Urban Design Handbook 1006

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Urban Design Handbook

Sept ember 2006Ci t y of Bat on Rouge Par ish of East Bat on Rouge Planning Commission


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1WHAT IS URBAN DESIGN? 2ELEMENTS OF URBAN DESIGN 3URBAN DESIGN DISTRICT 6ESTABLISHING AN URBAN DESIGN DISTRICT 7COMPOSITION OF AN URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE 8WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH URBAN DESIGN? 9URBAN DESIGN IN BATON ROUGE: THE HORIZON PLAN 10EXISTING URBAN DESIGN DIST 11GROWTH CENTER COMMUNITY PLANNING 12UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE 13

BATON ROUGE SMART GROWTH AND URBAN DESIGN 14SIGNAGE 15

PARKING, LANDSCAPE AND TREES 16

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 19

REFERENCES 20


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When determining design decisions about any development site, be careful not move too hastilythrough crucial considerations which address the suitability and limitations of a piece of land fordevelopment in the first place - such as geology, hydrology, ecology, the availability of streets,utilities, and a system to handle storm water flow. These considerations should be assessed beforedesigning a site plan

Baton Rouges Unified Development Code standards deal with the basic physical fabric of thecity.

The fabric is composed of a collection ofparts, starting with buildings, parking lots,services and utilities, streets, parks,drainage ways, and natural areas.

This Handbook illustrates solutions tosome basic local standards for how toarrange the parts of real estatedevelopments.

Goals for the functioning, health, andappearance of the Baton Rougecommunity depend on arranging theparts of new developments more alongthe lines of a traditional walkable town.This means confronting and balancingthe tendency for disconnecteddevelopments dominated by traffic,parking lots, and garages.

INTRODUCTION

Good Urban Design promotes how buildings arescaled and oriented towards the street. Walkways are

landscaped to buffer between pedestrians andvehicular circulation.


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What is Urban Design ?

Urban design is the discipline between planning and architecture which can create or renew asense of local pride and identity. It has great potential for enhancing the visual image and qualityof neighborhoods by providing a three-dimensional physical form to policies described in a

comprehensive plan. It focuses on design of the public realm, which is created by both publicspaces and the buildings that define them. Urban design views these spaces holistically and isconcerned with bringing together the different disciplines responsible for the components of citiesinto a unified vision. Compared to comprehensive plans, urban design plans generally have a shorttime horizon are typically area or project specific.

Key elements of an urbandesign plan include the planitself, the preparation ofdesign guidelines for

buildings, the design of thepublic realm - the openspace, streets, sidewalks,and plazas between andaround buildings and thepublic interest issues ofbuildings. These includemassing, placement, sun,shadow, and wind issues.

Urban design plans are

prepared for various areas,including downtowns,waterfronts, campuses,corridors, neighborhoods,mixed use developments,and special districts. Issuesto be considered includeexisting development,proposed development, utility infrastructure, streets framework,and sustainable development principals. Urban design plans require interdisciplinary collaborationamong urban designers, architects, landscape architects, planners, civil and environmentalengineers, and market analysts.

Baton Rouge, through the implementation of the Horizon Plan has taken some bold steps topreserve and enhance the appearance of the community including the adoption of sign, landscape,and lighting ordinances. Additional elements addressed by urban design also include parking andservice areas, transportation, building orientation, building materials, and fencing, which canincrease property values.

An example of mixed use development, with clearly defined pedestrian areas,lanscaping, and signage.


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Elements of Urban Design

o Signage

o Lighting

o Parking

o Landscaping

o Service areas

o Fencing

o Building materials

o Building articulation

o Transportation

Neighborhood scene with pedestrian ways, building articulation & landscaping.

Lighting, signage, parking , landscaping,

building articulation and transportation elements.


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Signage

When choosing a sign one must consider severalaspects as to the desired size, type and placement ofa sign. The first question that you should ask is howmuch space do you have to construct a sign? If youhave limited space you should consider constructing awall, canopy or awning sign. If the site is large enoughto construct a monument sign you should do so inaddition to wall, canopy or awning signs.Architecturally integrate all signs with their surroundings in terms of size, shape, color, texture andlighting so that they are complementary to the overall design of the building and are not in visualcompetition with other signs in the area.

Lighting

Lighting is an important element in Urban Design. When

considering a lighting design one must take into accountthe type of light needed for the specific purpose of thesite. Is the light designed to enhance security to theproperty, provide ambiance, aid drivers by increasingvisibility on roadways, or is used simply to illuminate asign? Once you know what kind of lighting you want thenit is a relatively simple process deciding what type oflighting you need. Consult the U.D.C. for Baton Rougeto determine the proper lighting for you structure or site.

