Neighborhood Nodes
There are several opportunities to advance walkability within existing neighborhoods that fall within the East Berry Street study area. One strategy is to nurture small neighborhood- serving businesses that do not rely on high traffic counts for survival and that can be easily accessed by foot, bike, and other forms of micromobility. Some of these locations are already providing neighborhood serving uses at strategic intersections within the neighborhood fabric. With this objective, Neighborhood Nodes are a proposed Place Type that is intended to accommodate a cluster of small neighborhood-serving businesses, shops and gathering places within walking distance of existing neighborhoods. By making these areas attractive to residents, it can give the neighborhood a sense of place by providing an informal “third-place” and reduce vehicle miles traveled as more residents opt for walking, biking, To increase the likelihood of implementation, we identified areas that already have some form of commercial zoning in place. It may include some adjoining vacant or under-utilized sites that are residentially zoned. Challenges There are some challenges to implementation which should be recognized: None of the proposed Neighborhood Nodes currently have high quality pedestrian realms that would support good urban form. Therefore, in order to fully implement this vision, there would need to be some investment in the public realm (sidewalks, street trees, etc.) to create a more comfortable and safe pedestrian experience. or shorter car trips. Existing Zoning:
The existing zoning varies within each area, so a zone change or overlay would need to be utilized to bring zoning into alignment with the vision. Some neighborhood residents and business owners may be resistant to change. Implementation There are two primary actions needed to implement the vision for walkable neighborhood nodes: a form-based code zoning and investment in walkable infrastructure.
Create and allow broader categories of uses (including “missing-middle residential). Focus building form and scale of the use to ensure that it fits the neighborhood context. Adopt performance standards on how any non- residential uses that may typically have negative impacts on the adjoining properties adapt to the neighborhood context. Many of the commercial sites were developed under Euclidean zoning where the building was set-back from the street and parking is located in front. Future zoning should allow property owners to modestly improve their properties by allowing incrementally redevelopment and flexibility on their existing non-conformities. Just as important as zoning, implementation would necessitate substantial public investment in the public realm, i.e., the street right-of- way. Most streets would need some level of transformation that might include wider, shaded sidewalks, bike lanes (where appropriate), on- street parking, and other traffic calming measures to slow traffic. Zoning alone cannot create a walkable environment without improvements to the public realm.
Flexible Uses and Form
Incremental Redevelopment
Public Realm Infrastructure
LAND USE
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