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City of Grand Rapids Master Plan
/ •--:-----------------·· ----- November 14, 2002 Dear Commissioners and Citizens of Grand Rapids, It is with great pleasure that I present this new Master Plan for the City of Grand Rapids. The Plan will be used as a general guide for rhe future development of land within rhe city for many years ro come. The Plan is the product of extensive community parriciparion over the last two years. Never before has the City of Grand Rapids had such an inclusive <tnd panicipatory process tL• guide its decision-rnaking. The contributions of every citizen that participated in Plan Uram{ Rapids can be seen in the fo llowing pages. A special thank you is extended to the Maste r Pl;in Comminee, a group of ."31 citizens who volunt·cered their time to guide the planning process, for their diligence and hard work. Contained within are visions of great neighborhoods, viral business districts, a strong economy, balanced transportation, ;1 city rhat enriches our lives ;rncl is in bahm.cc with narurc, and partnerships that will help us reach our desired goals. G rand Rapids will be a community of choice for all people, our businesses will be successful and our streets walkable, bikeable and i-ransit-orienred. I hope rhat you read rhis Plan with great enthusiasm and find that it speaks ro the issues you've told us were most critical. Ri~ly submitted , /~{I'r==-Robert Zylst ~i City Planning Commission • Pago: i • Pinn Grand Rapids Plan Grand Rapids • Page ii • ·---Resolution of Adoption Planning Commission RE.SOLUTION CITY OF GRANO RAPJOS PLANNING COMMISSION MASTER PLAN ANO FUTURE LANO USE MAP, 2002 WHEREAS a Master Plan Commrttee was appointed to oversee the preparation of a new Master Plan and Future Land Use Map for the City of Grand Rapids, and to conduct an extensive public in110111ement process on behalf of the City of Grand Rapids Planning Commission, WHEREAS the City of Grand Rapids partnered with The Right Place Program. Frey Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood and business associations, Grand Valley Metro Council, Grand Rapids Public Schoots. lnterurtan Transit Partnership and other venous organizations, agencies and individuals; WHcREAS public input has been solicited throughout the Master Plan process at more !han 250 public involvement and information gathering meetings to engage the community In the development, review and revision of the Master Plan, WHEREAS the North East Beltline Joint Development Plan (1998), Street Classification Policy (1996) and Voices & Visions· Community Plan fer Downtown (1993) shall continue to serve with the Master Plan and Future land Use Map: WHEREAS this Master Plan and Future land Use Map shall supercede all other eart1er land use plans with the exception of those before mentioned; WHERE.AS the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on September 26. 2002 to seek public comments regarding the Master Plan and Futura land Use Map: NOW, THEREFORE. BE tT RE.SOL VEO that the Planning Commission does hereby adopt the Master Plan and Future land Use Map dated November 2002 and declares that said Master Plan including the text, figures and maps shall be a basic policy guide fer the future development of the City of Grand Rapids BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission recommends that the 2002 Master P!an and Fu!ure Land Use Map be forwarded to the City Commission for their acceptance. YEAS·7 NAYS·1 November 14, 2002 / . . ·rzt:__--("\ I\ I ~ --~-ni..-t(.-'---:-/ :J~JSii~ers', Secreta;------~0~. - ·----- ... on -Resolution of Acceptance City Comm1ss1 • Page iii • Pl(tn Grand Rnpids Plan Grand Rapids • Page it• • Acknowledgments • Page v • Plan Grand Rapids • AcknowleclgmenL< Plan Grand Rapids • Acknowledgments • Page vi • rhvid Abbott C:irvl Sue Abcndr\"1tli DanAbid From!.. Ab1~ ... t Bi:c.hop Will Om .l\bnc.y Mcniqu\! Abm~.Simmon~ Bcmicl!Abro...;e Gc.n.ld Ai:erhui!' Rurh A \brfttim H~a.rh~r Aidrid.tte Dou~Alesl.:.i &•h &.. Betti Allen DaviJAll.::n )BAiien 5'.'na\i Allen 1~,AllcnJr Sl\idey Allc11-L11tle Markku Alh(m &•b & M:uy Ar.n AllL•ton D.av1dAlv:o.re::: Fr .mk & R.c.!1~ Am..::-..iro Arv .bincl~rson Ora L..•:i.n Andt·r~cm Dix.ii! At'\J~r.icn A imc:.:-&. Jt1(l\' And~N1..ll\ J(lh:1 Andl·rmn ·Brad Andt•rson Tl1cli11a Andt'!r~4)n GAn<ler.son Eric & K;:.ylrn A1~d.r-r~on 8rt·H Aih.i<<r~rnl H~v.vcml And;·C\I,'.'.' Mar\• Angelo Bri•n Aiu'L3hl.:: Suzi And10m· W;l .Antoni<l~ DavidAµµd Bndi;<'.f Applt· Eva Aquirre Cooper Denni.~ Arhogast B...-cl.:.\·Anwld ~.-bri:m &. li<la Am:......_, Stan A1'l'llf0\':ir.: Chur.k A'l'K·rn:~.., Abb"Art:n Sandi Aten. L\m Arkin$\m Mark Au~i.1,trn Nancy Arre Kc:-1th & GlL" r\u..\ Chw·k B-.ar Bill B:i:ir::: Tod Bah1\·k Viq,.tinia B:ul<!V Arthu: B;\llc=-v C\·n1hia Baile\• D.w1d Same< Cb.ud1~ &jema Laur.·B.~r R..~ndv B..-\:kt:r Srevc Baker J11n Baker Balwitider Bal G<;'r<lldin(". Baltl:;.uanv S\drl<."'I' Balk Cun Bc;lkt-m:i. fl._,l"C:rtB.all Tiu\.r~u .!.lt•ql1lin~~ B:i:bt~r-Elt•\" Peter Bardolph J\\hn Barfu.•• Glenn Bad:.an Robert & Ro."emarv Bame~ Stew Barne." Mnn:in B.1rr~rn. Yvun.q Bill H:m~tt );Ula'l; &i(t"trt D:\n&nds leff &. T. Bart!cn Rondi Barto11 ME Barw:u:: Tom 8J;(tien Virginia Bar~·\1.; JCX" Bauman J.:.:.m Sau111MArl Mi.rhdc B..1\ Tim B:l\'er Guv &=l.ni Ch:.rlc:.o lk:vli Ddveni~ J3.ea.-;cm Les~ &:am~~ 1:0.inmr Beckcrin~ ~1ike Beckc:n N:m..:y&.:k-.1.:id1 D:w1d Bee ),>el & Macy Becke f>..i.n Beden Md:mie rkekn Cun! Bccrninl- Rtch:ir\l & Citht:rine Ekb.n~-er·N<"rkJ,_, Tm.i. Bdbvt Roger Bdk1up Jackie Bdl Rebe<"' Bdl Ben Bdnnom Stt:Ve I~nm~r Cindy St1~1lt'tc Slicrnll B..:nn\~n Curt A. EkrL"On Rich:a.r<l Ber~u<l_~ lnytd~1\ll !~rgt-r"!i E!i.iafk:""f..'l •nttmi Lmda Bcrkhol •4.n•r Berkley Arlene Bert\' Sh\1lC\ lkrr\' J:i,kit"~, Ann Mane Sc<i~"ttc B~·r an Bestn..m1 brr\·13..·urkt·n:< Ruth &·ver Gertrude Bu.IL~ Anr.!t!l Bie~_IZ'< Sh<l.un Biel H..-irold Bindt•r K.atl1\" & Rith Bb.cht<1rd R<:-be-na Bla1·kwcll Boh & N1)( !\1,I m,rnd1,),rd Sui::lh Bl:mk.111~:i Bc.·nv Bl"'l::. .. Ken Bl~inl!; C:nb Bh1;)..:.h.'1f'1\ WiUbm Block. RCln Block Jtrry Bk.n1 \~/:i.ynt: B.):1twnJtlu Ed Boclcnb.:-~ Barham Bo lent\cr ,fock B..xlcm::i. /;uni::.~ &:.elkm ... ~ ~Vic-~ Pr,.,..•-st DawnT~t:(l1\,1 N:mcv~c !"rd~i;'ll\0 Slmit"I· &..Iden Dkk Boiko\V.iki Oliw & Elizabctl1 Bob Roh.-n BrAt EJw:'!r~l Bolt Bc-d i Bn!i in~h. ~.w~ Bill Bombvk Ann\" Bc-nd Emndi JoeS...mC> Lilhe &.vl-.~r Och Booth J0hn 00...7'! J~ntr Borgdorff Rudi Borl~tad rk.b Bo8.-~ Boh & Mar)'.lt' ~ David &.ssrhcr Ann !XlSSche-r C.:\tU!yn fX~\' Grctd\en Bm1w~:n.:: S.mdrJ B..•vct': John &wcr~ An,{y Bo.\•ni...•n J:x J•k...· a_,,,,. .... ki .>\r.drew B...1.x Robc:rt E. Bo.•r.: ~·kttle ~1!c Ro...,l,\•rrBo-.•t K::i.dwBr:u:e-; Jonath~,n 6rnd!,1r<l Junt Br.1<li<""<' .Miki."Bra.iy ~-c Bra(,ml lnp.·;5 Br.lll(h J~)hn1w Bi;a1m Tim Br:t:.>t·ur Ain1u Bre~1ktr Bn.rn Brewt·i Sarai 1 Bri.~ht f'au! Brir.ke-rltoff BvJ ... Brcor.ll~ T:inra Br<"~ StOl('<.•y Br,1cr.~1n:i. E.Jdi.: Brook.~ Euuk Brooi...• Bnb Brr"vn J,,hn Brown Luvdb. Br~l',l.'rl CiaryBmw!\ L;,D-::idr.:. B1v.fl;·G:ii~ \'alt•ril" Brro'.vn;ni.; Je:i.nmt'" Bry.tr.t- MaH!ie·..,• Buhnn: J:1d .. H11d1m:i:i Judi Bl1•-hnt:in Kcht-cc-:i Bl1<k ~1th !>ud .. lohn Buekl1•y Tc·n~· & C\1mth~ Bue?!'!\.;. R_o:,bcrt Budvn..:l.:.i Mo::IG~;i. Bud?Yl'-i~i El.tinc:Bl1c-~c Mary Buii.:cm3 8ctn' Bu1~t ['l1rk Bulkt,w,ki Davi" Bi.dl,r.vAi Onn1dl,• Bult T,,m Buhc-n Rl-.-;.-; & Rvn~t\I Btm•~te~J Tim Burch ~~t'h·~ 8'.lt1•l, Ardtt: Bur~!r.r L:rnrcnrt Burr-~ J.:·fl l:h1rn~ J11n Bum .. F~nl.. Burrdl Sh:i.1!011J• Burton lo:rum(" Burton ·u~n)·~ Bun~""\n B:::i.rb:1t.a Bu~l1 Tom Bu~h Ali...-t-Bu~h, ·ruz S.·vcrBi:~t' Bill&!k-.-k\ Bui.-b:i Mikc Butl .. ·r Buh Butler Dirk B\1ttl-.c: R,ni &.·er~ Bil! Bd ~id,~.n.l Byl f3vb D\"\.\.rr:; John B)ml' :\~ .. -ivm &:rn~· D..:,r,.,thv & Vmrc C:).btunolb KJ.tl\rv~1 Glit'n<lo D1)u~ C:1!lins Nt'!ht~ Cr.lie" l.1mes Camµhcll R.'):tlind:.C::imµt."I'< Ri,;liar,IC.·mq:1l:S R..1b C:mn.e.~tr.1 lame~ C...a.:.tv'n Slcvc·n C:-1>-'J.l.'•ltmLt ~1.mud C:1td1d Mvrrlt·Car<!'\' C,>rrmc C1r~· Scvn C.m:v ~~\rt.~::~~~~; Stary & Kad1!een C:ir!~(m StewC.:im~ Herh & Jeff C.•r~mer !...h·!1~:-;1 C:\qX"nttr Eb.in.: C.1: pt:litt-1 Sc.m 1,r ~lib C;;rrig:l.11 M~rit"Vncr D;:m.., C.in;•r \(m1Cntv Mkh:i.e!Cn.rv [\w1ciC.v11<t:ir.-l ~ ... :ad .. c.~~1$ J .. ~r-phC1... .. 1ilk· :.aur:iCa. ... tl..: Frnnri~.t CdJ \X.1:\lt Cc:pcl:. :.."°;uhri\·la Cerril\·n~· J1111Cl1nml'c.·r., C~iona C!un.!!cr v~n~ CJu;,di~r Ch.lrl\·~ & r\.trn C! •. mn·r B~·b Ci 1:1pb Rkk Chapl.i. Thank You! The C ity of Grancl Rapicls ~'fat~fully acknowleclges rhe 1·housands of ciri:ens \\·ho participated in the pr<x-~ss of npclating thC'ir Masrrr Plan. l<.e\'"1.n ..._~/,;;p11,,·m T1111 Ch~rl--.\1,n.~l> L\ mh ChJ..r~~·~ Ser.rt Ch:lv-c:-: su~..in Chc;~1ck [~~;;:~~: ~;~~:~~{;:;( M::irn Ci.1kl~ Anli Tu Cik'i N. •rw:m (:L:;~;oµho.:r Bud Chrv;;ll'r BC'h Chllt\\Uryn:<kt ~1~iX;;i1~~:;~ ,.,me::.\ f'.1rrkl.:Cb.v C'r.i\1•1 &. Jc..:nn~ Cit':1l•' \1:,·l,"-'"lltCevo:bt!•i Tr .. ·,•Clink Bri.:.n Ci,l'.d Jim C.'o("'~' R.1~~d! (:.,,..··u UV("maC1,!("1n.1!l Pm, C. -lli.-r E:irh C.:·Hir~ ~hra Cr,Jlm~ lo!m Collin~ F1 m~k C.Ah1i.. ~1igud C...";br. hm.: ... C.)?":ndl ll,\inC•nr ... · [>i<rnC.mi M1cbd C<·nW.i} • Page i1ii • P...::klir.C"-'k Sam Cool B:irbJra C,x,ki: Rmt· Mari1· Covn D.m1.:::..: ..... 1~>t·r s.-.~n 8. Curf,..· Pd:crCcrdc:< Jm~ ('•'UfC'\" \11kot" ,:::..:-wdin R.kh:ir<lCr::i.;~· Bri.m K CraiJ.( &-rn1c~ CrJ.m~r S\hi::i Cr.-:·~ TI1 .. -111.<."i Cn1wlct· S.:till Cl•!lillHll~:; lo."ln & FreJ Cunni11~l.;'l!l1 l· ,jj\\l1~-~~~:.:k::~k1 D:iv1,! & Slurnn Cz::irn:")\l'\'~ Pad Dnhlkrb M...i.ryr\n!\DJil,·;1 S·Av1.1 f.'aii~inv, T1•nv & Cl1ri. .. DaM· R .. ,bcrt D:u!W s.1 ... ic ['1.iiuo~(" :..':l1u-.l[>:rni,·I.• \.-;.~n· D.1niek· 2.~··t)~~~e~~~1 E,jw,,r,[ r.:i~wi:; N,-;i [\td:i !\.fo.rk D:i.rn Mik" & ~'1;.h• C'l;i.v1!' T.1bne(" Da\"i" ~j, .• r~· l1n\'i~ i,~t;; [i;tW.'<•i\ Kri.<rv [\ipvn Enr [\J,.,r,)t J.ltlk' t"\· Y1>ll!I~ Rvk Doe: H.i:in \du~ D.-: \"n~ Bri,1;,LkVri...,, s,1n .. v1i\·' Dirk De'fmmn &1h [le Yl•l!1H: R..·h .. :rtDc,m R. .. ,• C•(·hi~·.-i>...;vn;;in A1 hl" D,· B: J.h,.1 ·~;;~~~l 1i;·,~.~~~~:· l•'l\"1"<· ~ ..... ,l..c1 K1V,A1, L\·.·l..m1!.1 inti«'.~ D .. ·eh c~~~;1~.::c~~1:~~~n _lt-1~;\ii,,-r('d,.\I\ Efi.· Dd."'ing Dd-. D.:Jor.J? C\Jn ['cJ~m..: A:uh·:;1 D.-K..,.!'11 iv~n .'.':it. kN O..·K~11n \'(.';wne Dckl.cr &1h Dd.lt'r )r-ii D .. kL-r R.._-;.-.-rD..oK, ... '.i.. ·;i,.k D<"Korr:e KmtiDcl\.r..ilcr l.-"\r,1 & Dankl Cx-::xc:rir.k-V:a.ntil ~~iiu· Denn)· Ki1:1 D<-:-ttgt•·r T1:u [\.·dmg !.,..:m:>r.·Vhx Roi:,·rt [\~Vl1(·gc1 [\~r;.,,,. ~\/r;,•.• ~·tik~· D-cVric:o Rk~. S1 !(" & Kini r\-Vrfo:, Si,...;m [\-Vii<.,. Hn:in DeVrie.1 D..:ivi.i Dc\X.'ern• reh·r r\ \'(.'itl l! Cl1n,01:1.w Henn Dir..:\•nn~! Keith Dierking N\1rbcrt & Don.:l.'11 Dill huuidl"I.: Dili\·!"'.l"l\·d. B:i: har:i Dilt.m Rr-.!> Doddl! L·hn Dv<!:cm=i. Jill ( nah.1.utor Marv [),)1\1'1.:-lk Steph.:.ni~ D .. •n('o\1,111 Darryl o ....... mh1.lS Beth Dorhn,'Wski Jani-·,,. D11r-..M P.a.111 0..1{'.· N:iti:.r~ r.iul D.x1d .... ~ Dl"'lbl." Drnr~\"':· !n.[:r,1hn:n Bridh Dn-.. i,:c- M:wrl'cn D~d1e1 See"')(" Drewy An,ln.MN Dr,,~.: l'~"c Dn.a«k.: o .... nJ.l1l D.1l':l $r:in· [J-J!v-...~e N.mrv DudJt.,_. Du~tn,,.. Duh~~n J .i.v [.:u1w:dl iim & N..,ooli Dur.a.n l"<,rrnJ Duran 1:w1.ic Dllsdd l.)::ir1:• Du~! in T:m1 Duthl,'.r Dar.id 0-Jva;, Rl'i.:c1"' Dvkh~d:$.1llv Dyko:rm 1,,-f; L'l\btrl ;.)r<"1:,•rv [):ndn:-z J.mbrl i°.'l: 1._•nth· E ... \rvin il•lm EdwJ.rch J\"il &:g .. ·rdtn\~ ~ 1c:,; Elcnb.;;)..~ St";'\·c & l·1>'rc Slli::.~n R1i.;11 Elb Nkk El~\·t\ S..-!,·e~ler En~hrec: R=.-1.. Enm:r r:-.,\:.i E",:: ... [,nu 11111 E11~\.m,I J}.~'.!:(T~~ ~~~~~·~h fa-;1 1::--pi!\.,:.1 C;;in•hl\ E\.rn~ kirk.Ew·fl·rr T-'LIL E\<.;rt S!,.m.m E"''°!' K.n Ezm10 Cami & St~\'h"·" F.i:i, Artfo.bhr,, S.1 ...... ·1. fab('r H.1rrn F'l.bt"r \\.':ib.I F.1dda Mar; L.'ll F.isst:tt Dal,,. Fd .. !l,::tu~cr Marti 1:1 S. F..-ldm:rn :c:1\· Fdix [)-rn F,,·111w; ·:r-n:inrc Ft-rnvi1·h b nn F F(·rY,1~""' 1r: l.\y •. j,-j r"('rrdl :\n.1 Fdkrhntt k1rni Fdtl'r:-> !-:a11 h1ti~ Jim F..i~<-r ~t:in r .. -\.(:n Amh· fd.;:r :-.h·h"'H~ Fi~ll!"t:.~ Btil FL~d~~r Kri~tin'.\ F1..,her ._:1,:1rlc~ Fi.,he-r l.'."lrrv Fbh<"nY ·r;.m Fl~k J. ·.rn Fhl.:ket;t:1 M kkld FlO'.i.·er' Bn;m F\mn ;..:-,,dw for, Bc:!ty fr,rr~.it D:m F~·rti~r \X'.wnt> F..~rtia Bil! M~ ... r ~1.-li: . ..::; f~ou·:I. !, lri· F .. um;wr Gcr.:ilrl & D,~nn.1 r.,,,\ li111 ~')i. B.ub Fr.u1.:h ft·lin F~:m.-i, r.i111 Fr•.>:).~ Ri.·l Fr .. deri.·l ·r~'DY F:tLlriri~\Hi. [\,u~ Fi;·L.: JitH frc-~ Greg: fTevli;1,;; 0<.ll.li.!Fri ... ar. •• H:mk Fuh.~ B,-a-, h;L.~ O:twn Fult\·r • .:;1<1ri,1 P~1rt: :\nn..-G..iill.ilnt ("J1t·1d1o:t1 Gal:.111.:1 ['r-h l~J.Lr.;.\;:.\" I,·~ k.1.1 & K:i. ~c>n G:m~t:\., .•. \lj,.Jt::t .• G,~r...ia 1~1\· G:'r:::y Fritz C.:1.-.! .J•'~t· t..•<l.."t• .r, In•: \..~r!h P:m :..·~tn,:h-r 1.Jtl"j!l,.)\·\llP.t" s~;.,~1~ il~:~;;~ l\-.1t'. ..:i1h~··!\ Sl1.;·rin.1n C.ilil\·•·J>i<.· G«~<"C.dn:<•rt" Eli:.tbed; G'.r~•·c:r TnlG,\{.L,~.i Ffo:~· Gc>1;~1 Sui:<•n:i (',, .. ! Li.•:i (j,,lri~r l~l'l1,·.-(~.._,\,J;;n1id, (;11;1d;)];1p. r.;,.111 .. :: ~{ :n 1 .. , C"nz.:ti~·~ ~,~.11 t<."' ...:::.:irk..,,G,r.z.'i,.: M:irik,1 C;.~.,__,J..Jl ti,·, 1r.::-G-~.,fa \"L D~.-h ;.°'";oakm D.:.!~· Cr.nld Juh .. ·Cr:-:r;.. 1..:1o.\,m:G1.11U:'!h-' S;·mJ.Gr:::i: D.:t1\ & Erin Gr.:t\\·h-n Ellt"1h\r Grp.\t:~ R1.:I.. & DdJ i..~ra1 l\'\.111ih·G:;1\' :..:a.rd Grel'l)hW"!.' P"'ul & &:t.~y Gri:<"nw;l.i l:.;<lvGr<!t'r Chm Gr\·if.\'I"~ St.<kr Fr.;:w<.·~ G, :hu~ ( h("r.-i \.iri1 kn lc;R11\ Gnft:11 !;'l\Tr ~itti\1\·: U"lvid :..~rint•ld Clnri(":.Gr,:n:c-1 R,if.,.:rt Cr,>n=.~·r.• f"nr. ,"';t;.ihh\·r \::~ & M\•li::;.;;i ()r.1d"\o-~r J.m Gn.imh11h· _1..!Jt) & K"thr Gnilt'!\1.,"U ln-.)1\ll•· Gr:<.'"'.:.ak T,1111 (;utl.l'n::i T1 ·111 & furb Guikcm.- Tir11 ~"Jl. SanJ\ Gunnctl K\·l\,lr.1 ,-;lln\or Plan Grcml! Rapids • Acknowledgments Hun & TI1ere.-s~ Gumer-Ho1"i" jc.hn Cu~~nbuer Fr:mk & Lincl .. ev Guthwd ·waltGut0Wllkljr AndrtwGuv Carol\1'. Guyton P::i.ulH~m:tn Paul H.u.n JoH;1ft Nirnle ~t~lund G;n;i 1-l.ili~ma Shareef H.1.lecm Ol~a Halbrc-...-lt Lei:: H;u11ilt ... 1n (' .• m."'lin .... t-famlir, Hoy.r::i.rd Hain111 Ed·..r·•.ml ! l:rinkrwi.-i Sli:u-on Hanb Jean Hinks H~ .. ud Han...:.;:n Roger Hansen Ann Han."C"·n Bill Hardiman lA!c H:irdv JimH:m.r.ir B:.1rb & Norm H.lrn Hri:ln Harri~ Kun Har~ber~cr Rtt.:e Hart Ira H;\rt M:i.1y H.:rniR J;i.r-ktt· Ho.nnian 1~J Hartman F\·g__cy I--fo,twi~ Swl H:11·1:("\' R.J~ert H:'lllp.ht S:i.lle-Ha\-crb111p B~nrd Hawk.im L11,\l.1 I-lily Limb Have., Li. .. a H::i.vn~:< Nancv Hm'lh~.:.> Mary L Hi:tirtile.ld Gef'lt~-e Hc01rcv.rell S:tr.;ih Hc.ul, Lt'b. Hedi~r.(!" S.u.-><l.n Hc-crt"ina Ll.:1:1 H~·(Hn Chri..<1ta H .... 1 mer W;,i.ltc:rll.:-i.->e- Ba-:tJJ.ra H.dr.hui.~ fulndall Hdcm:iu Jc1hn Helmh~-:iklt Cc::orbc Hc1""tdrirk-t\lula Hcmlrik£en CJt-o! Hcnnc.."".~Y R.,-..~>r & Jo1\ H~nnir.~<."n Eit:.h.a Henry, Jr Bct.-l\·H~mM \fan1 H.ern.md~i Ann:md0 & Cini.;:; f·lern::..nd,•? Janet Hcmand<.!t Rhlw-n Her~' Bc'h H;-rr Stev:: Hdl•~rna Shdlr H,·rre!'":l Pe.14."y Hcn.d P.-'1.il H~twc.·er And 1\·w Hetf.md Mic.had f·lcwart:o....,n J:.rn;c11 Hevh..>er C:1tl~ Hid.alb-v Maivin Hiddemn Dan Hiel~ma Kathy Higgu~ R....-..bert Hi.l(,l.-i.r.;; Tim-.""'fhy Higgi_1l:-i Midi~! Hi~h Diancne Hi~lu J!!ffHHJ Cah~o Hill ---------- William & Tkm: Hili Luc:J.' Hi!( WrlH1UiJ.rd Chri~ Hmtertn.U\ Harvld H11throck Gen Hobc-n Dwg Hoek J,~l H{."l<kcma l....'\u1t1. & J:w H~k~rrn S..•njo.min ffoi f jarkH,,ffmar. Lu R.ar H • ..lhrook Mau!i.i. Hnllilr.d,·r M<1tt 1-ft,Udx.~L. J(,Jm & P:11 Hn!l.-m.l.n~ l;o:aht-1 Hollem Pl1illip H ... lm\'"ll Debr.t Ho\rn('""_-:.(Jnrri~"!' H'°;diHol;o:c:id 1:0.111111\' & Holk H .. ,lr DJ.wn Hoh:r..:op Curt Holtviuw,~r Ratlwl ~-k ... -..~ R.'"l.v Hoog Mlk.: H0v.ccrlw<le Su~ao Hock,•r Ri._,n H°'-..tt H~rher H(1t-ikm:. Ja.:k H~,n:i._...n kannk Hos.,·y Rkk f-ku~ton An,·,· & Sic.·:: H~<\l/ai·d R)t-. Hudler J:im\".'~ Hurt Vir-li Hl1d~m1 &-n !+.ii.<>rnan "'-mtin .... Hulzen G<>rdon Huizcn w~ndv 1-!uizit\;;a Jeii Hundley Dan Huver D:1Vid & Adrian Hl:\-Sl!r John Tnghram Mary K..ly lngr-.0tm Sluri l~hcv llr-allv Island J:imotsl.-.r.i.,·ls Roh,~n l:irJ.r.:b J, -hn .Jack..~)if"e Bruce Jack..;.--_..r, c~:~~*~'.j~;k_~~~~n D.-;-.nJ.iglowski Corl·tn l:ik,.\:ih IV<!' lnk1.1h(,w~li . Tiarr<l Jame_~ Moham111e<I & Tarek Janunnl R1<"ki:i...."k....W1-:<L:i D~Au~' j.inncrt:rh G\'nC\-.1 [t':ttde~ Rich lt>lier N0m1 & Shirlc:v Jd~ma Tun fd1em•' Jam~:;JcnJ.111.;;iak Ddµl1i1u:l..:Hkin:< C:imlJennin~ D..)n ltn-"."n Toni ft01har..~,·n ft:rrv & D:1rl<:"nt" [ob1\n-.·k lm1John$cn St'--vc & M.try Johnsvn Ch .. -irlc.:t loh;u::c·n E:1rl iohn.. .. Ot\ Ja.rne. joln:i<on C..'\thl!rm~ jolmsor. D .. m Tolu:1_.;:1,m C'.t('(}t~Ail\·.tl Jotu1:'on Kcnnrrh John:.on Sunn Johns .. m FredJ'-llm.->nn Ga..r~b.!1,lm.•\m Plan Grand Rapids • Acknowledgments r,,:!h J.~.~,n~on )\1:;ri~ Jolm~N• M\Ttl~ j,,im .. ,..:, Cor.J,,nj.:ilu\sl1..'I' Slurle"! Jrn~e' IJ.11\c~J,mL>:-t Clct>& Ev.i 1•'!"'11!..' M.iryH J..:>n~ K;u hl(•en h)n~ ... C~ler; J01it·~ G.l!"\" Cr.. Su.$.ln lf>litS :\mta \<mt.. A;:l.!~·gh ltm(":( R;chJ~·Ja·, N, .rnun ! ... ine• Rev. Ch;;r\i<t Jone,; 8:arhoir~ J.m\·"' Kt"'l·mJ,_•nc-. ji!! Jone<-Kelly Aarvn l011kt:r N!rol¢Jonkr 5<"1)1'.t fog khc,ff Em Jor<l;in ! .. me & S:-1tu Jtn.i:i.n JlltJ~r~:~~: ·n Al!cn & Vt(ller Julien kY.i.n.jun!-1 Si:>ta M CLu·ir;;. K.1J1:. J:blln K:\:bhnn M:uv & Chri~ K.~i.~•·r c:.-iri K.1nim.-ri..;id ~fare Knmpern1rmn Sam K..lra.!.:h,·h R-·1uld K.ir,·L~c j;;;:KJ.~n R.\t.;:.'"r K.i.r:t7rn Jl1h~·. Tom & $..ml 1'.a~vr.:.ik fux:k K.wt'tri:m Rd>e<r:i K;iwo. .. k1 Mr~. ;\·liner ~cler Rei~~ Kcd Ot-nnb Kdlv ja.-...-..n Keliv N:i.n·J' Kell\· Garv Kdlv AmktkKr-n\kr P:1tri~·i;l. K(·nr.e1lv Fr:mk Kenm!ltf•n Faith Kent Rob K.:nt t".\·nr:i.." K,•1\t Kati1y K~nt Man· Ann Kc:ough K.'"l.tlw K~r,;1~ LiuY l\:.-tt E..i.cir K<':trl\· M:i!\;. Kcttlchut Ka1nd Kh.irmubi Paul K!,•dn bmc:: Kilh,-..lltn(': Erin Kilp:mkL. \'(/oo Kim H~thc-r King E...lw:ud Kinpna H:trvf.""'· King111:i. Rkhnr...-1 Kinne' J.;~iin Kirkv.·cxxl Gbdv~ i* Kitti,· jod Klein Bru<"c K!cm-Wa.•:omk Lort"tU Kl1111~:\-...v,;k: TA·K1in,·.:-tak.•r Mih·Kitn:ini;:- BirL~t Kl~,h~ l'>.-tvid & ?i.fi..:hdlc Klo-_.stc:r Jo~,·ph Kk~)io:"tt:r l-l.tnv Knot1l.:\1 lim & M11'.e Kl'Cl::cr Don K..'C~itr Lwr:-1 Knbk\1."1k1 Cimh-Kon;n.1~ Dirk K."'lnin!? Jark & Eik-..•n !(,"-.r,·n:.m r.r...n l<J..x:11~dl'k-.· ],U\ }\ •. rn Qumn & GR K,.m·rk Evdn; l\:.;<h:....; R ·n K:.r,,•.il.•k1 Arhnc K(•v. .. ki R.."'l1\nirl K~·::t! Ted \(,;-:[. w~ ki Su~n Krce~cr fim Kr-:y,~\ [\-~!->1.· 1-:h'<."' ·i~.rf>.:t\ i..:ror:a·it"t \'t'il:i-;:i111 1'nlC"l,!\"r .k1r~· Kn1pi1"t<.•\.\.'i•"J Cl1:irkne. Kn.1~id: Thont:l.." Knvwr Ll.1ib. Kn--~riai.tk. ~-'Llrthil !-:°n"'.:t""..1.·cski Ri-:k Ku,:n:d K;;fr,,·nn.~ K.uht\ Kri.-;tin Kt1iµt.:r Kem~eth Kn1ps;:r3 TL\·rc~., Kulan 1.:..-i.: r·uni: Ch.n Kl·r!en.b. lu~iv Kurvl,..,.,...i.-1 . s:~·V(' K11?:iw:; Mci..('K:iz.iw" R("h::kk.o: Kv.·l.q Thank You! The City of ,)rand Rapids gr are fully acknowledges the rhousands of ,·itizem who parricipat:"d int he process,)( updaring rheir Masrcr Plan. Ron LM.)11g.- 1:r('J l.d,~e Gd,,_.. L~cr .... ix r~l·.·h> 1~1,,lmn:1t .... ; Ed Ladwig Sn)t1 WF(•nt:it:~· J1.-,.:l-1Gr.111:' Ji.t;k<.•bn1h R,·:;i.nn L:u11b:"t\" !\11le L,111p.:n Sb.v:n l .. 1mh,a1\ C;il L\1,.L~rr:1 Eile..~n brr ludtlh L.1r .. e:1 L.)ri Lir"t"!\ $:m-.\r:iL1diam Cl.:uks ~\'.~nc Brian l...;:i\\rr111.",· T1,,,rn:i,,; 1.:-iw~,,n Thnt:1.:. .. Lif11i.1n R:1chl'l l.a""nl· Suram • ..-Lc.'("\.im· R.1.dtd L~: Ry."~ Lt-.: ·~r.:i.L,,•t: l:'lrrv L<:"FNg~ RulwA l.c.it-,~t L~1rn L<-m Bn.rl Len: T(•nl Lc,)n.1r<l Ran1h• Len1~.11~c: 1:-reniy l~ss~:n • Page iiiii • BiliL··.,·:s lb:l·I L<'!wi.· k·....l"j11 L.wi.-R.1.-ha~.1 Ltl'<.·1,)[••rl' R ..... n L.1d1t.-:1. .. t~·m ~.tnlvn L;l·.~••r1 :....i11 .. h Uk,,-\;· k1lm U~<:h LMn' Limo:~ Gi!h•rrLin.k1v r;i.<t~·r :\nl,· Lmd.·.Jv ~fan .... ; L11~:\..H' !<:1:11\·ri: .. Litr],. E\c:1h Li\-d" Mik.-!J,.,.,.; Can.Ii l.0h.Jd ]dl [ ... h,lf'll ·i~•n, L y.n Ebiru· Ldm--.:; Cu:-111..i.lt.p...· Ls.Ji-le: 0\rni\ lo L'P:µ..-i.r .... B11tl Lorrh Bill & G~!ll1Y L. .. -..r .... i Mi.rth..iL.;r,• T,·J Lorr (:!u1~roph.-1 H [.._,.,., lun i...o.""-e Duk L<•\~ St.·\\"I' L";r' J.,r,c\• Lt'""(" \rn,,~ L·,r~ C'i.r1,l\'!"\ L1xtJs hni :.udw:v. So-~.1n Luk;; ln C\"\nn~ Lundt-.•n: Fr.:i11l... lncn Au1• 1:.-1.r, 1V1id1dl1· fx•n [),.n~u 1-v~-n R .. )hcr~ ~hi"-1c ,.:..n:~· Mahin l.rn !i..fa,·C,,rr".:-.· Y,,J_;i1hh/..h:-1.L< RH hJr,i M.v·k Dd;;\1;\..bd:J..!,,l N:lOrJ1i M:id...-11 Cni~· M.id1iA .... - c;,~. •I Ire. \.~:-"h::Jir1· Te.I Mai. .. rn:\.\i<"t Plid }..4;1Jc:n,·1:. HA~:n :-,4 lk•~·'-'·'L.i B::;,1,;i)i M.i11.'n» j,U::\L! \ faj,)HL' J~,.,. & Ht"n11dt.1 !-.1.1lf·n1· Shir!,.,. ~1;iL"'rt Gro:::.;\·h.l .. ki /\r1;1111 L M ... c\!rn'..:. C.1rl1<:<1 \1.,n1,~1l1~ Jc.~e~1h \bnu,..i:.1L. Ch<!rv! M.ur,>tf<! l"\.-1:,i.:: M::r:n K1i;:r:1M:1.kl,-·,, H.c:;i1f1Cl M~11 . .;1i:,,:;Hd,·1 fJ111 Mi.rtu; !\kh.u.J \h~~ll~ La11rnM.1nm RI"\' M 1ry M:utm l)t·rd,;c-~brtin D..)rJ. M.Htli\~-: Lin.b\.brtn1('4 Al,·;.m,-ir· · \tmm,·: h-ik 1'i !a ... k-\\"iC:: j:m M::..~kdi Jdinic ,\1,;_.,.,{.,!\ l-bwl,tMt--.1 Dtrk ~fa.·"~T3 Br.1 .. !icon!Marhi.. .. \\·,,Jter M .. 1d,1~ T,.,1; ~fonh,··.v~ Am1~:)\.fa-..,·lw Mnn::Ht·t F M.w Sti.:rli1\c.> & 1'.:mdv Mnr P.1ul M;;\ lni. \.'.!c---r1;.-M.w.o.'t".ll!11r M:i.n-M.l!!:irdli P:i.rMr12.ill Paul r ... kC.:.nb· Roh /v\.-Carty \fa;·.;in ~1rCi.~in Cht>ri M..:Ckui,.Be,:itf\· Eu~nt M..::-. .. .:li111• ,n 0.-:,pmit~ M,Cla .. k,·" Phil ~~!.·Cm~!.. fl-i.ulcnc \kC .. 1nb Elijnh \kGct" [ll"·:d & Roxi<· Mr(~.-.. M:i:,· Mc~"";lin.· Rt:pi;-rt & M:ur;:i ~kGinr• Ad<:it ~kGmn-L.x•in1<: K..:.rie M.rGinms Aim ~frGt"mi raul Mr•:Jr.w.· f'nul \,kGuiro:> Am~· \·kK.I\· lim ~kY.1·..r Marrl.:111 & M.1q ~A.-K,·1\:1(': Ql,wtltv ~kl\:~n:ie S•i<an \·k Kee"".' Cl11,r111: Mdo1;y:-1;-C1,pli .. ~h·!:~.·1,-kn! Marv Elk·n M,·\!i.11!:ht••i• Shc-rr\' ~kNC"r kll & Lon !l.kf"i.-,·J.. R. -hen J'1.-rrc .•.A.-Vc~ l1rn1i::i." M ·\X1i 1crr,"'lr Mnrf .\11·1nn D;1V;.; ~h.. ... k·111J B..ttt .~A(·d~'.nd,,1p G:uv ~,1,•eri..r.ik Dan Mdm\.., Wrl \•1d1n.> l....:.rn & KJ.r('~1 Md1"n f-; -...mt:i.in Mel-.in ·;1"'."h.""." ~1e1ir.Uh,':'I S'lrJ.h M""r,er G('1(1ld M~·t1·n1i Jt·1mii~r M.-u 111drn.J M.-.,-r R1d1..irJ & Virbm1:i \~;·w:r$ .. ~"i:<1,.,. M:.J~l;.-: Crnthi<i M1l...<.1l<1 P:itii M;bn0\1:~ki Ti101:11. .. D & ~·l~n· M1hn._.·,v~ki j}·~i~~ ~~;li~~)~:;t ['.';:, ~~\\'~~r R,w \1ii1 .. ·r J·.•h.11~n.1 M1lh•r \b~k Miller t\•rcdwMdl..-r Lam· f..{i\lu D.•:nk!M1ll(·1 ~.h.-::t E. MilL·r [\·g~;\· Mun.:; (.iinri M1n ... i.,ui Tl ••. wa.• & .\1.J.ry \·fnH:b[,;r1i Gr('t>!1,·n ~11111\ih:iH John Mm,-.r Jau11,·M1<:1wr ?r-c;·d M1~ ... ,J Emin;; \.!:!.·hdl R,v.vl:m-! M11rh,·1l '2h.1:1-.L·rM1tr\wil Julie \litu,; D~1~t-Mit'.jne;.; ?..hrL.Y.~ ... kl.-r: j.,Jrn lit Rl.11h M· ~n Rev. (i"11.·e:1 .\1•ollitt T1•1w\.11•i1f:1 H_,,f-.,·n E. Mdk j\;;~"k M. •ll\Y .. i, .. ; ~~am" M .. n:h· !'<.,\t:~ \1u-~r: 1~1,·~., .\1.._-.....r-.- C:irc< ~1_.,,r .. · t'c:vin M<,)!'« Vindni,1 !\1,,r.Jle< Rd--.~·:·,·.~ .\1(lr~':'11 Ju.iv h.'.. -rg:~ri l"-'i..'t'"rMr,r.i.rtr: l"\:ivi.11'.kw,·ll \U.:.r-M1111i.' D.i...·d.:.-:...1'.1:1t·\·\111rt; . .;,1r [1t-nn1( \1c,rrnw ]tJV \1,,rt<'O R. ...... \·! •• n Bil! ~.1ui1 Mi.-k•dMtd.!,-r \/;.-r,,ri.i.\1uik·n TC,-lia~~·l·:S.,' ~11~;.~:~\1-:.1ll,-r Nel!i··Mulvt" L<.'c & Si.1<' Muq.A,\ V/..1 EM11r>-1li\ ;_t"iJ:h~hrr.r.• l.,m~-~ Mt"-.r:it."\ K:idqn Mvli"'" [-.:.l--<-llt \.h::.:b Dw1d N.,,·l.tc-t::ill 1._°";,;:·v'.\i;J.,ktH·l.._l J\·r.;1i,.Naii1.-K~1rt N'.11:·ii~n Bwrc-&r'.it~m:c-: ..;..·,in ~a.:-•r: ldlt~ '.'l.illlil R..,hi.rt ~<;wt.1 N;11.1Na\•ll<l r;:,\n\.; ~., .. ~·:;o\ B1>nn;1· N.JwJ.r.i c.~n n N.tWrl': B.,:hJr::, l'c.l~ CM.., '."J~lt·rvdd Dt·1~;;1, Nd·h-.~1 •_'._r,,! '.\!end: P.1>-'<:"N.,.v(' r,~•ri. ;.~ N,·11. hv Rt·J1.1l.i l\J,..,.\~,u1:r' R.i1i'it<T1 St·wt.1n T.rf"\l'\1.:l1.,h, C!.r;-.Ni-'!1;1!1.s B11:11: ;-..:1<-L~ •. 1, hdi_.. Nit·tlin;~ L"':.rrYNix \.hn1h-'\i1>.;_W \:.;:~}~ ~:.rli:.:: K"'"11N•Jrt"I ... L.iiahN11rt1;- '.'-J n·i:i Si -1d'····111 Lt.J. N,w,·;;d, PL1J\iµ f\:r,w ... k f'hiliµ & [),,;)]~.;, N,·!htV<::· K\·n ;-..?·. ~.~tm R.t0;1·1kl0°&:rr• )In lYCr111n.ll 1.,1,1, 1. ~·c,,,Jll,)!" K:.-ha~.1 r ~ Y!"k:nn..-ll Erin 1)'Ndl r.1\11 l)'~'°i!! i<l!l1L• O'N~·;L M1d1..ld -...'~;.;rd,: &-.h !~!~~il·'.i:~[\~~j~,ren J 8 Oldcnh~rµ.:r M.uuJrt.t Clh.:: 1~1<11\ Ohn-·r.;-? [\·rd C'l!.'·-n ... l.:i Omkr:.;·n~ Ci:.il U1,m.:c Nid .. ~ M,,n,-Or.t .. t1:m Totn OrliJ..:ow;:ki L. ~lores Ort1..·ga LmdaOrtrn.m B.i.rbOibom Ron o.~good Ai'<lv Ou\\"tnga Cork\• (.h•ccmyer Paul Ov.~n Mike P<tin.r•~r C:\$i?l\irP.lli\.<:ek SlL".111 Palml'r M~·~ Palmc-rltt: M A P::miwv:i\.: Po:t.cr Papla.w~h A. rar\.:er Ch;1rhe Parb Kurt Paiic." David Pa.cik<M'l'ki C:\thv Pa.mn('r R.m Patt<!"n fk-..1trJy?.l.r;: Bill P:iyn~ Anb Pe:u~on Su:>1:m Pta."c Allyn P~l~n Pa11i.-i:1 Pennel Mik ... ~ r ... ~nndl Janie:. & Su:.!tte Pcµlin.•ki Ed & R."l<:hel Ptrdut' i..ori & D~1vc Perkin.s CA~an P.:rri1~ Ben Perrin MargoF'crn· P~mf T\-~tdc Wcx>\IV & Lorr.tra P('_ter5<.•n ~brri Phdps Saundra Ploillips RvlX!rl Pic:n:e y,.onne Pi1,.'tT~ Stan & Gnr.c Pik.-inr Loren PimhJr Chri.st ... ~ph<-r PlirC" Tom Pole:n1a11 Jade: Ponsr<-.in. Mark Poiuone Ji;-ffPorth .. MarkP:.~1 J~:tT} Pumm1 Chm Pnsrma T<>m Pu. ... t111us. E. ... 1.her F\lf:)rtaj R(•bh p~...,~rai Lvn;i Pr:i-.vd! Rick & &n1i Powdl Fr.ml Pr.nt, Jr. Scm:1rd Pr:iwittk Tony Pre!lt.On Mi\:.c Pro:ton Cynthla frk~ G<!'n~ f'rke j:lnll~ Pl'ic-e Mkh:iel Prim l'om & Ron P[omiI'.slo Da\iJ Prong j;;clc. Proo.:. St~-c & Ka~n rr.Jin DunPn.i::. K.ulw Pryl-iy;;: jarkic l\utno Parrki:I Pulham C:nhv Qtunn T1rnQui...L L~"T)n R."'li):i'!Ut William Rabida.u ~·lichdie. R:i.htd<.!au Davi<l fu1bi.d1:au Rd~«.c<1. R.,mir~ Ivonne R..'"l.m1rei: Sanu::i.go Ramirez ~in R."'Uld Su1an R.'"l.nicin H.·rbcrt Rnnt.i Dav~ Ra.~111\11'..-.en Mark & Lnr.t R.wrnond 1':1t & W\'$ Rc-.·d "RC'Cd Srvi:r ~t:dt"r Garf'\· & Nancy R..~nda:: fo.mn R.t:tvc:~ . To;.~ R.:~e.t Frnnk Reilk 1\~n Reimer jllt' Rembert Mklltld Re.mu Ramon R('Vr'":S ~l\:rM.R.o:r lns.c Rt"yna ]Arne Rcrnold:• Brv<0u Rihh\•n;; Genld Rt.-\· RldL'l Carol Rich~rn S.:th Ricker L!viRi.-k<'tt El1:alx:th Ride<lut .bml!." Rie1m::n."<"!m~·1\{er J:mirc: R1cmer:mt:t KeD Riemer.~m:i Rich Rienstr:i. R1ckRilC'J' D..··wie Rill j~:i~c:i Rinck Curti.~ & Darl~u ... · RiL~'.llJa ~adim Rizgall.ti.h Rirhnrd & Mary Rwch J.,nath:m R.~let.~\lT• Joon Roh.~ru Mirrl1dl Rolll':reo,"'n Anl.'h: Robiruon Ann.i.nd R .. J..ms•)l\ Emilv Rob11\..~.:,n .o\l1 Hilt·. & Roh Rocl1e Mary Ellen R.i.lo.lgt:n. S1~ter There.se &'<ir!~~l: Sam R.-xlris;ue;: Di11~a R..."'11.l:i'lue: Nauha Rodriquez Ri:i.st:t\d0 Rndr1qoc2 0. Rt .. Iriqu ... ·: Mi!t R.uhWl':l' C.'lrinen Rt.1j::i..~ Chm Rc..111ph T,1mR'"'ic Debi Rook Kary! Ropko D\fh.1 Jose ~a!cz P·Ju\.\ & F.i.u~IO Ro,.;:mo Sh~·rri<(· !\J.):;i; Darrel R.o:i..• ll Roht:rt:iT. R.o..'l..•i J:"cl Rotman Jc-Im Rooth Bcdcy Rozeb1."'1Qm lacl.:..!,,n Rudd! Angel Rugas ?:tm Rwnhcrgs Hnmc Ru.~h ... '.r Je:in Rr:SkJ.mp Rd1crto S<1~m: Mirhad S:4k Dan S:ih~ Fr...dSa!ier Donna~!ton A.n::i Sand\L''% ~na Sane-he: Zoraida Sanchc: b.ncr Sander11 . luhe Sar.