Parking

Parking is an essential element in regards to urbandesign and traffic circulation. A parking plan should bedeveloped for each site prior to development (consultthe Unified Development Code). The type and numberof parking spaces should reflect the desired uses ofeach site. Landscaping of parking areas is alsorecommended to provide shade, enhance the beauty ofa site, and allow for a reduction is storm-water runoff.Parking structures are generally constructed using

asphalt or concrete, but the East Baton Rouge CityParish Planning Commission suggests the use ofalternative and porous pavement materials wheneverfeasible.

Landscaping

The enhancement of an areas aesthetic beauty is directly related to that areas landscaping. Allefforts should be made to enrich the visual landscape of Baton Rouge. Each parcel of landshould be landscaped thereby reinforcing the areas sense of place.


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Service Areas

When considering the placement of service areas one shouldremember the old maxim, out of site, out of mind. Serviceareas should be oriented towards the rear of the building tominimize visual eyesores. In addition service areas should bescreened from public view, and the best way to do this is tobuild a solid fence around the service area in the same styleas the building to which the service area is designated.

Fencing

Good fences make good neighbors so it is to everyones ad-vantage to construct, and maintain good solid fences betweentwo abutting properties, especially when the abutting proper-ties are not under the same zoning classification. Chain-linkand barbed-wire fences are discouraged as building materi-

als in many areas of Baton Rouge. Wood and masonry fencesare preferred.

Building Materials

Facade treatment and the architectural detail of buildings con-tribute significantly to the way a building reads from the street and to the character and continuityof the streetscape. The composition and detailing of the building facade also has an impact on theapparent bulk and scale of a building. It is important when considering the design of new develop-ment that the predominant patterns, compositions and articulation of facades reinforces the char-acter and continuity of the streetscape. This does not mean replicating the appearance of build-

ings. Contemporary design solutions based on sound design principles, which reinforce and makereference to the underlying elements that create the character of the area are encouraged.Design consideration is to be given to the underlying buildingmaterials that contribute to the character of a building. Suchthings include roof shape, pitch and overhangs; entry porches,verandas, balconies and terraces; materials, finishes, fixtures,patterns, fenestrations, colors and detailing; the location andproportion of windows and doors.

Building Articulation

Building articulation refers to the three dimensional modelingof a building and its surfaces, giving emphasis to architecturalelements (windows, balconies, porches, entries, etc.) that cre-ate a complementary pattern or rhythm, dividing large buildings into smaller identifiable pieces.Building articulation establishes the buildings street address, its response to the local contextand environmental conditions and the degree of continuity between indoor and outdoor rooms.Use existing lot structure to influence the design of building articulation when development onamalgamated sites is required to respond to the existing or prevalent lot structure.


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Urban Design Zoning District

Urban Design Zoning Districts include design guidelines and also regulate permitted uses in the

district. This type of design district is utilized when properties are in transition, usually from aresidential use to an office or neighborhood commercial use. Urban Design Zoning Districts donot automatically rezone parcels in the district when the design district is approved. Each propertyowner must apply to the Planning Commission to rezone their property to Urban Design District.Urban Design Zoning Districts regulate use as well as operating rules for the specific uses, forexample operating hours. This type of design district tends to utilize more stringent designregulations, including building materials and setbacks. A goal of Urban Design Zoning Districts isto minimize impacts on neighboring residents and establish a high level of design quality.

Urban Design Overlay District

Urban Design Overlay Districts do not change the underlying zoning category, i.e. all permitteduses remain the same, but rather impose additional requirements relating to concerns such asgreenspace, landscape, and architectural features.

Urban Design Overlay District guidelines are a voluntary supplement to general zoning regulations,designed to provide a framework for the protection and enhancement of the aesthetic, economicand environmental quality by addressing development issues as related to neighborhood characterand economic diversity.

This type of design district is utilized in areas with a mixture of uses and zonings. Urban Design

Overlay Districts can bring uniformity and cohesion to areas with a mixture of residential, office andcommercial uses. Existing mixed use areas benefit from the design standard guidelines providedby an Urban Design Overlay District.

Urban Design Districts provide guidelines for development activity in clearly defined special designareas and can strengthen the physical and economic character of each neighborhood by mitigatingor avoiding functional and architectural incompatibility of buildings or services. This is typicallyachieved by a process known as corridor planning.

