EXAMPLE URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES:

of los angeles urban design principles

City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning / Urban city
Design Studio
city of los angeles urban design principles
city of los angeles urban design principles

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Movement : a city of mobility

Movement : a city of mobility
1. develop inviting + accessible transit areas
Movement : a city of mobility
1. develop inviting + accessible transit areas
1.
2. developconnections
ensure inviting + accessible transit areas
2. ensure connections
3.
2. produce great, green streets
ensure connections
3. produce great, green streets
Health : a city of activity 3. produce great, green streets
Health : a city of activity 4. generate public open space
Health : a city of activity
4. generate public open space
5.
4. reinforce walkability,
generate public bikeability + wellbeing
open space
5. reinforce walkability, bikeability + wellbeing
6.
5. bridge thewalkability,
reinforce past + the future
bikeability + wellbeing
6. bridge the past + the future
7.
6. nurture neighborhood
bridge the character
past + the future
7. nurture neighborhood character
Resilience : a city of 7. nurture neighborhood character
responsibility
Resilience : a city of responsibility
8. stimulate sustainability + innovation
Resilience : a city of responsibility
8. stimulate sustainability + innovation
9.
8. improve
stimulateequity + opportunity
sustainability + innovation
9. improve equity + opportunity
10.
9. emphasize
improve equity early+integration,
opportunitysimple processes +
10. maintainable
emphasize early long term solutions
integration, simple processes +
10. emphasize early integration,
maintainable long term solutions simple processes +
maintainable
From City of Los Angeles Urban Design Principles; long term solutions
http://planning.lacity.org/urbandesign/resources/UrbanDesignPrinciples.php
URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES
MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE Summer 2011 | 3
EXAMPLE URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES:
City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning / Urban Design Studio
Develop inviting + accessible transit areas
»» Direct connections between transit and bus services will encourage
pedestrian activity and increased ridership
»» Bike racks and lockers promote cycling, daily activity, rail ridership, and
transit ridership
»» Create vibrant streetscapes to promote activity, and keep pedestrian
activity comfortable, clean and safe
»» Integrate rail station with surrounding developments – concentrating a
variety of land uses near rail and bus stops increases opportunities for
public transit riders and residents to easily access jobs, entertainment and
amenities, and the added activity enlivens the surrounding community
Ensure connections
»» The creation of simple connections within neighborhoods and
throughout the city provides increased accessibility for pedestrians,
bicyclists, transit riders and drivers
»» A well-integrated system of roads, paths and transit routes that encourages
different modes of movement through the city creates a well-designed and
efficient circulation system (resulting in a vibrant and healthy city)
»» Transit plazas can serve as a “go-to stop” for multiple connections
»» Expanding infrastructure will provide more opportunities for development
»» Appropriately locating bike racks can ease the transition between
biking, walking, shopping, or dining
Produce great, green streets
»» Design streets to incorporate elements that enhance human scale,
embrace neighborhood character, provide green infrastructure
and balance needs for many modes of sustainable transit, including
pedestrians, bicyclists, automobiles and transit
»» Streets are more than conduits of movement; they can incorporate
sustainable, green infrastructure, to provide open space and easy access
to the outdoors
»» Good streetscapes provide texture/color/vibrance; trees/landscaping for
shade; buildings that are human scale and face the street; a comfortable
place to stroll, sit, eat, relax, shop; amenities such as benches, tables, and
chairs that provide activity at the street; and screening for unappealing
utilities, blank walls, or parking structures
Generate public open space
»» The creation of public open space is essential to the health of residents
and the physical environment
»» Public open space helps bind a city together by linking parks, people,
and destinations
»» Open space can be created and increased by programming a connected
network of physical linkages and creative use of public rights of way