-..~ Loui.i Sarog Frt"d Sauer Cymhi-. Sav:i.rn Nan{)' Sa\·lor Phil & L1\'l'n<!' Sd1a.,t.•mn Vetm~Sd1.1d R,1hSd1:ikr Rir'L.Sdi.'lli Ch·~ Sdurph .. Jm lolm Sch:i.11 J:lrk1eSrh,·1H:nl:i.t1 Ki111 S..~h1cvinl Ken Sdnllin~ ·:.:!1d.~c•i Sd1le1n: J, .... hn S;hnddr Tcxld Schmidl Jerri S,·hmid1 R;w S.hnd,i.;-r M:u le. 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St:m1r:t•k L.)n Stanton Bob St:mti.·n 1~·m Sta.~J..f ... ~·i<l l•·.•.•1c:i S1a. ... zk;t·\~.11•: H.,.J_.n St...fa.ni:1k l:•i' Sti:fi:.:11 1.~.uir,• ${.:fl.-.~ B. ·h Stemni~·r Jim Srr1~ jc;:11Sr.:in..,..rt P;u & Rwk Sr.-:iw-1.·rr l."dxn~1!: $;d .. .-:t.:. ... • Fr<:'d Slella Thank You! The City of Crancl Rapids gratefully a,cknowledges rhe thousand~ of cirizens who participated in the pr<><:ess of updating rhrir Master Pla11. $; ;m $;crni-'i ... ·:.k1 Sr;on Sterk ~ .:'11.i~ Stc-.·n;~on M.:trihr:! Stcw:it t [ (·rrv Srie1h.1n1·, Joi in & ju lie St1vo:r.!I GarvStodctr·n M,irk St0<ldar1l L!CA·,i St<"'ll Julio:Sr,,r1t.•mJ.n A nw & ,kn.ii hon $1:, 'll<:"r Srcpb.mic St~1tr, Bill St..-it1:,:l1 Mr:<Strt::k r\nt.id:. Str1..:J..J;:m<l C:11d $t.n•thcd.- R.Jx Stt;;i;1 $0H\d.,. StlKkh.;;r~h 1..~rq; SunJ~tr01n leifSn1m,~I o~:nni, Swrtl'v.!nt Ride. 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Shir!~· \X.'l'.'it~~ C:i:•)IW,·kh NNn1 \X/ekh M=-n~Wdls R'·)J-.en \)'/ct0r1k:l Stdli;-& Kim \'t: .... .s1.b1t• Be~;· & j,1!11~ \'(',::on:i;~;, Anl\ \'\lcsrra t. .. ~ri \"Xfr1-er~ )Phn \X0lwekt G ... ·rTY ~'ht"dl·t N1n.-v\'(,.l1itt· j:u.w.:Whir.- 6r\·t: \'(lh1C!l1l•r\· T•1..:.I Wirht _I:Kk Wiellwuv.:er Marion~· VJ./:dsma "Kl:'!\ \'(/1crC'l~~.l J ..... n & L-1.1n \"X,li(·r..:111a Rem \'(1h·r,urn Rf,h\li1ersurn St!;'V~ Wi.:n:bi"b la111l·~· \i1tl(C't~r L\-k \''/til'•·X Mikki \X."J!,Jc Kn~11:1~· Wil<!..:h..A'r Kri~ \"'(/tit"\ Sk\t· \X/i! .... · K-uen w·dht'l;:i ~lik"° \'('ill;:.;:\' Lm,h \X/dh.,111. ... _h1.~n11<:. \'Villbo1:< M.uT A[in•; \Vi\!i:11lh lim \V1lli.1!1t, J.rn \X.'illi.iu1,, "-•h .. ·rt:1~lilli.1,h R,1,1o:.rWilli111u Fn1· W. \'1:1illnm~ R1)~ctt~• \\/,!ii:rn,:-i [\1l.·:·.:,1\'l,lilli;11,:• K:.-n \):dli.111:· [)on 'X'ill11111~ M.:irkWii:<.:.-n K:iH,!~ \\.;);<()rl f'hd \':;'ilc:1">'.) /•-'.~ \Y,:i[,('n J, 1d1 \Vihcrrh!\l Jin~ \\'iltk: Bn.m \'(:mJ...t"l1:,.i1n1 lin. \'t'int,.r-T~l"'!lltWm~ St~nb· \l/i;<m,.k1 11.1.u' \X'is:!a~r Ti •m \'l::i~'"-"'b .'\nii.:\:</1:;1;,··,1.,kJ !,,\u~ -..x.:,~ni ... ··,1.~k1 '.\.~~.n· \'(..'jd,.w.·<l1 i lutln·r'\'('j•tr- l(-,j \'t' .. ii!1 .. r.i l .. rnvc<.' \X.'r,; 1~ L\':ldun \(.'~°!'<."XI L\1111"iJ\V"'"l!11ill l'>..·111.11111n & fu,Jrn, \V,~·11·1 G:ihd~t \X:, ... rb :::ih::.r<>r: V/./,,r:il g._,1, \X1,,rth1;\o..'.l•>I: hrrv& Ev.·i'.n \'(':·i..!1t L1un ~:n~ht P.r(•'H \'(/vbc1~_1r., t~~~~~ ~;~·,~7'~~1' \~:11,!11t\ \X;n;~l!LJ Erk \'(.'vn>i,;..i ~.-1.irl y,,~1 Kiin y,.1;r,;.r ~?:;~~~:: ~~}.~:~: J..1111c~ Yi.::i•~· f..1rh.11d /::ag111;J'l R,1~1 l~iv.d M /'.u::i..ai:;w \11.-L.i.d L..1h~r,;\...<.i..• Dirl L.thi~ Ch~dt-~~ hit"\··i:~..i .~~ih & r.i.ni hm Jdu; /:inr !.l111t:; i'ar:it,,nc.it1 ... C'DS G,·r,;ld 7..:.\vi. ... ;:J\.~·-~~~ T:)tn/.,·ii11:<\...1 /{j,·k /.-liner Daa1•·l /c11w11i:· kff /.i:\olll<''llll'll\ je:,1mc /1,>n:k~.1•:0\...i D.ln Zc.1nd •. :r\...lJ \'l·rl /u;d:.:rv ... -.:11 H:•id1 7t:k;""1'.V;'ki MiLluziak J·~~~:~·~7~~~,;;n (:;()h 7d,!~.l R.·h-ht"l 0~bom 71·i~tn l)•l~ .:;.f.,_lj,•Jilt:$ IV fiJr,,~ 11i1<JU •i<Hlt<''{l:t'11i<:\"/"11~ rn•hlwnm:d> !llliin~·d. Plan Grcmd Rat1ids • A cknowledgments CITY O F GRANO RAPIDS FREY · FOUNDATION ~7-~~t;;;~.~~- HE HIG1' PLACE PHO\iRAM .c.. r.r.CiiCNAl £(0NOM:C D(V(LOPMHfT O~GAN u.no!'f Plan Grand Rapids • Acknowledgments Funding Funding for the preparn1"ion of rhe Crane! Rapid~ Master Plan was provided by: City of Grand Rapids John H . Logic, Mayor Kurt F. Kimball, C ity Manager Frey Foundation The Frey Foundation is a fam ily foundation com- mitted ro 1.vorking together ro make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, o rganizations and commun iries. The Right Place A regional economic de,·elopment organizati on founded in 1985, The Right PL1ce Program is a re- gional, non-profit economic development organiza- tion promoting area economic growth through high-quality employment, productivity, and techno~ ogy. To do so, rhe progrnrn focu;;e~ on rernining ex- isting jobs, supporting local business gro1,vth, and attracting new businesses to the Greater G rand R<1p- ids area . City of Grand Rapids Community Development Department with a grnnt from the Unired States Departmen t of Housing and U rban Developmenr, Community Development Block Grant Progra m. • Page x • PubHc Representatives During rhe Master PLm process, the citizens of Cirnnd Rapids were represented by the follmving: Grand Rapids City Commission John H. Logie -May<)r Scott Bowen Robert Dean J<t mes Jendrasiak Lyn n Rahaur Rc>y Schmidr Rick Tormab Grand Rapids Planning Commission Peter Carlberg John H. Srive rs Kim D. DeSrigter Marilyn Tirche Jim Doczema Robert Zylstra Shau la W. Johnston Daniel Ciravelyn * Patrick Mi les, Sr. James White* Ja net K. Sanders ·1unnc,· "''"'h" Master Plan Committee Eva Aguirre Cooper Mary Angelo Sandi Aten Nicole Ball Peter Carlberg Sam Cumming~ Re,·. Robert Dean John Di,:e Nan cy Dudley Dan G ravelyn Jay Hoekstra Jack Hoffman John .J <1ckcoboice Jim Jcndrnsiak Rev. Charlie Jones C indy Koning Jamie M,~lone Brad Mathis Roxie Mc<. )ee Le igh VamkrMolen Lee NclsLm-Weber Lynn Rabaur Herbert J. Ranta Roh<~rto S;wnz Fred Sauer YvLmne Sims John Stivers Dr. Rick Sulliva n Carol 'fownsend Shaun Walrcrs Bob Zylstra Les Allen* Be rt Burton* David Cas~ard* George Hearrwcll* Dehm Holmes-C;i rrison * Technical Assistance Tec hnical assistance in rhe preparation of the Gm nd Rapids Master Plan was provided by: City of Grand Rapids Administration Kurt Kimball -City Manager Eric DeLong -Deputy C ity Manager Victor Vasquez, Jr. -Assistant City Manager Planning Department Staff William f. Hoyt, PhD. -Planning Director Jay Fowler, AICP -Assistant Planning Director Valdis Lazdins -A%istant Planning Director Suzanne M. Schulz, AICP -Project Coord inator Dale Fitz -Planner Alice Bushong -Planner C hristo1 her Gray -Graphic Designer Jadw De Vogel -Photographer Barb Ellison Marv Lummen Kenneth Schilling, AlCP Emily Kamara -Intern Eric Pr;itt -lntern The Right Place Program Rick Chapla-Urban Redevelopmenr Specialist Urban Redevelopment Council Wade~Trim Nicholas P. Lomako, AICP, PCP -Projecr Manager Leah Hutko Smith Group JJR Constance C. Dimond -Principal Plan Author Mary Jukuri Kofi M. Boone Mike Kirk Clare Wade Communications LLC Clare Wade Project Innovations .JoAnna Trierweikr Past Perfect, Inc. Jennifer Anne Met: Rebecca Smith-Hoffman Neighborhood Associations Alger Heights Neighborho<>d A;;:::cKi<Hion Auburn Hilb Neighborhoocl As>odation Baxter Neighborli:0od Association Black Hills Citizens frlt a Bt•rter Community Creston Neigl1borhood Association Ea:<rgart' N<>ighhMhood A,.,odarion East I !ills Council o( Neighbors Easmwn Communir:y Ass;:;ciarion Fuller Area Neighbo~s Fulmn Heights Neighborhood A<sodation Garfield De1•elopmenr Corporarion Garfield Pa rk Neighborhood A'so,·iation Heartside Neighborhood A<sori.irion Heritag,~ Hill Association Highland Park Association John Ball Park Community Association Madison Area Neighborhood Associ.<nion 1v!idtovm Neighborhood A'so«iation Neighbors o( Belknap Lookout Nonh East Ciri:ens Action Asso(iation Roosevelt Park Neighb,)rho,)(l A.so,Kiarion South East Communitv r\ssociation Sourh East End Neighl~orhood A"tKiation Southwest At~a Neighbors West Grand Neighborhood O rganization \Xlesr Grand Rapids Planning Comrnirte,~ \Vest Side Connection ~Wade-Trim Business Associations Alg,~r Heights Business As::0ciation Roston Squarv Business ,\,;sociation Burmn l kights Business Association Clwn:y/Lak,j[)iamond Bus iness Ass(>Ci<Hic>n Cheshire Villag~ Business A.<sociation Cre.>mn Business Association Division South Busin~ss A,soc:iari,m Easr Fulmn Business Association Eastown Busin,~ss A'soci;ni,)n Cirandvi lle Avenue Business Asso,:iarion Franklin/Ea:.tern Business Association H1.:~arrside Business A,:'SO<..:iarion Madbon Sqt1;,HC l3nsiness i\ . .::sociation Michigan Srreet Are.1 Business Assnciari.111 Monroe, orrh Business Association Seymour Square Business Aswci.uic>n Stockbridge Business Association \V,~althv Sneer Busin,,ss Alliart<·e Wcsr Fi"dton Busine;;s Assod ation \Vest Leonard Business Associarion AIA Grand Valley Art Works Interurban Transit Partnership Grand Valley Metropolitan Council Grand Rapids Public Schools Grand Rapids Information Network Neighborhood Business Specialists Program Public Museum of Grand Rapids hl;l i'DI 1nnovat1ons1 SmithGroup JJR r195T ~Rf~T. INt::. I Clare Wade Communications !tAIA • Pag.: xi • Pinn Gra nd Ropid.s • Acknowl~dgments --------·-·-· ··--· --·· -· - Plan Grand Rapids • Acknowledgments • Page xii • 1~0 Introduction 1~1 ... Purpose What is a Master Plan? A master plan is a set of long- range objectives, policies and maps used to guide the growth and dev- elopment of a community. In general, the goals of a master plan are to: • identify existing conditions and rrends, and the issues and opportunities they raise, as a basis for decision-making; • clarify and gain consensus on goals and objectives for the future; • establish policies to manage change and ro gu ide decisions about future land use 1 and development; • provide the foundation for settin g capital improveme nt priorities, rev1smg zoning regulations and developing other implementation tools. 1L:tnd can be u.scd !Or a V'lritty of pur~~. (,,r exJ.mple h(•ll~mg, h~m<.!::~es ar parl~ 11.e Mis::cr Plan re<'ommen~.$ tl1e future use of !:rnd wit:ldn the <itr. ·----~~ •. --•..... 3 MILE ~'.:J:l~>:<r I .... /J ;-"'-·=·-···-.. , ""' ; ' ; .,___ ! ! ---·--- .••.• £HICAGODR I·· LOW DENSfTY RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL -MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL -HIGH DENSITY RES:DENTIAL -COMME~IAL -OFFICE -MIXED COM~RCIA~IRESIDENrlAL -MEDICAL FACILITIES -INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTIONAL -PARKS -AGRICULTURAL VPC.ANT LOT -PARKING LOT • Page 1 • -~H i 44TH r··-· Figure 1.a - Existing Land U se 3t ... 11LE KNAPP LEONARD Plan Grand Rapids • lntroclnction -Chu.Jiter 1 Purpose of a Master Plan Pla1ming is a process for reaching carefully considered de- cisions about what we want the future of our community to be. A master plan has mulriple purposes. Plan as Vision • To reach consernus on, document and communicare rhP omcomcs tlw community wanrs ro achi.eve. • To serve as a caralysr for privare sector inve:-rments that supporr rhosc outcomes. Plan as Blueprint • To translate the vision into land use and transportation patterns that can be used as the basis fo r zoning and for funding infrasrrucrure improvements. Plan as Strategy • To describe rhe tool& rhe communi.ty can use to encourage desired private inw.stmem (both" carrots" and "sticks"). • To coordinate city programs, policies and (uncling to supporr desired outcomes. Chapter 1 -/ntroducrion • Plan Grand Rapids ..,.¢ ~".. \ l\,\ ~\ ~ 3 -\, 'L. • A m.aster plan looks comprehensively at the range ot factors that intluence the physica l development of a communiry. It establishes 1 a citywide policy framework that provides dear di- i recrion for the futme, while mairnaining enough flex- ibility to respond to a variety of sirnations and changing conditions. A master plan establishes the type, density and character of development that is appropriate in diffrrent areas of the c,)mmunity, in- cluding where new development should occur and where resources should be directed to redtalizc l'r reuse already developed areas. A master plan also identifies important natural and cultural resources to be protected and prO\·idcs a frame'A:ork for deter- mining where streets and other public infrnstrucrure will be needed. :Dunth: iht: 1Aannin,1C µroce:.:., i~u~ th::ot Wl're nor r:ltrl'rd\' rd:ite,{ t,, th~ '.\fa ... ~r,·r Pl.111 wc:re r:-.-,~rried anrl. lmv .. •'ardt"<l tc .. 1~'Pff•prt:ik {'ff~ d,·µ.1ru:wr1t'-.m,l C1•n:1>w1wv R('~, ... l;r.·i: Tt:-:mi:-\CR:~' • • Page 2 • 1 ~2 ... Grand Rapids' Master Plan While a master plan typically looks 20 ye,us or more into the future, it must be re-assess,x1 and updated at regular intervals. Urnnd Rapids' la st Master Plan was adopted in 196 3. Although the t:iry has bee11 continuously involved in planning (and the Master Plan has been arnended many times), the community's vision for rhe future had not been com- prehensively evaluated for a very long while. This updated Master Plan records the community ,:onsensu~ on a new vision for ()rnnd Rapid:>. Th<1t vision covers a broad range of topics that are impor- tant to qualiiy of life (for example, schools, public safety or job training); however, the Master Plan fo .. cuses primarily on those land use. development and infrastructure issues on which ciry pol icy can have a direct impacr.~ This is becmisc the Master Pbn is used by the Planning Commis,;ion, City Commis- sion and city staff <IS <I guide for day-t«1-tb1y decision- making in: • de, eloping and applying polkies and regulations (for example, zoning and ,xher ordinance~, guidelines and area-specific plans that describe what kinds of devcloprncnt can occur where); • approving (,md/or suggesting mudifi,:aricms tc>) development proposals; and • assigning resources for ,:apiral inve,;tmcnrs and programmatic initiative,;. The Master Plan is also an important Ye hide for com- municating Cirnnd RC1pids' policies for tlh~ future ro adjacent jurisdictions as the basis for rnordinating land use, open space and transportation decisions. Ju t as importantly, the }.faster Plan cornmunic1rcs expectations and preferences :ibout future <levelnp- ment to property owners, developers and business • people. A5 a result, the Master Plan can serve as a catalyst for change by inrroducing new ideas and de- velopment models. It can also eliminate much of the "guesswork'' from the development approvals process. 1t is important to remember that the public sector can help to encourage and guide investment; but it is the private sector -from individual homehuyers to m<ijor corporations and institutions -that will actually make investment happen. A clear under- standing of what the citizens of Grand Rapids want, and how the city administration intends to support <ind manage development, will esrnblish a more pre- dictable climate for investment and encomage e<:o- nomic development. What's Special about this Master Plan? While master plans share many common elements, each one is tailored to meet the particu lar needs of the city fo r whi<:h it is developed. It should r<:flect the values and visions of the citizens who partici- pated in the planning process. The following char- acteristics distinguish the Grand Rapids Master Plan: Public Involvement .. The Plan is a cirizen-dri\\:~n effort based on extensive community participation. Development Character -The Plan goes beyond broad, city-wid e policies for land use and transporta- tion to make the quality and character of develop- ment a major planning consideration. Downtown and the Balance of the Community - The Plan b uilds on previous planning for the future of the Downtown area, but foc uses it, attention on the balance of the community. Utilities -The Plan establishes a framework for utili- ties master planning to be undertaken in 2002, but , does not include specific utilities recommendations. (A separate, comprehensive utilities plan will be com- pleted in 2003.) Smart Growth Principles -The people of Grand • Rapids have embedded the principles of Smart C!rowrb in their Plan for the futme. Next Steps The completion and adoption of the Masrer Pbn is a significant milestone. But the process of implement- ing the Pl<ln -through 1·he many puhli<: and printfe decisions that influence the health and character of the city's neighborhoods, business districts, econorny, and the natural and built em·ironmenr -is the real hard work. This 1.vill r<~quire: • a clear undersrnnding of plan recommendations; • leadership ot" elecred and appointed officials; • coordination and commitment of city staff; • coc1perntion of de\'elopers. investors and the business community; • continuing participation of concerned citizens and communiry groups. The process of developing ,, master plan identified the need for more detailed work on a variety of top- ics. First and foremost is the need to revise the ci ry's zoning ordinance to be consisrenr with, and to imple- ment, plan recommendations. In addition, the prep::i- ration of area-specific plans that tnmsblte the Master Plan into more derailed recommt~mh1tio11s for land use, transportation, open space and development character are anticipated. Other follow-up iniriarives r<mge from the development of an inventory of envi- rnnmenrnlly sensitive areas ro the developmenr of design guidelines that promote the comparibility of new development: with the character of exisr:ing neighborhoods. • Page 3 • ..... er:: . 1LJ Principles of Smart Growth* • Strengthen, and direo: development towards, existing communities. • Mix land uses. ....J ....J ;:) u.. • Encourage compact development panerns and building design. • Crea re a range of housing choices and opportunities. • Provide a variety of transportation choices. • Create W<1lkable and accessible neighborhoods. • Foster distinctive, attractive development with a strong sense of place. • Preserve farmland, open space. narnrnl beauty and critical environmental areas. • Encourage stakeholder and community collaboration. • Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective. Plnn Grand Rapids • Introduction -Cha/ner 1 • •y ~ 1923 Master Pian t \~~§:~%~\A;(/''7 -Y.·~ (;/1~·µ,~:1 \'-..·.~~·~--1\fl~I '!', l.\.1 t'7 City of Grand Rapids Master Plans This Master Plan is the city's third comprehen- sive land use plan. The cit:y' s first plan was devel- oped in 1923 by Harland Bartholomew and the City Planning Department. The second plan was completed by]. Paul Jones, Planning Director, and h is staff in 1963. Nearly forty years later this new Mas1·er Plan builds on past lessons learned and looks towards the future with great optimism. The four-decade time span between each plan provides an interesting perspective in changing planning philosophies and community goals as each clearly reflects the thinking of i.ts time. Master Plan Planning Philosophy 1923 ......................... ,ity Beautiful Movement· 1963 ......................................... u rban Renewal 2002 ........................... U rbanism (New or Old) City Beautiful Movement -Urban Sp<Kes were intended to reflect culture, art and beauty dur- ing the early part of the 20th century. The cre- ation of city parks and gathering places was important. By virtue of the city's beauty and quality of life, an ever increasing number of resi- dents would be attracted to Grand Rapids. This school of thought combined with the wide- Chapter 1 -Introduction • Plan Grand Rapids ;>; d--t·• ~0 1 ';' ''~W 'a :g --... ~;',:~;J:::·. =~ 6:iC:""· <)..r '· spread use of mass transit (buses, interurban lines, rail) envisioned a green, walkable, dense, and transit-friendly city. Urban Renewal -A number of ideas wi thin rhe 1963 Plan sought to drnstically change the land- scape of rhe core-city. T he general philosophy was "out with the old ancl in with the n:::w". The central city was viewed as blighted and in need of modernizing. At the same time, the federal highway system was rapidly being developed. AB a result, a number of historic and cultural re- sources were lost within the city and nev.1ly de- veloped :ncas of the city were built: for easy automobile access. Urbanism {New or Old) -New Urbanism es- pouses the values of centuries-old traditional urban cle~ign ro creare, o r re-create, communi- ties. Ironically, many of the recommendations of the 1923 Master Plan closely reflect the val- ues and ideas of Grand Rapids' citizens in 2002. The concepts of sense of community, civic space, walbbiliry, mixed-use, transit-friendly design, housing variety and a reduced dependency upon the automobil.e are central to both plans. • Page 4 • 1 <+3 ~ Guiding Principles Ea rly in 2000, Mayor John H. Logie appc>inted a 31- member steering committee to gu ide the prepara- tion of the city's Master Plan . T he }.-faster Plan Committee ~elected a con~ulran r feam, helped l'L' develop rhe planning process and worked with city staff and the consultants to maxirni:e community parricipation and to shape the content o( the Plan. In spring 2001, the Committee <'.:;tablished the fo l- lowing guiding principles for thei r work. These pri n- L:iples infl uenced borh the plan ning prtJL:ess and the content of the Plan; they also esrnblish be nchmarks for implementaJion. Partnership We make decisions and accomplish our plans in an open, inclusive and collabornriw manner. We em- power people to contribute their ideas, work toward consensus ,md take responsibility for achi eYi ng a shared vision of the fiitme. We work in partnership -neighborho~'ds, businesse~. itn-t:srors. non-profit,,;, instirutions, schools, city government and surround- ing jurisdiction~ -to capitaliZ<'. nn the synergy of pooled resources and expertise. Leadership We count on our community leaders and cl,:cision- makers to contribure to our \·ision and work creatively and agg ressively to make it ;1 rea lity O ur kader~ en- courage the early involvement of affected parries in d.evdoping appropria te planning "rraregit". Thev help us foc us on shared goals to ma nage change . Choice We honor the diversity of our community by provid- ing choices in housing and neighborhood types, transportation modes, shopping and job oppormni- ties and recreational and cultural offerings. Economic Health We understand that our city's ability to attract and retain business, jobs and households is the economic engine that drives investment in new development and the improvement and reuse of older areas of the dry. Our city's e<:onomic health also determines om fisca l capacity to provide public investments and qual- ity public services. We recognize the irnponmKe of broadening access to economic opportunity for all our citizens. Balance We recognize the importance of maintaining a bal- ance between economic (<rnd job) growth, neighbor- hood preservation and environmental steward -hip. We are committed to protecting and improving the va lued characteristics of our central city while en- couraging change that will make the best use of va- cant and under-used land and buildings. We support a balanced transportation system that offers ;it:trac- tive alternatives to automobile use. Quality We believe that quality in rhe design and nrninre- nance of private development and the public realm makes a difference to the quality of our lives. We support design approaches that hon.or context, com- patibility, aurhentkity and the human scale. We :;up- port maintenance strategies that keep our city clean, green and safe. · Access V/e are committed to creating a pedestrian-friendly city that also provides convenient connections over longer dist"ances. We support transit. hm we al;;<) nt~ecl a quality roadway system tlur rn inimizes negatiw tr;1t: fie impacts. We manage parking so that it·s irnpact on the pedesrrian scale and visual quality of our city is minimized. Sustainability We care about the environmenr, the availability of resources k>r fumre generaric1n;; and the integrity of natural systerns. We <1Spire ro the Hannover Prin- ciples (Page 10.5). The d10ices we make will prntect natural resources, capitalize on ,;xisting infrastruc- ture and hon.or the principles of Smart Urowth. 'V/e support acrions that conscn·e 1l1e cultural and physi- cal heritage of our community. • La Gmrde v ,resse I" Abandei Ca~hon Cald~> Pl"~ci. • Png.o 5 • Pilm Grand Rl1pid..' • !ntrod1i.-tion · Chaticer I PHASE I -\VlNTER 2001 ~. ,:< ' ............. ,...,, /' / ' ' ' Forll!'l 1111 - , ___ :::._\_ -=······t ... · .. -'-..... ·-........ PHASE 2 -SPRING 2001 ....,..,_ ~u.......-,., c:-..:::.,~"-) ,_,,...,_ ·~- 0 ;1 ... =-~.i.. ',n-1 , ..... ~~:·~-' Figure I .b ~ Master Plan Process Chapter 1 -Introduction • Plan Grand Rapids PHASE 3 -FALL 2001 PHASE 4 -WINTER 2001-ll2 PHASE 5 -SUMMER 2002 FALL 2002 _h, ~· 8 Foru.m r3 Coneelf.'a for Change .,,., Fo!U'TI J-4 F'onenf5 Rt-_.,. of Dl8!tP•I"! ,._, ~~· [§] '~ @ e ... -·=~ e· ,_ 8 140PtJQfft a v c., .. 4'GOQ v . :: 0 ' ~ 1-==· ·~--·--'!:,;:;:;:' ·- """tJ~-,.,_,,, ... ~,_-_,.. R----·---~--- r:;:;;::i [_-::::J ' .~::..-::. 150People Master Plan Process . . PLAN GRAND RAPIDS Tl1i.i: di;\j{ram illu::trntt'$ lhe 111:utt'r µl:m pn;~e~.i:. Tl1i,,; cxtt'11.sivc public 11wolwment ell(\rt relit'd lln public input tw1 .. ·e t.ll1rtnj.! e.l<"h pl1<.be ll1t l1r<t cng:u::.:111ent eff~..,rt a."ke,\ µ...-... •plc ah...1uttl1 ... 1r i.~!=tl~ an\I opini<.•n.c; d1e"-t:'C"ond nn1e a.<1ke..1did1,1,·e l1e:ir,·0u corrcnl\'1 Are 'I.\" l1eadt.'d ti'\ the n~ht direction~ The Pbn will direct 1he land u.~ derlSl(\J\:< ()(the rb.nnmi.: ConunL<:.."IOn and City Ct,mmissi.,n. 1~4 ... Process The master plan process officially began on January 8, 2001. This exrensi\e public imd\'ement effort re- lied on public input nvice during each phase (Fig11re l.~ -Master Plan Prows · Page 6). The firsr engage- ment efforr <tsked people abour rheir is~ues and whar they rhought; the second time asked: Did we hear you correcrly7 Are we headed in rl1t~ righr dired·ion7 The planning process was structured in five major ' phases that included the following tasks: Phase 1 , Issues and Opportunities • Strengths, \Veaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analyses • Community profile Phase 2 , Opportunities for Change • Visions • Map locations where changes in land use or development are anticipated, desired or feared • Page 6 • Phase 3 , Concepts for Change • Develop preliminary ideas frlr translating visions and prioritizing ovportu11ities k)r d1ange inro <l citywide approad1 ro hmd use and rrnnsponarion Phase 4 , Guidelines for Change • Sample development guidelines (principles of the qualiry, charncter and compatibility of devclopmenr) • Spedal studio.!~ Phase 5 , Plan Recommendations • Draft plan reporr • Community review • Public hearing • Adoption 1 ~5 ~ Comm1L1nity Participation The planning process was designed to maximize citi- zen involvement and to gain consensus on plan rec- om me nda tions. Hundreds of meetings held throughout the planning process were attended by more than 2,500 residenr.s, business people, employ-' ers, property owners and institutional representatives. Community participation was structured ro bal- ance the need to take rhe planning process to the people and the need to bring people from across the city together 1"0 share perspectives and ,;onfirm citywide directions at key milestones. 