Urban Design Districts

Transportation

When planning a new development one should make transportation one of their foremost con-cerns. You should incorporate into your development a sidewalk system with walkways with largeenough surface area to allow at least two people to walk side by side concurrently. Attentionshould also be given to cyclists. You should provide an adequate number of bicycle parking spacesas well as bicycle racks which are in plain sight and easily accessible to all.

Public transit should also be incorporated into development plans with new bus shelters and stops.Public transportation decreases the number of vehicles on the road, thus reducing traffic andemissions, as well as providing those without vehicles a means to travel, shop and go to work.


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ESTABLISHING AN URBAN DESIGN DISTRICT

Process

o Form a committee

o Define the purpose

o Specify the boundaries of Urban Design District

o Establish urban design guidelines

o Present to Planning Commission

o Present to Metropolitan Council

o After Planning Commission and Metropolitan Councilapproval, the Urban Design District becomes partof the Unified Development Code

This is an example of a well defined Urban Design District with building articulation,

open areas for recreation and the incorporation of natural features.


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Composition of an Urban Design Committee

Urban Design Committee Composition

It is suggested that the committee include representatives from the following groups:

Five (5) Representatives from area civic or neighborhood associations

Three (3) Representatives from the business community

Two (2) Representatives from the real estate/development community

Two (2) Representatives from the design field (architecture, landscape architecture, planning)

One (1) Representative from the field of engineering (civil or transportation)

One (1) Metropolitan Council member or representative

One (1) Planning Director as ex officio member

The Planning Commission and representatives of the Department of Public Works will be invited toparticipate. The Metropolitan Council member appoints a committee chairman.

The Committee may meet as often asnecessary. The Planning Commission willprovide space for formal committeemeetings, and will provide technicalassistance necessary for the committeeto complete its work.


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Urban Design guidelines have greatpotential for enhancing the visualimage and quality of neighborhoods.These next few examples showsimulations of intersections androadways here in Baton Rouge.

In this image, the original signs have

been replaced with monument signsaccording to the design guidelines forthe urban design district. The utilitieshave also been consolidated.

Landscape improvements have beenimplemented as well as pedestrianamenities. Increased landscapingenhances the aesthetic appeal of thearea.

What Can BeAccomplished with

Urban Design?


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The Horizon Plan

Specific goals and objectives in the Horizon Plan provide for protection and enhancement of thecharacter of existing business, commercial and residential areas, as well as the visual and aestheticcharacter of the Parish. Action Items or strategies in the Horizon Plan call for citizen participation

in order to maintain or establish neighborhood identity through Urban Design Guidelines.

An Urban Design Program providing guidelines for development activity in clearly defined areas, ordesign districts, can also be used to strengthen the physical and economic character of areasthroughout the Parish. These design districts may include Growth Centers, major transportationcorridors, historic districts, and other unique community areas, and features.

Design guidelines provide a connection between general planning policies and implementingregulations. The principal purpose of design guidelines is to convey a sense of the preferred qualityfor a place. Although the written language aspect is necessary, particularly to meet legal tests,design guidelines often use photographs, sketches, and diagrams to convey their information. No

single form of communication alone is adequate to explain design concepts so that they aremeaningful to planners, designers and the general public.

The principal users of guidelines are the participants in the development process: architects,landscape architects, project managers, the building owners, as well as the reviewing body. Designguidelines, though sometimesburdensome, are not meant to encumberparticipants in the development process.Instead, they are to aid development andfuture growth for the city. All projectsrequire the applications of numerous

codes and standards, including building,fire, mechanical, electric, safety, traffic,and environmental. Certainly the additionof a set of design guidelines addressingthe exterior of a project adds somecomplexity, but it need not be onerous.

The public should make use of guidelines.They can serve as a yardstick to measurehow successful a proposed project is in

its surroundings. Furthermore, acomparison of the project with the guidelines can reveal a need to strengthen the language, improvethe review process itself, or carry out enforcement.

Real estate agents can use them to inform a client of their obligations in a property purchase.Guidelines reveal locations and subjects in which a community has a keen interest. They can warnpeople to be prepared to address certain issues. Guidelines can also be effective in sending amessage as to expectations.

Enhanced visual and aesthetic characer, alternative

parking and landscaping.


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Existing Urban Design Districts

The Bluebonnet Corridor was the first Urban Design District established in East Baton RougeParish. The design guidelines in this area focus on compatibility of office uses with adjacentresidential properties.

The Bluebonnet Boulevard Corridor Study began in response to concerns regarding the futureland use of the newly constructed Bluebonnet Boulevard extension. The result, after months ofpublic input and the creation of design guidelines, was Baton Rouges first Urban Design District.The City-Parish of East Baton Rouges 20 year comprehensive plan, known as the Horizon Planincludes a set of Action Items which are related to urban design in Baton Rouge.