»» Public open space can create common activities, interests, and cultural
events for the Town Center, which allows diverse groups of people to
gather and socialize
Reinforce walkability, bikeability + wellbeing
»» Walkability requires a range of strategies that consider human scale,
pedestrian comfort, safety, and land use, as well as respond to the
specific physical and cultural characteristics of each neighborhood
»» Bikeability can extend the range beyond which it is practical to walk
– bike friendly environments connect destinations and provide bike
amenities throughout the city; safe, convenient, and pleasant bike routes
encourage daily travel
»» Increases the ability to provide ‘well-being’ throughout the city by
promoting festivals, events, and farmers’ markets
»» Linking people to activities throughout the city enables greater civic and
community participation, enriching the urban fabric, human experience,
and overall health of the city
Adapted from City of Los Angeles Urban Design Principles; http://planning.lacity.org/urbandesign/resources/UrbanDesignPrinciples.php
URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES
MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
Bridge the past + the future
»» Bridging the past and the future is critical to strengthening the identity
of the city
»» Existing iconic buildings/districts exhibiting unique urban character
should be preserved and celebrated for historical and cultural significance
»» The integration of new development (both visually and physically) with
the architectural and cultural past helps residents recognize the richness
of the past that contributes to the quality of the future
Nurture neighborhood character
»» New projects can contribute, enhance and further define the character
of a neighborhood rather than simply alter it – each potential
development or improvement needs to consider the context of its
neighborhood or district and work with it
»» Incremental changes of neighborhoods are to be expected and
embraced; urban environments need the flexibility to be able to change
with circumstance and progress
»» Contributing to a distinct character sustains community by nurturing the
identity of the neighborhood
»» Shared features that represent a lack of physical identity (underused
surface parking lots, a dearth of architectural design, landscape,
signage, or public art that celebrates the history and culture of place) are
opportunities for neighborhoods to nurture their neighborhood character
Stimulate sustainability + innovation
»» Quick adaptation to change is vital for the city’s environmental and
economic future
»» A decreased carbon footprint and responsible stewardship of our natural
resources translates to a more viable and more beautiful city.
»» Create development and improvements that incorporate innovative
practices to achieve a broad vision of a sustainable city – solar energy,
pavement permeability, solid waste reduction, stormwater runoff,
water infiltration and recycled and local materials are some of the many
strategies available
»» Consideration of the full project life-cycle – the extent of costs (social,
environmental and financial) is fundamental to this principle
Improve equity + opportunity
»» Economic and social sustainability is a requirement for continuing
viability and growth
»» A broader choice of housing and a variety of local economic, social
and recreational activities provides residents and visitors with a
range of experiences and choices, and creates diversified and healthy
neighborhoods
»» The variety of functions within a development or space encourages a
mix of users
Emphasize early integration, simple processes
+ maintainable long term solutions
»» The Urban Design Principles are a basis for projects from inception;
solutions are successful when principles are incorporated early into a
process and simplified to aid implementation
»» Implementation is just one step in contributing to a city’s evolution; a
sustainable city needs stakeholders to view development from the bigger
picture of systems thinking – early ideas and basic concepts affect later
stages (e.g. financing affects the construction schedule; or designing to
take advantage of existing transit affects how the space is used later)
»» The integration of the principles into the regulatory process forms
the basis for achieving the shared vision of urban design by city staff,
stakeholders, developers and designers
»» Consideration of how the project will be maintained and cared for is a
component of successful design and part of the review process
EXAMPLE URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES:
Urban Land Institute / Building Healthy Places Initiative

