AUTHENTIC DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS FOR CITIES, TOWNS, … · Why We Wrote This Book Fastest growing...
Transcript of AUTHENTIC DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS FOR CITIES, TOWNS, … · Why We Wrote This Book Fastest growing...
TRUE WEST AUTHENTIC DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS FOR CITIES, TOWNS, AND RURAL AREAS
James van Hemert The Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute 303-871-6319
Why We Wrote This Book
Fastest growing region in the country
A mediocre track record from the 1990s
Growing recognition of natural limits to growth
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%
AZ CA CO ID MT NM NV OR UT WA WY
Population Growth, 1990-2000
“We are rearranging the Alhambra with a
steam shovel, and we are
proud of our yardage”
--Aldo LeopoldRecreational Bulldozing
FAVORITE PASTTIME
HOW THE WEST IS DIFFERENT• Climate Extremes: Dry, Hot, Cold
• Extensive Federal Ownership
• Fragile Environment/Wildlife
• Explosive Growth—in most places
• Wide Open Spaces
• Majestic Scenery
• Native American, Spanish, Mormon Influences
• Culture of independence
• Demonstrate that development can be done better
• Present simple, systematic way based on historical precedents and modern best practices
• No formulaic answers
OUR GOALS:
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS
FOUR MAJOR INFLUENCES:1. NATIVE AMERICAN--Anasazi2. SPANISH LAW OF THE INDIES3. RAILROAD TOWNS4. MORMON TOWN PLANNING
NATIVE AMERICAN
Graceful integration in landscape
Human scale Orientation to sun Water conservation Intimate public places
SPANISH LAW OF THE INDIES Focus town on intimate public
squares Public squares—design with nature Use grid for sun exposure Use narrow streets for shade Arcades for shelter Consistent building materials/styles
RAILROAD TOWNS AND THE GRID SYSTEM
RAILROAD TOWNS 1st RR towns appear before
1860 east of Mississippi Pacific Railroad Act of 1862
spurs transcontinental railway and RR towns
“Wicked, wonderful…and short-lived”
A few became important cities: Tacoma, Reno, Fresno, Billings, Albuquerque, and Cheyenne
RAILROAD TOWNS AND THE GRID SYSTEM
RAILROAD TOWNS Rigid grid pattern, but a
variety of forms Symmetric town was
earliest—two business streets facing each other across RR tracks
Orthogonal—tracks bisect main street
T-town—town built on just one side of tracks with main street perpendicular to tracks
RAILROAD TOWNS AND THE GRID SYSTEM
General Grenville Dodge, UP RR surveyor, lays out Cheyenne in 1867
Indians attack while town being plotted—2 crew die
By end of year, 4,000 people--½ of town’s buildings were saloons
In 1868 Dodge laments city is the “gambling center of the world.”
KEY FEATURES OF CHEYENNE TOWN PLAN
Four-square mile plat Blocks 264 X 280 feet 18-foot wide alleys Entire grid angled 23 degrees to NW to maximize sun penetration in winter
RAILROAD TOWNS AND THE GRID SYSTEM
ADVANTAGES OF THE RR TOWN GRID
Connections throughout town
Unlimited expansion Sun exposure and views Wagon turning radius
RAILROAD TOWNS AND THE GRID SYSTEMDISADVANTAGES OF THE
GRID AND RR TOWNS Not appropriate for all
terrains and environments
Unimaginative pattern Too many of them Can lead to sprawl
MORMON TOWN PLANNING IDEALS
Compact, nucleated farming community vs. dispersal
15—20,000 population
1 square mile with 660 X 660 sq ft blocks
MORMON TOWN PLANNING IDEALS
Streets 132 feet wide One house/lot and
uniform 25-foot setback
Houses of brick and stone
3 central blocks for public buildings and temples
HISTORICAL PATTERNS AT SITE LEVEL Clustered building patterns Simple, land-hugging
architecture Steeply pitched roofs in
mountains; lower profiles in flat/rolling terrain
Natural colors—but not always Fencing and other site
elements
MAJOR CASE STUDIES
Organization:--Climate/setting--Regulatory standards and processes--Project description/key elements--Market success--Pattern language lessons
7 Major cases
Teton County, WY: Melody Ranch
Clustered housing subdivision 8% growth rate The place
--Stunning scenery and wildlife--High elevation/cold--97% federal land--Economy: tourism and
ranching--Severe affordable housing shortage
VITAL STATISTICS 893 Acres 463 Acres Open Space—52% Plus 135 Acres Recreational Land 401 Dwelling Units—128 Affordable Lot Sizes: ¼ acre to 5 acres plus
townhouses No Commercial Component
Measuring Success Visually appealing Buildings retain ranch flavor Environmentally sensitive Significant affordable
housing Marketable No commercial component Distance from town Time-consuming review
process
Eagle County, CO: Eagle Ranch—Norman Rockwell at the OK Corral
Neotraditional development in small town 8%+ growth rate + proposed ski
area and golf courses The place
--Wide undeveloped mountainvalley along booming I-70
--Small town, scenery, wildlife--Economy: tourism, skiing, second homes --Severe affordable housing shortage
VITAL STATISTICS 1,967 Acres 1,290 Units Lot sizes from 4,500 s.f. to ½ acre Variety of housing types 951 acres open space + 196 acre golf
course Commercial = 120,000 s.f. + 175,000 s.f.
medical facilities
Measuring SuccessPLUSES: Preserved OS and
creek
Close to town with trail connections
Major park facilities
Measuring SuccessPLUSES: School in
neighborhood
Better than 70s/80s subdivisions
Relatively affordable
Measuring SuccessMinuses:Building setbacks and
height—too tight and too high
Midwestern and southern building styles
Measuring SuccessMinuses:Midwestern and southern
building stylesPicket fences and blue
grass--everywhere
Focused Case Studies
“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”
–Aldo Leopold,A Sand County Almanac
IMPLEMENTATION TOOL BOX
Acquisition
Capital improvements
Incentives
Regulations
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail”—Mark Twain
IMPLEMENTATION TOOL BOX
“In the West, a six-shooter and a smile are more persuasive than a smile alone” --Teddy Roosevelt
KEY ELEMENTS Landscaping and vegetation
protection Fencing Roads and Corridors Open space/scenic views Lighting
Implementation Approach
NOT one-size-fits all model language
Hierarchy of tools/regs. depending on resources, staffing, politics
Specific examples with contacts
Contact & CreditsThe Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute
www.law.du.edu/rmlui303-871-6319
Historic Photos of Sublette CountyMuseum of the Mountain ManBertha Boulter CollectionBill Cox CollectionHelen Atwood Collection