06-30-08 Joint Meeting/Special Called Meeting of La Porte City Council and Main Street Advisory Committee

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: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bealltificlltion II1IIl COlIServation . : Cluzpter 10 . Guidelines for Beautification Improvement To be fully effective in achieving the community's vision for the future, a beautification program needs to be implemented citywide. However, needs often out weight the financial resources available to achieve the desired outcome. Therefore, it is recognized that there are areas of La Porte that are more visible and, thus may serve as a starting point to initiate a beautification program. These priority areas are concentrated at the entrances to the City and along its major thoroughfares, as displayed in Figure 10.1 - Gateways and Corridors. There is also a hierarchy of importance of the identified entrances and corridors dependent upon their relative viSlbility. The primary and secondary gateways and corridors are illustrated in Figure 10.1. There are a large variety of components that contnbute to the visual appearance and .'feel of a community. Some components are more apparent than others, although they all contnbute to the overall character of the community. The beautification elements identified below, if implemented, will each have a considerable impact on the visual environment and the perceived level of quality and sustainability in the community. The primary elements of a beautification program include: Overall Visual Appearance The overall visual appearance includes building facades, screening of storage areas, land use compatIbility, design cohesiveness, street aesthetics, overhead utilities, landscaping, and signs - what meets the eye - and what forms the overall impression of the city. Improvements to the appearance may include the removal of .'slipcover facades to reveal the original structure, relocation of overhead utility lines, coordination of signage, enhanced streetscape environs through landscaping and open space, increased setbacks, creation of an architectural theme, design cohesiveness, screening of storage and service areas, creation of gateways, and many other enhancements. Area Identification Area identification includes distinctive signage, lighting, landscaping, sidewalk design, and items that distinguish the area from the surrounding city. Areas may have a distinctive logo on their street signs to denote a special area such as Downtown or historic districts. Generally, area identification can be achieved through establishing something unique about the area, something that sets it apart from other areas and creates a sense of arrival upon entering the neighborhood of district. Gateways may be clearly delineated by distinct signage or by design features such as decorative light fixtures, unique pavement patterns, fencing, and enhanced landscaping. Gateways establish identity. Page 10-12 .. . . . . It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . It. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . It. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. La Pone 2020 Comprehensive PlIIn Updo.te