Morrisville Land Use Plan 2009

5.3 Future Land Use Categories, cont’d 10. RESIDENTIAL A. Function i. To provide a variety of housing options that support the existing character of the Town. ii. To encourage residential neighborhoods that incorporate a mix of housing types and lot sizes to provide options for a range of lifestyles and incomes, as well as a mix of land uses to allow residents the opportunity to work and shop nearby. B. Preferred Uses i. Land uses in this designation should consist primarily of residential uses. ii. Housing is the principal function in Residential districts, but small scale business, en- tertainment and service uses also are permitted to provide support services to local residents. C. General Policies + Development Character i. Residential neighborhoods should have a variety of housing types and lot sizes, and should be developed in accordance with design guidelines and performance stan- dards for efficient site layout, a pedestrian-friendly scale, and adequate open space (active, passive, and natural). ii. Compact site layout is encouraged to reduce trips within the neighborhood, facilitate alternative forms of transportation, preserve natural features and reduce transportation and utilities infrastructure costs. iii. Pedestrian circulation should be designed as an integral part of the development project. In addition, vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian links should extend into the sur- rounding development. iv. Residential areas should provide for a combination of neighborhood parks, squares, and greens located throughout the neighborhood within 1,500 feet of all residences, and a formal civic square or other public space located in conjunction with a civic fa- cility, Neighborhood Center, or other use, to create a focal point for the community. v. Public and civic uses such as places of worship, daycares, and community centers may be located in prominent sites to act as landmarks within the neighborhood. vi. Off-street parking lots should be located to the rear of civic and business uses to ensure the building is the prominent sight from the street. vii. The following scales of residential uses are provided for in this plan (photo illustrations appear on page 21): a. Very low density residential (Less than or equal to 1 unit per acre net density) b. Low density residential (Greater than 1 <= 4.5 units per acre net density) c. Medium density residential (Greater than 4.5 <= 7.5 units per acre net density) d. High density residential (Greater than 7.5 units per acre net density) viii.Residential development should consider green building and site design techniques as an approach to minimizing environmental impacts.

A range of residential densities are mixed in a compact neighborhood with both attached and detached single family dwellings of various sizes, usually centered around a communal green or open space. This type of design is compatible with Morrisville’s small town character, allows for a diversity of housing and incorporates environmentally-sensitive site planning principles.

This Morrisville example incorporates a variety of housing styles and design elements that promote a pedestrian friendly scale.

encouraged discouraged

Parking lots relegated to the rear of buildings or inter- nal to the block (rather than adjacent to the roadway) allow buildings to be drawn to the street edge and contribute to the pedestrian atmosphere of the street. This also provides convenient building entry access from the sidewalk and transit. This strategy reduces walking distances and enlivens the streetscape while still providing for adequate parking.

Residential areas should provide for a combina- tion of neighborhood parks, squares, and greens located throughout the neighborhood within 1,500 feet of all residences.

Sidewalks should be designed as an inte- gral part of the development project and be separated from the road to provide a buf- fer between pedestrians and vehicular traf- fic. Street trees are recommended to provide shade for pedestrians and are also an effec- tive way to ensure a comfortable pedestrian zone protected from moving traffic.

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