Preface
Introduction
Part One: Balancing Development and Conservation through Community-wide Planning
The Green Infrastructure
The Transect-A Schematic Paradigm
Village Expansion-An Ideal Approach
The Status Quo Option of Doing Nothing
Build-out Maps: Seeing the Future
Community-wide Map of Potential Conservation Lands
Protecting Community-wide Interconnected Networks of Open Space
Part Two: Conservation Subdivision Design-Recommended Procedures
A Constructive Critique of Outmoded Subdivision Ordinance Provisions
Context Maps
Existing Resources/Site Analysis Map
Site Walk
Sketch Plan Overlay Sheet
The Four-Step Design Approach
Golf Course Development Analogy
Residential Hands-On Design Exercise
The Existing Resources/Site Analysis Map and Site Walk as a Foundation for the Sketch Plan
Woodland versus Farmland Protection
Applying Conservation Design Principles to a Site in Franklinville, New York
Using Conservation Design to Protect Natural and Historic Resources
Using Aerial Photos in Site Design
Conserving Ephemeral Wetlands-Vernal Pools
Conserving Historic and Cultural Features
Conserving Orchards
Conserving Meadows and Restoring Prairies
Conserving Cropland
Creating Vineyards, AlmondGroves, and Edible Landscaping
Creating CommunityGardens, Community-Supported Agriculture, and Foraging Opportunities
Conserving Woodland Habitat
Conserving Public Viewsheds and Scenic Character
Creating Footpaths, Bikeways, and Greenways
Creating a Nursery Business
Creating an Equestrian Business
Restoring Wetlands and Fisheries
Conserving Lakefronts and Riverfronts
Economic Benefits of Conservation Design
Conclusion
Part Three: Residential Neighborhood Design Principles
Historical Perspective
Some Basic Considerations
Growing the Village
Blending Conservation Design with Traditional Town Planning Principles
Crescents and Closes
-Greenlets+ and Greens
Attached Greens
Internal Greens
Bungalow Courts or Cottage Greens
Positioning Green Space in Visually Prominent Locations
Flag Lots
Hedgerow Medians
Greenway Streets
Basins for More than Merely Water
Locating Individual Septic Drainfields within Conservation Areas
Preserving Roadside Vistas
Improving Roadside Houselot Development
Country Lanes
Varying the House-to-Street Orientation
Maintaining Modest Front Setbacks
Siting Homes Off-Center
Avoiding Protruding Garages
Accessing Homes via Back Lanes or Alleys
Recessing Front-Loaded Garages
Side-Loading Garages
Addressing Challenges Posed by Sloping Terrain
-Detached Townhouses+
Invisible Affordable Housing
Mandatory Inclusionary Housing
Semidetached Homes
Multifamily Residential
Street Design Considerations
Maintaining Traditional Street Patterns
Shade Trees along Streets
Traffic Calming
Cul-de-Sacs
Sidewalks
Tweetens
Street Pavement Width
Yield Streets
Part Four: Improving Downtown Appearance and Viability
Design Principles
Open Space Amenities-Greens, Broadened Sidewalks, and Bikeways
Build-To Lines
Alcoves
Mixed Uses and Minimum Height-Housing and Offices above Retail
Screening Parking Lots from Adjacent Streets
Hardscaping the Outdoor Room-Curbless Streets for Pedestrians
Learning from Failed Pedestrianized Streets
Pedestrian-Friendly Infill
Reducing Massing
Historic Building Rehabilitation
Inexpensive Fixes
Using Historic Photos
Plywood Choices and Concrete Plinths
Stall Risers
Shop Signs
Transom Windows
Retaining Architectural Trim Features
Part Five: Transforming Highway Commercial Strips into Mixed Use Centers and
Corridors
Some Philosophical Considerations
Opportunities and Techniques
Demolition-Opportunities for Positive Change
Reorganizing Development Intensity along Highway Corridors
Reclaiming the Strip
Modern Highway Roundabouts
Envisioning Positive Change
Maximum Front Setback, Rear Parking
Redeveloping Failed Shopping Centers
Modifying Existing Buildings and Parking
Incorporating Historic Buildings into Roadside Development
Reinforcing a Country Crossroads
Gateways and Centers
Open Space as a Gateway Concept
Big Box Retail along the Gateway
Landscaping Light Industry along the Gateway
Shade Tree Planting along Highway Corridors
Highways through Village Centers-an Example from the Heartland
Chains and Franchises
McDonald+s Definitely Able to Adapt
Arby+s
Taco Bell
Dunkin+ Donuts
Dairy Queen-MinimumBuilding Size
Chain Drug Stores
Walmart
Makeovers
Auto-Related Uses
Car Washes
Auto-Body Repair Shops
Vehicle Sales Agencies
Quick Lubes
Tire Sales and Repair Shops
Muffler Replacement Shops
Gas Station Canopies
Pump Location
Gas Price Signage
Signs with Movable Lettering
Miscellaneous Land Uses
Hardware Stores
Self-Storage Facilities
Hair Salons
Churches
Other Design Issues
Minimum
Building
Height
Multilevel Buildings on Sloping Sites
Landscaping-Retaining Existing Trees
Landscaping-Planting and Maintaining
New Deciduous Canopy Trees
Preventing Tree Butchery
Planting Evergreen Trees
Walkways in Commercial and Mixed Use Developments
Green Space in Commercial and Mixed Use Developments
Courtyards and Outdoor Rooms
Landscaped Berms
Stormwater Management Issues
-Rain Jails+ versus Wildlife Ponds
Parking
LotRainGardens
Rain
Gardens
as Entry Features
Light Pollution and Dark Sky Issues
Hooded Lamps
Gas Station Canopies
Internally Illuminated Signs
Industrial Park Site Design Choices
Demonstration Sites within
Chautauqua County, New York
Westfield
BusinessPark
Ellicott
HighwayCorridorBusinessPark
Conclusion: Where to Go from Here
Appendix 1: Image Preference Survey
The Purpose and Process
The Results: Commercial/Industrial
The Results: Residential
Appendix 2: Making Your Design Review Process Defensible:
A Case Study from WashingtonState
Appendix 3: Road Access Control Ordinance
Appendix 4: Birmingham Crossroads Overlay District Standards, Milton, Georgia
Appendix 5: Suggestions for Further Reading
About the Author
Art Credits
Index