Planning for Dense Infill

and Redevelopment

David Morley

Lisa Nisenson

Dan Parolek

Norman Wright

New Partners for Smart Growth

February 8, 2013

WHY ARE WE HERE? If neighborhood opposition is the # 1* reason

infill fails, why are we not addressing it with

every ounce of energy we have?

* or #2 depending on the whims of the finance industry

WHY DO THIS? • To put all design factors on par with (or ahead of) density/height;

• to signal an honest, dedicated approach to identifying and addressing potential impacts;

• to provide solutions in the design process that will lower costs and improve operation and maintenance over time;

• to identify the full range of participants needed throughout the life of the project and get them to the table;

• to provide stakeholders an organized, comprehensive resource;

• to change the dynamics of land-use battles to deliver better neighborhood

design.

WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS NEED

• Insane focus on the edge

• Insanely visual

• Insanely helpful

• Insanely relatable

• Don’t just address – pre-think

WHAT DOES LOOK LIKE?

CONSIDERATIONS

• the development context;

• the planning and zoning context;

• the process for the plan effort, including compatibility and transitions;

• various potential impacts;

• options for preventing or mitigating impacts through policy, design, and transportation infrastructure;

• Long-term operations, maintenance, and enforcement considerations.

WHY NOT LISTEN? Visual

• Ugly height and massing of buildings

• Yucky building materials

• Crappy, cheap-looking signs

• Shadows & solar rights

• Junky balconies

• TMI

Character

• Changes to community character

• Destruction of historic buildings and features

• (Un)safety

• Loss of affordable housing or retail

• Stingy park space

Financial

• Decreased Property Values

• Overcrowded, lower-performing schools

WHY NOT LISTEN?

Environmental • Poor air circulation (wind tunnels or lack of circulation) • Screwy green space/token street trees • Urban heat island • Increased runoff & flooded basements

Traffic and Transportation • Increased traffic & congestion • Cut-through traffic • Overflow parking • Insufficient curbside parking and loading space • Poor passageways for pedestrians

Operational • Noise and odor • Light pollution and glare • Live music • Garbage & recycling collection • Outdoor dining • Dogs & Pets

WHY NOT COMMUNICATE BETTER?

WE NEED SOMETHING

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT • Multiple Audiences

– Adjacent Neighbors

– Developers and Architects

– Planners and Engineers (lots of engineers)

– Elected/Appointed Officials

– Policy Wonks & Researchers

– General Public

– Vendors

• Visual

• Readily shared

• Aspirational

• Solution Driven

Beyond Early Adopters

From Diffusion of Innovation, Everett Rogers

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE “DISRUPTERS?”

Transition slide

• Either 2nd slide announcing line up or last of mine tying together.