Ten Principles for

Building Healthy Places
Put People First
Recognize the Economic Value
Empower Champions for Health
Energize Shared Spaces
Make Healthy Choices Easy
Ensure Equitable Access
Mix It Up
Embrace Unique Character
Promote Access to Healthy Food
Make It Active

From Ten Principles for Building Healthy Places; http://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/10-Principles-for-Building-Healthy-Places.pdf

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES 9
MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
EXAMPLE URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES:
Urban Land Institute / Building Healthy Places Initiative
Put People First
»» Individuals are more likely to be active in a community designed around
their needs
»» For decades, communities were designed around cars, not people –
creating a separation of uses that has decreased physical activity and
thereby overall health
»» A healthy urban community is one where basic necessities and
community amenities are accessible by walking or biking
»» Access to space for physical activity, such as walking paths and exercise
facilities near work and home, is associated with increased physical activity
Recognize the Economic Value
»» Healthy places can create enhanced economic value for both the private
and public sectors
»» Compact, walkable communities provide economic benefits to
developers through higher home sale prices, enhanced marketability,
and faster sales/leases than conventional development
»» Walkable retail enlivens streets and improves economic value
Empower Champions for Health
»» Community engagement is a powerful vehicle for bringing about
changes that improve the health of a community and its residents, but
a shared vision of a healthy community must take root before it can be
cultivated and brought to bear on land development
»» Conveying the full scope of benefits – economic, social, and personal –
of healthy places to all stakeholders is essential
»» Community members must be identified and empowered to lead
the effort, identify areas of need, set priorities, and take part in
implementation (encourage grassroots action)
»» Forge unlikely partnerships – as the connection between land use and
health becomes well understood, partnerships that merge development
and health interests should be formed
Energize Shared Spaces
»» Public gathering places have a direct, positive impact on human health
»» A well-designed public and semi-public realm can foster social
interaction
»» Identify and map existing assets and gaps related to opportunities for
physical activity and social engagement
»» Take back the street – the residential street should be regarded as a
primary public space, not merely a conduit to meet travel needs
»» Ample and flexible spaces of all sizes should be available for public
gathering
»» Encourage public/private cooperation – because community places
involve a mix of public and private realms, cooperation between
property owners and local government is crucial
Make Healthy Choices Easy
»» Communities should make the healthy choice the one that is SAFE – safe,
accessible, fun, and easy
»» Make sure people feel safe – traffic conditions or poor street design
can deter pedestrian or bicycle activity; design pedestrian and bicycle
facilities to help foster a safe and secure environment
»» Make sure transportation options are accessible; provide multiple,
often overlapping, means of addressing key transportation needs and
providing key services
»» Make the experience of getting there fun and interesting – public art
and whimsical design can encourage people to walk and bicycle; varied
color, material, and signage can double as wayfinding devices and
differentiate neighborhoods or communities
»» Make it easy – address wayfinding needs and develop a system of
signage for pedestrians and cyclists
From Ten Principles for Building Healthy Places; http://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/10-Principles-for-Building-Healthy-Places.pdf
URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES
MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
Ensure Equitable Access
»» Many segments of the population would benefit from better access to
services, amenities, and opportunities
»» Design for all ages and abilities
»» Integrate land use and transit; focus on moving people, not cars
»» Focus on schools; public schools are a place where health disparities
across income levels can be addressed
Mix It Up
»» A variety of land uses, building types, and public spaces can be used to
improve physical and social activity
»» Mixed-use development makes people much more likely to walk or use
transit to run errands, go shopping, or go to lunch than does spread-out,
automobile-oriented, single-use development
»» Incentivize the mix – match local regulatory incentives to areas that lack
certain amenities
»» Update outdated zoning ordinances and building codes that can deter
mixed-use development
»» Revisit parking policies to achieve the right balance (for instance,
eliminate parking minimums in transit rich areas)
»» Optimize uses – retail uses should engage and enliven the public
environment; residences at upper levels should be designed with
appropriate privacy and amenities; office components should have a clear
address and identity; public spaces should be flexible and programmed
Embrace Unique Character
»» Places that are different, unusual, or unique can be helpful in promoting
physical activity
»» Embracing the unique character of a site, neighborhood, or community
can economically differentiate a project or place in the market,
supporting asset value and bestowing a competitive advantage
»» A community-driven process can help identify the key assets of a place
and prioritize development; special characteristics can be identified,
celebrated, and used to create a focal point upon which to build
community identity
»» Integrate natural systems – link new investment to its benefits for natural
ecosystems; use that to prioritize investments
Promote Access to Healthy Food
»» Because diet affects human health, access to healthy food should be
considered as part of any development proposal
»» Communities should strive to integrate the full spectrum of healthy food
cultivation, retailing, and consumption into everyday life
»» Make food a destination – in major cities, historic markets have become
destinations for food, creating economic development opportunities,
encouraging healthy eating, and aiding in place-making for
neighborhood and ethnic identity
»» Incorporate access to healthy food into local land use and economic
policy (for instance, allow vacant land to be used for community gardens)
Make It Active
»» Urban design can be employed to create an active community
»» Recreational opportunities should provide universal appeal; co-
locate activities (for instance, provide adult exercise equipment or
walking tracks near children’s playgrounds) to create a wider range of
recreational opportunities for potential users
»» Prioritize walking and biking as safe, viable, and enjoyable modes of
transportation and recreation throughout the community
»» Implement active-living guidelines to help fill gaps in the pedestrian and
bicycle network, creating a continuous, interconnected system
»» Design for flexibility – land efficiency and multi-functionality should be
maximized for human engagement
EXAMPLE URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES:
Congress for the New Urbanism

The Congress for the New Urbanism views disinvestment in central cities, the
spread of placeless sprawl, increasing separation by race and income, environmental
deterioration, loss of agricultural lands and wilderness, and the erosion of society’s
built heritage as one interrelated community-building challenge.

We stand for the restoration of existing urban centers and towns within coherent
metropolitan regions, the reconfiguration of sprawling suburbs into communities of
real neighborhoods and diverse districts, the conservation of natural environments,
and the preservation of our built legacy.

We advocate the restructuring of public policy and development practices to

support the following principles: neighborhoods should be diverse in use and
population; communities should be designed for the pedestrian and transit as well
as the car; cities and towns should be shaped by physically defined and universally
accessible public spaces and community institutions; urban places should be framed
by architecture and landscape design that celebrate local history, climate, ecology,
and building practice.