1.5~1 ... Area ... and Interest ... Specific Workshops At the start of the master planning process, over 120 outreach meetings were held to identify area-specific values and issues. Neighborhood and business orga- nizations were asked to identify strengths, weak- nesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analyses) relating to their areas. Focus group rneetings were also scheduled with various interest groups (i.e., ma- jor employers, environmental groups and develop- ers) to get their special perspectives. As planning progressed, additional outreach meetings were held in difterent city sub-areas to idenrify and discuss op- portunities for change, to review ,~oncepts for change and to evaluate special studies that illustrated how plan recommendations might be applied in four spe- cific areas. These area-and interesr-specific work- shops allowed participants to share information, identify key issues and evaluate possible planning so- lutions. Tlie Master Plan process was de.iigned to gain consenms on plan recomm~ndations. • Pag.; 7 • Pltm Grand Rnp ids • lntrndnction -Cha/1ter 1 1.5.2 ,, Community Forums At key milestones in the planning process commu- nity forums were held to encourage people from dif- ferent parts of the city to share their perspectives and to solicit feedback on how accurately citizen in- put was being synthesized and interpreted. In addi- tion to the community forums, in February 2002 a citywide workshop was held to help define the con- tent of developmem guidelines for mixed-use, higher density residential development and green space in the central city. Nearly 100 people participated in the one-day workshop. Five community forums, each attended by 125 - 300 people, focused on the following tasks: Chapter 1 -Introduction • Plan Grand Rapids PLAN AHEAD! Ho" w1>uld y,)u like to"" Gmml Rapicl.-chanc;,• in tht rwxr 20 yenrl<' •Te ll us on Tuesday, March 20th, nt the rim Ma.•t<r Plan Cummunity Forum (.'11lcd '"V1$ioning". Thut"~ when y\.iU and ftthc-r people-\Vito live; Hnd \-\:ork all uvcr tli\" Clt'':r' l·an put vour head< to)lecher whelp chap•· Grand Rapi,L<' future • Find mtt ho•" people view our Cir;. What aie it• br·1qhnp1 ,r,' What could b~ b~tl\•r: • Build un thos~ ickas. In 20 years. whur >.huuld Gmnd Rapids offor to p<:<,pk· who li1~,, ""Irk PrVtsll here'. Ph!! ?1hcad' Join LIS ,1rCt'nrr3l iilll! T!n· p,1d,,:h1~ lot ar Fot•nt;ii!, High Srhr ... '11 on Tu&l:!y, :.rn'N ..1n<l Ptr'l'-f'k'.tr Aw1n1.~ ~·-ifarJ\ 20th at6:00rM. l\rk in NF~ .11\...-i ~he-\\\"St:enrroh<\~wtH dw 1'1n-1.m hon Strt-et ~lf ar l~· r,~\'l"\'t'o.i ft'r rlw d1:\:Abk"'l. Cirv iligh/:Middk rLt'<Uf' (h1c3t1,)1i~'. Jlll;"X ,:,all tl!i .lt ("IH("l th1uu,.::i:h rh(" main front (6J6)45f,. (Hl N go t<.'· dV\:m. fad~ f'¢untaiL1$trd"C. l/R..'\...l\lfl RAPU.l:i W\\N~·.;:q.~rAnJ-rapk11:1.mi.o.:,. TIJESDAY, MARCH 20, 2001 · 6;9PM CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL· 421 FOUNTAIN f\~ Community Forum #1 Tasks: Prioritize beliefs and issues fr,)m S\X/OT analyses; develop Yisions for rhe future for pri- ority topics. (Mardi 200 1) • Page 8 • GOT PLANS? Share your idt.~1;; <'In. June 19 •lt Commnrnry Foruu. ,..2 c:ill,•t.I "OpportlJ nicies ror Cha cigc:::. -• J•'in illtt·n·~tt·~.! cmzt.•n.;: a."\ wt· l.tJCJk ut Grand Raµid~ like:-a pu::ile. Ltt'~ idtnl it"y tliP.'-t .m~a..: Lhal nt.'"C'd J ne\.\ "p1c.-cc-" n( dt:vdopment. • Tlnnk ah1..n1t hn\i,. the prn::I,:' pir(1·., 1)r' l)l!r fomnwnirv c:nuld h(· n"work1..·~I tn t"i1 .... liilcrcutly, !unction hr-ttcr and improvt· 1..>ur qualny 1,f !de. • \X/hc-re do <)pportun 1tie"~ for change." t:'Xi .. t! • l l<>V.. .:lh)t1ld tlH:.:..:~ areai; be pri....)riti?l!'ll! • \Xlhi(:h chan.~c:-; arc mo,,.t important~ ;_;,,,p;""''Joir.u;on)m« 19 ~ '''l"''li,Al.>.~o., .. ·,<ibl• .. -\1: frtim 7:00. l).00!'M \t'e-will b(" Pitir1 \.;r-..11i.I H:lp!J~ 11'~'l:t!;> ~lT< lht'l'!.it)f: ,H 'f.foi(lti Hit:h u •. ,. :>jot·tll(•rlwpltl:li~.\)1;l~lic,11s'. Sdu:x;l, 1800 T1t:n\(.H1t NW, ~ \.~:lll llid.:11y1Jl \.•r,H~d lbi1kL~ n\i,~\'\.'.('j\ Bndw.·_ Strf'\>f .. md p-..,.LA~-N~---Pb:1X'lin~r~tp.1rr<:1wr1r:H("l6) L<'l''l'r1.1n~~tH"t'I N'X'.t•rK"hlo.-k _ <1'je-.~;)~1 r11 \'is1~ n• W\'h ,11; e.d!-t<ll (,..::\'t'1IA\.l·nu0. ·n,t· Glt:'\t-.l)RANDS w...,.,w.~·i.~::1n,i-1:1pid(. :ni.u:> TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2001 · 7~9PM UNION HIGH SCHOOL -1800 TRID.10NT N\V Community Forum #2 Tasks: Review, arnend ~md prioritize opportu- nities for change ideas ga rhere<l from :m :a-spe- cific workshops. 0 une 2001) MAKE PLANS ! On November 15, we'll he talk in)! abc>ut "Conct'pts for Change· the firtil drofr of ideas for Grand Rapids' n_ew ·Mal3ter .Pian. • Should we ... AHract more peoplt co li\1• in Gron,[ Rapid'' Reconnect the Grand Riwr to tbe West Sid•' Build walkahlt nci,uhborhood centen:? C re:t.et• 11 compt•tirivc city~ • Have'-"'\~ li~ctn.t"<I to rhe conHnunity! ls t'V<"rythin.g in c11,~ ri~I\! plact! I~ atwthing mis.•in.~! • Communicy forum #3 is che halfwav point in tl11.'.' plunnin.Qpr<x:e:-:s.. • Help set the dire<"tion for che future! Milke Plan.~: Join lt:> on A iittcnd lh'f Phn \)r:1nd R;ipids N1..,\'f.'Hlh1.~( Is c!l Otr<twa Hilb t'VI.. •• r Qu.:..slit'l1S~ Pll{Jll.C Hil;h Sd100! (~{'llth ~id<.· of !t! •• •• (616)456·3(i4') or. fiud cur Bnrllln SE, hf'r\\\~t·u ~ 1ww"let.h~r (in b:gli.,h .i.n.I !<aliHn1\iCIO & Plvrnm1th). P~LAN~ Spardt-h) .ir: W\"W.ci.~?rJn.i ~lllwnc~ i~ AOA :J.(Xc»ible:. ~pid>-r11i.11s 011d<'r Pl:wuin-.1.t l!\'l"f\'on,~ is al\\~-:-: 'li.<t·l.:-.om.c ro (:ttA."ID IW'lf'.8 {),•rarm11.•nt, M'l..;!er Pian. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2001 ·6:30-9PM OTTAWA HILLS RS. -2055 ROSEWOOD SE Community Forum #3 Tasks: Review and discuss modifications to the concepts for change draft plan (suggested in area-specific workshops). (November 2001) PLAN ON IT! Time i..; runnin~ n11r'. • ()n Tu~:-<da\', March 26 at Cn·stnn High Scl11.hJl w"· will be! .Jrawing GrJmt Rapil!~' (utnr~ 3t Com mu nitv Fnn1m #4 called "Guiddint"...; t~)f Cli..1n{!e". • \X1hat will bt th~ content~ of the ~foster Plan!• How will pn.,po:-:ed 1.7hanl!t'~ in the City lu1pprn »nd who1 will rla-y lu.,k like! • lt·•t ,:omrnunity g\x\b anJ apply r.he to<1l:-;wt" hm't" lca1 ncd t\) fou r 'P<"C.i:'.1.1 arl"a:::. nt tlw City! • Ha\c \\e h::i-tt'nt.:\E • /\ffl,"r tomorro·\\·~ tlu~rc \\ill h, unlyone i:-ity\.vidc mtt't.ing l.1..~ft to provick inpui: on che Plan: Plan Or, It~ .k.in "' ml ~ Oll\" Pian Gr"n,i R.,pi.1" T ut:scLw. ~,,hr~:h 26 at f.'V~nt. Q-~1~:st1on:-1 PhD1u.:. Crtsrnr1 H1~!1 Sd1vc·l, 1'120 .... !1~·; ·;. 156·.~646 cir g~) to tL..:: -.1:1..h Pl~infidd NE. Entr::m.lt>: i.:; ~ ww-v.-.d.~rnnd·rn.~;id~.1t1i.u'i ADA arCl.'5S1ble-Evt:n>:.mt'. PLAN l<.'"->k un~!er da. Pi:t.r:11i11i::: is nl-w~''ti wekvme-to attf:nd GR....\ND RAPIDS D<"i1J1tmeht, Ma:stw Pinn. TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2002 · 6:30-9PM CRESTON HS. -I 720 PLAINFIELD NE Community Forum #4 Tasks: Help to define the parameters for a se- ries of four special srudics that would illuHrme how preliminary plan recommendations could be: applied. (March 2002) • Page 9 • IT'S A PLAN! F-.1r tlh-!tr~t t1111c in 40 y1..~ars.. a rtt·w Draft Ma~ter Pbn and Furure Land l '<e Map f,>r rhe Cit:v d Grand Rapid.' will I'<' llH\.i."ll~d h:> the puhlic \v·1 Timr.,cJa), &ptt>111h'-'"r 12. • Y\~U ar1.:· invirt·d tn th1~ 5th and final Community 1-ururn br Plan Gr<1nd Rllpicb. • Tell ti; what y .. u thmk ab,iur die Drn11: M:L<kr Plan and Furure l.an,I Use mar. !>nth dtvdoµ.-d fr<>m klro' µropo,;,:d hv Imm.Ired;.; ot l]ritnd Rapidians! • You <115,1 can .::et" the Drait Mantr PL.ul at www.ci.cro.nd .. rnpids.mi U!;, urh..it'r "\Xlhu(~ Hi..'C'.l' IT'S A l'LAN: .kin'-''"'' ~~ [-,,,;i1" ;,t .51'\I, Muskr Phrn Thur~d:.w. Sept.emh~r 12 at pretif•n.t...u.i:_)n. Ht 6:'\L th,~ Va.n A11dtl Mu:rsd1m ·;t"1".:;1r.L·1•• Eiitr::tr:C'\" 1:-i\D/~ a~·,·e.::>~hlc-. \.'.:cnH•r, Puhlfr-Mutteum <'( ~ Evtr\t':lt' i:\dw:1\':<Wt"k;.~l't;.t. i..:Jr..1.ncl Rapuh, :.;: P~arl PL..AN' ''' fllk1td. Q.i~·~tH·n~· ~lru1 N\'\:_ ;,Jp(~, hnd:ote GRANORAP1DS Pli,•'it· {olo)4St\~i."')1 IBURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2002 · .5-7PM l'lJBUC MUSEUM OF GRAND RAPIDS· 272 PEAHL ,T NW Community Forum # 5 Tasks: Review/cornrncnt on drafr master plan recommc:ndations, objecr ive~ ;rn d P<•licies; sample development guidelines and impbnen- tation rc:commendations. (Septc:mber 2002) Plim Grand Rr1pids • lntrocln,:tion -Chuflter 1 Update.1 on the Plan were broadcast on numerous television and radio stations. M:.ri Me<°..MfP'.tO ~ O\art«n Mti6fJn05 Pto..w. F-\l)l(.4111<W'I'& .,......11C'f_("'~,ll!Wflr.:N.tltt.l.H r..,..Jff"ll'U ~-.1.-,....,r.., Wfl-~ ""°'•._"WI CA:<.- A Plan Grnnd Rapids website urn developed that provided a .:omplae digital infonnarion resour.:e 1·egarding the Mc..stc'1' Plan. Chapter 1 -Introduction • Plan Grand Rapids L5.3 ... Neighborhood and Business Associations Within the Ciry of (1rand. Rapids there are more than 30 neighborhood associations and 20 busines~ associations. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies supported the invokement of t'hese organizations by funding staff tim.e. copying costs, newsletters and meeting supplies. The involvement' of these groups proved robe invaluable. The know!- ' edge and experience of community organizers and Neighborhood Business Specialists Program staft' al- lowed the public to become more informed about the master plan and increased levels of public in- volvement in rhe planning process. Regular meet- ings were held with organizers ro provide updates. receive feedback and obtain their opinions on next steps in the process. L5.4 --PubHc Relations A broad variety of tools and techniques were utilized to inform rhe public abour the nrnsrer phin ;rnd re• solicit their involvement. The goal of the planning process was ro ensure that everyone within the city had the opportunity to particip<He and be heard. Listed below are a number of the methods used to increase public awareness. Plan Grand Rapids Newsletter -Four newsletter is- sues were released during rhe process to inform the community abour upcoming meetings and where to find information.. They also provided. a foedback loop about what the consultant team/planning staff had learned during each particular planning pkise. News Coverage· Clare \Xlade Cornmunicarions, Inc. worked with various media contacts and developed press releases and calendar listings. Master Plan ar- rides appeared in the Grand Rapids Press, Adv,rnce, El Pulso Latino, Grand Rapids Times, The Paper. • Page 10 • • (!rand Rapids Business Journal, MiBIZ and Grand Rapids 1-fagazine. In addition, stories concaning rhe plan were broadcasr on numerou~ !'devision and ra- dio srnrions. Advertisements -All major phinning eYenrs were ad- vertised in the CJ rand R.apids Press. Ads also appeared in the Advance, Grand Rapids Times, El Pulso Latino, El Vo,:ero and El H ispanu. A publi,: serviet'. announcement, broadcast on major netv,·orks, was aired prior to Community Forum in. In addition, billboards were used to advertise forums. Grand Rapids Information Network -Fi,·e ,·ideo segnit'.tHs that described th<'. planning process \\\'.rt: developed and aired on the City of Clrnnd Rapids' cable broadcast channel, the Grnnd Rapids Infor- mation Network (GRIN), on a bi-weekly basis. :Minority Outreach -Special efforts were madt'. ro reach out to the Latino and African-Amaican o_im- munities of the city. Bilingual materials were devel- oped, rranslarors made available and special rnet'.tings held with a group of Spanish speaking women. 1.:alled Mujeres Unid;1s. Special meetings and presentations were held in predomin;itely African-American churches and neighborhoods; fl)\TS and posters were used to increa~e awareness. Libraries -A hinder conniining critic<il master plan information was provided at each of the Sl'Wn C3rand Rapids Public Lilmiry lo,:ations. \Vebsite · A Plan Crand Rapids website was devel- oped thar pro\·icled a complete digital information resour,:c regarding the M.aster Plan. M<istcr Phrn Committee minutes, scope of work, proje,:t sched- ule, press release:;, tll~wsletrers, co111muniry meeting notes, community forum results and documents pre- pared as part of the planning proce:;~ (such as the Concept Plan \Vorkb,1ok) were posred on the weh. 1 ~6 ... Summary Task Descriptions Tasks in the first three planning phases se rved as building blocks that defined the directi on, develop- ment and refinement of the Master Plan's content. Each of these tasks is briefly described below and key findings are summarized. Fig1m~ l.c -Putting the Pieces Together: Housing Diwrsity · Page 11 illustrates how one idea -housing diversity -wa~ developed through the sequence of tasks. 1.6.1 .. Phase 1: Issues and Opportunities SWOT Analyses City Planning Department staff, Neighborhood Business Specialists Program staff and neighborhood organizers facilitated 120 meetings with residents and business owners across the city to identify ~trengths, J,¥eaknesses, Qpportunities and threar..s (SWOT). This information was summarized into a series of beliefs (strengths and opportunities) and issues (weaknesses and threats) under 11 topic headings3: • sustainable environmental design; • what makes great older neighborhoods; • what makes great newer neighborhoods; • housing choices; • diwrsity; • business/job opportunities; • neighborhood businesses; • getting places/moving people; • streets, alleys and sidewalks; • parks and green spaces; • regional responsibility. Figure l .c , Putting the Pieces Together: H ousing Diversity How one idea ha,; b.;en developed through the step:: of rhe planning proress: Issues/Beliefs Vision (Forum #1) Integrated Vision Opportuniries for C hange (Forum #2) Concept Plan \X!orkbook (Forum #3) "Hou;ing choices should be made available to people of ditf~'rent inccnne lenls and ages." Winrer 2000 Spring 2001 "A rity with ad iwrse base of ho11sing that inregrates hol!Sing for people of ;i[l itKOllH'>." "Crand Rapids' neighborhoods will provide a variety of housing cl10i(CS m appeal to the v~irie<l tam~s and lifosryles of its diverse citizenry. Many neighborhoods will he esprri;illy pro11d of the mix of housing rhey pro· \·ide for people of a variety of incomes and lib:ycle ,;tages." • Un<bdoped land • YaC3nt/infill sites • Adaprive reuse of existing land • Upper stories of busineS> dis trier buildings Fall 2001 • Great Neighborhoods: Neighborhood choice, presen-ation tools • Population Growth: Alt<~rnative housing models • Balanced Transportation: Mixed-use, rransit-orknted centers • M.ixed·Use: Community charnrrer types • Economy: 1-!orn;ing choice Winter 2002 ·---------·----· ·------ Development Guidelines Special Studies (Forum #4) • Page 11 • • Highrr Quality Higher Density Housing • Mixed-Lise Development Spring 2002 ·------------ • Somh Division Corridor • Pbinfield/Leonard • 28th/Division • West Side (Seward to River) Plan Grand Ra pids • !ntrod1iction -Cha/iter 1 Regional issues are identified in rhe C'..ommunit~ Profil~. 4At rhi:= tune tl111o cv~!uatiCln w::-...s undertaken on\\' limitd mf~1rmr1lion W3.$ .lVJ.ib.hlc fr0m rlw ~000 l1.S. Umu:;. Chapter 1 -Introduction • Plan Grand Rapids • Community Profile The consultant team prepared a profile of existing and projecred conditions to imwide an expanded perspective on rhe issues <md opportunities facing ()rand Rapids. This information is documented in a separate volu me (Commu!lity Profile, July 2001) and addresses the following topics. R egional Context -A regional plan of future land use prepared by the Grand Valley Metropolitan Coun- cil (GYM C) and the major themes of GVMC's 1994 BlHeprint Report are described. Add itional regional is- sues are identified: economic polarization; popula- tion growth patterns and urban ~prawl; trnnsportatinn planning; water ;rncl sewer service; the environment; the Grand River; stormwater management. Existing Land U se -This section provides a statisti- cal profile of existing land use in Grand Rapids, de- scribes existing land me patterns and comp<11-c~ existing land use with :oning. Ten key land use is- sues -from the furure use of vacant lands to rhe revita lization ot older neighborhoods and commer- cial corridors -are identified. Community Character -five exi~ting neighbc•rhc>od types are identified based on development patterns and visual character. These charact·er typologies are described and mapped. U tilities -This section pro"iJcs an owrview of rhe city's san irnry ~ewer sy~tem, water system, stormwarer n-i.anagement systern and solid waste disposal. As nored. ea rlier, the city's sewer and wat·er ma~ter plan is being updated. Dem ographics -This section discusses trends for ' popularion and households, employment and indus- try, development and property taxes and retail sales ;md porential.4 Environment-lnformation on natural resources and ,ensitive environmental areas within the city's hound- •Pagel2 • • arics is extremely limited. This se-:rion suggests three major environmental themes: urban sprawl, stormwater management· and greenw<1y phinning/ stream corridor protection. Transportation -An overview of the tran~porrnrion network and long-rnnge transport<Hion planning. in the Greater Grand Rapids Arca -incluJ ing streets and highways, public transit, <lit, rail, bicycle and Jl<~ di:strian systems -is provided. R ecreation -Th is section provides an inventory o( recreation facilities and programs; national park ;-rnd recreation planning standards; and exi~ting recre- ation pl:-mning efforrs a~ inpurs to <111 update of dit: (.)rand Rapids Park & Rc.cTeation Master Pian that w<is prepared um.current with this pbn. L6~2 .. Phase 2: Opportun ities fo r Change Visions At· the initial comrntlnity forum, dw summaries o( beliefs and issues were reviewed and additions wert' encouraged. Participants selected a rnpic ro work on and prioritized irs beliets and issue~~-Then they de- veloped statements and images t:h;:ir d.csc~ribed a \·i- sion, or prefrrred future, for ()r;md Rapids. The vision statements developed ;:ir Community forum # 1 addressed the following issues: • urban sprav.:l; • bal<inced tnmspllrtarion; • automobile alternatives; • energy use and waste minimization; • pedestrian friendly streets and nt~ighborlH10<.b; • absentee landlords; • co le enforcement; • hol1si11g choi.:e; • neighborhood appearance; • speeding traffic/traffic calming; • litter and trash; • youth and minority representation in business/ neighborhood organizations; • crime/drug activiry; • varnnt/underutilizcd buildings and land; • uncertainty concerning reuse of business/ i nst:itu tional bu ilcl i ngs; • job opportunities; • alleys, street paving and ma intenance; • parking enforcement; • st:reetscapes; • fai.;ade design in business areas; walkable business districts; • recreation opportunities for youth; • green space as gathering places and to protect nanlfal resources; • park design for usability; and • quality of neighborhood schools. Mapping Locations Participants at seven area-specific meetings across the ciry idenrified and mapped nearly 400 specific op- portunities for change that were combined into citywide maps and tables lisring anricipared, desired or teared changes in six categories: • neighborhoods; • neighborhood Lusiness districts; • neighborhood centers (addressing both neighborhoods and business districts); • economy; • transportation; and • parks and green spaces. • Figure 1.d ~ Opportunities for Change: Neighborhoods This change map (one ot six) represent> areas o( ,·h~nge for neighborhoods, as identified by the conununiry. _1 i (\ .•. L ... \ ', ~-... -.. -"":._ \ " i \ "\, i ' 28Ttj ! • , 3 MILE · ·C:,t···· r §:;' i' iJ' ABERDEEN • • lE()NARD I • a: • j ~. BUFITO -EXISTING RAIL TRADITIONAL BUSINESS AREAS POTENTIAL CENl"EA NEIGHBORHOOD CENl"ER ""'--.,,ii • • e -/ 36TH VlLLAGE CENl"ER SUB. REGIONAL CENTER 44TH KNAPP cl <( "' •• -e l ~ -···,; ........ - I HALL i...., 3MILE KNAPP ··-··1 i LEONARD i j :.. ... -... -... ! ,, ;· .. J ( i j ;-··-···-..i ::.·-···-·~-·"-···-1 • • '-··-···-1 • Page 13 • Plan Grand Rnpids • Introduction -Chatiter 1 People frnm throughout the cit) came to Conununit)' Fonm1 #2 m Umon High School to discuss Opport1mities fo,. ChaT1ge. Chapter 1 · Introduction • Plan Grand Rapids • Ar each meeting, participants were asked to identit)· • the top priority change opportunities in each caregory. This information was synrhcsizcd inro more gen- eral types of opportunities for change tor discussion at Commllnity Forum #2. Here, parti,:ipanr:> con- firmed (and added to) the types of opporrunities for change and identified those considered most impor- rant to the future of rhe city. The results are :;umma- rized below. Neighborhoods • Protect, sustain and revitalize neighborhood;;. • Improve compatibility benveen residemial and non-residential uses. • Addre~s possible school closings and building/ property reuse. • Encourage appropriate infill hot!sing in older neighborhoods. Neighborhood Business Districts/Centers • Establish/preserve public spaces. • Reuse specific buildings for retail or other business use. • Encournge building repair, renovation and fa<;ade improvement. • Adaptively reuse commercial buildings for office, housing or mixed-use. • Emphasize traditional business disnict character. • Expand parking and improve its appearance. Economy • Make the Grand River a centerpiece of the economy (for example, by rhe addition of housing and mixed-use). • Page 14 • • Conwrr existing industrial, commerci,1l and institutional building,; to alternati\·e use~. • Support small busines$. • Manage insrirurional gr0wrh tor neighbNh0od compatibility. Transportation • Provide transit improvements. • Provide bike improvements. • Provide pede:;rri<rn improvements. • Provide rrnftk calming. Parks and Green Space • Preserve natural/ green areas. • Presen·e existing parks. • Maint::i.in exi;;;ting parks. • Creare pede;;;rrian and hike dmnecri.ons This information helped to give focus ro bc,th rhc concept;;; for chang.: and guideline:< ra~ks (see hebw). L6~3,,. Phase 3: Concepts for Change Ten outreach meetings were held acruss the city to present preliminary ideas for rran;;;lating rhc community's vision and priority opportunities for ,~hange into a cit)'\vide apprc1ad1 to furure land use and transportation. A workbook dc~crihing and il- lustrating se\"cn basic wnceprs (Fig1£Tc I.c -Concepts · Pago?. 15) was d istributcd in ad\'ancc of the vvorbhops. These concepts were intended to be bold, 1·0 spm discussion and begin debate; they indude: Great Neighborhoods -All Grand Rapids neighbor-• Figure 1.e ~ Concepts hoods can be places where people choose to live - nor leave. • Component.s of the ideal neighborhood. • Three broad neighGorhood types in Grand Rapids. • Neighborhood conditions and related preservarion/reviralization tools. Population Growth -Grand Rapids can accommo- date a growing population, but goals for population growth and related housing strategies are needed. • The opportunities (from. vacant land to infill). • The benefits of growth. • Alternative housing types and densiries. Balanced Transportation -We can create a more balanced rransporration sysrem emphasizing im- proved transit service, walkability and connecrivit:y. Adopting a transit-oriented, mixed-use development approach to creating neighborhood, village and sub- regional centers can be a major step in acting on this commitment. • Regional transit planning. • Location of job centers. • Transit-oriented mixed-use centers. • Possible hierarchy of mixed-use centers. Mixed-Use -Mixed-use development can make our ciry more walkable, convenient, diverse and viral -if we provide standards that demand a high quality of design and management. • Benefir.s of mixed-use. • Varying scales of areas. • Neighborhood character types, a basis for urban form guidelines. ~ ~· ~ ~ ~--........ The Grand River System Mixed Use • Page 15 • - Balanced Transportation 11\1-t\ ~ A Diverse, sustainable Economy PILm Grand Rnpids • lnrroduction -Chu.peer 1 Figure l .f ~ Draft Concept Plan: Suggested Plan Changes t= Unmapped suggested plan changes • Conned the South BettMoo to 1-196 to the west of the city to reduce traflic on West Michigan Drive. • Add proposed bike routes/bike plan. • Identity ond prop<>SE if'l1)rovomonts to city gateways, -~~ D~fe&; r::::J i"W·t,.,. D ;...,..,.,,,.~,...,..J~ •;r,.,,.,,;,,.,,., ·• C~\ , fA'lllillls ,->W.i.'W'..;Jl".: .. ~w"~t'..<.mx;:· ii3 'f~;i;;p,..»·n !'.>1*~ • ~~~" 1t1C1 [7] ={!~~ • '<~'::!;£~~ '"'' C2f ~~Ra·~t:l~~J ta ~~~~~ ... 0 ~~~~-~') Chapter 1 -Introduction • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 16 • • The Grand River System -The Grand River can he re-emphasized as the key ro understanding the city's past and planning irs ti1t11re, • Riverfront land use changes rn open space and mixed-use. • US-131 connections. • Prim<iry open space network. A Diverse, Sustainable Economy -Joh crt'.ating/rev- enue producing initiarives ca n be balanced wirh qual- ity of life/revenue consuming initiative~ to ensure a diverse economy and fiscal sustai1ubilit\'. • Mixed-use. • Indu~trial u~e. • Education ;md health care. • Housing choice. • Qualiry of life. Regional Interface -The interd,1tio11,;hip hetvwen the city and the region can be recogni:cd in all plan- ning dedsions. • Urban ~vfetrn Subregion meetings. At Cmnmuniry Forum #3, Concept Plan changes suggested in the preceding workshops were revicw,:d and confirmed (Figu1·e l.f -Draft Con,:..-pt Plan: Sug- ge.md Plan Changes -Pag~ 16 and Comnumit~ Re.1/)071.le ro Concept Plan Workbook sidebar · Page: 17).These changes were incorporated in preparing a drnfr fu- ture land use map and plan text. PLAN ~'>a) RAPIDS DRAFT c"'"""''·~·'. Pbn •· w • ..;.i.ook Community Response to Concept Plan Workbook Overall, the comnumity's response to the con- cept.s for change workbook was very posirive, but important revisions to the concept plan (a pre- liminary drafr of the official Future Land Use Map) were also identified. © In general, the community liked the following ideas: Great Neighborhoods • Mainrnining a choice in neighborhood types. • The idea of tying neighborhood scl.f.asscssmems of physical condition to suggested preservation/ r<.