PL PACKET 09191995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CHAPTER 2 LAND USE 11 possible in appropriate locations and the careful treatment of the edges where residential land use abuts non-residential land uses. Concentrating non-residential development, and in particular avoiding spot zoning and strip development patterns, minimizes the number of residential/non-residential edges that occur. Where they do occur, landscaping, careful site design, special height restrictions and setback requirements, among other things, can be used to protect residential properties. The effects of traffic can be somewhat controlled by locating land uses so higher volume traffic. generators are closest to major streets. In this way, traffic can be kept off local, residential streets. In many areas, residential uses will have to be located next to major streets. In these cases, the possible negative effects of the location can be minimized though site planning techniques such as increased setbacks, and location of open space adjacent to the roadway. The particular problem of freeway noise has been dealt with through construction of noise abatement barriers. One technique that should not be used is to uniformly locate apartments in undesirable areas, such as adjacent to freeways. Particular building types, such as apartments, should not be thought of as a buffer use in less desirable areas, though it may occur that they are appropriate uses in some instances. Consistent with the desire that apartments should not be located in inferior areas, is the desire that these areas not be inferior in their architectural or site design. While the intent is that these developments should not be excessively costly and loaded with unused facilities, they should provide for the basic open space and recreation needs of their residents. Usable open space and tot lots should be minimum requirements for apartment developments. A major objective of this plan as it relates to residential land uses is the provision of opportunities for the development of a variety of housing types in a variety of price ranges. The present housing stock provides this diversity through the present mix of older and newer single family homes, duplexes, apartments, townhouses and mobile homes. A function of this plan is to maintain this diversity in the development of new areas. This is proposed to be done through development of the larger parcels as planned residential developments ' (PRD). Through the PRD, a variety of structure types and lot sizes can be allowed as part of a single development having significant open space. A density bonus is also offered for development under this procedure as an incentive for conformance to City goals such as provision of amenities, protection of natural areas and conformance to housing goals. Part of the present diversity in the housing stock exists because of the large number of smaller homes and lots in the older eastern part of the community. This area is dominated by lots which are 5,000 square feet in area and 40 to 50 feet in width. They provide a reservoir of modestly-priced, affordable housing, which is an important community asset. The existing and proposed amounts of residential land use by acreage is graphically portrayed in Figures lA and 1B.