Framework Development: Combined December Workshop & Online Questionnaire Summary
The following information summarizes impressions and comments from neighborhood stakeholders on
specific proposals for land-use or transportation changes in the Old Town Neighborhoods. The data is
combined from feedback at a December workshop and an online questionnaire. Although the survey and
data collected is not scientific, it will be used to help understand how neighbors feel about the specific
transportation and land-use options presented.
LMN POCKETS
Background: Potential changes to Low Density Mixed-Use Neighborhood (LMN) zoning in the Westside
Neighborhood to reduce zoning enclaves which permit non-residential land-uses.
Option: Consider rezoning some of the LMN pockets to either Neighborhood Conservation, Low Density
(NCL) or Neighborhood Conservation, Medium Density (NCM) in the interior of the neighborhood, while
leaving LMN zoning along edges or major intersections where non-residential uses currently exist.
Comments & Feedback:
LMN is more flexible than other zoning for affordable
housing; reducing LMN eliminates choices for housing types
23.3%
33.3%
I like this
I sort of like this
5.0%
I feel neutral
I don’t like this
I need more info
23.3%
15.0%
LMN makes more sense along neighborhood edges
Worried certain non-residential land-uses like office can be
placed in LMN pockets
Preserve zoning for Beaver’s Market
Alternative option: work to reduce non-conforming uses over
time
TRANSITION AREAS
Background: Prior feedback indicated the existing, permitted land-uses in the transition areas such as the
Neighborhood Conservation Buffer (NCB) zone district were appropriate, but better design could help
improve the interface between downtown and the neighborhoods.
Option: Explore adding design standards for the NCB zone for new or redeveloping sites.
Comments & Feedback:
NCB areas should be treated individually
11.6%
12.0%
42.6%
5.9%
I like this
Worried about rent-by-the-bedroom projects
I sort of like this
Design standards okay - but they should be less restrictive
than NCL/NCM given the nature of the area as a buffer
I feel neutral
I don’t like this
I need more info
Creates another burden on home development = higher
prices
Adequate parking needed in transition areas
27.9%
Framework Development: Combined December Workshop & Online Questionnaire Summary
TRANSITION AREAS - SITE DESIGN ELEMENTS
Background: If potential design standards are utilized in the transition areas between downtown and the
neighborhoods, which site or building design elements are critical to compatibility?
Comments & Feedback:
16.4%
Ensure adequate parking for new projects
Top Selections:
26.0%
More landscaping needed for non-residential uses (leafy
neighborhood look & feel)
Landscape setbacks
Size (floor area)
15.8%
11.9%
10.2%
Massing & proportion
Height is important to protect access to winter sun
Building height
New standards need to leave enough room for creativity
Ground floor character
Encourage reuse of existing buildings
Other
19.8%
Other: land use, upper floor stepbacks,
building materials, roof form
NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAYS
Background: Improving pedestrian & bicycle mobility in the neighborhoods has been a high priority for
project stakeholders, as well as finding ways to incorporate more sustainable features and practices into the
neighborhoods.
Option: Create a network of neighborhood greenways linking the neighborhoods together and with the rest
of the community. Elements could include striped bike lanes, wayfinding, unique landscaping or sustainability
features such as bio-swales. The greenway network would likely correspond to routes identified in the draft
Bicycle Wayfinding Plan.
Comments & Feedback:
8.9%
2.5%
5.1%
East-west routes are important for connectivity, as is a northsouth route in the Westside Neighborhood
I like this
I sort of like this
I feel neutral
17.7%
I don’t like this
65.8%
I need more info
Need intersection treatments at arterial intersections
Should consider maintenance needs of enhanced
landscaping or drainage elements
If wayfinding is added, try to fit the character of the
neighborhoods
Framework Development: Combined December Workshop & Online Questionnaire Summary
ARTERIAL CORRIDORS - MULBERRY STREET
Background: Strong interest in exploring ways to improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure along arterial
corridors while also maintaining the streets as important commuting corridors. Long-term goals require more
capital and right-of-way acquisition -- what opportunities and strategies exist to improve travel for all modes
in a shorter time-frame?
Option: Utilizing existing right-of-way, explore a 4-lane to 3-lane conversion on Mulberry west of City Park
Avenue with a new center turn lane, buffered bike lanes, and future sidewalk expansion. East of City Park,
utilize Magnolia as a neighborhood greenway for enhanced bike and pedestrian travel with a potential enhanced crossing at Shields Street.
Comments & Feedback:
9.4%
Could be parking conflicts along Magnolia Street
4.7%
Turn lanes and center turn lanes would improve safety
7.8%
I like this
I sort of like this
56.3%
21.9%
I feel neutral
I don’t like this
I need more info
Would like enhanced bus service along Mulberry
High-speed roads may never capture certain segments of
cyclists and pedestrians; less comfortable and feels unsafe
Safe & convenient crossings are crucial to making
Magnolia work
Worried about impacts to traffic/delays; street seems to
be working fine as-is.
ARTERIAL CORRIDORS - SHIELDS STREET
Background: Strong interest in exploring ways to improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure along arterial
corridors while also maintaining the streets as important commuting corridors. Long-term goals require more
capital and right-of-way acquisition -- what opportunities and strategies exist to improve travel for all modes
in a shorter time-frame?
Option: Utilizing existing right-of-way, explore a 4-lane to 3-lane conversion on Shields Street north of Magnolia Street and reduced vehicle lane widths. Changes would create a new center turn lane for vehicles,
buffered bike lanes, and eventual sidewalk widening. South of Mulberry, decrease vehicle lane widths to construct an 8-foot shared bike/pedestrian pathway where the sidewalk currently exists.
Comments & Feedback:
10.6%
Center turn lane will help prevent backed-up traffic in the
middle lanes as they presently exist
9.1%
I like this
I sort of like this
42.4%
12.1%
I feel neutral
I don’t like this
I need more info
25.8%
More concerns about reducing vehicles along segments
of Shields than along West Mulberry due to traffic volume
Shared bike/ped path south of Laurel doesn’t seem wide
enough for both users; difficulty enforcing one-way for
bikes
Shields still seems inadequate for bikes, but it’s the only
true north-south route in this part of the neighborhoods
Proposed changes still don’t solve the issue of snow buildup in winter