Streetscapes: Streets define the character of Neighborhoods. The streetscape provides the transition for public realm and private realm – allowing for safety and socialization through “eyes on the street,” yet creating defined and defensible spaces for privacy and security.

!      Minimize the width and number of travel lanes so that vehicle design speeds are compatible with residential environments. Yield lanes that allow two way traffic, but limit simultaneous free-flow in both directions due to on- street parking or other streetscape designs create particularly desirable residential streets.

!      Sidewalks shall be separated from the street edge by a landscape planting strip at least 7 feet wide, with large shade trees spaced at regular intervals. Where rights-of ways are constrained the planting strip may be as narrow as 4 feet wide, but medium or smaller shade trees should be used to avoid roots disrupting the sidewalk surface.

!      Sidewalks shall be on at least one side of the street and at least 5 feet wide to allow two individuals to walk comfortably side-by-side.

!      Curb radii at intersections shall be minimized to shorten pedestrian crossing distances and slow vehicle turning movements in accordance with the subdivision regulations.

!      Local streets should discourage through traffic either through narrow cross sections, off-set or “T” intersections, or other traffic-calming devices.

!      Collector streets shall provide continuous routes to Centers or between adjacent Neighborhoods at regular intervals.

Residences: Residences mark the transition from the community area of the streetscape to the private areas of dwellings and lots. They allow monitoring of street activity and shield residents from community activity.

!      Residences shall maintain a consistent or similar setback along facing sides of a single block.

!      All residences shall have a primary building entrance facing the street with enhanced architectural features such as porches, stoops, or porticos.

!      Ground levels of residences shall be slightly elevated the shorter the setback from the right-of-way, preserving the privacy of the interior while permitting monitoring of the street. Residences closer than 25’ to the right-of-way should be elevated based upon approve drainage plan.

!      Front loaded garage doors shall be limited along the streetscape – particularly where setbacks are closer than 50’ to the right-of-way line. Techniques such as stepping back front loaded garages at least 20’ from the front building line, limiting them to no more than 40% of the façade width, using detached or rear-entry or side load garages should be used.

!      Architectural diversity and creativity should be encouraged to avoid dull or homogeneous buildings. Residences should incorporate elements from the vernacular typical dwellings throughout in Maize and Central Kansas.

Sites: All sizes of Neighborhood lots should provide the following clear and defined transitions: a common streetscape area along the frontage; a transition to the principal building area; and a private rear area for out buildings, back yards, or private gardens.

!      Frontage areas shall be primarily reserved for lawns and formal landscape, enhancing the building frontages.

!      Direct pedestrian connections from the public right-of-way to building entrances shall be provided on all sites.

!      Front-loaded driveways shall be limited to no more than 15% of the lot frontage. Site design techniques such as alley entrances, shared single-lane driveways accessing rear parking pads, or single-lane driveways accessing expanded parking pads behind the front building line should be used on more narrow lots.

!      Encourage any exterior off-street vehicle parking areas to be located and designed to provide the least intrusive visual impact on the public rights-of-way, primarily behind the front-building line.

Open Spaces: Open spaces provide significant recreational opportunities for residents of Neighborhoods. A “walkable” Neighborhood requires a public or common open space within a convenient walk.

!      Open space should be concentrated and located within walking distance of most residents in the neighborhood

!      Incorporate sensitive natural areas or prominent topographic features into open space plans.

!      Locate active public or open spaces (i.e. playgrounds or plazas) in prominent areas of the Neighborhood with high visibility from adjacent land uses.

!      Link public or open space to areas outside the Neighborhood through sidewalks or joint-use trails.

!      Open spaces should be preserved in public, common, or private (land trust) conservation areas.

!      Conservation areas should be connected beyond parcel and development boundaries based on functional natural systems.

!      Conservation areas should be concentrated in large, continuous areas that minimize edge conditions and narrow swaths that erode natural conditions and functions.

!      Crossings of open space by roads and utilities should be minimized in quantity, extent or width, and where necessary, crossings should be designed for minimal environmental impact.

!      Constructed paths in conservation areas should use pervious materials.