school


Walmart

Neighborhoo

d Market


Connectivity creates a pedestrian-friendly street system by:• Reducing walking distances• Offering more route choices, more quiet local streets• Dispersing traffic – reducing reliance on arterials for all trips

Example #3Neighborhood Opposition



180 unit

apartment

complex

(proposed)

Early childhood

development

school (proposed)

Single family

neighborhood

Apartments

PUD 825

PUD 825 – Pedestrian

Circulation

Early Childhood

Development

School

No access to

adjacent

neighborhood

No access to

adjacent

neighborhoo

d

PUD 825



Example #4Sidewalks in Reserve Areas & Stormwater Detention




What do you notice about this photo? What is missing?

Government & Nonprofit

2 Influencing Built Environment Decisions