Focus of meeting

• Pedestrian / vehicle connections Proposed code concepts Policy Issues

• Open space in PRDs Proposed code concepts Policy Issues

• Questions on code language from February and March topics

Pedestrian / Vehicle Connections

(1) vehicular connections and street layout,

(2) internal pedestrian connections,

(3) pedestrian connections to adjacent uses,

(4) general provisions,

(5) design of pedestrian facilities

Proposed Code Concepts:(1) Vehicular connections & street

layout

• A modified grid network is preferred

limit number of dead-end streets (but not prohibit)

general street pattern will be similar to the grid layout found in the eastern (older) part of Oak Harbor.

What is a modified grid?

• Dead-end streets only allowed in exceptional circumstances

topography, sensitive areas, or existing development

Director has authority to approve dead-end streets for safety, turning movements, intersection spacing or other engineering concerns

• Dead-end streets no longer than 400 feet

• Design of dead-end turn-arounds must be approved by City engineer

• Encourage alternative turn-arounds which save space, reduce pavement costs and stormwater impacts.

Turn-Around Variations

• Intersection spacing no less than 125 feet

• Block length maximum 800 feet

No standard currently

Large blocks discourage pedestrian connectivity and activity

Short block lengths do the opposite

800 ft

900 ft

Existing block lengthseast side of Oak Harbor

1200 f

t

11

25

ft

Existing block lengths west side of Oak Harbor

Proposed Code Concepts:(2) Internal pedestrian connections

• Mid-block connections required at 800-foot intervals or less

Pedestrian connections through the center of long blocks to reduce trip distance.

Applicants may exceed the block length standard, but must provide a mid-block connection.

Pedestrian crossing design must be approved, minimum site distance and signage must be provided.

New Connections

Existing Connections

• Pedestrian connections required at all dead-ends

For pedestrian access, connections must be provided at all dead-end streets

Exceptions: topography, critical area, existing development or another pedestrian connection exists within 800 feet linking the same location or land use.

Pedestrian connection on a dead-end street

Existing Connections

Proposed Code Concepts:(3) Pedestrian connections to adjacent uses

• Pedestrian connections provided to all adjacent uses.

Provided at 800-foot intervals on the exterior boundary of the plat or PRD.

• Exceptional circumstances.

• Existing development – connection goes no where

• Easement for future access MAY still be required.

• Connection to a higher-order street in lieu.

Direct Connectio

nResidential

Commercial

Higher-Order Street

Connections

1

2 21

Higher Order Street Connections

• Coordinate location of pedestrian access between property owners.

Proposed Code Concepts:General provisions

• Cross walks required

Cross walks required at intersections of higher-order streets.

• Compliance with comp plan required

If a pedestrian connection is shown on the comprehensive plan, it must be provided.

• Publicly accessible

All pedestrian facilities trails must be publicly accessible either by easement or dedication.

If pedestrian facilities and trails are to be publicly dedicated, they must meet certain design standards.

• Open space credit

Trails and pedestrian connections (excluding sidewalks) can count as open space in a PRD if they meet specific design standards

Must connect to another land use outside of the PRD, or to open spaces within the PRD.

Pedestrian connections that go “somewhere”

Proposed Code Concepts:Design of Pedestrian Facilities

• Standard design

20 feet wide with a 10-foot walkway and 5-foot planter on each side.

For PRD open space credit - must be built to this standard.

Clear vision from end to end

Flared radius – avoid corridor feel.

100% ground cover & hard surface path

Lighting, fencing, signage

Standard Proposed Design – Pedestrian Connection

Fireside Mid-block Pedestrian Connection

Policy Issues

•Is block length too long or too short?

•Is dead-end street requirement too restrictive?

Open Space in PRDs

•Encourage, and require better open space design in PRDs to receive credit

•Don’t want unusable land, which is difficult to maintain, not visible and provides little amenity.

Proposed Code Concepts:Open Space in PRDs

(1) accessibility

(2) visibility

(3) usability

•An applicant can provide both “active” and ‘passive” open space

A minimum of 50% of all open space provided must be “active” open space.

Active open spaces are ones which encourage some form of exercise.

Usability

•Minimum size of active open space

Minimum size – 5,000 SF, 50 feet wide by 90 feet deep.

Avoid small, unusable spaces which provide minimal amenity. Consolidated space is more likely to be used.

Usability

5000 sq ft100 x 50

•Required connections to nearby streets

For active open spaces provided in residential blocks, there must be a pedestrian connection on both sides of the block to the active open space (similar to a mid-block connection).

Accessibility, visibility

Open space with required pedestrian connection

•Street frontage requirement

A park or open space as an active amenity must have minimum 40 feet of frontage on a street

Accessibility, visibility

•Required Amenities: Minimum amenities for active open spaces would be:

(1) low scale pedestrian oriented lighting (at least around the "entrance")

(2) seating

(3) signage

(4) an activity center such as a play structure, tennis courts, basketball courts, a trail or trailhead, etc.

Usability

•Central location

The active open space must be “centrally” located, possibly along the highest traffic (“spine”) street within the development.

“Central location” – need a definition.

Accessibility, visibility, usability

Centrally located open space

Centrally located park with trail connection from cul-de-sac

•Credit for Storm ponds: Up to 50% of a stormwater pond may be calculated as passive open space if:

landscaped

a wet pond (not dry pond)

surrounded by active use (trail) or is located next to active open space

curvilinear shaped

Usability

minimal berms, perhaps 30% of circumference

materials – no ecoblock, limit use of rip rap and quarry spalls, no fake stone, aesthetically pleasing baffles

3:1 slope or flatter

High-end materials for maintenance access (avoid gravel, encourage LID)

no fences

Total OS credit – 25%

•Privately-owned and maintained.

•All open spaces within PRDs shall be privately-owned and maintained unless publicly dedicated and accepted as a park.

•Compliance with the comprehensive plan

•If a public open space is indicated in the Parks Plan, it must be provided.

•Relief mechanism: Subject to PC review:

Accessible. Open space must be connected and accessible to the pedestrian system

Visible. It must be located where it can be seen by residents.

Useable. Must promote active, rather than passive use.

•What does “centrally located” mean? Is “central location” necessary if open

space is accessible to pedestrians / vehicles and the site is “visible” to users?

•What is “visibility”? Should there be some objective

standard that should be established for visibility of open spaces?(i.e., can be seen from at least 12 housing units)

Policy Issues

Code Language Review

Questions?