Bluebonnet Boulevard is a major corridor in Baton Rouge. When plans were made to extend theroad, it was apparent that the extension would have to cut through a residential area. In order toaddress the needs of the community, the Planning Commission worked to form a Committeecomprised of property owners, developers and representatives from neighborhood associations.

After months of public input and committee meetings, design guidelines were created to addressthe following seven elements: Setbacks; Landscaping and Buffers; Building Height and Size;Parking; Building Materials; Lighting; and Signage. The Bluebonnet Boulevard UDD was dividedinto subareas and guidelines were catered to fit each subarea, depending on lot size and proximityto homes. Greenspace and preservation of selected trees were incorporated into the designguidelines. In addition to landscaping the medians, the City-Parish Department of Public Workslandscaped several cityowned lots in Urban Design District 1 to enhance the overall aestheticbeauty of the corridor.

The procedure by which Urban Design District 1 was established is an excellent example of public

participation in the local planning process. Despite the lengthy planning process, what has beenachieved by directly working with the community and taking into consideration the needs of allresidents is a set of guidelines that incorporate transportation planning, and land use planningwhile at the same time retaining the characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood.

The Growth Center Community Planning Process also educates the public on the benefits ofUrban Design Overlay Districts. Growth Centers include mixed use areas identified by the HorizonPlan for their potential to establish design districts.

Since the first Urban Design District was established in Baton Rouge, several additional designdistricts have been established. The Planning Commission continues to coordinate with

communities in Baton Rouge regarding Urban Design Districts.


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Growth Center Community Planning

Growth Center Community Planning is based primarily on active community participation. At theconclusion of each public meeting, citizens have the option to form their own committee and begina community-based planning effort with the assistance of the Planning Commission and otherdesign and planning professionals. This community based planning effort will involve residents,

business people, landowners, and patrons working together as a committee to identify specificdesign assets and challenges within their community. The Growth Center Community DesignCommittee will then work with the Planning Commission to identify the proper tools available toaddress those assets and challenges. Using this framework and professional assistance, thecommittee can then create a set of urban design guidelines to be used by the Planning Commissionwhen reviewing future development and redevelopment.

The Growth Centers were adopted with the Horizon Plan in 1992. Specific boundaries for theGrowth Centers were delineated in 1997 after a series of public meetings around the parish. TheGrowth Center Community Planning Process is a planning education program that began in 2003

with the Horizon Plan updated and will continue until 2007 with a series of public meetings throughoutthe Parish to focus on urban design guidelines in Growth Centers. The purpose of the publicmeetings is to give residents, patrons, business owners and land owners opportunity to participatein planning for their Growth Center. Elements to be studied in each Growth Center includetransportation, land use, environmental features, and design. Topics for discussion at the meetingsinclude Horizon Plan land use, bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities, landscape improvements,and possible design guidelines for future construction in Growth Centers. Growth Centers areareas of concentrated activity such as retail, office, public facilities, a range of residentialdevelopment, cultural and recreational activities linked with a variety of transportation choicessuch as vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian.There are two types of Growth Centers:

Regional Growth Centers

These include regional shopping centers, institutions, higher density office and residentialcomplexes, medical centers, and other major activities serving both the City-Parish and adjacentparishes. There are 10 Regional Growth Centers.

Community Growth Centers

These include community shopping centers, office and residential complexes, public andrecreational facilities and similar activities serving community areas. There are 19 Community GrowthCenters.


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What is the Unified Development Code?

The UDC was developed in August 1996 with the assistance of a technical advisory committee. TheUDC Committee was comprised of seven members representing professional fields associated

with development and construction: attorney at law, engineer, developer, realtor, banker, contractorand real estate appraiser. The committee reviewed the existing ordinances and made minor formatand text changes. No major changes were made during this review and codification. As aconsolidation of land use regulations into one comprehensive and easy-to-use document, theUnified Development Code for East Baton Rouge Parish includes the current Zoning Ordinance,Subdivision Regulations, Landscape Ordinance, Tree Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, FloodPrevention Ordinance and portions of the City Code that logically fit the format.

A UDC is at work in East Baton Rouge Parish. The UDC, consolidates various developmentordinances and regulations into a single reference manual, which will ease the preparation of plansand applications for residents and developers.