We recognize that physical solutions by themselves will not solve social and economic
problems, but neither can economic vitality, community stability, and environmental
health be sustained without a coherent and supportive physical framework.

We represent a broad-based citizenry, composed of public and private sector

leaders, community activists, and multidisciplinary professionals. We are committed
to reestablishing the relationship between the art of building and the making
of community, through citizen-based participatory planning and design.

We dedicate ourselves to reclaiming our homes, blocks, streets, parks, neighborhoods,

districts, towns, cities, regions, and environment.
From The Charter of the New Urbanism; https://www.cnu.org/who-we-are/charter-new-urbanism
URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES Continued on back...
MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
EXAMPLE URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES:
Congress for the New Urbanism
We assert the following principles to guide public policy,
development practice, urban planning, and design:
We assert the following principles to guide public policy,
The region: Metropolis,
development practice, urban planning, and design:
The neighborhood, the The block, the street,
city, and town
The region: Metropolis, district, and the corridor
The neighborhood, the and the building
The block, the street,
city,
1) and town
Metropolitan regions are finite places with district,
10) and the
The neighborhood, corridor
the district, and the corridor and
19) the building
A primary task of all urban architecture and
geographic boundaries derived from topography, are the essential elements of development and landscape design is the physical definition of
watersheds,
1) Metropolitan coastlines,
regionsfarmlands,
are finite regional
places with parks, redevelopment
10) The neighborhood, in the metropolis. They
the district, and corridor streets
theform and public
19) A primary taskspaces
of all as places
urban of shared use.
architecture and
and river basins.
geographic boundariesThe metropolis
derived from is topography,
made of identifiable
are the essentialareaselements
that encourage citizens toand
of development take landscape design is the physical definition of
multiple
watersheds, centers that are
coastlines, cities, towns,
farmlands, and villages,
regional parks, responsibility
redevelopment forintheir
the maintenance
metropolis. Theyand evolution.
form 20) Individual
streets and public architectural projects
spaces as places shoulduse.
of shared be
each withbasins.
and river its ownThe identifiable
metropolis center and edges.
is made of identifiable areas that encourage citizens to take seamlessly linked to their surroundings. This issue
multiple centers that are cities, towns, and villages, 11) Neighborhoods
responsibility for theirshould be compact,
maintenance evolution. transcends
andpedestrian 20) Individual style.architectural projects should be
2) The
each metropolitan
with region iscenter
its own identifiable a fundamental
and edges. friendly, and mixed-use. Districts generally seamlessly linked to their surroundings. This issue
economic unit of the contemporary world. emphasize a special should
11) Neighborhoods single use, and should
be compact, follow
pedestrian 21) The revitalization
transcends style. of urban places depends
Governmental
2) The metropolitan cooperation,
regionpublic policy, physical the
is a fundamental principles
friendly, of neighborhood
and mixed-use. Districts design when
generally on safety and security. The design of streets and
planning,
economicand uniteconomic strategies must
of the contemporary reflect
world. possible.
emphasizeCorridors are regional
a special single use, andconnectors
should follow of buildings should reinforce
21) The revitalization safe places
of urban environments,
dependsbut
this new reality.cooperation, public policy, physical neighborhoods
Governmental the principles ofand districts; they
neighborhood rangewhen
design from not at theand
on safety expense of accessibility
security. The design and openness.
of streets and
planning, and economic strategies must reflect boulevards and rail lines
possible. Corridors to riversconnectors
are regional and parkways. of buildings should reinforce safe environments, but
3)
thisThe
newmetropolis
reality. has a necessary and fragile neighborhoods and districts; they range from 22)
not In the expense
at the contemporary metropolis,
of accessibility anddevelopment
openness.
relationship to its agrarian hinterland and natural 12) Many activities
boulevards and rail of daily
lines to living should
rivers and occur
parkways. must adequately accommodate automobiles. It
landscapes.
3) The metropolisThe relationship
has a necessary is environmental,
and fragile within walking distance, allowing independence should
22) In the do contemporary
so in ways thatmetropolis,
respect the development
pedestrian
economic,
relationshipand cultural.
to its agrarian Farmland
hinterland andandnature are
natural to
12)those
Manywho do notofdrive,
activities dailyespecially the elderly
living should occur and
mustthe form of public
adequately space. automobiles. It
accommodate
as importantThe
landscapes. to the metropolisis as
relationship the garden is
environmental, and
within thewalking
young. Interconnected
distance, allowing networks of streets should do so in ways that respect the pedestrian
independence
to the house.
economic, and cultural. Farmland and nature are should
to thosebewho designed
do nottodrive,
encourage walking,
especially reduce
the elderly 23)
andStreets
the form andof squares should be safe, comfort-
public space.
as important to the metropolis as the garden is the
and number
the young.andInterconnected
length of automobile networkstrips, and
of streets able, and interesting to the pedestrian. Properly
4)
to Development
the house. patterns should not blur or conserve
should beenergy.
designed to encourage walking, reduce configured,
23) Streets and theysquares
encourage walking
should andcomfort-
be safe, enable
eradicate the edges of the metropolis. Infill the number and length of automobile trips, and neighbors to know each
able, and interesting to theother and protect
pedestrian. their
Properly
development
4) Development within existing
patterns shouldurban
not areas
blur or 13) Within
conserve neighborhoods, a broad range of
energy. communities.
configured, they encourage walking and enable
conserves
eradicate the environmental
edges of theresources,
metropolis. economic
Infill housing types and price levels can bring people neighbors to know each other and protect their