>vitalization tools and srraregks (including restricting conversions of single-family homes w multifamily occupancy). • Developing guidelines for renovation and new clevelopment char ensure comparibilirywi.rh rhe character of the existing neighborhood context. Balanced Transportation • Promoting people-cenn'red, rather than car-cenrcred developmenr pattern> (walkabilit:y). • Emphasizing rransit. • Pursuing d1e concept of transit-oriented, mixed-use development. • Crea.ring boulevard:: on 28"'Srreerand Michigan Street. Mixed-Use • Encouraging a mix of uses (and a mix of housing types, resident ages and incomes) in moH neighborhoods. • Developing "urban form" rules and perforrnan<'<' standards to promote compatibility wi.rh comext and among the use mLx. Emphasizing mixed-use in ar,,as that are already predominantly non-re::idemial. Grand River System • A rrnnsition from industry and he:wy ,:onm1en:ial to open space and mixed·ust' on rhe riverfronr. • The cr<?arion of a framework of gn~<'nways a.nd trail::. • Adding parks and open spaces. Diverse, Sustainable Economy • Restructuring land use along the 28tl' StTeet rnn:idor ro include housing and mon' gr<'en span' ;rn.d ro impr,we waikability. • Planning for the future growth of educational and health .:are anchors. • Expanding housing choice. Regional Interface Cooperation on regional transportation, utilities, economk development, environmental and Lrnd use issues to control spra\vl. • Meeting with neighboring jurisdictions on shared pbnning issu(•s. • Page 17 • ~ There was divided \::::=) opinion about other ideas: Population Growth • Capitalizing on vacant land, unassembl<>d large lots and agriculmral land ro accommodate pop11L1tion groV>Th and expand housing choices. • The bt~nefirs and Cc)>ts of population growth. • Concern. about growing for growth's sake wirhout improving quality of life. The Grand River • Planning for tht~ eventual re-design of US-131 as an at· gracle, urban parkway to recon ne<:t rhe Wesr Sick ro the Grand Rivc-r ® People didn't like the following ideas: Population Growth • fa.-panding medium-density resitfonrial and institutional development on rhe south t:ide of Knapp, ea::t of Ball. • lncorporaring medium-low-density and medium-density resid('ntial d'~wlopmcm around proposed neighb0rhood- scale transit-oriented developments at Leonard and Plymouth (nor'theast) and Lake Michigan Drive and Collindale (northwest). Balanced Transportation/ Diverse, Sustainable Economy • Extending Plymouth Road to connect to Knapp. north of Leonard and extending Ball to connect between Al>erdeen and 3 Mile. • Planning for the future expansion oi'industrial use along South Division and on Michig,rn ea>t of rhe Easr Belrline. Pi.an Grand Rapids • Introduction· Cha/Jter 1 Sample developm~m guideline.s illustrate how to increase compatibility and pre.serve neighborhood charact1!r. Chapter 1 -Introduction • Plan Grand Rapids 1.6.4 ,., Phase 4~ Guidelines for Change Sample Development Guidelines Throughout the planning process, ir was dear thar people in Grand Rapids were as cmll:erned about the quality and characrer of tkvelopment as they were about what kinds of uses and densities were proposed for different locirions .. As <1 resulr, ir was agreed rhar the preparation of sample clevclopmenr guidelines should be induded in the Master Plan. Feedback from rhe second and rhird forums helped ro define: priority topics for this task. These ropics included: Mixed-Use -how ro maximize the comparibility be- tween different uses, densities and building types. Four situations were addressed in the context of the ciry's older neighborhoods: • infill development and parking in <1 tradit:iL'n<1l business area; • instirutional mixed-use; • industrial mixed-use; and • reuse ot a school site. In addition, guidelines were recommended for im- proving the visual qualiry and walkabiliry of auto- oriemed strip commercial development. Higher Quality, Higher Density Residential Devel- opment -how to encourage medium-and high-den- sity residential development that is located a nd designed ro complement existing dewlopment" pat- terns. Green Space in the Central City -how to provide more green space in already developed areas. Preliminary materials were developed <rnd used a~ the basis for dis(ussion in a one-clay workshop. Nearly 100 people participated in shaping the content of the guide- lines {Se~ ClwptC'I· 10 -D~;,elopment Character· Page 117). • Page 18 • • Special Studies Four specifil: locations within the city were selected for special st udy to illustrate and resr how concC'pts for change and s;nnple guidelines might be applied in preparing n10re derailed development plans. These selected special study locations are listed hdo\\'. South Division Avenue and 28'" Street -This spe- dal srudy illustratell how an auto-oriented l:ornmer- cial intersection c0uld be redeveloped as a mLxed-usc, transit·-orienred development {mixed-use center) at a village scale. Two alternatives wae developed ro illustrate future development potenri,1ls if the exist- ing rail line wcis ;1bandoned and if ir wa~ retained. Plainfield Avenue and Leonard Street -This spe- cial study ;1l~o illusrr<lted hrnv an auto-oriented 1.:orn- mercial area can be re-srructurt'd as a mixed-use, mrnsit--oriented development. This area connects nt'w mixed-use dewlopment in the Norrh Mnnroe <Hea (south) to the Crcsron Business District {norrh). I rn- proved pedestrian/bicyde connections bet\veen the GrC111d River, ;td jacem mixed-use ~trt'<lc; <111d inhrnd neighborhoods were alsv illustrnred. West Side/Seward Avenue. This special study illus- tr<tted how the Near West Side could be r<~connecred to rhe C1rand River wit-hour major recomt:ruction of US-131. In ~tddition, it suggests how new mixed-use development, hoth on the riverfrc1nr and inland, can he structured to c;.1piralize on these impmYet:nt'nrs, as well as rein\'esrmcnts in Downtown and the North Monroe area. South Division Avenue· This special study illustrated hl)W Sourh Division Avenue, between Wc,1lrhy St'reer and the Cottage Grove industrial l'.orridor, ..:ould be restructured to: • cre<1 te a neighhorhood-~c;lle mixed-use, transit- oriented ce nrer ar Di\'ision and Franklin; • improve C;impau Commons public housing area; • reconnect the residential areas located to the west of Division to the balance of the South East Community Association (SECA) neighborhood to encourage reinvestment; • provide transitions ben.veen industrial and residential areas; and • create a gateway to Downrown. The special studies were reviewed by stakeholders in each area. In general, the illustrative ideas were well received. ln the South Division area, however, nei- ther business or res ident groups supported the ideas illustrated in the special study drawing. As a result, this special study has not been included in the Mas- ter Plan supplement. (The three remaining special studies, and the comments received on them, are presented in Supplement B). Souch Didsion At•enue and 28th Srreet Special Srt1dy (abo1•<:J and Plainfield A11enue and Leonard St'Teet Sp<:cial Study (right). • Page 19 • Pinn Grand Rop id.< • lntrocln.-tion · Chat)ter 1 The Master PL:m pro..:ess wa.< based on comrmmity pamcipation. Chap ter 1 -In troduction • Plan Grand Rapids 1~7 ~ Participants Community invoh·emenr has been a corncrsrone of the planning process and many pe<Jple have played a role in the preparation of the 1-.faster Plan. C .. 1t1zens Residents, business people, employers, propcrry own- ers, developers and representati,·es of area imtiru- tions and non-profir organizarion~ parricip;1kd in 1 :.lrea-specitk workshops, fot:us groups and citywide Community Forums. Over one thousand people who gave their time, energy and insight in shaping of con- tent of the Master Plan are listed in the , acknowledgement section oft.hi;; plan. Master Plan Committee Members of the Master Plan Committee, chaired by Jack Hoffman and co-chaired by Eva Aguirre Co(>- per and Dr. Rkk Sullivan. provided rnunrless hmm of volunteer ti me over the .30 months during which the study process was planned and conducted; and 1 draft materials were prepared, reviewed and revised. Their expertise and varying perspectiv.::s provided valuable guidance throughout the planning process. , Planning Commission Three Planning Commissioners served on the Mas- ter Plan Committee and city staff brieted the Plan- ning Commission <lS a whc)le <lt regular irHervals on the progress of the planning process. , City Staff Planning Department and the Parks and Recn~arion Departmen t staff played especially important roles in the plann ing process. In addition, all city ernplov- ees were invited ro participate in regular manage- ment forums to discuss the progress of the Master Plan. • Page 20 • · Consubant:s A ream of consultants with exrensive protession<il experience in community planning, urban design, neighhodwod improvement, nieet'ing t;1dlitarion and media relations provided technical <lssistance throughout: the planning process. The consulranr team was lead by SmithGroup JJR of Ann Arbor and Wmk-Trim of Taylor Ml. Funders The Gr:md Rapids Master Plan vvas funded by a grant from the Frey Found,1ti,m (with granr ;1dminisrra- tion provided by The Right Place l'rogram) and the· City of Clrancl Rapids. 1 ~8 ~ Plan Review and Adoption 111 August, 2002 a Draft Master PLrn was reb1scd fo r public review and comrnent. A copy of thl· Ex- ecutive Summary was mailed ro everyone who par- ticipated in earli.::r phases of rhe planning pr,>eess, and copies of the full text were <W<iilablc for rcYic\Y at many locations. Participants were~ also invited tn att:end a final community-wide forum. The partici- pants attending the forum providd feedback to fa- cilitators and were asked to complere <1 ,:ommenr card. On September 26, 2002, the ()rand Rapids Plan- ning Commission held a public hearing on the Draft Masrer Plan. About eighty people <!trended. For each comment received, <l fr,nnal response w;1s provided and several changes incorporated into the plan. The revised Master Plan V.'<1S presented to the Pbnning Commission and, as authorized by Public Act 285 o( 1931 and Chapter 62 of the city code, adopted by th.:: ()rand Rapids Planning C :<",mmis~ion on November 14, 2002 as the Mast.;r Plan for the • Ciry of Grand R::ipids. 2~0 ~ Introduction The Master Plan establishes the type, character and density of development that is appropriate in different areas of the community, including where new development might occur and where resources should be directed to revitalize or reuse already developed areas. It also provides a framework for identifying important natural and cultural resources to be protected and for determining what public investments in streets and other infrastructure ·will be needed. MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL -MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL -H!GH DENSrTY RES;DENTIAL -COMMERCIAL DOWNTOWN -OFFICE -MIXEDUSE -A • Near Oowntovm 8 • RNerfront C • Near Oc:ll..vntown Institutions D · Corridor Residential and TBA Connectors (see text) E · Cornrnercial • • POTENTIAL CENTER NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER VILLAGE CENTER -INDUSTf'IAL INSTITUTIONAL -PARKS/CEMET'ERIES I e SUB· REGIONAL CENTER -~-r4TH __ • Page 21 • Figure 2.a ~ Future Land Use 3 MILE / \ Plan Grlmcl RatJicb • Overview -Chafner 2 Process The Master Plan process was designed to maximize community involvement and to gain consensus on Plan recommendations. Community parti~ cipation was structured to balance the need to take the planning process to the people and the need to bring people from across the city together to share perspectives and confirm citywide directions at key milestones. In each step of the planning process, community input helped to define the direction and refine the content of the Master Plan. Chapter 2 -Overview • Plan Gmnd Rcrpids · 2 ~2 ... Plan Contents The Master Plan contains both text and graphics i-o present the visions, objectives anJ policies that are used to guide the growth ,rnd development of rhe community. A series of Figures (maps, images and tables) are included to illustrate how written rec:om- mendarions should he translated inro furure land use and transportation patterns. lmportanr maps include: • Future Land Use Map (see Figure~ 2.a · Pag.:. 21) • Transportation Framework Plan: Transit (see Figure 6.b -Pnge 79) • Transportation Framework Phn: Streets (see Figure 6.c · Pag.:. 80) • Open Space Framework Plan (see Figure 7.c ·Page 95) \X!hile these recommendations are presented on sepa- rate rm1ps for clarity and re;1d,1bility, they are inter- related and should be considered rnmulative. 2 ~3 ... FuttJ1re Land 'Use Map The Future Land Use Map (Page 21) is the most c:om- plex of the maps included in the ~,faster Plan. Ir pre- sents the geographic framework for realizing the development themes described throughout the plan, and illustrntes: • generalized land use; • residential density; • m ixed-use areas; • u-aditional business areas; and • neighborhood, village and sub-regional center~. • Pag~ 22 • • lt is important to note th<1r the Future Land Use Map illustrates genernl development patterns and is nor intended lo define land use on a lor-by-lor basis. These more detailed land use decisions will be made as the city's Zoning \Jrdina1Ke is revised in response to the Master Plan. Many ()rand Rapids neighborho,)ds me strength- ened by the diver~ity of uses dmrnined within them. Smaller scale non-rcsidcntiC1l uses can cc>-exisr com- µatibly with housing. For this rea~on, institurional uses, like neighborhood sc:hnols and churd1es, h<we only been idenrified if they occupy an <lre:-1 greater than about three acres. Similarly, a m1mher of mi- nor commen:i;tl areas <1rc not shown on the Fulure Land Use Map. \Xlhile these area~ offer impommt neighborhood servic:es, and opportunities for business growth and employment, grt~at care must be rnkcn w insure that the sc;1le of dewlopment in these ,neas is c:ompat- ihlc with rhe character ot· the rrndirion<il dcH·l<>p- menr pattern in the neighborhood. The Future Land Use ~ap illusrratcs: Residential Areas -Areas where the predomi11anr land use should be residential in drnrncter. The~e areas are also mapped by density, as follows: • Low-Demity ............... Less than 5 unirs per acre • Medium Lmv-Dcnsiry ...... 5 ro 9.9 units per acre • Medium-Density ........... 10 to 14.9 units per acre • High-Density .............. 1.5 units per acre or more. For addition;il information on residential densiries, s>?.e Chapter 3-Grear Neighborhoods · Pag.:. 27. Mixed-Use Areas -Areas that are suired for a mi..x- ture of uses rather than a single u~e. These areas are mapped ac:cording to the following functional classi- fications: A. Near Downtown B. Riverfront C. Downtown and Near-Downtown Institutions D.Corridor Residenrial and Traditional Business Area (TBA) Connectors E. Commercial Mixed-Use Areas For additional information on mixed-use areas, see Chapter 3-Cheat Neighborlwocb · Pc1ge 27, Chc1pter 4 · Vital Bus iness Districts· Page 4 7, and Chapter 5-A Strong Economy · Page 63. Traditional Business Areas -Existing commercial areas rhat can be organized as compact retaiVmixed- use cores linked by higher den~ity residential/mixed- use connectors and are designed at the neighborhood scale. For additional information on traditional business areas, see Chapter 4 ·Vital Business Districts· Page 47. Mixed-Use Centers -Areas designed ro e1h:ourage the restructuring of existing commercial areas as com- pact. walkable centers that include a mix of com- mercial, civic and residential uses and serve as a focus of a neighborhood or larger market area. • Neighborhood Centers • Village Centers • Sub-Regional Center~ For additional information on mixed-use centers, see Chapter 3 . Great Neigh!Jlnhoods ·Page 27, cmcl Chapter 4 ·Vital Business Districts -Page 47. Other Areas -Areas where the predominant land use is either commercial, office, industrial or institu- tional in character and which serve their respective traditional functions. The scale of rhe symhols used to depict traditional • Vic•u of tlte w~,t Sid~ <•f Umnd RaJ•ids io!•km,~ tomi1,h flou·n10111i. business areas and mixed-ust~ ce11rers are inre11ded ro indicate the classification and function of rhe area and nor the size of the area ~o designated. The text of the plan and additional area-specific plan~ ~hL'llld cktermine the exact boundaries 1)( these an~as. Encouraging a mix of uses in some p;1rr~ n( the city is a critical plan rc1.:ommcndarion that addresses many of the seven themes. The development objec- tives that apply to all mixed-tise disrrkrs are prest~ni-ed in Figure 3.g -Detdopment Obj<.ctit1es for All Mixed-Use Areas· Page 37 and a description of the purpose and recommended uses f(x several types of mixed-use development are presenrecl in Figure 3 .h -Purj)O.>c!, Recomm<:!ncled Uses and Sj)ecial Considei11tions for M ixccl- Use Areas· Page 38 and Figme 4.b · Hiermchy of Mixed.- Use! Centers · Page! 56. More information about c;1ch of these land use classificafo,ns is conraint~d in the subsequent chapters. • Page 23 • Plan Gremel Rat>iJ> • Oven1iew · Chapter 2 'Photo courtesy of A.rtWorks Expanded Visions 2001 yoLLth apprenticeship /nogram. 11\rtWorl'I phoc'-~ ar<-1:-emg u~cd in Chapter.~ 3.0 ot the M:1.-.ter Pbn t'-) 1lllutr.1tt-th(· diver .. itv :mt! ... ;tahry vi 11or nw'.• nd.'!l-t'h:•rh"'"1~. Act\'(Jorkj, a nonp1''fir m~rni:t,\lh)n, t"1npk·••.i h lld, :l~"e.:i 14 10 !I in }'~M l'\Xl!ld .i.n:.wdatcd w1..~rk C'Xpetu:mcd r\rr\'(/or\;,s partr1t.l"!i with JC1CJl Jll;i; 1'rgornlt.'\tiOll.i t'-' hire pn..,fo:.:.kmal .wi:;t~ .mJ yi..'llth ~fS 14 t1' 21 h' \.>r(xk1ce nrtWl'rk for 1-1uhli,· · 2~4 ~ Themes The visions, objective~ ;rnd policies presenred in Chapters 3 through 9 present the Master Plan rec- ommendations organized around seven themes: Great Neighborhoods 0 l}reat ncighGorhoods are rhe foundarion ' of a great ciry; they are the physical and social expressions of community. Every neighborhood ca n be a great neighborhood by build- ing on its own assers and special character. Vital Business Districts G Vital business districts are critical compo- nents of a livable city and a strong economy. Great neighborhoods and vital business dis- tricts also go hand-in-hand; one can nor rnccecd with- out the success of the other. The choices that ;ue made in locating and designing business districts ;U-e also important factors in creating a walkable cit:y and supporting transit. A Strong Economy 0 C ity government must hdp to fo~tcr a strong economy so that Cirand Rapids' r,~si dents prosper, and revenues needed to pro- vide important urban services and amenities are availabl.::. The citizens of Grand Rapids recognize the importance of co11r ini1ing business and instinttional investment, but seek ro balance economic growth with priorities for neighborhoods, the environment and the qualiry of development. Balanced Transportation it"l..'talb.tton, pcrt~m11,1t1cit: and publk:i.ticm an1{ t~'r £ak d1wu,i:l1 local .;.µllcrics. Tl,c voutl,. c"<tll.:cl 1 0 Grand Rapids' c:itizens support the coo.rdi- nation ot transportation and land use deci- sions to reduce dependence 011 d1e automobile, provide choice in travel modes and tc1 balance the needs t(ir automobile and tTuck access 3.io>prentke :irri:iu, h.we a unique llppnrrunltY w cJ.m :i µ:wcheck l'w rn:atin~ original vi.sl1ai, liter.arr, n:edia :md ?<'.t10nning =in. Chapter 2 · Overview • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 24 • • with the objectives of improving rr:msir. making sn-cets more walkable and creating a system of bike rouks. A City that Enriches Our Lives • The cp1ality of life in (~r;md Rapids play,; an important role in determining whether people will choose to live, shop, work and spend leisure time in the city. Many factors inl'lu- ence qu<iliry ot' life, including schools, en\"ironmen- tal qu<ility, open space and recreation and the artractiveness of rhe built environ111t:n1'. The Master Plan focuses on the Grand River, open space, the cit·y's heritage and urban design as imponanr ,1ual- iry of life considerations. A City in Balance with Nature 0 People in ()rand R<1pids support planning approaches that prorect narurnl resOlm~es, capitalize on existing infrasrrucrure and honor the principks of Smart Urnwth. This chapter highlights plan recommendations that proYide an alternative to spnrwl, promore balanced transporta- tion, protect valued narural rt'SOlir,:es and lwtrer m<mage srormv. .. ater runoff. Partnerships S The planning policies that guide devdoj.)· ment in the metropoliran region will sig- nificantly influence Grand Rapids' success in achieving imporr;rnr planning objectiv..:s. In addi- tion, cnllaborntion among city departments, resi- dents, propertv owners. businesses and institutions will be eSSt~ntial bringing tlw Master Plan's recom- mendariom ro fruition. Both regional and commu- nity partnerships are needed. 2~5 ~ Development Character Because the quality and character of development is as importanr to the citizens of Grand Rapids as the overall patterns of future land use, Chapter 10 · De1d- opment Character· Page 117 presents sample clevelop- men t guidelines. These guidelines address the following topics: • mixed-use; • higher quality and, higher density residenrial development; • green space in the central city. These guideline topics were selected from. a much longer list of candidates suggested by community in- pur rhroughout the master planning process. In pa rt, the guideline exal.lples \Vere chosen to help clarif)r key master plan recommendations (mixed-use, alter- native models for new housing development) and to augment others (open space network, walkable streets, ~tormwarer management). The example~ pr<.,_ vide a template for developing guidelines on addi- tional topics in the future. Among the mosr important of these additional topics are guidelines for protecting the valued characteristics of existing neighborhoods. As starting point for this effort, a preliminary map of five neighborhood types, with descriptions of their distinguishing characteristics, is provided in Clwpter 10 -De1•el.opment Clwracttr · Pag<0 117. The principals of1ffbanism are providing new models for cr~aring mixed· use ,:,!Tl ters at the ndghborhood, dllage and sulHegional scak. · 2~6 ... Area ... Specific Plans Chapter 11 -Area-Specific Pl.ans · Page 151 describes a recommended process for the development and ap- proval of area-specific plans as potential future amendment~ to rhe Masrer Plan. These <ire<t-specifir plans will build on the Master Plan recommenda- tions to provide more detailed land use plans and development guidelines fo r proposed mixed-use ar- eas. lt is also anticipated that area-specific plans will be prepared for many of the ciry's neighborhoods, especially where revitalization i~ a priorirv. 2~ 7 ... Implementation lmplemenration will be achieved owr an extended period through the cooper,itiYe efforts of the publi,:, privare and non-profit· secrors. Chapttr I 2 · lmplemen- wtion ·Page 157 presents an Action Plan with 12 ac- tion items ro achieve i:hc promise of tl1t~ Master Plan. • • Page 25 • Thi: Ch1utd l\it't"1. i.~ an economi~ d\-:~·t>/Q/Jnh'nr and \11u.1Urv nf lift· nc;sd. The l'inr: t'.'l\C(1111ages n dtttn~t' ?n l<md use 1.ilong ch\· rii\·r/rcmt from indusn·:; to op~n .spac~ nnd mixed-wt . Chapter 2 -Overview • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 26 • 3<t0 Great Neighborhoods 3~ 1 --Introduction Great neighborhoods are the foundation of a great city; they are the physical and social expressions of community. Grand Rapids' citizens are concerned about the physical quality of their neighborhoods - the housing stock, convenience to shopping and services, streets, open spaces and overall appearance. But because it is the people who live in the city's neighborhoods who ultimately determine the sustainability of investments in brick and mortar, Grand Rapids' citizens are also concerned about the quality of public education, jobs and job training, strong neighborhood organi~ zations and collaborative decision,making. • Page 2 7 • Plan Grand Rapids • Great N<!ighbor!tood.1 -Cluipt-:r 3 0 Why Are Great Neighborhoods Important? The citizens of Grand Rapids expressed che following behefa in what makes a great neighborhood. • Diversity helps ro build strong neighborhoods. • Housing d1oices should be made available ro people of d ifferem ages, ethnicity and income levels. • Neighborhoods should be convenient ro shopping, jobs and other services. • Neighborhoods should have srrong public and/ or private local schools. • It should be easy and comfortable for sonwone to cake a walk in thdr neighborhood. • Neighborhoods shou1d be blessed with strong local churches. • Neighborhoods should have a particular char~Kter and style of housing. Strong, active associations should represent neighborhoods. • Neighborhoods should be good places to raL<;e a family. • Good city services and facilities help build >rrong neighborhoods. • New homes should be built on vacant lots (where appropriate). • It is good when business people also live in the neighborhood. T he fundamental physical elements of ;i.n ideal neigh- borhood, that reinforces these beliefr, indude walkabk streets, human-scale blocks, a variety o( housing choices. usable public space, an identifiable center and definable edges. Every neighborhood within the city has tht• poten- tial to be "great". Some neighborhoods hold more ot rhe pieces to the puz<:le than others. yet with appropriate strat- egies and a clear vision for the future every neighborhood within the city can be a place of choice that ofters a quality living environment. Tfte M1ma Plan kick·off ew11t wm he~I m rite c;mnd Rnpid< Public Mus~~1m1. One of the first steps of the master plan process was to ask the citizens of Cirand Rapids what i-hey would like to sec the city look like twenty years from now. At the first community forum more than 300 people came together ro discuss the future of Grand Rap- ids. Their discussion was guided by the information gathered during a series of neighborhood and busi- ness association meetings and discussion guide re- sponses collected in the first tWLl months of the planning process. Eleven major (:ategc1ries summa- rized key issues and provided participants a variety of discussion topics from which rn choose. The be- liefs and issues used at rhe fr)rurn were developed from the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats identified previously. Statements and images that described a vision, or preferred ful"ltre, for Urnnd Rapids were then created by forum participants in small groups. The following visions emerged. Clwpter 3 -Great Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 28 • · 3~2~1 .. Housing Diversity Grand Rapids' neighborhoods will provide a variety of housing choices to appeal to the varied tastes and lifestyles of its diverse citizenry. Downtown h ousing, lofts, second story aparnnenr.s in neighborhood hu~i ness areas, historic districts. older core ciry neigh- borhoods, single-family subdivisions, se nior homing and ncwc~r apartment: and condominium hou~ing will all be available. Many neighborhoods will be es- pet:i,tlly proud of the rnix of housing they pr,wide for people of a variety incomes and lifrcycle sragcs, as well as i-he availability of drnrches, parks, sh0p- ping and schools within easy walking di~rance. Vision Statement f / _P_ic_tu_r_.e_/S_.y,_m_b_o_I _____ W••~«•• r .. m 3.2.2 .. Urban lleritage We will capitalize on the urban assets of our older neighborhoods to make them the location of choice for households of all sizes, ages , incomes and races. The architectural character, compatible mix of uses, convenience and walbbili1y of 1'hese areas will be reinforced by rehabilitating existing homes and busi- nesses and carefully designing new infill develop- ment. Housing codes will also be important to the success of older neighborhoods. Because standards for quality and maintenance wi ll be clearly expressed, supported by consensus and equirably applied, they will inspire all property owners to invest in their neighborhoods and rake pride in their unique char- acters and values. · 3.2.3 .. Committed I1lome Owners, Landlords and Tenants Home mvnership for all income, racial, ethnic and , disability groups will increast'. in many 1wighborhoods that have low rates of owner occuprm.cy. Effrcrive afforch1ble housing and homebuyer as~bt~l!Ke pro- grams will help first time owners to ac hieve the American Dream. Crand Rapids will succeed in en- suring that rental housing is also a neighborhood asset. Landlords in our city will be responsible busi- ness professionals who mainrain their renral proper- ries to provide s;de ;rnd decenr homes thar an~ <1lso viable investments. Both landlords and tenants will be actively involved in their neighborhoock They will be recognized for, and proud of, the contribu-' 1 t:ions they make to neighborhood quality . .... m\N::ti~ ..,.J. 1ci&.M. ·,f'..,•Wt.fl"~'\i,..1,;rc. Ora.