Masterplan for Downtown 2006-01-11 Color

Home Browse Search

B. Systems Guidelines Systems Guidelines describe the elements of the public infrastructure. The System Guidelines outline issues and provides guidance for standards that apply to the entire Downtown Area. It is intended as an attachment to the Master Plan Document itself. The Systems Guidelines will deal with the seven distinct items of the overall infrastructure framework: Context Open Space Transportation Systems Storm Water Systems Utilities Mix of Uses Parking Strategy These seven items represent the overall organizing elements that give shape and form to the public elements of the Master Plan. Presumably, they will be adopted by the City as part of the Master Plan, will become part of City policy and will be implemented by the City or with City participation before or concurrently with the work of private developers. The Systems Guidelines will create the framework within which the private parcels are allowed to be developed. They will prescribe Development Standards for all above ground, visible elements of the public infrastructure including street and roadway design, streetscape and landscape design, pedestrian spaces, connectivity between private and public spaces, parking strategies and policy, etc. Systems Guidelines will prescribe everything in the public realm from curb sections and paving materials to street lights, park benches, waste receptacles and tree species. B. I. Context Although unique to Centerville, the Downtown Area is not intended to be a Downtown Centerville Master Plan & Development Guidelines stand alone district within the City; instead it will be a part of, and connect with, a variety of local, city-wide and regional systems. Each development project, whether a single building, one lot, or a series of blocks, must provide reasonable links to these systems as a primary design objective. Guideline Recommendations To ensure that the Downtown Area takes full advantage of local and regional systems, development should: • Provide safe, easily recognized connections to city and regional trail systems; • Support increased use of transit services by maintenance of existing service to St. Paul and strengthen service to Minneapolis for residents; • Tie into, and improve, the utility network; • Integrate with and complement the existing (and future) street framework; • Become an integral part of the city and county drainage/storm water management plan; • Parks and open space will be easily accessible to all Downtown Area residents, visitors, people who work here and also for the citizens of Centerville and the surrounding area. B. II. Open Space The overall design framework of the Downtown Area is based on links to LaMotte Park, trails, new open space downtown and regional open space. The City of Centerville will take the lead role in local parks programming, design review, construction sequencing, implementation and ultimately maintenance and operation of key public spaces within this framework. The goal is to link existing parks and trails January 4, 2006 Page 9 of 34