investment,
developmentand socialexisting
within fabric, while
urbanreclaiming
areas of
13)diverse
Withinages, races, and incomes
neighborhoods, a broadinto dailyof
range 24) Architecture and landscape design should
communities.
marginal
conservesand abandoned resources,
environmental areas. Metropolitan
economic interaction,
housing types strengthening
and price levelsthe personal
can bring and civic
people grow from local climate, topography, history,
regions should
investment, anddevelop strategies
social fabric, to reclaiming
while encourage bonds essential
of diverse to an authentic
ages, races, and incomes community.
into daily and building practice.
24) Architecture and landscape design should
such infill and
marginal development
abandoned over peripheral
areas. expansion.
Metropolitan interaction, strengthening the personal and civic grow from local climate, topography, history,
regions should develop strategies to encourage 14
bonds) Transit corridors,
essential to an when properly
authentic planned and
community. 25)
andCivic buildings
building practice. and public gathering places
5) Where
such appropriate, new
infill development overdevelopment contigu- coordinated, can help organize metropolitan
peripheral expansion. require important sites to reinforce community
ous to urban boundaries should be organized as structure
14 ) Transitand revitalize
corridors, whenurban centers.
properly In and
planned identity
25) Civicand the culture
buildings of democracy.
and public gatheringThey
places
neighborhoods
5) Where appropriate, and districts, and be integrated
new development contigu- contrast,
coordinated,highwaycan corridors
help organizeshouldmetropolitan
not displace deserve distinctivesites
require important form,to because
reinforcetheir role is
community
with
ous tothe existing
urban urban pattern.
boundaries should be Noncontiguous
organized as investment
structure and from existingurban
revitalize centers.centers. In different
identity and fromthe thatculture
of other of buildings
democracy.andThey
places
development
neighborhoods should be organized
and districts, and be asintegrated
towns and contrast, highway corridors should not displace that
deserveconstitute the fabric
distinctive form, of the city.
because their role is
villages
with thewith theirurban
existing own urban edges,
pattern. and planned
Noncontiguous 15) Appropriate
investment frombuilding
existing densities
centers. and land different from that of other buildings and places
for a jobs/housing
development shouldbalance, not as bedroom
be organized suburbs.
as towns and uses should be within walking distance of transit 26) thatAll buildings
constitute theshould
fabricprovide their inhabitants
of the city.
villages with their own urban edges, and planned stops, permittingbuilding
15) Appropriate public transit
densities to and
become
land a with a clear sense of location, weather and time.
6)
forThe development
a jobs/housing and redevelopment
balance, not as bedroomof towns viable
suburbs. alternative
uses should be withinto the distance of transit Natural
automobile.
walking methods should
26) All buildings of heating and cooling
provide can be
their inhabitants
and cities should respect historical patterns, stops, permitting public transit to become a more
with aresource-efficient
clear sense of location,than mechanical
weather andsystems.
time.
precedents, and boundaries.
6) The development and redevelopment of towns 16) viableConcentrations
alternative to of thecivic, institutional, and
automobile. Natural methods of heating and cooling can be
and cities should respect historical patterns, commercial activity should be embedded in 27)
more Preservation and renewal
resource-efficient of historic systems.
than mechanical buildings,
7) Cities andand
precedents, towns should bring into proximity
boundaries. neighborhoods
16) Concentrations and districts, not isolated inand
of civic, institutional, districts, and landscapes affirm the continuity and
a broad spectrum of public and private uses to remote,
commercial single-use
activity complexes.
should be Schools shouldinbe
embedded evolution of urban
27) Preservation andsociety.
renewal of historic buildings,
support
7) Citiesaand regional
townseconomy
should bringthatinto
benefits people
proximity sized and locatedand
neighborhoods to enable children
districts, to walk
not isolated in or districts, and landscapes affirm the continuity and
of all incomes.
a broad spectrum Affordable
of public and housing
privateshould
uses be
to bicycle
remote,to them. complexes. Schools should be
single-use evolution of urban society.
distributed throughout
support a regional economythe region to match
that benefits job
people sized and located to enable children to walk or
opportunities
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to avoid concentrations
housing should of poverty.
be 17) Theto
bicycle economic
them. health and harmonious evolution
distributed throughout the region to match job of neighborhoods, districts, and corridors can be
8) The physical
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to avoid concentrations of should
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17) The economic graphic urban
and design codes
harmonious that
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be supported by a framework of transportation serve as predictabledistricts,
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8) The physical Transit, pedestrian,
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region should
should maximize
be supported by aaccess and mobility
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serveAasrange of parks,
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18) A rangebe distributed
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tot-lots and village
the region while reducing dependence upon the Conservation
greens to ballfieldsareas andand community
open lands should
gardens,be
9) Revenues and resources can be shared more
automobile. used
should to be
define and connect
distributed withindifferent neighbor-
neighborhoods.
cooperatively among the municipalities and hoods and districts.
Conservation areas and open lands should be
centers
9) Revenueswithin andregions
resourcesto avoid
can be destructive
shared more used to define and connect different neighbor-
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cooperativelyforamong tax base theand to promote rational
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cnu.org
services, housing, and community institutions.
© Copyright 2001 by Congress for the New Urbanism. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission.