~ ~.ltfc.n~en 0 dlVU\.< c ........ UAl'u'-ly; €M°b'a.c.t'A:~ .,.~ ~ ~O't~f'-('c.t:rHuU'C.~61'1 "''"°"*I'.,. f'le.1~~\:ial'i~ f'l'\\T\Ot'\-+"\ ~·~i ~ \o\c.\ps ~n'l<t.r< «t,\.O(o f O«c.n ~ c..\\ Off6r~ttic.\ Vision Statement 3~2 ,.4 "' 1Collaboration and Co1nmunity Grand Rapids will be a city of inviting neighborhL'C)(lS because caring and ,:ommirred resident·s, landlords and business people \vill work together to maintain public safory, privare property and public spa(es to create an outstanding quality of lite. Neighborhoocl- b:isecl planning and collaborative prnblem-soking \\'ill inspire a ,;en'e of mutual rc~'pe1::r, sharc~d responsibil- ity and prick within each of the city's neighborhoods. 1 Partnerships between neighborhood residents, busi- ness people and institurional leaders will rake much of the uncertainty and conflict out of planning for new development and rhe reu~e of existing buildings. • Page 29 • Plan Gmnd Rapids • Great Neighborhoorls ·· Cluipter 3 "A Dream of a Beautiful City -That is already on the way to realiz:ationu. The Grand Rapids of the future, a city of conve- nient thoroughfares, handsome structures, sightly bridges and splendid river esplanade, a city which by virtue of its beauty <md aclvanrnges will attract an ever increasing number of resi- dents." A Plan for the Future Growth of Grand Rapids. 1923 -Page 11. "People are the reason for the development of cities. People are the reason for the development of plans. A study of people, their attributes, their habits, their ethnic composition, their desires, their use of the natural resource of land and the relation of these land uses to each other forms the basis for any realistic development proposal. ln developing the Master Plan, these consid- erations have been paramount. The end objec- tive of the plan is to develop an environment conducive to the best distribution, density and movement of people in their daily pursuits. In short, the entire master plan seeks ro develop a city for the people which will give them the maxi- mum freedom and the minimum of control through a realistic appraisal of the needs of all the people." Grand Rapids Master Plan, 1963 -Page 24. 3.2.5 .. Quality of Life Neighborhood street~ and alley~ will be well lit, s;tfo , and dean. We will emph,1size the inlporrnnce of people-friendly, tree-lined streets in our neighbor- ' hoods by slowing traffic, maintaining space for pe- destrians and accom.mocl<it:ing cyclists. The quzility of the public realm -including streets and other gath- ering pl<iccs -•.vill allow residents to enjoy their t'h:igh- l borhoods and foster the informal social interaction that creates a sense of communiry. ~·Topic: ~ P.!h~ ~ls~su~e~:"-~~~~~~~~ Vision Statement Chapter 3 . Great Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 30 • 3~2~6 ,, Quality Education Strong sd1ools will ;:ilso be a focus of C:Clmrnunity in our neighborhoods. Backed by residents, parents and businesses, t·he schools will provide clean, safe, up- to-date buildings and equipment. \'(!~· "'·ill make it a point ro p11blidy honor the accomplishment;; of well- trained teachers and h;ud-working srudents; steeldily irnproving achievement test scores \vill be a testmnenr to our communiry-wide commitment to quality sd1ools. Postf'l·~ are fymn th~ first Master Plan Cornmunity Fcrrum held ot ( ·:cntral Higlt School in March 2001. Grand Rapids has a dit~rse hmuing stock. 3 ~3 , Plan Recommendations Plan re,:ommend;.itions focus on: • making Grand Rapids a competitive housing location; • providing a choice of neighborhood types, each with an expanded range of housing opponu n i tics; • coordinating the locarion of higher densi ty residential development and transit routes; • encouraging continuous neighborhood reinvestment; and • improving walkability. · 3.3.1 .. A Competitive , I-lousing Location Based on pasr rrends, demographers precl icr that Grand Rapids will be home to a decre;is ing pen::enr- age of the region's households, and a decreased over- all population, in the next 20 years - even rhough rhe region's population will continue to grow. The ' city needs a stable or growing population, <ind a bal- ance of household incomes. for several important reasons. More Revenue -More people liYing in Ci rand Rap- ids means more income rnx revenue. Each addition,1 l person also brings rhe ,;ity $150 in ~rare revenue ~har ing annually. Moreover, a growing population clri,·es a strong denrnnd for housing and usually results in increased prnpertyvalues <ind property tax re\·enues. These revenues allow rhe city to provide itn]X>rranr se rvices and arn.enities. More Places to Shop -Residents provide the buving ' power wirhin the city to support the kinds of retail ;ind se rvice offerings people w0uld like tc• have in - or located conveniently to -their neighborhoods (for example, grocery stores). Stronger Schools -More households with children can help to support neigh borhood schools. Bert.er Transit -More people living within W<llking distance of transit can help to increase riJership and support expanded/improved service. A More Sustainable Regional Growth Pattern - Accommoch1ting a greater proportion of thL~ mdro- poliran region's growing pc>pulation within existing developed areas means less sprawl and its associated impacts. (!rand Rapids should take steps to ensure that the city increases its appeal within the larger men-0pnli- tan region <is a residential location of choice for many Grand Rapids' Neighborhoods Grand Rapids neighborhoods offer people of all ages, in- comes and lifestyles a broad array or d1okes. For rhe city to remain healthy, it must rnmpete with outlying suburbs for re>ident>. There will alway> be a group of people whc> choose ro live in a rural t>twironment; surrounding rown· ,;hips and villages can provide this option. Many pe,)pk, however, cite the bcn<.>fits of urban living and find it attrac· ciw; induding red uced couHuuling rimes, <·01wenidK<:, cul- rural events, aCiordabiliry and scmc o(community, A varkty of interesting demographic and hou,ing trtthls l1ave emerged within past ten years, most notabk • 72% of the hon~eholds in rhe Gr,md R«pids metropolitan region arc compri>ed or non-traditional households, induding young adults, young marri<.>d couples without ,:h ilclren, singlt:-parent families, empty nesters and senic>rs. • 40 % of Americans li\·ing in an apartment do so by choice, nor be.:;1use of financial sintarion. • Between 2000 and 2010. household> withonr children are expected ro grow hy 19'")(, nationally; non- family housd1olcls will increase 17%; and th1' traditional family with children is expected to decrease by 3%. • Households t:arning S.50,000 or more have been tlie fa;test-growing ,;egment of the apartmem market lwt\wen 1997-2001. • Pnge 31 • Plan Grand Rapids • Grear Neighborhoo1ls .. Cluiprcr 3 HoHsing di1A.>rsity <Jttracts many different type.s of Mlls~ho!ds. • types of households. Like many orher core cities. Grand Rapids is home to a disproportionate share of the region's lower income population. While qual- iry affordable housing for these residents is essen- tial, the city musr also be able to attract middle and upper income residents ro maintain a diverse popu- lation and a balance of household incomes. Because of its diversity, hisrory, archirecwre, con- venience and rich cultural and educarional offerings, Grand Rapids has a cornpetitive market <\dvantage over the rypical suburban subdivision in appealing ' to non-traditional households. These househdds, including young adults, young married couple,; with- out children, single-parenr families, empty l'l<!Sters and seniors, now make up almost 7 2% of the h,)use- holds in the Grand Rapid~ metropolitan region. By providing housing choices and neighborhood e1wi- ronments that appeal to these segments of the hous- ing market, Grand R;:ipids can achieve a susrninable ' balance in household demogn1phics. Gnrnd Rapid~ can also strengthen its appeal to all households -and especially families -by ensuring that the city is sat~. clean and green and by working to improve quality ;md choice in K-12 educmion. 3 ~3~2 .. A Choice of Neighborhood Types One of Grand Rapids' greatesr assers is the choice of neighborhood types the ciry offers. The existing char- acters of these neighborhoods should be prot'ected by encouraging new development (and rehabilitation of existing buildings) to maintain overall existing pat- terns of density and sensitiYiry to the existing con- ! text in sire planning and architectural design. ln addition, Grand Rapids should encourage new mixed-use development that distributes higher den- sity housing in smaller increments throughout the city and offers housing choices wirh. special appeal to non-traditional households of a range of incomes. Q Chapter 3 -Great Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 32 • • Residential Densities Existing Densities -The predomin;m1' exist·ing n~si dential density in the city's older (pre-World War II) neighborhoods is medium-low (MLDR); however, significant areas have also been de\-eloped ar medium (MDR) and high (HDR) residenri;1l den~iries. In c,)n- trast, the predominant existing residenti<ll density in newer neighborhoods (post-World W<tr II) i~ low (LDR); but there are a substantial number of me- dium-low (Y!LDR), medium (M DR) and high (HDR) development areas in these neighborhoocls, as well. These finer grain patterns of existing residential den- siries acros~ rhc ciry are n:prc~sc:ntcd in Figw·<'. 3.a - Residential DensiC)· Map -Page! 33 and Figmc 3.b -Resi- demial Densici.:s -Page 33. Proposed Densities -The Future Land Use Map (Fig· ure 2.a -Page 21) g<!nen1lizes the exi~ting p~trtem of residential den~ities te> m,1kc the map ea~ier to read. This should nor be interprct:cd rn mean lhar n.:cluc- tions in existing residential densities in <1 particular nei.dlborhood (c)r cm a panicubr sire) are recom- mended. Instead, the Master Plan proposes that owr- a ll existing patterns of r<~sidential density lie mainrained and that all density transitions be incre- mental, ralher than ahrnpt. The Master Pl,111 recommends rhat e>lder (pre- World War II) neighborhoods be prorecrcd and re- vitalized, rather th.an encouraging wholesale redevelopmenr at higher d,~nsities. Similarly, in newer (post-World War 11) neighborhoods, where develop- ment· pres~ure on v::tcant and agri,:uhurnl land ;me! unassembled large parcels is likely to be tdt in the future, new residential development is recommended at densities consistent with v.·hat exists today. This residcnl'ial development must he located and planned to protect sensitin~ natural areas (s~( also C!tapte·r 8 - A City in Bo lance witli Nature -Page 103), In proposed mixed-use areas, medium-low (MLDR), medium (MDR) and high (HDR) residential densiries are Figure 3.a ; Residential Densities Residential D ensities Legend Non-residential 1-5upa .. 5-10upa .. 10·15upa .. 15+upa Boundary between pre- and post World War II neighborhoods I • • Page 33 • 7 •-• ... ~, a I • Figure 3.b ~Residential Density Categories Low-Density R~s1denrial (LDR) 1-4. 9 dwdlmg 1111it.s/acTe Mdi1trn-Lou'-/)ens1ty Re.1idwnal (MLDR! 5-9.9 Jwdling unit1/ane MedillmD~nsity R,:sidentiai (MDIV 10··· 14. 9 dttd!mg 11nits/a,:-re> HigfvDensity Resider.rial !HDRj 15 or more dm·ilmg 1mits.-'a«n· Plan Gmnd Rapids • Great N.:ighborhoo1l1 · Clwprcr 3 0 Figure 3.d, Pre,World War II Neighborhood • anticipated, wirh an average medium residential den-0 sity overall. It is important ro note thar, in almost all ' cases, i-he higher density residenrial development i.n proposed mixed-use areas will replace existing indus- rrial and commercial uses, rather than encroaching on existing low-density housing. Figure 3.c, Residential Densities by Neighborhood Type Neighborhood Type LDR Pre;World War II MLDR xx x MDR HDR x x Post-World War II Mixed-Use xx ..\'.X". t>re.ilomin.an.t ol'emll density LDH · Lo<F.fJcn.1iry fiesidentir.i x MLDH · Medi111nLo•v-Den.s1r:v Residential MOR . Mdiwn-Dens1r:; Resid"ntiai HOR · !·/igliDensiry Residential x xx Pre,World War II Neighborhoods x x Characteristics -Older (pre-\Xlorld War II) nei,ghbor- hoods offer pedestrian-scale, tree-lined streets; a fine- grained mix of housing types and densiries; appealing architecture and the convenience of nearby shopping districts, civic institutions and job centers. These ' older neighborhoods gen em lly h<1ve small hlocb defined by a grid patrern of streets (Figu1·c 3.d -Prc:- World War II Neighborhood -Page 34). Most pre-war neighborhoods include a range of residential densi- ties. Medium-and high-density aparrment buildings are ofren located ar intersections on major streets. with medium-cl..:nsity duplexes prnviding a transition to single-family homes on small lots. Many pre-war neighborhoods also include a mix of uses, with shops and other small businesses located. on major streets. This mix of uses works well, as long as non-residen- tial uses are small in scale and mainrain a clear pe- destrian orientation. Cha pter 3 ·Great Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 34 • A mi..x of densities, and of rental and owner-oc,:u- pied housing, can Ix a neighborhood asset; ;1llowing- households t·n progress through life t:ycle stag..:s (single, young married, raising a family, empty nesr and retired) while remaining in the s;ime part of rhe city. The way d.ensiry and housing tenure are man- riged, however, makes a difterence. For example, some older nei.ghborhnods have experienced rhe conver- sion of single-family homes to mulrifamily occupancy. Where parking is inadeqm1te to suppurt this in- ,:reased densiry and, especially, where landlords dP not provide adequate managemenr and maintenance of rhese rent,il properties, ,:onversions ofren have a destabilizing influence on propert-y value~. This e;rn be compounded by the limited financial ability of nearby retired <n1d/or lmv ir1<:ome home owners to provide the mainren<"ince needed to keep home~ in good condition. Neighborhoods with alleys are common in snme pre-World War II neighborhoods of Cirnnd. Rapids. Alleys are key to the functioning of older ilnd redis- covered new urha11 Ilt~ighborhoods. Tlit' pwhkm is that many alleys have been neglected or h<l\\~ fallen into relative disuse. The resulr i,-th<tr alleys ofren become unattractive, forgotten areas that accumu- late junk, become an-racrive for crime or rire underutilized. Commerce and sen·ices thar used tn occur in alleys now rnkc place in rlw srreets. This puts an unusual burden on the ::rreets in front of houses or busines~es and contribures i-o rhe pruli- lems of overuse and overcrowding on thl' streers. Recommendations -The Masrer Plan recommends that overall existing clcnsiti..:s in prc-w<ir neighbor- hoods be maintained and rhat rehabilirntion of ex- isting structures aud new infill dcvelupment be encouraged. Instead of converting single-family homes to multifamily use, higher residential densi- ties should be incorporated in the pattern character- istic of older neighborhoods by locating small apartment (or condominium) buildings on m<ijor streets. ln some locations, where adequate parking is available, accessory units (known as "granny flats") may also be created on single family parcels. Finally, ample opportunities exist to add higher density how;.- ing in areas proposed for mixed-use in the city's older neighborhoods. These include traditional business areas and neighborhood and village mixed-use cen- ters (sec Mixed-Use Neighborhoods, below). ' wider and the street network is less connected \Yith • Figure 3 .. e ~ Post~World \Var II many cul-de-sacs; as a result, traffic tends to be con-Neighborhood To relieve the pressure on and "de-clutter" exist- ing streets and the front yards of residential areas, reinforce alley usage and promote alley improvement projects. Alleys can play an important role to improve circulation and services for compact residential and commercial areas. An initial assessment of neighborhood character ' has identified three types of older neighborhoods in Grand Rapids: Tum-of-the-Century; Streetcar Sub- urb and Garden Ciry Suburb. The approximate boundaries and distinguishing characteristics of each of these neighborhood types are illustrated in Figitre 10.a -Neighborhood Clwraaer Ty/)es Map · Page 120 and Figure 10.b ·Community Clwracrer Types· Page 121. This informntion provides a starting poinr for pre- paring design standards (mandatory) and/ or guide- lines (advisory) that communicate expectations for the qualiry, character and compatibility of new de- velopment, and the rehabilitntion of existing sm1c- tures, in each type of neighborhood. Post~World War II Neighborhoods Characteristics -The city's newer (post-World War 11) neighborhoods present a more suburban lifestyle choice where housing, commercial and institutional uses are built at lower densities on larger lots with deeper setbacks. Larger areas are devoted to a single u~e or housing rype and housing is more segreg<1ted from commercial and institutional uses. ln post-war neighborhoods, blocks are generally larger, streets are cenrrated on major streets rather than distributed in smaller volumes throughout the area (Figztr~ 3.e - Post-World Wm· II Neighborhood· Page 35). While the majori.ty of residential development in post-war neighborhoods is low-density, they also in- clude lnrge medium and high-density hm1,;ing com- plexes. These higher densitv dcvclopmcnr.s can create a stark contrast to surrounding single family neigh- borhoods. They nre most often treated a~ segregated pods that are but'fored by substantial building set- backs and atrached to a major street at a limited num- ber ot entrance points. For rnany people, the pre~ence of these large high-density concentrations in single family areas has creitted a bia~ ag~tinst higher density development <md rental housing. Recommendations -The Master Plan rel:ommC'n<ls an alrernative approach to providing an expanded range of housing choices and higher residential den- sities in post-war neighborhoods, withom erKroach- ing on existing single family areas. Thi~ approach recommends restructuring existing commercial ar- eas ;:ii; mixed-use centers that include re1"ail, st~rvices, higher density housing and civic uses in a compact, walkable area located on a transit line (see Mixcd-U.1c Neighborhoods -Page 36). Two types of posr-war neighborhl)Ods in Ci rand Rapids are illustrated in Figure 10.a -N.:ighborhood CfwmcteT Types lv1ap ·Page 120 and Fig1tre 10.b ·Com- munity Clwrnctcr T'IPcs · Pc1ge 121. Again, this infor- mation should be used as a starting point· in preparing standards and/or guidelines that maintain overall patterns of density and scale in existing neigh- borhoods and prom.xe compatibility in sire planning and design. • Page 35 • Plan Gmnd Rapids • Great Neighborhoods -Clwptcr .3 Figure 3.f ~ Mixed-Use Neighborhood • Mixed-Use Neighborhoods G) Chapter 3 · Great Neighborhoods • Pl.an Grand Rapids Characteristics -A 1·hird neighborhood type is emerg- ing in Grand Rapids. These arc the areas in and near Downtown where commercial, institutional and in- dustrial b11ild ings and sires have been adaptively re- used t'or a mix of housing, offices ::ind retail (Figure 3.f -Mix"d-Us.: Neighborhood -Pag.: 36). The Nc,rth Monroe and I-Je;1rtside areas are example~ nf this mixed-use neighborhood type. Recommendations -The potential for new housing as a key component of mixed-use development ex- tends far beyond the ad::iptive re11se of 0lder build- i.ngs. The Master Pl<111 re,:orn111e11ds mixed-use development as rhe fmure land use pattern in a nun1- ber of area~ t'o capirnlize on opportunitie~ t'o: • Restructure existing commerci;1J conccntrnrions located on transit' lines in borh pre-;rnd posr-war neighborhood· as compact, walk<1ble mixed-use centers (shoum as neighborhood, village llnd sub- r.::gional centers in Figure 2.a -Fut11re Land U.1e Map ·Page: 21). See also, Chapter 4 -Vital Busin.:ss Districts · Page 47. • Enhance the vitality of older strip commercial areas (shown as trnditional bllsiness areas in Figme 2.a · Future Land Use Map -Page 21). St!e olso, Clu1ptcr 4 · Vita[ Bllsine.ss Districts -Page 4 7. • Transform near downrown and riverfront art:as, now dominated by industrial and heavy com- mercial development (sho~un as mixed-use in Figrn-.:: 2.a ·Future Land Ust! Map -Page 21). St!e nlsu, Chapter .5 · A Strong Economy · Pagic. 63 and Clu1ptcr 7 ·A City dwt Enriches Our Lives -Page 89. Plan for institutional expansion on Downtown's edges in a way that provides more compatible transitions 1·0 existing neighborhoods in use intensity and building scale. See aLrn, Chapter 5 - A Strong Economy · Page 63. • Page 36 • • This mixed-use neighborhood approach will encour- age the distribution of higher dt:nsity anJ rental hous- ing for a range o f incomes (including affr-.rchble housing) i11 sm<lller concentrations throughout the city. Ir will <llso allow more compatible tramitions in use and intensity to be established berween commer- cial uses and existing lower density single family de- velopment. In addition, it will lwlp to cuncentrate travel origins and destinations within e;1sy walking distance of transit routes to support more efrectivt~ operation and improved sen·ice (st!t! also, Cluipcer 6 - Baltinccd Tmnsponation -Page 75). Encouraging mixed-use dcvdopmenr is a criric<ll p<1rr l){ 1·he t:quaril)11 for crec1t ing a hum<rn scale, vvalkable and trnnsit-supportive city. But ir can nor - and does nor -mean rhat "anything goes anywhere." All mixed-use devell)pment areas (and especially those that include existing or new residenti;1l devel- opment) must be carefully planned to pr<wide a qual- ity environment that celebrates the divcrsiry, vitalit'y and convenience of urban living. Creating a com- parihle mix of uses require~ ,;arefiil phurning <llld design to provide incremental rransition~ in use in- tensity and building scale, coliereth:e in archi te-:t1.m1l design and a pedestrian-friendly public re.1lm. Per- formance st;:ind;ircls th<it control, or prohibit, exter- nal impacts that can reduce the quality of life, for example, noise , odor, trnck traffic <ind rlh: loc<Hi,)n and design of surface parking, are also needed. To clemm1srrnt·e how rhese issues can be addressed, recommended development objectives for all pro- posed mixed-use areas are presenrt>d in Figure 3 .g - Devdopmenr Obj.:ctiq•es for AH Mix.:.d-Usc Areas -Page 37. More dernilecl descriptions of rhe purpose and recommended uses for each type of mixed-use area are provided in Figure 3.h-Purpose, Recommc:ndd Uses and Special Considerations for Mix..<d-Usc Areas · Page 38. The ideas presenred in rhese Figmcs pro\"icle the recommended starting poinr for developing new mixed-use zoning dassifications. Jn addirion, devel- Figure 3.g, Development Objectives for All Mixed,Use Areas* Development Character Bafance of Old and New • Determine where existing development character should be protected and enhanced and where different land use patterns should be permitted. Encourage the preservation and reuse ot historirally and architecturally significant buildings, wherever possible. Building Pattern (Density, Scale and Placement) • Promote urban densities and a compact development patrern. • Provide incremental transitions in use intensity and building scale ro promote a compatible land use mix. • Locate buildings ro frame the street and screen parking. • O rient building entTies, windows and/or storefronrs to the street. Architecture • Promote design excellence. • De:dgn new buildings ro be compatible with va lued characteristics of the e.""<isting development context. • Provide ground level storefronts frir retail and :<ervic<: us~s on pedestrian priority streets in retail/mixed-use core areas. Open Space and Streetscapes Provide open spaces that serve as activity focal points and enhance area image. • Create links from neighborhoods to the prim;iry open space system and the Grand Riwr. • Encourage strectscapc improvements that create a walkable em•ironmenr. *See also requirements for collaborative area-specifk planning, Chapter 11 -Area-Specific Pi.ans . Page 151. Uses Mix • Encourage investment to enhance already developed industri;1I, commercial and instirurional areas. • Provide a fine-grained mix of housing, shopping, jobs cmd recrearion opportuniri..:o. Residential • Provide a range ot housing types and costs ro accommodate a variety of incomes, ages and lifosryle choice>. • Enhance marker suppon for retail conc,'ntrations by incr"asing the residenr popularion wirhin walking disrnnn~. Amo-Oriented Commercial Smaller scale auto-oriented uses (gas stations, drive-r.hrough busi· ncsscs) may be acceptable as part (,1· a mixed-us,, ar('a whl'n: • a concenrrarion/proliferarion ot' auro-orienred use will nor b,~ crt: .. ate<l; • pedestrian orientation and sateLy are ensured within the core of a mLxed-use center ,)r rradiri,m;d business area; • driveway curb cuts can be locarecl and designed rn minimize the disrupri,m of pedt•strian nwwment; and • appwpriate archir<Xture, signs, screening elements are used. large Foorprint Uses Large (ootprinr non-resid«ntial uses may be acceptable <1s pan of a mixed-use area when: • a human scale and continuity of activity can be created/ maintained on pedestrian priori!'