AG 2004 08 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1) 2~, ~004 Page $52 Furthermore, this principle encourages schools to serve as multi-use community centers. Site Design: The site design principles help ensure that schools are easily and safely accessible to pedestrzans, bicyclists and motorists. In addition, there principles call for school site designs that enhance the streetscape, utilzze as little acreage as possible, and incorporate environmental best practices. This measure will reduce overall land acquisition and development costs and will remove less land from the tax base. Implementation Principles: The implementation principles provide the needed steps to ensure that site location and design principles are carried out to the satisfaction of all parties. These prInciples note that all agencies that have an interest in school location and construction decisions be invited to participate in the overall process. These principles also call for a predictable and repeatable process to ease the decision-making process among staff and elected officials. Principles for School Site Locations Place schools adjacent to or within communities a) Adjacent to existing neighborhood areas i) Find sites that can be connected by street or pedestrian connection ii) May differentiate by school type b) Within new neighborhoods on donated sites i) Place at the center of a community ii) Emphasis on location in mixed use developments (i.e. Alton Village) Emphasis on walkable sites a) Either greenway or sidewalk connection b) Adjacent to existing housing (use up to a ~ to I mile walking distance) c) Pedestrian friendly street design d) Walkable sites may help with non-attainment issue e) Set goal for percentage of school trips we want by foot or bike (e.g. Walkable CommunitIes Inc. suggests 40% as a goal) f) May need walk guards to help with street crossings Place schools to create community centers a) Emphasis on multi-use facilities i) After hours use as community center, library, night school, etc. ii) Neighborhood pocket park (joint development with neighborhood to meet amenity requirements). Place near center rather than edge of community. i) Integrate with non-residential development ii) Place near highest density housing (so more people can walk) b) Provide good access a) Provide more than one way to and from a school b) Place on roads that are pedestrian/bike friendly i) Streets with lower design speeds are safer for pedestrians and motorists (low speed - low fatality rate) c) Place larger high schools and or middle schools on higher capacity roads and/or transit routes i) Would use existing resource for school transportation when feasible Ensure adequate and available utility service a) Utilities should be in place i) No utility extensions that will encourage new growth areas h) Reduced construction cost due to utility extensions Select sites that can reinvigorate declining areas a) Use public investment to improve areas b) Reinvest in areas for economic development Principles for School Site Design Frame the street with the building a) Smaller building setbacks i) Easier pedestrian access