From The Charter of the New Urbanism; https://www.cnu.org/who-we-are/charter-new-urbanism

cnu.org © Copyright 2001 by Congress for the New Urbanism. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission.

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

From MLT Municipal Code

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR) ILLUSTRATION

floor area
FAR =
lot area

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
WORKSHOP RESPONSES

What is missing from Town Center that would improve the

What is missing from Town Center that would improve the
quality of your life?quality of your life?

TASK FORCE WALKABILITY MARKET/GROCERY

RESPONSES  Pedestrian scale
development
 Grocery store – market-specific
 Grocery store
 Activity, connections
to other places,
walkable stores

Market/Grocery

Restaurants and Commercial
PUBLIC GATHERING SPACES/ RESTAURANTS
Services
IMPROVED STREETSCAPES AND COMMERCIAL
Better Mix of Uses
SERVICES
 Public space, gathering areas
 Public plaza  Restaurants – more choices
 Social place (gathering) Lunch quiet counter
 Identity/Sense of Place
 Public space – commons/  Restaurants (x2)
gathering place
 Ice-cream – hook a dog leash
 Good design
 Lovely streetscape, social
 Public Spaces/Improved
FedEx Office / shipping /
Amazon locker
gathering spaces, attractive Streetscapes
 Merchants to support
streetscapes, pocket park
residents
Walkability
 Larger selection of businesses,
large and small retail shops
and professional offices
 Commercial services

VIBRANCY/IDENTITY/
SENSE OF PLACE BETTER MIX
 Vibrancy OF USES
 Sense of place  Services and mix
What is missing from Town Center that
of use would improve the
 Vibrant community

quality of your life?

PUBLIC WORKSHOP WALKABILITY MARKET/GROCERY

RESPONSES  Walkability (x2)
 Crosswalks where cars


Good grocery store
Groceries
stop for pedestrians  Quality grocery store
 Get rid of the super-wide  Grocery store(s) (x3)
sidewalks – this is more
like Salt Lake City than
town development Market/Grocery

Restaurants and Commercial
PUBLIC GATHERING SPACES/ Services
RESTAURANTS
IMPROVED STREETSCAPES AND COMMERCIAL
Better Mix of Uses
 Local gathering areas
 Parking
SERVICES
 Open spaces for people to  Businesses
gather  Copy shopIdentity/Sense of Place
(like Kinko’s or
 Shared learning spaces where Mailbox)
there are classes for adult  More quality eateries; BrewPub
community members Public Spaces/Improved
is example
 Public spaces – safe, open,  More shopping and dining
Streetscapes
welcoming opportunities
 Places to gather  More stores and businesses
Walkability
 Everyday business – coffee
shop, cafés, variety of dining
options; professional services –
dry cleaner, dentist, bookstore
 Amenities – shops that support
VIBRANCY/IDENTITY/ the needs of daily living –
drycleaner, sundries
SENSE OF PLACE  Café
 Creation of a nightlife community (NOT a bedroom  Restaurants
community) BETTER MIX
 Business and daytime population OF USES
 More diverse demographics
 More homes – NOT single family
 Sense of urbanity, town feel generated from buildings residential
crowded closer to the street with places to “eddy out”
(examples: West Seattle around the junction; North  Better integration of multifamily
City; Ballard – in and around the secondary streets) housing and retail; make it adjacent
to public transit – this will draw more
 Art and murals people, support local businesses and
 Arts and cultural interests make better use of the land available

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
WORKSHOP RESPONSES

What is the biggest issue holding back the development of

What is the biggest issue holding back the development of
Town Center? Town Center?