\• str,~t·rs; and • peclestTian quality and neighborhood integrity can be pr,:served in mel'ting parking needs. Light Industry E,;sure compatibility wirh the inrcmkd char:Kter ,)f rhe ar~a by requiring special approval for the dt:velopment of new and ex· paneled lighr indnsn-y. Performance Standards Minimize rhe exrernal impact of high inrensiry us,'s on otk an- other and rhe quality of residenrial environments (indurling hours ;if operation, noise, ;idor, vibration, glare, rruck rraffic, the location and design of surface parking and loading/trash collertion arriviry) by esrnblishing performance standards. • Page 37 • Transportation and Parking Streer System • Maintain or create a connected stTeet. system ro define rdativdy small blocks and to clisrribure traffic. • Discourage street closures. • Improve rhe visual. quality and walkability of all area streets. • Identify streers on which a qu;1lirv pedesrri.tn cnvironinenr 1s a top priority (pedestrian priority streds). Bal anced Transportation • Red1Ke denenclence on rhe ;i uromobile and the need for on- sitt parki;1g by encouraging the 11se uf rransporr;1non alternatives. including transit. cvcling and walking. • Include rran>it improvemt'nts \lrns pull·('llt lanes, benches. shdrers) on transit corridors. • Prnvid,~ bike lam-s and orh,~r cyding improvem,~nrs. gi\·ing priority to the primarv open space framcwork. • l)esign stn!<:>t.s ro ht• St-\ft• <'lnd attracth.\~ 1~H· pt!desrrian~: gi\'ing special auemion to pedestri,rn priority streets. • Reinforce rhe wl,: and imp,)rtan«e of .dkvs in prnviding services to residential and co1nn1erdal arei\s, e.g. garbage collection, utilitit» and parking. Parking • Enrnnrag<~ th<' dewlopmenr of shared ;md/or distrin r<1rking. • Offer reductions in the required number ot parking spaces as a den::[,)pment incentive. • Provide bonmes for deck parking, where approprinc:. • Locar~ parking ro the r~ar of b11ildings and on rlw inr,~rior of blocks. screened from rhe street, wherever possible. • D(•sign parking facilities ro minimizt' impads on rhc arc·a 's visual character .md residenr.ial uses. Transportation D<·mand Management • Enrou1~1ge job-generating uses to adopt transportation demand management (TDM) programs rhat provide incenti\'('s (or employees ro carpool, use tramir, 1Nalk or cycle to work. • En":ourag\.'.' c1nph)ycr.-assistcd lh.)ll~ing progra1n~ to eni,:ourag1.~/ enable employees to pllrchase homes within walking distance of work. Plan Grand Rapids • Great N...:ighborhoorls · CJuipta 3 0 Figure 3.h ~Purpose, Recommended Uses and Special Considerations for Mixed,Use Areas Types A. Near Downtown B. Riverfront C. Downtown and Near· Downtown Institutions D. Corridor Residential and Traditional Business Area (TBA) Connectors E. Commercial General Purpose To encourage mixed-use development that serves as an extension of and cornplemem to the Dowmown area. To capitalize on the v;ilue o[ the Grand River as a valuable economic, recre- ational and environmental asset. To allow for the expansion of institu· tional (including educational, medical and lite science) uses as part of a mi.xed- use area that protects neighborhood edges and creates walkable streets. To encourage medium and higher den· sity residential on shallow, difficult to marker par('els on strip commercial cor· riders and as connectors between tradi- tional business area (TBA) cores. To encourage the restructuring of exist· ing commercial areas as compact, walkable centen that include a mix of commercial, civic and residential uses and serve as a focus of neighborhood • activity. Recommended Uses • A mix of medium-low, medium· an<l high-density residenri:1l uses; r,,rail; servirt'; office; hmel; enterrainment.; culntrdl and insrin11:ional uses is encouraged. • Residential us,,;: are considered an essential componenr of rhb mixed-use type. 1 • Light industTy may be appropriate with speci;1l appr<'v,11. • A mix of mt!<lium· and high-density residential; offices an<l public edt1<·a1.ional and culrural tiscs is cncourag,'d. • Residential uses are considered ess.:ntial and should be given priority on th~ river's edge. • Resrnurants and other rernil and service comnH."rcial uses are encouraged as acc,!ssory uses kKatcd in rhe same structure ;1s ;1 primary use. • Light industry may be appropriate with specidl <ipproval: however. tkW industrial <levelopmenr on the riverfront wt~sr of Monroe Avenue should be dis,:ourage<l. • Aurn-oriented uses (gas stadon, car wasl1, drive through) should be disrnurageJ. • A mix of educational or hospital facilities; medical clinics and medical or scientific labs: offices and medium-low, medium-and high.;:lrnsiry residential devek>pnwnt is encouraged. • Rerail businesses and service's for <'mployees, patients, visitors and residenrs are encouraged as ac,:essory uses locare<l in the same structure as a primary use. • Smaller scale amo-oriemed uses may also be appropriate under rhe conditions suggested in rhe development objectives for all mixed-use areas. • A mix of medium· and high-density resid,~ntial devdopment, residentially s.::aled offict! an<l live/work buildings is encourage<l. • Office and residenrial development may incorporare retail and servi.::e uses as an accessory ground floor use fronting on a major or regional street. • Live/work buildings may ,;onrain office, showroom/gallery, work<hop, smdio or similar spaces on the ground floor with n~sidential units above. • A mix of civic, retail. service and restaurant Ltse, office and high-density residential is t~nrcn 1raged. • Small scale auto-oriented uses may be an:eptable 11nder the conditions suggesred in Figme 3.g · Devdopmenr Objectives for AL! Mixed-Use Arc tis· Pr.ge 3 7. ()Chapter 3 ·Great Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rnpid.s • Page 38 • Special Considerations • The 11se o( riveri"ronr lane! for surface p.1rking lots should be' prohibited. • Open space ,md publk arcl:'S.> to and along the· Grand River sho11ld lh~ cntphasizc'J. • Open space setback.; of a minimum c•( 25' should be pro1·idcd along the ri\\!rlfont r,l pc-rmit rhc extemion of the riverw,1lk. • Public ac,:ess should also be proYi<led rhrcllH?h side yard setbacks locared perpendicular ro rhe river; rhese corridors should be loc;ired ar intervals ot approximately 500 foer. • \)pen space should he giv,:n priorirv aclj;icenr m bridge;; and at the riverfront termini of selecred ea!'it#wesr stTc:ets. • Near West Side area-specific plans should anrkipar.e dw extension of 7'" and/or 8'h Streets under the US-131 embankment ,i.nd rhe improvement of the pedestrian runnd at 10'" St. • Boulernrd rreannents should be .:onsi,kred on Monroe Avenue and Front Stre,•t. • Esrabli.sh a pedestrian orit:marion along major streets, inducling generou.< sidew;ilk widths, appropriarely articulated and cletailed architect me and ground level storefronts for ret,!il ;ind ~en·ice u~es. • En.::ourage mu1ri..;;rory. rather than single storv, buildings. Figure 3.ih ~Purpose, Recommended Uses and Special Considerations for Mixed~Use Areas Types Neighborhood Mixed-Use Center and Traditional BlLsiness Area (TBA) Cores Mixed-Use Center Edges General Purpose To encourage the restrucruring of exist· ing commercial area> as compan, walkable cemers rhar include a mix of commercial, civic and re:;idenrial use> and serve as a fows of neighborhood activity. 1 To provide an appropriate rransirion ro 1 ~xisting single family neighborhoods. --------+-----·----· ~-·--- -----· Village and Suh-Re· To acw mmodate larger-footprint r,ctail gional Mixed-Use ;111c.I job-generating uses and higher re>i· Center lnner Rings ' denrial densities as pan of a mixed-use c,cnter. Recommended Uses • A mix of civic, rernil, scrvke and restaurant uses on the gr,)und flo,1r, wi th ,;ffice and medium and high-density residenrial on rhe upper stork>, is en.:ournged. • The dmrering of retail shops rn creare a dear destination is encouraged. • Smaller scale auto-oriented uses may b~ acceprable ,11 rhe \!dgf <'f tlw core under the conditions suggested in developmem objectives for all mixed-US<' ar<:as. • ~frrlium-and high-d~nsity 1\'Sidenrial d<'\·\'lopm,'nt ;;hould be lo<ared closesr ro the core or inner ring (see below). A mix of medium-low and medium-density resiJemial devdopment shoukl transition to lower densitit» at tlw edges of the mixed-use ,·enrer ad.iacem to existing single family n<'ighborhoods. • A mix of medium· and high-densiry res idenrial, liw/wMk unirs, larger fomprinr retail uses (grocery, cinema). free·>rnnding ofrices, oth er work places with a high employee to floor are;1 ratio, medical dinh:s. school> .md churches are appropriate in th .. ~ inner ring. Special Considerations • A tram it stop and a public gathering plac:e (small park. square or plaza) •He considered t>Ssential demcnrs of mixed-use cenrer cor~s. These features are also dt»irable in TBA cores. • Ri::srrucruring ot t·xisring con1n1crcifll ari:·as as mixed-use centers will ""l"ire si_gnifiG111t redevdopmenr. In c<>ntr,1sr, ;1n emphasis on adaptive reuse and new comrrnnion thar is compatible with rhe existing d,cvelopc·cl comext is anticipated in TBAs. opmcnt guidelines for selecrcd examples of mixed-• use development, as well as guidelines for higher densiry residential development, are presented in Chapter 10 · Devdopment Charncter · Page 117. lllustra· tions of how plan recommendations and guidelines might be applied in several proposed mixed-use ar- eas in G rand Rapids :ire provided in Supplement B. 3.3.3 ,., Coordinating Density with Transit To further tlle objective of creating a rr:m sit-suppon - ive ciry, the future location of new medium-;md high· density residential develo pment should be coordinated with rhe alignmcnr of exisring and pro· posed transit roures (Fig1tre 6.c · Transportmion Frame· work Pl.an: Streets Map · Page 80). In the recent µa st, many higher density residential developmem s h.ive been located where transit scn ·ice is limited and jobs, shopping and services :ire not located wirhin walking distance (approximately Vi mile). ,A,.s a result, residents of those developments must: rely almost: exclusively on their cars, increasing rraffic Yolumes and exacer- bating congestion prob lems on adjaccnr roadways . • k) areas that are (or will be) well served hy transit and/or are wi thin or :idjacent to the mixecl-u~e de- velopment areas recommended on the Furure Land Use Map. CT'hcse include Dm.vnrown and near Down- town areas, the riverfront, traditional business arc<lS and neighborhood, village and sub-regional n :mers). Because proposed neighborhood, village <H1d sub-re- gional cenrers are located on important existing :ind proposed transit routes, higher residenti ~tl densities in these locations will result in a concentration of travel origins ;incl desr inations rh<H can inc:tc'ase rid- ership ro support more efficient transit opcrnrion and improvern enrs in savice (Chapter 6 · Boli111ced Transporration · Poge 7 5). These Master Plan tools provide the basis for un- dertaking more detailed area-specific plans for e:ich proposed mixed-use area to determine where exist- ing deve lopment (both residential and non-residen- tial) should be protected and enhanced and where future redevelopment should be encouraged. These more detailed planning efforts, undertaken with the collaboration of the city, developers, area !:ind own- ers, residents and business owners, are essential in establishing a fou ndation for successful mixed-use development. The Master Plan recommends that new medium· and high-density residenrial developmenr be directed • Page 39 • The Master Plan also recommends that higher den- sity residential redevelopment be encouraged on shal- low parcels lo..:arcd on sn ip commercial corridors, for example, on 28th Srreet, South Division Ave nue Pl.an Gmnd Rapids • Great Neighborhoo(l1 · Cluipta 3 Q New medium and high.density n'5idential development should he dim:ted to areas that are (or will bei well served by transit and/or are with.in or adjacent to mixed-use detdoJnnmt ar~as. • and Michigan Srreet. These shallow p<ircels arc of ten hard to market for commercial use because of their limited depth. In ;1ddition, compatible mrnsi- tions between commercial development and adjacent low-density housing are difficult to achieve. Higher density residential use, on the other hand, can fit ' comfortably on these parcels to create <l more com- patible t~dge for existing neighborhoods and a 24- 1 hour presence on business district streets, as well as capitalizing on existing transit routes. 3~3~4 .. Continuous Neighborhood Reinvestment A choice in neighborhood types is an <1sset, as long as there is continuous reinvestment in the housing stock and infrastructure of all neighborhoods. Pre- serving the stability of strong neighborhoods and revitalizing neighborhoods that are experiencing the ~tresses o{ age and disinvesnnent are high prioririe' in Grand Rapids. The Maste r Plan recommends that the city work in collaboration with neighborhood srakehold ers to assess physical and demographic con- ditions and to prepare more derailed area-specific plans for stabilizarion and/or improvemenr. These plans will need ro address a range of issues that g,; well beyond phys ical devdoprnent, such as, organi- z;:irion;il capacity building, community policing and/ or programs for youth and the underemployed. (Se.; aL1a Chapter 5 -A Strong Economy -Page 63 and Chapter 9 -PartnersliifJs · Page 109). Ead1 neighborhood is best qualified to assess its current condition and its pLKe on a continuum from "stable" to "challenged." Figun~ 3.i -Neighborhood Characceriscics and Preservation Tools/Stmregies · Page 40 present~ a summary of chara,:teristics and related preservation strategies rhat can serve as a starring poi.nt in determining which combirn1tion of· strn1e- gies is most appropriate in maintaining or improv- ing the stability of each neighborhood. 0 Chapter 3 · Great Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 40 • • Figure 3.i ~ Neighborhood Characteristics and Preservation Tools/Strategies Stable Neighborhoods Defining Characteristics • High owner 0ccupancy • 'W'ell managed remals • Good con,;tnKtion ;md nuinr.en<mce qllalirv • Srable/inrrea>ing lwu>ing vallle • ''First d1,)ice" neighborhooc1 Tools/Strategies • Promote 1.,-afric calming and walkabiliry, as :tpprnpri;ire • Establish/enforce housing maintenance ,·odes • Sllppc>rr hisroric pre>ervation effort> where '~pprnpri.uc • Maintain infrastTucnm• • Support n,:ighborhood-ba;ed organization ;rnd ,~oliaborati\'e planning Figure 3.i ~ Neighborhood Characteristics and Preservation Tools/Strategies Neighborhoods in Transition Defining Characteristics • High owner occllpanc.y • Modt•rate to good qualiry comrrunion and maimenancc • Some poorly managed rental< • Stable to slighrly decreasing/increasing values • Losing/gaining ground as a ''first rhoin~·· 1wighhorl10od Tools/Strategies All of the previous Tools/Srrategies, plus: • Promote home ov.mership • E>..lJand low-inrerest loan programs for maintenance and rehabilitation • Restrict conversions to mukifamily • Register/regularly inspect rental units; work with landlords to improve maintenance and management • Organize/rnpport neighborhood organizations; provide planning technical a.-sistance • Provide community policing Declining/Improving Neighborhoods Defining Characteristics • Declin~ or increase in owner ancl long-renn occupancy • [ncreasing conversion of single-family ro multifamily renral (or the reverse); ;1bs,~ntee landlcml; • Moderate quality constn1crion ;md poor 0r impro\·ing maintenance • Declining or rising values • Deteriorated structures; v&cant buildings • Not a "first choice" neighborlwod; working ro becOllll' one Tools/Strategies All of d1e previous Tool;/Srrategie,-, plus: • Provide low inreresr maintenance and repair lo<ins • Consider tax freeze/ abatement on ren01rarion/ improvemems • Bring tax delinquent properties t(1 non-profits tn(in• quickly • Consider reverse equiry program for seniors • Consider acquisition of problem Tt'lltal properties • Acquire key sites for rdtabilitatiNl, delllolition and infill based on adopted dc»ign guidelines • Repair/resm!ace streets, ,;idewalks, lighting • Mainrain/improve parks • Page41 • Challenged Neighborhoods Defining Characteristics • More r~ntal than ownership; ;1b,enre~ landk·nb • Modcrarc qu.1lity constTucrion and pcior lll,\inti::nancc• • N1\,)fC lletcrioratcd ~tnh.:tures <UHl \';h·anr huikhng::-:; vacant !ors • l..ow,'st pr,1p,•rry values • ~eighborhood ot least choice Tools/Strategies All of rhe previous Tools/Srrategic-s. plu>: • Provide low interest infill dev<"lopment loan;; • ~fore aggressive acquisitiC'n and cl,~aring of deterior.ited structure:; and varnnr lots for infill • Strategic assembly of parcels/block> for infill or redevelopment • Ciry-sponsor~d dean-up efforts • lntrnsrrucrnre improvements c,)ortlinared 'virh redevelopment • Conversion ro non-residemial use • Clearance ~nJ assembly fr1r redc,doprncnr • Coordin<ned infrastr11<:mre improvelllent> Plan Gmnd Rapids • Great N.:lghborhoods -CIUlpta 3 0 Illustrm:ion5 from Street Clct.'}$ificarion I'oli~y 3.3~5 .-Focu§ on WalkabiHty All Cirand Rapids cirizens want neighborhoods rh<H >1fe safe and appealing for peopk on foot and bi- i cycles, as well as in cars. Many would also like ro live within walking clisrance of shopping, parks, s,:bools and churches so that they have the option of having fewer cars or leaving their cars at home. Borh rhe design of the city's streets and the planning of its ' future land use patterns can contribute to walkabilit:y. Street Design The city has already established recommended guide- lines ro bct-ter bala1Ke rhe llse of space wirhin pllhlir street rights-of-way to create an attractive enxiron- ment for walking and biking, as well as movement : corridors for cars and trucks. These guidelines are presented in the StTeet Classification Policy (1996). Land Use Patterns Q Chapter 3 · G1·eat Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rapids Neighborhoods can be more walkable if they incor- porate a mix of uses like Downtown and pre-World • Page 42 • median' pe destrian refu9e • War 11 neighborhoods already do. Many of these old er neighborhoods include business districts, typi- cally along former srreetcar roures, rh<1t were built before c.ar ownership \Vas widesprc;td. These tradi- tional business areas were designed ro create a hu- man scale and be pedestrian Prienrared. Although some of these charncterisrics have been eroded over ti1ne, the origirwl traditional business area provides a model for walkabiliry that cm be restored and rep- licated in the future. ·rhe idea of organizing developmenr inro compact mixed-use ,:enters offers an ,dtenrntive tc• the mon.~ familiar <1llto-dependent pattern of lining mile after mile of rhe dty's roadwar wid1 ~ITip cc'mmerci:·il development. Adopting rhis ;1lternative Lmd use pat- tern as a strategy for re-structuring commercial areas in both pre-and post;\\:1orld \Var II neighborhoods is one of the Master Phm's most: imporrant rc..:om- mendations. (See Chapter 4 -Vital Businm Districts · Page 47) Photo courtesy of Art Works Expa11dd Visions 2001 vouth apprenticesh1/> prngmm. 3~4 ... Objectives and Policies The following objectives and. policies summarize whm should be done to achieve the vision and plan rec- ommendat·ions presented on the preceding page:-: rn that G rand Rapids becomes a city of "great neigh- borhoods" and a residential location ot choice for many types of households in the metropolitan re- gion. Above each objective is a line of theme icons. The icom illustrate how a particular objective is interre- lated with another Master Plan theme. See Page 24 for a description of each theme. Objective GN 1 Document and market the amenities Grand Rapids offers (for example, convenience, cultural and recreational assets and housing choice) as a competitive residential location ·within the region. Objective GN 2 Provide a choice in neighborhood types. a. Protect the character of existing neighborhoods by maintaining ovcrnll existing rcsick:ntial densities and building patterns. b. Build on the special assets ot older neighborhoods by encour.1ging housing rehabilitation and establishing and administering building and m;.iinrenance codes that encourage renovation and improve housing quality. c. Encourage the preservation and reuse of hist·orically <tnd archirecturally signifkanr structures/ are<1S. d. Encourage mixed-u~e de,·elopment in the areas identified on the Future Land Use Map to expand the range of neighborhood ch0ices within the city \Figare 2.a · Fuwre Land Use MaJl · Page 2 I and Figme J.h . Purpose. Re..:omrnended Uses and Speciai Considerations for Mixed-U~e Area,;· Page 38). e. Develop area-specific plans, standmds and guidelines thar promo1"e the compatibility 0f new development and rehabilitation projects with the existing density and ,·isual character of • Page 43 • the surrounding context; inc:orporate site planning and architectural design princ:iples in zoning and bt1ilding codes. f. Recognize the importance of alleys in urban neighborhoods and promote alley imprm·ement projec~ts. Objective GN 3 Promote a broad range of high quality housing choices. a. Maintain and increase the number and variety of housing units (e.g., owner-occupied and rental serving young <ldults, senior~, lmv-and moderate-income households, special neecls populations, middle and upper income households) to meet the din'.r~<'. needs of existing residents and to atrr.ict ne\\' n.~sidents tc> rhe city. b. AllO\v for new housing products: for example, ~mall-JN single-family housing, sire condominiums, live/work unit:;, upper st('ry residences in commercial disrricrs and "granny flats" (accessory apartmenrs) in sine-le: family neighborhoods where adequate parking can be provided. c. Allow for a range of housing types within all neighborhoods to provide residenrs the oppe>rtuniry to pre>gTess th.rough ,·;irious life ~rngcs while maintaining d1cir <imichmc:nl l0 <\ particular area of the city. Plan Gmnd Rapids • Grear Ncighborhoo(l1 -Chnptcr 3 0 "•·· ~ .. Objective GN 4 Encourage racial, ethnic and income diversity within neighborhoods. a. Ensure equal access to housing opportunity consistenr \Vith federal, state and local fair housing laws. b. Encourage a mix of affordable, mid-price and upper-end housing choices across the c.ity through a combination of preservation, reh<1biliration and new constrnct:ion. c. Maintain affordable home ownership and rental opportunities in revitalizing neighborhoods. Objective GN 5 Support home ownership. a. Encourage affordable hou·ing construction by working with non-profits and area financial institutions to increase funding commi.rmems for home mortgages and home improvements, rehabilir<it-ion and infill. b. Provide homebuyer education. c. Offer loan assist<ince programs for maintenance, repair and rehabilitation to low-and moclernte- income home owners. d. Encourage area businesses and institutions to develop/particip<ite in employer-assisted home mvnership programs. Objective GN 6 Provide quality rental housing. a. E1Kournge d1e deYelopment of ;1ffordable, rnid- price and upper-end rental housing throughour the city, while discouraging the ,:onver~ion of single-family homes to multifamily use. b. Work with landlords to improve the maintenance and management of existing rental property to protect property values. c. Involve both landlords and renanrs in i1.npr,wi.n g rental housing quality. d. Educare tenants about their rights, landlord responsibilities and the rights of surrounding property owners. ,... ... l.L\ ~--~ Objective GN 7 Locate new higher density residential development to capitalize on transit and improve land use transitions. a. Locate higher residential densirics on transit routes and wirhin walking d isrance of business areas. ' b. Encourage rhc restructuring of existing commercial areas as more cornpacr, mixed-use, pedestri<ll1 <me! rrnnsir-oriented cenrers rhat include higher density residential developmenr. (See j)1·oj)osed neighborhood, 11illage and sub-regional mixed-use c.;.nt.;.rs on the F1ttllTe Land Use Map, Figurc: 2.a -Page 21. See also the description.I of mixed-use areas in Figme 3.g .. Devdopm..>.nt Objecti1:cs for All lvli;wlA.lse Arem .. Page 37, Fig1trc 3.h .. Purpose, Recommended Uses and Sp.;.cial Chapter 3 · Great Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 44 • Consideimions for lvli..xed-Use Ai-eas .. PClgc: 38 mid Figure 4.b -Hiemrchy of Mixed-Use Center.; -Page 56.) c. Encourage higher density residential development: in revitaliz ing existing traditional business areas. (See Mixed-use Tyt1e [) i11 Figm.;. J./1 · Page 38.) d .. En.::omage the introducrion of higher densiry rcsidcmial dcvclopmcnr ro bctrcr utilize shallow parcel,,; on strip commerci<il corridors and to creare improved transirions between single family neighborhoods <Hld major streets (m~. for example, 281h St1·e~t and. Michigan Stred on the Fimirt! Lnncl Use Map, Figure 2.a .. Pngt! 21). Objective GN 8 Collaborate with neighborhoods, business organizations, institutions and other key stakeholders in planning and development decisions. a. Support active neighborhood ;ind business organizations and collaboration wirh faith-b~tsed and non-profir organizations. b. Encourage bu~ines:;, residenr and insrinirional collaboration in preparing area-spccific plans d1;n balance nei!;!hhorhood values, lHtsines~ expansion and economic development needs. c. With community parricipation, develop and impkmcnr strategies and tools to address neighborhoods of varying levels of srnbility. d. Undenakt: targered, ,;omprehensiYe neighborhood improvement programs. e. Encourage inst:itut:i<.ms ro plan t(,r nwclernizarion and expansion in coopernrion with adjacent neighborhood and business organizarions. Objective GN 9 Maximize the positive impact of public investment in development projects. a. Support coordinated and targeted public, private and non-profit: neighborhood revitalization efforrs for maximum impact. b. Use public invesr.ments strategically to promote stabilization and private investment in neighborhoods in need of improvement. c. Leverage desired private investment with pllblic investments in improving the quality of the public realm (streets, srreetscapes. open spaces). ,.,.