Sections of the UDC that relate to urban design include:o Zoning Districts (Chapter 8)o Dimensional Regulations (Chapter 11)o Recreation Facilities and Open Space (Chapter 12)o Streets and Sidewalks (Chapter 13)o Utilities (Chapter 14)o Signs (Chapter 16)o Parking (Chapter 17)o Landscape and Trees (Chapter 18)

The UDC treats in one text those areas of regulation more typically dealt with in separate zoning andsubdivision ordinances. The combined approach of the Unified Development Code provides severaladvantages. Because modern development tends to require review by multiple agencies andconformance with multiple ordinances, the combination of all of these ordinances into the UDCformat will allow the development process to be more efficient.

o The UDC permits the land use control system to be administered more efficiently because theadministrators and members of the various boards need to become familiar with only one set ofstandards. The approval processes for all types of development are covered in one ordinance.

o The UDC avoids the overlapping, conflicting or inconsistent ordinance provisions found in landuse control systems consisting of separate zoning and subdivision ordinances. It avoids excessive

regulation and redundancy.

Unified Development Code


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Baton Rouge Smart Growth and Urban Design

The Smart Growth Leadership Institute (SGLI) andthe University of Southern California (USC) fundedby a grant from the United Stated EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) are providing technical

assistance to communities that have made acommitment to smart growth but are struggling withimplementation, building support, identifying themost problematic policies, and other issues thattypically accompany a major change indevelopment practice.

Baton Rouge was selected as one of ninecandidate communities in the nation after anextensive application and review process. Theproject team composed of Jessica Cogan (SGLI),Susan Weaver (USC), Deepak Bahl (USC), andChris Williamson (USC) reviewed both the policiesand zoning codes of Baton Rouge and conductedan audit of the Unified Development Code toidentify inconsistencies between smart growthpolicies and implementing codes.

In March of 2004, the project team visited Baton Rouge, held meetings with stakeholders includingdevelopers, local political leaders, as well as planning staff, and presented preliminary findings tothe Smart Growth Task Force.

In 2005, the office of the Mayor-President initiated a Smart Growth Partnership to bring public andprivate groups together in an effort to implement policy recommendations from the Smart GrowthAudit. Subcommittees were formed to discuss Design, Infill Development and Street DesignStandards. Amendments have been made to the Unified Development Code with work still ongoing.


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Above: example of banner sign.Top Left:

example of acceptable awnings and wall sign.Bottom Left:

example of monument sign.

Signage


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Parking, Landscaping and Trees

90-degree parking along connecting walkwaysis intrusive, physically and visually. Pedestrian-friendlysolutions make room for a clear walkway area that is defined separately from the bumper overhangarea. Think in terms of a curb area wide enough for the overhanging cars, plus an adequatesidewalk. The sidewalk part can be marked by a row of trees, paving details as simple as scored

bands, and landscaping. This is a place for creative design attention.

Tree cutouts and concrete scoring define aseparate walkway area. Connecting walkways

warrant this kind of attention.

Same width with definition, plus angled parking.

Ample width (10 feet) but no definition.

5 feet the bare minimum allowed by the standards.

Can work for secondary or utilitarian walkways.


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Above, design mitigation of development arranged around the car,

with landscaping, architectural quality, and parking limited to justone row of stalls. But the issue here is the form of development

created by the basic arrangement.Developments will be arranged more like the lower sketch, with parking at the

rear of buildings.


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A streetscape with defined pedestrian areas, and maintained landscaping.


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Public Participation

Community participation is the involvement of citizens in the creation and management of theirbuilt and natural environments. Its strength is that it cuts across traditional professional boundariesand cultures. The activity of community participation is based on the principle that the built and

natural environments work better if citizens are actively involved in its creation and managementinstead of being treated as passive consumers.

The main purposes of participation are:

o To involve citizens in planning and design decision-making process and, as a result,make it more likely they will work within established systems when seeking solutionsto problems.

o To provide citizens with a voice in planning and decision-making in order to improveplans, decisions, service delivery, and overall quality of the environment.

o To promote a sense of community by bringing together people who share commongoals.

o Although any given participation process does not automatically ensure siroccos, itcan be claimed that the process will minimize failure, and reduce success (Not In MyBack Yard). Experiences in the participation process show that the main source ofuser satisfaction is not the degree to which a persons needs have been met, butthe feeling of having been influenced the decision.

From public hearings to neighborhoodmeetings, planners seek out public imput in

the decision making process.


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References

Baton Rouge: Horizon Plan, April 1992

Baton Rouge: Unified Development Code, March 2003

Fort Collins Urban Design Guidebook, Edition 1, May 2000, Fort Collins, Colorado

Getting To Know Smart Growth, International City/County Managment association, 2002

Planning and Urban Design, American Planning Association, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2006

Urban Design Handbook 1006

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Transcript of Urban Design Handbook 1006