Ord2003 1130-317 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

IX. ACCESS AND PARKING A. Access: Development of the property is constrained by a long-standing easement granted for access to the rear of the property facing Main Street. The easement defines the circulation and access to residential parking at the rear of the building. B. Parking: Although this Precise Plan does not meet the City's current parking requirements (2.25 stalls per unit), this downtown location, near transit and an array of local services within walking distance minimizes the need for residents to depend on automobile ownership. In addition, the 150 feet of frontage on Walnut Street provides substantial evening curbside parking. Tailoring the need for parking for small, infill downtown sites is an important incentive, one not possible in more suburban locations. 1. Required Parking: Minimum 1.25 parking spaces per unit. Maximum 1.5 parking spaces per unit. 2. Design: Innovative approaches to parking, including shared spaces, tandem parking and stacked parking are encouraged to minimize the impact of parking on site design. 3. Management: Applicant will provide a parking management plan for approval of the Planning and Redevelopment Services staff that outlines how proposed resident parking will work. X. DESIGN GUIDANCE The present design of this block has little positive character consisting primarily of blank commercial walls and fenced parking and storage. One of the greatest measures of a project's success will be the quality and fit of the development on Walnut Street, the evidence that it enhances and becomes a part of downtown, and that it becomes a model for other infill residential uses. The suburban character of the senior housing across Walnut Street supports the residential character of the street but offers few clues to the best design for this site. The design key is the streetscape experience, the quality, details and materials at the pedestrian level. The following provisions are based on urban design principals for site and architectural review. A. Building Style - The architectural design of the building(s) will complement the historic character of the Downtown. Building walls should be well detailed and articulated to give shadow and interest to all elevations. The design will emphasize the individual units through window design and fenestration. B. Building Orientation - Front entrances will face Walnut Street with inviting, well-lighted, ground level entries, porches, stoops, landscaped setbacks and similar features to create a transition from public to private spaces. Security gates, if used, shall be set well back from the sidewalk and use design and materials that provide attractive gateways, rather than just security. C. Dominate Materials -Wood, stone and other natural materials shall be used to enrich building detail and visual interest. 852- 860 WALNUT STREET PRECISE PLAN 5 CP #1 1130-317