~ .. ~ ~~""., Objective GN 10 Promote walkable neighborhoods by encouraging the development of a connected street system and allowing for a mix of uses. a. Preserve the connected street system edged by sidewalks in older neighborhoods, and provide for street and sidewalk connections where new development is planned, to make walking and cycling feasible and attractive options. b. Encourage the development of more compact, unified and walkable business districts that provide a mix of uses (retail, office, entertainment and higher density residential) in a well-designed pedestrian-oriented environment. oeeeeo: Objective GN 11 Make streets a neighborhood asset. a. Design streets to provide <l safe and appealing environment fo r people on foot and on bicycles, as well as in cars. b. Encomage safe speeds on neighborhood streets to enhance satety fo r drivers and residents. c. Slow trnffic r.hrnugh physic::il design. d. Provide safe and appealing pede~rrian ;incl bicycle :ones on appropriate residenrial streets and to link neighborhoods. e. Provide/maintain a street improvement, tree planting and m::iinrenance program in cooperation 1;1,·irh (kvcloper,;, property owners ::ind neighborhood and business organizations. t'. Sllpporr the use of alley~ for service functions and promote alley improvement projects. Objective GN 12 Provide safe neighborhoods. a. Supporr acti\'e neighborhood organizations, effecr.ive community policing ,md neighborlh)Od watch programs to ensure safety in all city neighborhoods. b. Light streets and alleyvvays. c. Follow the principles (terril'orialiry, surveillance and access control) of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to encomage rhe design of safer built environments. • Page 45 • d. Secure abandoned buildings; hold owners accountable for. and assisr where appropriatt' in, their timely rehabilitation and reuse (or demPliti< in). 1oeeo: Objective GN 13 Enhance neighborhood recreational opportunities. a. Encourage the provision of parks, public squares ,me! other safe and mrrnctive gathering places in all neighborhoods. b. Mainr.ain ciry-school p:irrncrships ro prn\'ick neighborhood park ::ind open space opportunities. c. Develop and operate recn:ation centers in differenr ;lreas of the city. d. Design parks to ''Ptimize diverse llSe in rt'.~ponse w community and neighhorho,)d needs ;ind preferences. Objective GN 14 Recognize the important role of neighborhood schools in building and maintaining communities. a. Capitalize on neighborhood sd10ols' potential to serve ::is points of deli very for a range of fam ily support, youth developmenr and recreation se1Ticcs. h. Develop parmerships between the public schools, neighborhoods, area business organizations and insrir.uti ons of higher learning to enhance the quality of facilities and eqllipment; and improve educational out<:omc~s for all students. Plan Gmnd Rapids • Great Ncighborhood_s -Clwprcr 3 G) Chapter 3 · Gmat Neighborhoods • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 46 • 4~0 Vital Business Districts 4,. 1 ... Introduction Vital business districts are critical components of a livable city and a strong economy. Great neighborhoods and vital business districts go hand-in-hand; one cannot succeed without the success of the other. The choices that are made in locating and designing business districts are also important factors in creating a walkable city and supporting transit. --::--. :--- • P11g~ 4 7 • Plan Grnnd Rapids • Vital BiL5in~-'S Distriw -Clwpw· 4 G What Makes a Business District Vital? The citizens of Grand Rapids expressed the following be- liefs in what makes a vital business distTict. • Business variety is necessary to maintain a healthy business disrrict. • High volumes of low speed traffic are good for businesses. • Available parking is essential to the success of businesses. • Good pedestrian environments in business areas compliment good automobile access. • A good netv.·'Ork of streets promotes easy arcess and ofren attract:.-: busine~ses to an area. • Ir is imporrant for the dty ro keep older business areas vital. • The character of building,: contributes to rhe success of sonH:~ business areas. • The success of local bu,:inesses is tied to rhe .<11ccess of a neighborhood. • It makes sense ro build new buildings or to modernize old buildings. • Older businesses are ofr<;>n neighborhood landmarks wirh a loyal customer base. • Destination busin<!sscs attract customers who will also shop in surrounding ston». In order to be successful, busi.ncsses have to be seen .. • It is good to do bnsiness wirh people you know. A number ot ~mines:< areas of rhe city are. faced wirh empty storefTonts, scrong competition tram subur- ban "big box" chain stores and propeny maintenance is- sues. There are many opporntnities, however, for success. A comprehensive strategy to revitali:e a dist.rict that: includes foi;ade improvernents, marketing. complementary uses, improving walkabiliry/accessibiliry, parking solutions, and business retention/recruitmcnr efforts is important. Com11111n11:y Fo·nm1 J>trrr.ic1fJanrs. O ne of the first steps of the master plan process wa~ to ask the citizens of Grand Rapids what they would like to see the city look like twenty years from now. At the first community forum more than 300 people came together to discuss rhe furure of Grnnd Rap- ids. Their discussion W<1S guided hy the information gathered during a series of neighborhood and busi- ness associarion meetings and dis,:ttssion guide re- sponses collected in the first tWLl months of rhe planning process. Eleven major ,:<ltegmies summa- rized key issues and provided participants a variety of discussion topics from which rn choose. The be- liefs and issues used at the forum were developed from the strengths, "vcakncsscs, opporrnniric~ and threats identified previously. Statements and images that described a \·ision, or preferred fmure, fo r Grand Rapids were then creared by forum participants in small groups. The following visions emerged. Chapccr 4 -Vital Business Districts • Pinn Grand Rapids • Page 48 • · 4~2~ 1 .-A Healthy Dovvntown Downtov.-'n Clnrnd Rapids will tt'.rn<tin We,;r Michigan's center for government, commerce, eJu- c;irion, the arts, enrerrainmenr and healt·h. Because Downtown will be lively, safe, clean and green irs residential popul;irion will grow substantially ro <~n hance our city's image as a "people pl,ice." Our ccn- trnl city will be a bc::icon that draws pcopk into rhc community and brings them together to promote ,;iviliry and responsibility. The stn~ngth of our Ct~n tral core will be a significant factor in our city's ecL1- nomk success. as well ;i:; that· of the metTopolitan region. -·· ., <i) Topic: i:-E-.'"'~':l>vA<-~~.3-M~.£c1 .. ~ Issue: «'Jf\ r.u.. .. ... ~, c ,,;;i · TP.\c-,~cklli:.." i..-l~:.:·-~·7 1s. -ml:: "6il':>~<-.:w -r;;:°"-r T"f:'.f-.. ..... !-:. iZ.-LU~f: · µ ._ ... -r ~v!) fl~ ,..It,;;'/ f" ~<ST..> -~1)i.!t.·~ /;it. l!J.:fo.1N,.\I.. t--:.~ .. ~~{;;;. t<,r.'-:r: ~\\.t-f At--·IT .!...;...""!.·,··:;ti• ~;;;<,;,,, :.:; c_,.,; ..; : 1.'p :'<.....:~ Vision Statement Posreis t11e from tht? first lv1t1srf"!· PL1n l·:Ommunit_'i Fcwum hdd lit\ ~ntral Higlt School in Jvfmclt 2001. ~ Topic: 1,., .~,..,:11:m 7.!t0,:;~,,.~~ s ~~ lssut.: r,.-~ y ...... ~ <tf,;oi\.IHrt;:-'_)~~'>("'.,-~:~~ We..,., h.:1t c)..~,.,.; .. ~.t .'oe./ r&t..i ::4\Jf'":'~ -· IU<f!J._JJ. oAr .. ·~ ~~b&v . .,.;f.~ ~~.; <':t!-re....,;,. l>Y~.tk..,.,.:,1..:.1 • .i.. ~t;_..\.) ilo..-..i. 3. ~..-.._.~ ..;:;\...... -!k._:. ch~~ .. ( ,;· ~ dj ~~~i...J _ fJ.,,,... .J-._ (M.,.it GM _.,;1 ,,....J. t,t/: ....,.-'! o{ -U.c•.r ~P'~ r>e.d, ..,;J,{,.~+ -~ticr o.o. Vision Statement _P_ic_tu_r_e_/S_.y.._m_b_o_I _____ w .... r•m r..,,, 4.2.2 .. ViraHty (]rand Rapids' diverse businesses will meet the needs of neighborhoods, the larger community and the re- gion. We will be especially proud of the large num- ber ot' locally owned small businesses rhat emphasize customer service. We will succeed in redeveloping and reusing vacant and underutilized properties in our business districts by encouraging a mi..'( of uses and compact commercial centers. Throughout much of the ci1y, convenience shopping and services will be available within walking distance of neighbor- hoods. Businesses will cooperate in ret:ruiting a mix of uses appropriate to the district, its adjacent neigh- borhoods and residents. Many neighborhood busi- ness districts will include upper story residential or office spa,:e in addition to ground level shops, res- taurants and offices. · 4.2.3 ~ The PubHc Realm Our neighborhood bu~ine~s disrrkrs will h;1\l' stTeet~ rhat are clean, attrnctivdy landscaped, well lit and walkable. Where\·er possible, the number of tTavd lanes will be reduced to slow traffic and provide on- street parking. Additional p;irking will be provided ro the rear or side of buildings to mainrnin a pedes- trian srnlc on the sm~cr. This p;1rking will setTC the district as a whole, allowing visits to multiple shops from a single parking place. Srreet-len~l store win- dows will m<lke walking interesting and ;\dd to a frel- ing of safety at night. Pc>cket parks and other outdoor gathering spots will add to the livdiness of each busi- ness area. Because the design of our business dis- rricrs will bt~ neighborhood-and pedestrian-friendly, they will serve as meeting plac-~s and focal points for community lifo. Property ownas v.·ill coopewtc to make sure that the design of buildings, fac,:adC's and signs add to the unique ;ind welcoming character of each d istrict by coNdinating d1ese key design ele- ments. These efforrs will make our business districts both vibrant and beauriful. (r>r'.116 ~ Topic \t!Oif))KH!flJ Bv:;tN€5..$C""S. ~ Issue: fi"I' C'<liM11Y <;11Uf-I'St.'<1t'E· T~ Ctf:.1: !-rcF•·:o:c~;:s "" ·~!!· ary C'f= (~t:rl.),,;U. ~..,i"ll')S r9.ov1t£ rnes.,.,,....._. r:,.1~v::.1..r A_u¥Hs tr., nr.t!:t A...:~ e:;'.l.~•£..:H$, r,,t;~ Si:iR~ :::~~-~~Nf~u;~::~e-r·s.~l\ot:f '-"~":>$,'-'ff'O ...,n-.~ ~~~ ::;.:~~:j :~.r,:~~::::::~ .;;~::~r;:~,_ Vi sion Statement _P_ic_tl_1r_e/_S~y_m_b_o_I ____ -·"~'- • Page 49 • Plan Grand Rapids • Vital BiL1incss Distriw -Chapr.cr 4 Business districts ar< made ut> of (I variety of commacial tlSt'S, such m on East f1<lton ,.,fte,·,, one can finil /iet food. pasr:iies, frames and finnifllre. · 4(t3 ~Plan Recommendations To provide rhe ha:-;is for achie,·ing the~e visiom, phrn recommendations focus on the type and scale of uses and the character of development appropriate in Grand Rapids' exisring business disrricts and pro- pose new ideas for mixed-use devdopment. These mixed-use business districr types include: • Down t:oVl'll; • near-Downtown and riverfront· mixed-use are;1s; • traditional business areas (Tl3As); • neighborhood, village and sub-n~gion,11 mixed- use cc n rers. Scale nnd tran$portn.tion ori~nraticm ar~ importnntf(«:tors in detl~miHing t:om;)atible commncial dei•doprrh•nt 1n diffe'L"Tit r:~pe:: of L"llS!lh'S." districu. 8 Chapter 4 -Vital Business Districts • Pwn Grand Rapids • Page 50 • • Types and Scales of Commercial Use Business districts are made up of a vari,~ty of Cl)!H- mercial 11scs, itKluding retail. re~laurnnl, entertain- ment, servh.:e and ,Jfrh.:e. These ttse;; can be dew loped at a variety of scales (or sizes) and can be designed ro emphasize access by auromoliilcs ;rncl/or hy peopk on foot. These considerations -sc1le and tr:m~p<)r- 1·;nion orientation -;tre irnporrnnt in determining which kinds of commercial de\'clopmcnt fir compat- ibly into difterent types of business disrricr;;. For ex- ample, <1 retail use ,:an rake rhe form o( <l ~mall shop of lt~ss rhan 1,000 squ;tre teet or a "big box'' discount store of over 200,000 square foer. T'he larger the com- mercial u~e, d1e larger the amount of p;trking ,rnd land are.-i required to rnpporr it. Using typical sub- urban p;1rking ;;randarcb (1 parking space;; for every 200 square feet of usable building space), <1 retail shL1p of 1.,000 square feet would require 5 parking space;;. In comparison, a "liig b.-1x" of 200,000 ~quare ten would require l,000 parking space~; ;1hom 7. 5 acr,~s of parking \vould be needed if rhese spaces were pro- vided in <l surt~1<:e lot. Clearly, t·hc ;;,:<1le of ;1 unlltnL'r- cial use, and the amounr of oft~strecr pMking required by the city's zoning <)rdinan .. :e, ;;lwuld he f~h:tors in making decisions about land use and de\·elopment (haracter in Urancl Rapids' business distTicts (~n: Clia(>re-r 6 · Bnlanced Trcmst>ortation -Pag.: 75i. 4.3~ 1 ,,, Transportation Orientation The scale of a commercial use helps to determine how easily it can be designed to "fit" into a pedes- trian-oriented business district and/ or a neighbor- hood setting. But the transportation orientation of a commercial use is also an important determining factor. Some commercial uses, by the very nature of the products and services they offer, attract more au- tomobile traffic and are more dependent on auto access than others. These uses include, for example, drive-through restaurants, gas stations. repair shops, car washes and new and used car sales. Careful site planning and archirectural design can make even large scale commercial uses (with large amounts of , oft~street parking) and auto-oriented commercial uses , more pedestrian-friendly; but a concenrration of auto- oriented uses -or a poorly designed one at a critical location -can undermine the walkability of a busi- ness district. To ensure that all Grand Rapids' business districts become more walkable, and rhar rhe scale of devel- opment is compatible with the district context and nearby single family neighborhoods, it will be neces- sary to make distinctions among commercial uses on the basis of scale and auro-orienration.1 The plan recommendations presented on the following p;:iges demonstrate how these distinctions can be recog- ni3ed and applied in making decisions on future land U$e and development character in rhe differenr types of business districts shown on the Fururc L;:incl Use Map (see Figure 2.a, Page 21). These include a com- mercial land use classification rhat <ll:.:t1mmodate~ more suburban auto-oriented development and sev- eral mixed-use di~i-ricrs: • Downtown; • near-Downtown and riverfront rnixed-u~e ;ire;is; • traditional liusiness areas (TBAs); • neighborhood, village and sub-regional mixed- use centers. A' noted throughout the Master Plan, the goal of mixed-use devcloprnenr is to help create a hum;:in scale, walkable and transit-supporrive dry. To be suc- cessful, mixed-use areas must be c;:irefully plm1ned and designed to provide incremental transitions in use intensity and building scale, coherence in archi- recrmal design and a pedestrian-frit:ndly public realm. Performance standards are also needed to control ' impacts (for example, noise and truck traffic) that can reduce the quality of life. The recommended De\'dopment Objectives for AIL Mixd-U.1e Areas (Figme 3 .g-Page 3 7), descriptions of the Purpo.1e, Recommendt<d Uses and Special Comiderations for Mixed-Us e Arc:as (Fig- ure 3.h ·Page 38) and sample devdopmenr guidelines ' i11 Chapter 10 -Develo/>m.cnt Clunacter -Puge 117 pro- vide the basis for undertaking more clerniled arca- specific plans for each proposed mixed-use area. These area-specific plans can determine where exist- ing development should be prot:ect·ed and enhanced and where furure redevelopment should be encour- aged. These more dcrniled pbnning d"forrs, under- taken with the collaboration of the city, area land owners, developers, residenrs and lmsines~ owners, are essenti<tl in establishing a t()Ltndation for success- ful mixed-use clevelopmenr (se~~ Cha/>ter 11 -An'.a-Spe- cific Plans -Page 151). 1 Tlw tn<<'iprnari~i:, pf Tr.d1t1:md Bu,1r:l-~~ L'1::rr1t 1 \TBA) ,m.\ l !rh:u, Blhin,.,, P1·m<t il 'BD1 da..•.>ii;.-.iti ... 1\5 111 0rnl\1i R.."lp1d,' curr<.'nt :1~1\1!\i: 'nim.m··• tq·r~-x!'~t~ ''" 1111p,._11t.mt !:r-t Hq.1 u. re,·<.\~md11g th:.t ~··!lit" 'l'<11~~ ;u~,j h•rth:l ,,f («l11Ll1~r.-ial it-<t-;:re-\~,~ "l'!Ht·.itihlt" th:i.1: nrl:rt' in ~~~:~·:·~t;;~:l:::tr:i~:~;~~ ~l~L~h~;i~:: :l:i~\::.~;;~ :::::i~~:~.~l~' ~:~1i~~~;::::~:l;:\;'.~:~::~:~~r".~~i11~~~:~: t·-· ii:lpientenr die }.fo~ter rlJn ·~ rn·(\l!l1Ht'i'id:ltir•i1::. Renewed Interest in Urban Shopping Retail development" is now raking pb,:e in a di- mate of renewed interesr in urban shopping .. Bari-on 's reported in August 1999 rlrnt shoppers are beginning r.o tire of enclosed malls, leading developers to experiment with open-air town square, or main street, shopping and entertain- ment districts. Many of these proje,·ts are located in suburbs, but still fe;:irure stores built to the sidewalk, curbside parking. and greater atten- tion paid to the quality of public space. For de- velopers, this trend may provide some hope - more retailers are getting used to operating in a pedestrian-oriented environment. Traditional mall tenanrs such ;:is the Gap and I3;:irnrn;:i Re- pnblic are incre<tsingly opening stores on city streets, lured by lower rents, rhe absence of fees for mall maintenance and security, and the grow- ing number of affluent empt:y-ncsters who arc rt~turn.ing to urban areas. Federal Realtv, a real estate i1westment trust (REIT) that h.as developed New Urbanist project's, is spearheading this trend, ;1s reported in Ur/Jan Land magazine in July, 1999 .. Federnl's strategy has been to pmchase large, multi-hlock developments and redevelop them into full-scale, mixed-use retail and office districts. One ex- amplt~ is Bethesda Row in downtown Bethesda, .tvforyland whid1 will include 512,500 sqlwre feet of retail and offices at completion. The first phases of Bet"hesda Rov..: have ;:ilready brought new pedestrian life to downtown, and c;:irc has been taken to maintain a mix oflocal, regional and national retailers ;:ind to encourage di\'cr- sity in storefront design. J:.>-<:..:-rµt lr<11\l; 1'..'··~ Ud·mii.lm .1111! ·1r.1.:Lw.~11il Nr•itlJ-.11!"""1 /1r1<!111''1•,·n;, (~' .!-."\.\), N~"\lo Urh n New~. hh:tl'::I, NY • Page 5 J • Plan Grand Rapids • Vital BiL>iness Districts ·· Clwprcr 4 G OICE~ PLANNING FOR DOWNTOWN .... -~· ..... ! Vie"' of Downto1v11 from Ali-Nab.Awen Park. 4~3~2 ,,. Downtown The 1993 Voices f1 Visions plan for Grnnd R;1pids' Downmwn includes a "consrirurion" rhar presenrs the following goals fr_)r the downrown area. • Downtown is the physical and spiritual heart of the merropolitan area. • Downtown Grand R<ipicls is for everyone. • Downtown of the future should include the best of our past. • D<lWntown is a plal:e for pedestrians. • Development in Dmvntown must prorecr and enhance the natural cm·ironn1cnt. • Downtown reflects and cekbraks our community's diversity. • Downtown decision-making must remain open and indusiw. G Chapce-r 4 -Vital Business Districts • Pwn Gmnd Rapids • Page 52 • • Dmvntown must he economically strong. • Downtown must he user-frit:ndly. • To ad1ieve our envi.<:ioned Downrown Grand Rapids, we must: design Downtown, don'r jusr ler ir happen: do rhing~ righr; -work togerhcr. In addition, m·er 30 proposal.<: arc presented for mak- ing Downtown a place where people want tu li\·c, work and play. These proposals address, amnng orher ropi<:s: • expansion and promotion of arts and enrenainrnent acrivities; • rhe need ro "green" Downrown <1nd make it pedestrian-friendly; • rhe importance of downtown housing; • rhe public sect·or'~ role as a partner and lacilital:.)r; • the importance of n-ansir. In order of priority, Voi,:es & Visions also recommends focusing on the retenrion and reGutt:rnent of the fol- lowing land uses as crirical c0mponenrs of a dmvn- town mixed-us<: disrrict. • Public uses • Office users • Retail • Housing This Master Plan build~ un thl'.S<~ recummendatiuns for what Downtown can and should he, bur focuses attention on the bal;nh:e of the Ci rand Rapi,1~ .::nrn- munit:y to clef[ne land use ,;traregics thar support :tnd u1pitalize on Downrown's rol,~ as <I regional mixed- • use center. 443~3 ... Near Downtown and Riverfront Mixed ... Use Areas The growing strength and appeal of Downtmvn, as demonstrated by the ongoing transformarion of the North Monroe and Beartside areas as mixed-use dis- tricrs, can be a powerful catalyst for reinvestment in nearby areas. In tum, this reinvestment can help to provide a transition between Downtown's high in-, tensity concentration of institutions, offices and entertainment opportunities and surrounding lower density neighborhoods. To accompli~h this, the Master Plan recommends that neighborhood edges be respected and that mixed-use development be encouraged in existing insrirurional, commercial and industrial areas within and adjacent to Downtown, along the riverfront and on the Near West Side (see Figure 2.a -Future Land Use Map -Page 21). All commercial use s (retail, restaurant, hotel, en- tertainment, service and office) can be compat·ilile components of near Downrown ;md riverfront mixed- use areas. The Det•elopment Objectives for All Mixed-Use Areas (Figure 3.g · Page 37), descriptions of the PurfJos~, Recommended Uses and Special Consilkrations for Mixal- Use Areas (Figure 3.h -Page 38) should serve as a start- ing point for area-specific planning. (Sec Clwpter 5 ··A Strong Economy -Page 63 and Chapcc:r 7 -A Cicy tlwc Enriches Our Li\1cs -Page 89.) 4.3.4 .. Traditional Busines§ Areas (TB As) Grand Rapids pre-World W;1r 11 neighborhood~ u :m- tain fifteen proposed traditional business ;m::as (TBA~) as illustrared in Figure 2.a -Fiiturc Land Use Map -Page 21. Today, these older strip commercial areas vary in length, appearance, [;incl use mix ;ind economic vitality. The Master Plan recommends that these TBAs be restored and revitalized by encourng- ing the restructuring of land use patterns and the re- creation of a pedestrian-friendly environmenr. This resrructuring should recognize th<it the city has a dis-• Th< BMrdw.1!1,, formerly th, Berkey and Cia> ium1t1<re fclc"W''', i.' /1<11"t f. I 1 o,t· rhe ongoin.•r trmL~formation in dw No.,.th }vf.omnc ttr<?a. proportionate amounr o con1rnerci<1 zoning a ong , its main thoroughfare~ as ;i resulr of changing devel- opment n·ends. Commadal acriviry should be con- centrated ;it strategic locations to increase cconomk benefits to each bu:.:iness distriL't. The Model TBA -'T\11ically loGttcd along street car routes, TBAs w<:'.re dcwloped before lifestyles bt'L'ame so dependenr on the automobile. They included ,1 mix of civic and retail uses at street level, with aparr- ments and/ or offices on the upper floors of mulri- ~tory buildings. The~e buildit\g~ wae kK<lted on thl' front property line and shared sidewalls (or were built \Vith minirnal side yard setbacks) to frnme the street with a continuous "street wall." Buildings were rvvi- cally 2 -3 .stories in height <Hld ser on rcl;-itively n;ir- mw lots. Of1~m-cet p<uking was limited and loccttcd to the re'1r of the huilding. As a result, TBA~ G,:atcd a human-scale and pedestrian-friendly cnvironmenr wht~re retail, i~>Lis ;md servi,:es W<:'.n~ <lVaihtblt~ within easy walking distance from many home.s. In some TBAs, the addition of attt0-oriented uses (for example, driw-rhrough restaurants) and orher suburban-style re-development (where p;irking lors, rather than buildings, are locakd adjacent to rhe side-Resraurnnts <1re a compatiHe use in :ie-1ign<1ted lllixed-use areas. • Page 5.3 • Plan Grand Rapids • Vital BiL1incss Vistriw --Chnpw· 4 8 Retail or other aclive ground lloor uses with office,residenlial, 01 other uses shove ~ A human-scale and ped1?.tt1ian fri~ndly i?rwironm.enr is dt:sirnblt: in t1 • traditional business area. walk) have eroded some of the original pedestrian orienUt1ion and rrndirional archirenure rhat charac- rerized these areas. These changes have made people in Grand Rapids increasingly interested in preserv- ing and restoring the C]Ualities that made TBAs at- tractive, people-oriented places and foc~1l points of neighborhood activity. Parking Issues -There <ire scv\~rnl difficult iss11,:s to be addressed in re-establishing rhe development char- acrer and economic viralii-y of rhese older business <lreas. Parking is one of them. TBA businesses typi- ca lly ocrnpied relatively shallow lots and originally offered only limited offotrcet parking. Tod~w's de- pendence on the automobile (;md the tendency tC\ 8 Chapter 4 -Vital Business Distrias • Plan Grnnd Rapids • Page 54 • • believe th;ir ample free parking is the key to ecC\nomic success) cn:ates rension ben.veen busine~~ owners wanring mor<>. p<1rking and the need to prcscne tl1'~ pedestrian ,xientarion of the shopping street, on the one hand, and residents' concerns aliour commer- ci<1l encroachment into neighborhoods. un rhe other. Maint:riining buildings <rnd storefront~ at the edge of sid.ewalb i~ critical to the w<1lbbiliry ,)f tl1t~ TBA. Several str.3regies can hdp to redu,:e the amounr of offstreet parking needed within a TB.A, however. These include, for ex<1 mple: • increasing the popub1ion living wi1hin e;1sy walking distance of the TBA's retail C\llT; • improving pedestrian and b icycle connections w nearby neighborhoods; • maximizing on-street parking on the ·rnA~ m<1in street; • providing shared off-sr:reer parking r:o more efficienrly meet the needs of the disrri(l overall; • capitalizing on rransit servi,:e t<'' ·rBA'~. Nevertheless. in many TB.A's, busine~se~ and re;;i- dents \Viii have to explore ways to expand offsrrect parking. This can be accomplished in a w:iy thar cre- ates better rransirions hen:veen residential and non- n~sidcntial uses and compensates frir th,~ kiss of any existing hon:lt'S. One such solution, basc·d on rhe idea of creating shared district parking edged by med i11m- density town homes or aparrrnents is illustrated on this page and described in greater detail in Section 10.4 · Tmdirional B11.siness Area· Pag< 127. Collabora- tive pbnning will be essential in defining rhc best solution for each TBA and its surrounding neigh- borhoods (sec Chaj)ter 11 · A rell-Sp.::cific Plans -Pcigc 151). Retail Market Demand -A second important issue • in planning for the future of Grand Rapids' TBA~ is the market demand for the: types of rerail commer- cial space they ofter. Many people believe that Grand Rapids may have more land zoned for these kinds of commercial uses than the marker can support. Per- sistent vacancies in some business districts (as well as in some more recently constnicted strip centers) and the conversion of storefront space to non-retail use suggest that this may be true. It may not be possible to recruit desirable tenants for every existing commercial building in every TBA. 1 As a result, plan strategies are needed that encour- age the clustering of retail uses to create shopping destinations in some portions of a TBA and redevel- opment for supportive, non-retail uses in other n- eas. The cores and connectors concept, that proposes the creation of more compact retail/mixed-use cen- ters (cores) at certain locations, linked by higher den- sity residential/mixed-use (connectors) is recommended to address this need (Figure 4.a -Cores and Conn<:!ctors -Page 55). The recommended u~es for TBA cores are described in Figure 3.h -Pmpose, Rec- ommended Uses and Sp.xial Considerations for Mixed- Use Areas -Page 38; recommended uses for TBA connectors are those described for Mixed-Use Area Type D in the same Figure. (Set! Figure 3.g · Develop- ment Objectives for All Mixed-Use Areas -Pc1gc 37.) Both market analyses of retail potential and more derailed area-specific planning will be needed to de- termine the location and extent of each TBA's cores and connectors. These area-specific planning efforts should be collabontive, involving the city, are<1 prop- erty owners, residents and business people. The re- structuring needed to promote the future economic success of Grand Rapids' TBAs will be predominantly driven by the private sector; nevertheless, public sec- tor participation ro provide technical and fin;incial assistance supportive of private sector efforts may be required. CORE CORE CORE .ILoooooo .I 000000.IL ,rCJDDCJDD , ..... r· DCJDCJDCJ ,r ...... CON ECTOR • : CONNEClOO • Retail Management-The restorntion, revi1·,diza1-Lon and continuing succes,; of CJ rand Rapids' TBA~ will require coordinated action on future land use pat- terns and physical improvements (streetscapes, park- ing, building rehab, signs). Just as important, business retention/recruitment, retail management, mainre- n:mce and promotion must be addressed. Like a stK· cessfully managed shopping mall, TBAs made up of many small, independenr ret"ai lers need a coordi- nated, comprehensive and pro-active pLm and a full- or part-time manage r dedicated ro making that plan work. Some of the market analysis needed to support: rbis planning could be undertaken on a citywide hasis -for example, ro hcrrcr understand t:he oven1ll mar- ket for smaller retailers today and over time, as orha plan recommendation~ for making rhe city a more competitive residential choice are implemented. A periodically updared base of information i$ also needed on retail space availability, rent;il and pur- chase prices and sa les per squ:irc foor 1:0 allow cnrre- prenems to develop business plans and qualify for loans. In addition, any incentives fo r rct>1il reinvest- ment that may be ottered by the public sector (in- cluding frir example, low inreres1· lo;ins, nssistatKe with utiliry upgrades and connections and/or assis- tance in providing slrnred parking) need to be de- fined and translated illt<..l prugrams with funding support. Priorities for rargering the use of these in- centives will also be needed. Figure 4.a ~Cores and Connectors Core: Retail shops and restaurants in the cc,rc cre- ate a Yiral destinarion. Connector: Higher density housing and residentially sca led office (with possible ground floor rerail) in- crease the popuhuion density wirhin ,,·alking disrar1<:c of the core. • Page 55 • Plan Grand Rapids • Vital Busin~ss Distriw -Chapter 4 8 "!