06-08-09 Special Called City Council/4B La Porte Development Corp meeting approved -

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The new approach underlying the need for a new master plan is somewhat reflected in the Main Street Overlay and Design Guidelines. Those regulatory vehicles establish the following: Main Street Overlay Allows mixed use: commercial and residential Creates urban pedestrian environment through build-to lines Substantially reduces off-street parking requirements · Main Street Design Program Establishes standards for awnings, signs and colors Both of these regulations provide a good starting point. However, they both should be refined, and the reach of the intent of the overlay should be expanded as discussed above. The Overlay supports mixed use, but it does not provide enough certainty of the form of the buildings and the transitions beyond Main Street. Similarly, the Design Standards provide aesthetic guidance such as color; but they do not provide enough guidance for architectural function such as storefront design and public space design. The key to creating a successful walkable Greater Downtown will be revising these standards to implement the recommended new comprehensive master plan for Greater Downtown with a higher level of detail that creates investment certainty from property to property and from street to street. See below for an example of the kind of regulatory performance-based approach that could take the initiative to the next level of quality development by providing more certainty of how buildings interact with public spaces for walkability and retail success. D. GENERAL MIXED USE ZONE - IRON HORSE Dmt5 April 1 ,2009 I! 0; .... ... ;.--. ..- . :! ~ ji u:~ ~o 'II-. ~ jO(~ e.- Pn"")o&""j Forward La Porte Economic Development Strategic Plan I 2009-2013