TASK FORCE IDENTITY ISSUES TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

RESPONSES  Public image – dismal
 Lack of identity
 Lack of parking; parking impacts from
development
 Lack of light rail

ZONING ISSUES
 Zoning and Transportation Issues
codes –
restrictive and confusing
Zoning Issues
PLANNING/ Property/Cost Issues
VISION ISSUES Economic Issues
 Lack of clear direction
PROPERTY/
 MLT difficult to operate COST ISSUES
Planning/Vision Issues
 Conflicting visions  Cost of assemblage
 Proof of viability  Identity Issues
Small individual lots
 Uncertainty  Property aggregation
 Parcel sizes

ECONOMIC ISSUES
 Lacks economic synergy, price
per square foot values are
low; economic sub assembly
What is the biggest issue holding back the development of
 Economic viability
 Taking a long time to recover
Town Center? (from economic downturn)

PUBLIC WORKSHOP IDENTITY ISSUES ZONING ISSUES

RESPONSES  City is trying to remake itself as a
homogeneous development. Allow
smaller, more organic development. Try
 Building heights vs. zoning
restrictions – good design/
architecture might overcome
to get your design statements in anchor objections to height – avoid big box
type developments but don’t make it so look
difficult for smaller businesses to evolve.  Development regulations and lack of
development-friendly attitude at City
Hall
 Restrictive municipal zoning code
 The building or land use code is
outdated and should allow for more
Transportation Issues
flexibility especially for the early
developers investing and taking
Zoning Issues
risk. Allow more parking reduction
to 0.5 mile radius, allow work/
PLANNING/ Property/Cost Issues
live commercial ground floor and
set a date to 2025. This will help
VISION ISSUES reduce the risk of empty stores.
Economic Issues
After the street improvement,
 Concerns from a select provide rideshare bicycles to allow
population of people that fear loss
in affordability and gentrification
movements by bike Planning/Vision Issues
to the light
rail instead of car and create more
 City Council has no vision congestion on 236th. Planning and
 Lack of leadership at the top Development can Identity Issues
study neighboring
jurisdictions and reflect on what the
 Opposition to development. Many differences are in the code.
people want to keep the area affordable
(relative to Seattle for example). As a  Permitting
result, there is no real downtown and  Height restrictions
properties look tired and run down. Political  Permitting process too complicated
will is needed to raise height restrictions, deal and slow
positively with the growth that will come from
light rail and make this a more attractive place  Too many redundancies in code
to live’
 Fear of growth for some
 Negative people who cannot visualize. We
PROPERTY/
are a special town and we need a “can do” COST ISSUES
thought process. We are special and we can
do what we put our minds to. We too deserve  Lot assembly
what we ask for. If you don’t ask, you will  Cost
never get an answer. Move on and don’t live
in the past.

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
WORKSHOP RESPONSES

Sound Transit service

Sound isTransit
comingserviceto MLT. What
is coming areTerrace.
to Mountlake the biggest
What
changes you expectaretotheoccur
biggestonce
changes light rail service
you expect comes
to occur once to town?
light rail
service comes to town?

TASK FORCE
NEGATIVE IMPACTS OTHER
RESPONSES  Preconceived notion of more crime  Profile of MLT – [increased] visibility

Increased Traffic/Congestion
INCREASED
ECONOMIC TRAFFIC/
Increased Density
IMPACT/GROWTH CONGESTION
 Parking and traffic
 Opportunity for economic More/Improved Infrastructure
growth  Congestion
 Instant downtown and Services
 Increased density of cars
 Housing insanely expensive and traffic
Economic Impact/Growth
 Parking demands
 Increased demand for office
space, convenience, commercial continue to increase
 Traffic
 MoreWorsened/Negative
vehicular traffic –
MORE/IMPROVED morePerceptions
congestion
INFRASTRUCTURE
Improved/Positive Perceptions
AND SERVICES
 Increased infrastructure
 Opportunity for sercives
 Improved common areas
INCREASED DENSITY
 Increased and higher density housing
 Increased density of people
 Higher density
 Increased development

Sound Transit service is coming to Mountlake Terrace. What 


More foot traffic
Areas of increased density
are the biggest changes you expect to occur once light rail  Higher demand for housing

service comes to town?

