Residential Development: Site Plan

All projects have a process - a methodical series of steps that take the project from concept to reality.  Such is the case with residential development.  This is the process that I became VERY familiar with while working in New York: start with an empty lot, add in the zoning restrictions, identify the ideal number of units (houses, townhouses, or apartments) and suggest a few layout options.

Early in 2011, I was approached by some local business people who are looking to develop some property in Montpelier for a new residential neighborhood.  This group has several objectives for this new development:

  1. a neighborhood that appeals to young professionals and families
  2. extend the existing fabric of the community (rather than ignore it)
  3. walk-able and interconnected streets

These objectives are very familiar to contemporary planners - they reflect the tenets of "New Urbanism" and "Smart Growth" philosophies.  However, they also make good sense.  When approaching an infill project (like this one) where the land is very flat and there are few natural obstructions (it is currently an agricultural field), it should be a simple exercise of aligning streets and extending the grid.  That's what the developer has decided to do here - with a few additional features:

  A. Alleys.  All of the smaller lots (while large compaired to most in-town lots) will have vehicle access from alleys.  Of course, this concept is more old than new - much of Montpelier was laid out with this concept.  However, planners strayed from this intention with LONG driveways leading up to garage doors, all directly from the street.  Alleys afford much more flexibility in site and house planning which result in a much more attractive neighborhoods.  It also cuts down on shovelling in the winter!  Alleys are represented with yellow in the Site Plan.

  B. Street Parking.  Most developments anticipate street parking by adding a ten-foot strip of asphault on one or both sides of the street.  The result is 30 to 40 feet (or more) of pavement which is difficult to maintain and looks terrible.  However, by strategically locating parking, and designing it into the plan, the streets become more narrow.  Narrower streets have several benefits: first, people tend to drive slower on narrow streets; second, trees along the streets are closer together, affording a much more attractive view driving home; third, prescribed street parking locations cut down on "helter-skelter" parking throughout the neighborhood.

This preliminary plan has been developed for the purpose of marketing.  Final plans will have to be put together later.