PUBLIC WORKSHOP OTHER

INCREASED TRAFFIC/
RESPONSES  Stimulate bus use, especially Flyer
 I don’t foresee any changes to occur unless the City
CONGESTION
embraces it and transit-oriented development (for
example – Bel-Red Corridor, Shoreline Transit  More traffic with people trying to
Subarea Plan) use the new station
 Our little town will grow and we can make our  Traffic congestion, more foot and
town special. We may never get this oppor- auto traffic
tunity again. Decide what our Town Center Increased Traffic/Congestion
 More traffic – leading to parking
will be and don’t change [the vision]. problems and speeding safety
concerns
NEGATIVE IMPACTS  More traffic –Increased Density
prepare for it now
 More security needed

More/Improved Infrastructure
and Services
ECONOMIC Economic Impact/Growth
IMPACT/GROWTH
 Rising real estate prices
Negative Impacts
 More demand for retail services
 More business development
 Visitors seeking MLT as a
destination to come to Other

INCREASED DENSITY
 Density increases
 Population growth
MORE/IMPROVED  Shift in demographics and families that
INFRASTRUCTURE are working from downtown will spread
[north into MLT]
AND SERVICES  Not enough homes – need more units
 The increase in population will drive – growth (in homes) is NOT keeping up
growth and demand for amenities, shops, with proposed increased traffic
grocery, and a place that is center of civic  Higher demand for housing
life, concerts, etc.
 Increased housing demand
 Shops moving to MLT
 Increased density
 More small businesses and gathering places
 More people will seek housing here –
let’s plan for that now

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE
WORKSHOP RESPONSES

It’s 2035. What does the What

It’s 2035. Town Center
does the Townlook
Centerlike?
look like?

CONGESTION/ OTHER
TASK FORCE
NEGATIVE IMPACTS  Built to capacity
RESPONSES  Negative: congestion – noise,
crime, impact of urbanism

ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY CENTER OPEN SPACES,
 Economy driver for the city PLACES TO GATHER
Open Spaces, Places to Gather
 Urban open space
 Mix of Land Uses
Pedestrian activity space
 Wide shoulders
 Thriving, Inviting Downtown
Open space
 Sunlit open spaces
Economic Activity Center
THRIVING,  Vibrant street and
sidewalks
INVITING Densely Built
 Connections
DOWNTOWN  True gathering place
Congested
 Inviting  People socializing
 Attractive
 Thriving downtown to
live, work, and play
 Lively

MIX OF LAND USES

 Active civic center and public space
surrounded by a vibrant mix of
housing, retail, and commercial
space; designed to pedestrian scale
 Mixed-use
It’s 2035. What does the Town Center look like?  Shops supporting neighborhoods
 Dining
 Mix of housing types, styles, pricing
 Mix of uses

PUBLIC WORKSHOP OTHER

 Tall buildings not necessary for OPEN SPACES,
RESPONSES vibrant Town Center
 Authenticity – long-time residents
PLACES TO GATHER
 Like it does today  Close to pavilion
 Open concept market similar to
Melrose Market in Capitol Hill
 A happy vibrant place – neighbor
meeting neighbor

NEGATIVE IMPACTS
 More police/security Open Spaces, Places to Gather
Mix of Land Uses
MIX OF LAND USES
ECONOMIC Thriving, Inviting Downtown
 Many options for people to eat
and enjoy
IMPACT/GROWTH  Good mixEconomic Activity Center
of high-rise, mid-
 Similar to Mill Creek town center rise, low-rise, single family
 Vibrant, draw for people Congestion/Negative Impacts
residential, open space,
underground parking, more
 Need tax money to make MLT businesses.
grow = more businesses and Other
 Multi-story mixed use, adjacent
more households to transit, parks, schools –
pedestrian friendly
 Restaurants, shops, fitness
classes along 56th, 54th,
THRIVING, INVITING 236th, etc. – similar growth as
downtown Edmonds
DOWNTOWN
 Tall beautiful buildings with views of Rainier and Lake Washington
 Thriving business and accessible commutes to Seattle
 A modern city that would look and feel like Mountain View, CA or
Market Street in Ballard (today)
 A community where folks can walk to services and know their neighbors
and local business owners; more diversity of ages, incomes and races
 Vibrant, dynamic – fine dining options, farmers market, nightlife options
(movies, pubs)
 Vibrant
 Boulevard filled with trees and flowers down 56th Ave.
 Art and murals
 Flowers/landscaping

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

MAY 30, 2018 TASK FORCE MEETING | TOWN CENTER PL AN UPDATE