~~ •.• ::1P;o-. r> r:-m:i~~~~~: ~;. nll~.:.:J :.:. . . . , . . .1~ r.-~· ~:!!~ i;-;.~~~ j.,······~···•·\ ::::· r-.. :::: ::::::~ ~-(fllijiffil ..... , ~-~lij····· um:Iill. ~~-.:: f.!!-:-:-:r-·~ ~::::: ::::. ~<?~lI:: ~·:::::;1 \;:::: : : : :: : : :: :: t::::: "'n "'.' '"'r:;.i ··· L:JITTTis· ~~, .... · ... :::: ::::·:1~· ~== :;:::~ ·-v Neighborhood Center 4.3.5 "' Mixed .. Use Neighborhood, ViHage and Sub ... Regional Centers • posed (m: Fig1ffe 3.i · NeighborhooJ Ciwractcristi..:s and Prc:s<rmtion Tools/Srrat.ogies · Page 40 and Figure 4.b · Hic-rarchy of Mixt!,l·Llst! C.ont.ors · Pa~e 56). The lvfasrer Plan recommends encouraging rhe n> srrncruring of many of rlit~ city's exisring commerdal concentrations· in both pre-and posr-war neighbor· hoods -into u1mp;1d, w~ilkable, mi.xed-use ccnrers. parricularly those located on mrnsit routes. Many proposed mixed-use centers are located in rradirional business areas in pre-w,H neighborhoods (sc.e Figmc 2 .a · Fu cure: Land Use Ma/). Pogc: 21). Proposed mixed- use cenrers are located in areas zoned for ,:ommer- c ial use that h ave been developed as 111 ore auto-oriented shopping c.::nters, strip m.alls or col- leniom of freesrnnding hu~ine~ses in p<)~t-war th~igh borhoods. In contrast ro traditional business areas, these commercial areas arc typically locared on larger, deeper parcels and h::ixe been designed for <lllt<1mo- bile, rather than pedestrian, access. ln addition w Downtown, the region.1l mixed-use center, three ad- dirional rypcs, or scales, of mixed-use ,:enters are pm-• • l\'eighborhood centers rh:=tt ser\'c as the focus of a neighborhood, or se\·eral neighborlwmh, and arc ltx,1rcd on a major t:ransit roure. • Village cenrers rhar ~crve St~\·ern l rieighhorlHK)ds <rnd arc located on a prop,)sed ex press and/or high frt:q uency service rransit route. • Sub-regional centers that scrw scver.11 villages (and may ;ilsc> serve ;irea~ out·sidt~ rhe ,~ity) and arc lncared on a proposed ..:xprcss and/or high frequency service transit route. By incorpcm1ting lHHt~ing, shopping, johs >tnd sa- vices, and pro,·iding <lrtr<tctive altern<Hin:s to travel by car, mixed-use centers will make it possible to re- duce rhc amount ol off-street p,lrking (a11d land r<'· quired ro ;iccomrnodare it) and support impro\,\~d transit service (see also, Chapter 6 -Ba1cm..:d Tmru})or· tation · Page 75). Figure 4.b ; H ierarchy of Mixed; Use Centers Neighborhood Mixed-Use Center Serves as the focus of a neighburhood or sewrnl neighborhoods; located on ~1 major transit ruur.::. Core Rerail Uses Other Core Uses i Approximate Rerail [I Approximate i Gross Square Feer Trade Area Population to Support l ! ----·------··-------------·-----------------t ----··---;------------~:----··-----··------···--····-· I •;, · 1 mile , Convenienc~ shopping: • Small food marker • Deli • Bakery • Lo.:al restaurant • Florisr • Video store • Beauty/barber • Dry cleaning • Orher local small busint:ss Non-rerail \lst~s wirhin the core might indudc': • Small upp<'r-srory ,)ffic,•s • Day care • Scho0l • Police or fire rnbsration • Multifa rnill' housin<> • LiYe/work i10u.5ing"' • Branch library I ' \ ~'rnii primary area I i I 7.500 -10,000 Minimum 6,000 -10,(100 G Chapter 4 · Vital Business Districts • Pinn Grnnd Rapids • Page 56 • Figure 4.b -Hierarchy of Mixed-Use Centers Village Mixed-Use Center Serves several neighborhoods; located on a high frequency service rransit roure. Core Uses Convenience shopping with at leasr one and10r: • Supermarket • Drugstore • Hardware Other retail: • Emertainment • Specialty shops • Gifts • Clothing • Bank • Etc. lnner Ring Uses • Higher density housing • brger free>tanding offices • Other job generators wirh high ,;mployee to floor area ratio • Cinctna • Branch Post Office • Churd1 • Community recreation cencer Approximate Retail Gross Square Feet 30.000 - l50,000 GSF See aLrn Nc!ighborhood bA.ix_c!d.[1.it! Ct!ntt!r Core Uses. Sub-Regional Mixed-Use Center Approximan• Trade Area 1-3 mib; 1/2 mile primary area Population to Support Mini11n11n 20.000 -35,000 Serves a specific area of the city (several villages) and may also serve areas outside the city; lu..:atccl on a high frequency service tTansil roure. Core Uses General merchandise and convenience shopping with t>vo anchors: • Supermarket • Drugstore • Home improvement • Department store • Spedalry/discount apparel • Chain resrnuranr • Other retail plm non- retail core uses Inner Ring Uses See Village [nn,,r Ring Uses, plus: • C',ollege/t,:chnical school • Larger s~ale healrh care See aLm Neighborhood and Village Mixed-Use C'..enter Core Use.1. Approximare Rerail Gross Square Feet 150,000 - 275,000 CiSF Approximate Trade An•a .3 -5 miles; l mile priinary arc.:i.. Populadon to Support Mininrnrn 55,000 -I 15.000 Sub~Regional Center • Page 57 • Purn Gmnd Rapids • Viuil Business Districr.1 · Ch.apter 4 · Parking Retail Mixed Use Figure 4.c, Ulustration of Neighborhood Mixed~Use Center • Common Characteristics T'he three categories of mixed-use cenrers \vii! vary significantly in size and in the type and amount of business and residential development they include; yet all will share cenain charact"t'ristics: • a mixed-use retail "core" that includes shops. services, offices, restaurants, entertainment, civic and residential uses in buildings tkit are oriented to the street; • a transit stop; • public spaces for shared activities; • a connected street system that defines small blocks, is designed for walkability and links the mixed- use center ro surrounding neighborhoods; 8 Chapter 4 -Vital Business Districts • Pinn Gmnd Rapids • Page 58 • • a range of housing types for people of all incornes and ages; and an "edge" zone that creates a transition in residential densities and building :-:cale adjacent ro existing single fr11nily neighborhood$. A plan illustration of how these cGmmon charncter- i~tit·~ might he organized in a neighliorlwod mixed- use ,:enter is presented in Fig11re 4.c · Il!ustrntion of Neighborhood ·Jvlixed-Use Center · Page 58. Like rhe TBAs, rhe cores of all mixed-use cenrers should indudt~ street level retail ,md :-:ervices, \\'irh upper story residential and office use. Parking slwuld be provided borh 011-srred and in llffsrrect lors lor decks) that are located on the interior of blocks, with huildings located ;1long the block\ edges re' screen parking and ensure that streets have a human scile. Building entrie~ and storefronts should be uri,~nted to these sneers to JXOYic:le a pedestrian orient<ition and an active edge. \Vhen located on a regional or major cit)' street, rraffic through the core (and/or mixed-use center) may require calming. Variable Characteristics Core Uses -AlthGugh all mixed-use centers should include a retail m ixed-use core, rhe scale of the retail uses, and rhe tor<il retail square footage, will \'<Hy. Preliminary ideas <1bout the types,)( uses that might be located in the core area of each 1)1JC of mixed-u~c ,:enter are presented in Figure 4.b -H ;,~n1rchy of Mixo:d- Use Centen -P(lge 56 . Inner Ring-Proposed village and sub-regional mixcd- use centers are large enough to include an inner ring in addition ro core and edge zones. Uses in this in- termed iate zone can include medium and high-ckn- sity residenrial development, larger footprinr retail u~e;; (for example, a grocery ;;rore), hin;er freestarnl- ing office building., otha work places with a high employee-ro-floor rnrio (including technology ,rnd cert<iin light industrial uses), medical clinics, schools • and churches. Each mixed-use center must be de- signed to fir its specific context; nevertheless, the greater the residential and employee populatio n within a lf+-mile walking distance ot' the retail core, the greater the market support for the retail compo- nent will be. Travel origins and destinations will also be better conce nrrnted to support improved transir. Other Commercial Areas/28th Street -28th Street is Grand Rapids' largest commercial corridor. It is home to a broad range of commercial development types from small. freestanding businesses to small stri p ce nters, auto-oriented uses (gas stations, car sales), national chain and big box ret<tilers, hotels and planned shopping centers. Along 28th Street, Grand Rapids has an appropriate location for large footprint and auto-oriented commercial uses that do not fit comforrably into traditional business areas, neighborhood mixed-use cenrers or village and sub- regional mixed-use center cores. Many people anticipate that the South Beltline will inspire business relocations from 28th Street, in par- ticular, major retailers and car dealers. This would present unique opp0rtunities ro restructure devel- opment along some portions of the 28th Street cor- ridor by redeveloping larger commercial sites as new, walkable mixed-use vilhtge centers as described above. Even if large commercial sites are not available, these village centers can be created incrementally over time. (See the illustrative plans presented in Sapt>lement B for an example of how such a transformation could occur at 28th and Division.) The Master Plan also recommends encouraging a transition in land use to medium-densiry residential on shallow commercial parcels that are difficult to market because ot their limited depth. A change to residential use on these segme nts of 28th Street would greatly reduce (or eliminate) the conflicts rhat exist today between the low-density residential neigh- borhoods adjacent to the corridor and the current use of the shallow, less commercially vi;1ble, corridor • frontage. A boulevard treatment or other re-design of the 28th StTeer roaclway would improve irs mar- ketability as a residential location. Auto-Oriented Commercial Development Guide- lines -Today, commercial development along 28th Street and in other suburban-style shopping cenrers in Grand Rapids gives little recognirion to rhe need~ of pedestrians, cyclists and transit users. Large park- ing lot"s located between commercial building~ and the street discourage walking (even from a transit stop to a building entrance); signs sca led to catd1 motorists' attention create visual l~onfusion and multiple driveway curb cuts create safory conflicts. While the Master Plan acknowledges the need to nrninrain auto-oriented developmenr pan-ems in some portions of the city, visual quality and non- n1otorized acce,:;s can also be improved. The recom- mended guidelines for auto-uri,~med commercial development: presented. in Clwptcr 10 .. Dc:i:dopment Clwmct<.'!r · Page 11 7 provide ;1 starting point for pre- paring improved srandarcls for parking lot s.:reening and la nd~caping, signs, etc. Auw Oriented Cm11me1cial · Project Conce/>t • Page 59 • Plan Grand Rapids • Vit(il Bmine.1s Districr.s · Clwpt...:r 4 · ~ w Photo comli·sy ofArtW'orks &/imuld Visions 2001 youth apprentice.1/u/J program. 4~4 ~Objectives and Policies The following objectives <ind policies surnmarize wh,n needs to be done to achieve the vision and plan rec- ommendations presenred on the preceding pages so that Grand Rapids can beco me a city of vital busi- ness districts. Above each objective is a line of theme icons. The icons illustrate how a particular objective is interrelated with another Master Pbn theme. Sec Page 24 for a description of each theme. Objective VBD 1 Continue to reinforce Downtown's role as the multipurpose urban center for the metropolitan region. it. A~ the region;1[ cenrer fo r Wesr Michigan, encourage the location of government, large sca le office and arts ;rnd entertainment uses in Downtown. b. Promote the expansion of the resident popul<Hion in and adj<icenr tu Downtown by cncour:iging the conversion of near-Downtown and riverfront industrial and commercial areas to mixed-use (sec Figure 2.11 • Fu tu.re L .mcl l ise Mafi ·Page 21, Figmc 3.g-Oet•elo/imcnt Objectives fo1· All Mixed-Use Areas -Page 37 and Figmc 3.h · P1trpos~, Recommendd Ust:'s mid Speci(ll Considerntiom for Mixed-Use Areas · Poge 38). c. See also Voices & Visions: Conirnunicy P!(lnning for Doicntou•n. Objective VBD 2 Encourage reinvestment in traditional business area corridors to create compact retail mixed,use centers (cores) linked bv residential mixed,usc development · (connectors). a. Assist traditional business arc<l (TBA) organizarions in asse~sing the market support for retail business, office and higher density residenti:i l, and rhe :ippropriateness of their building i1wentory, in planning for reinvcsrment. Chaptcr 4 · Vital Business Districts • Pinn Grand Rapids • Page 60 • • b. Assist 'TBA org:u1izatio ns in developing business retention and recruitment stratc~gies and managing the rcrnil mix ro crcat'e a marketable district identiry and planning promotional activities. c. Foster property/business owner and residcnr cooperation in determining rhc appropriate mix of bu~ine~s uses. d. Provide technical assistance ro encourage lou1I business start-ups and expand local ownership. e. Target public investments in improving roadways, trn nsit ~tops, streetscap<?.~ and parking to h11siness clisrri,:rs with comprdwnsiYe, coord in;ircd pbns for retail recruitment and management·, physical improvernenrs, maintenance and district promotion. f. Encournge rehabilitation and ini'ill de\elopment th:ir cnh:rnccs C<Kh TBA's rrnditional architecture and pedestrian oricnrnrion. q. Carefully control at1to-orientcd 11ses (3.g · Ocvdopmenr Ohjcctit'es for AU Mixed·Use Areas · Page 37). h. Accornmod::it:e lrtn:~er srnle commcrctal uses where existing p:ircel configuratiom and shared disrrict parking ,~an support rhem. i. Employ 01hn·eet p<irking, shared pe1rking lnrs and parking decks; l()ctte and design off-street parking to minimize its impact on rlw l'edestrian clrnrncrer ot· the clis1-rict and adjac('nr 11cighhorl11)ods. oeeoeo: Objective VBD 3 Encourage the development of compact, walkable commercial centers that provide a mix of uses (retail, other commercial and higher density residential) located on transit routes. a. Encourage the development of neighborhood and village mixed-use centers within traditional business areas, :me! restrncture more suburban commercial areas, as shown on the Future LmJ Use Map (2.a -Future Land Use Map -Page 21, 3.h -Purpose, necommended. U.1es and. Special Considerations for Mixed.-Usc: Areas -Page 38 and 4.b · Hierarchy of Mixed-Use Centers ·Page 56). b. Encourage the development at East Beltline/ Knapp and East Beltline/28'h to take tl1<~ form of sub-regional mixed-use centers. t:. Educate property owners, developers and lenders to the <1dvantages of mixed-use clevelopmenr. cl. Work with existing property and business mvners to develop area-specific plans rhat can serve as catalysts and guides to rnixed-use re- development of existing commercial areas. e. Prepare mixed-use development: standards and guidelines using the Master Plan's recommendations as a starting point (Figure 3.g ·· D,wdopment Objectives for AU Mixed-Use Ar.oas - Page 37 ancl Figure 3.h -Purpose, Rc:commendcd Usc:s and Special Comideratiorn for Mixed-Use An?a.1 · Page 38). (. Develop incentives to encourage mixed-llse developmenr (for example, density bonuses, public street extensions, off-street parking reductions, streamlined development approvals) .• oeo: Objective VBD 4 Encourage the restructuring of commercial development on 28th Street. a. Concentrate retail development in proposed village and sub-regional mixed-use center~ and in planned shopping centers. b. Encourage the conversion of shallovv (hard to market) commercial parcels tu medium and/or high-density residential mixed-use (Mixed-Use Ty/)t: Din Figure Figure 3.h .. Purpose, R.ocommencld U.sc:s and Special CoTL1id'"rations .for Mixed-Use Ar~a.; ·Page 38). c. Collaborate with neighboring communities to improve rhe design and :1ppearance of-2sr1· Street, including the possibility of <1 houleYard cross section. oeoeo: Objective VBD S Improve the visual appeal and walk.ability of all business districts. a. Assist in providing streetscape imprm-.::menrs to enhance the pedestrian environment and the visual appearance of the city's commercial areas. b. Coordinate with the lnternrban Transir Partnership to proYide appropriate tr,msit facilities (bus by-bys, benches, shelters). l:. Upgradt~ distTici-appearance by encomaging compatible fa~ade, srorefronr and sign improvements ro enhance curb appeal and visual interest. • cl. Provide zoning standards and design gllidelin.cs as needed to improve site planning and design (landscaping, architecture, signs, buffers, ere.) and to improve pedestrian and bicycle access in auto--oric::nted commercial d isrricrs. e. Ensure t:har srrcet:s arc dean and well lit: c11Hl chat traffic speeds are s;1t~. t. Enhance pedestrian conncl:rions from commercial districts to nearby neid1borlHhXk • Page61 • Plan Grand Rapids • Vital Busino::ss IYmiw · Clwpr.:r 4 8 Chapter 4 -Vital Business Districts • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 62 • 5~0 .,. A Strong Economy 5~1 ... Introduction $ City government must help to foster a strong economy so that Grand Rapids' residents prosper, and that revenues needed to provide important urban services and amenities are available. The citizens of Grand Rapids recognize the importance of continuing business and institutional investment, but seek to balance economic growth with priorities for neighborhoods, the environment and the quality of development. • Page 63 • Pl.an Gmnd Rapids • A Strong E,:orl<Jmy · Clwptcr .5 Q Why are Major Employers Important? The citizens of Grand Rapids expressed the following be- liefs in what creates a srrong economy and the importance of major employers. • A healthy business area is one in which new businesses replace outgoing busines;:es. • Business areas can provide jobs for local residents; local residents are good labor pool; for businesses. • Locally owned businesses bring money into neighborhoods. • Srrong businesses help build the city's tax base. • Incentives are needed to attract new companit's. T he ~ignitkance of rhe need to insure strong indus· tries within the city cannot be understated; nor can emerging trends be ignored, such as a life sciences corri· dor, mixed-use. and the ri.sing number of workers and cor· porations who are attracted rn areas that can provide a high quali ty of life. These trends can lead to a strong, sue· .:esst'ul future with comt'lunity support. A number of is· sues exi t, however, char may impede or prove ro serve ro limit the degree of success. These issues include: • empty or under-used buildings and/or land; • industrial uses in older commercial areas; • expamion of bu::iness<!s inro adjacent neighborhoods; • locating redevelopment: opporwnities; • lack of an educared workforce; • hours or operation or the lack of public transit to bring peoplt> to ;ind from their jobs; • limited handicap access in many older buildings (building code issues): • environmental contaminarion. Chapter 5 · A Stmng Economy • Plan Grand Rap ids 5~2 #Visions ~)ne of the first st·eps of rlh: master plan process was to as k the citizens of Grand Rapids wh;n they would like to see the city look like twenty years from llt>\\'. At the first community forum more than 300 people came together to discuss the fuwre of Grand Rap- ids. Their discussion was guided by the int~.innariLm gathered during a series o( neighhorhood and busi- ness association meetings and discussion guide re- sponses collected in the first n.vo nwnths of the planning process. Eleven major categuries surnrn.a- rized key issues and provided part·icipanl"s a variety of d iscussion tupics from which to d10ose. The be- liefs and issues used at the forum \Yere developed from the strengths, \Veakncsses. opportunities and threats identified previously. Statemenrs and image~ that described a vision, or preforred future, for CJraml. Rapids \Vere then created by forum participants rn small groups. The following visions emerged. • Page 64 • · 5.2.1 .. Bu.siness CHmate We will work proactively to contilll")ltsly improve the city's business environment to encourage invest- ment, diversity our economi,· base and expand <'.m- ployment opportunities. We will make the best possible use of existing resources to prl'•duce sires for business development within the city's bounchiries through brownfield cbm-up, the reuse of,,[der build- ings and the assembly of huger parcels for redevelop- ment. Chand Rapids will ofrt'.r <:reatiYe wning, flexible financing tuols, a srre<Hnlined appronl pro· cess and the rr;m,;portation. utility and tedrn0l0gy infrastructure that business needs ro succeed. Busi- nesses will have ;iccess to capiral and go,xl inform;:i- tion about ;1w1ihble real estate and lww ro work wirh local job placement <rncl training programs. As the western anchor c)f Michigan's Lifr Sciences Ct,rri- dor, Wl' will become <1 cent"er for innovation in bi<'- technology and health services. \' '"'~ \ '.\ 4-·-{ 'b0~\1'Q..4:> 1....:i~'-'~"-"'' ;~ Topic: lssue:'-N\..t" .... ~-....'<-~.sJ...J.:;....._.J'-(:W, 't ti·{'!H;il'r. h.J.:./'1 ·'.":s!(l{ f•, 1',~;d'f;,/_:~ {,Jft.</,-,f-1•.: ;.ii~:;; )•r!'l'1~·<,. l.t vkti~-'!--:ii, 'it,.,,· '1 ,,,_. Vision Statement ;...P.;..ic;;.;t;;.;;u;..;.r...;;e.;../S;;..y,_m_b_o_I ______ ...... Tnm , .. m ~a.~ Topic: B--s•11.s5/:5, I:. O~;+_~ m -l ~~rn~,.,. Issue: Rool"\ I b lo o.f.f.,. M4fe l!'clvco.4i<Yt.,.\. ooc!.. )4 b -+<o.;""'j op p•,.+...-.;+;es,. ;" 'Sp•"'r" .,,.t, ~\'~, ii\ ord-.r -+o pro111ct~ .( .. ;,.. (l.\'(c...,..."'lTo.-t.·o" 0 ~ K•s p•,,iC woMt"l OKJ. "'t.f\. 1> )...,,.._ b•-\t•r-5..,pp•r""'c\. o.aJ. s11tc..s-s ..(.,l ..(' .. "":I:-.. s - Vision Statement v.ti;rn~ /~~~ " Picture/Symbol :;....:.;:.;;.;;..;...;;;,;..;;..o.....;;;;'-"-'-----Wa~TtimT .. m 5.2.2 .. Job Diversity and a Productive Workforce Educarional parmerships between the business com- munity, the public schools and our institutions of higher learning will offer all of om resi<lents unp<ir- alleled opportunities to succeed in the workplace and contribute to the vibrancy of our economy. Our com- mitment to excellence in education and job train- ing, and the availability of high quality public trnnsit and child care, will be instrumental in moving people into work, out of poverty and up the job ladder. The skills and productivity of the people who make up our workforce wi ll be recognized as significanr eco- nomic assets. In turn, Grand Rapids' businesses - many of which are locally owned -will provide well paying jobs that support families. . 5·· 2· 3 B ·1· d. · • ~ · ,.. , Ul· : ing on Our Assets \Ve will succeed in making our mosr import;mt miru- ral foature -rhe Grand River -increasingly visible and usable by converting riverfront industrial sites ro parks and new development rhat welcome~ people ro the river's edge. /\~ ' ' ' ~ . b..>i>,!"'2-'.>':>,f'.:3:,,h~~t ... Topic: , · " ,1~ -~ ,~ ;~"""'t-1.;.. + ,,J. ~""""'.!' LAN lssue·~"'·t..,,i · " '"'" "' .,. . ~t~; . "'!t\~:J //' ,('lA..£.-...... ~ .. .,....'7"J ... ""'"" .4-~~ /'..C·a.1-< .. ~ fJt~z_~_,_) ,L,<, /,l..('./. /n-C~.>_"?/,-,.,£~ "~·n ~ ~~· • r•.£-_. .. ,,;41 w.mA<l'l-1{.s.:.-t/ ~;' ~~-.,,..v~~ /a~-~ ... a·-<-/ ~v Q""t.~-.... .4'."'-·•·,: ct--<....C /'"..tf""~_/ ~~ .. ~,_,,A~•t.4-<.l"::=-; .;i,,,...,<.. ,.a..«.~c:.....,,...C---'-t.""d' ""?r'!)-"/< .. -..c....,.,a:.} /~L/J'fl'L<?,,.Z:., Or~ ./)"-~<-~'-"""~-' (/' Vision Statement ;Picture/Symbol Posters an~ from tlu> first Master Pian ( .:Ommunic:> Fonnn held at ( ~nrmi High Sd1ool in Man:h 2001. • Page 65 • Cities Bounce Back for most metropolitan cities, the 1970's were a disa~ter. St. Louis, for example, los1· a little more than a quarter of its population. A fitth of the people in Detroit and Buffal0 fled to the sub- urbs or left for opportunities in the Sun Belt. The 2000 census reveals that many cities gained population in the last decade and some enjoyed their best de,:ade since the 1950\. Grand Rapids mirrored this trend. After los- ing eight percent of its population in the l 970's, the city gained 16,000 new residents in the next two decades, and now has its large~t number of residents ever. An upward trend in population is only one indication of a city's health. Bur there may be a correlation between popubtion growth and a vibrant urban environment. Five of the cities rhat had their best decade in the 1990's -Bos- ton, Dcnn!r, Minneapolis, New York, and San Frandsen -are among the top "24-hour dries" piL:ked by the 2000 Emerging Trends in Real Es- tate report as the best bets for investment and development. City of Grand Rapids Ce.wm;i.Xe.m: 1?0i.mlati.rn1 ChHnge 1960 ................. 177,313 1970 ................. 197,649 ............... 11.5% 1980 ................. 181,841 ................ -8.0% 1990 ................ 189,126 ................ 4.0% 2000 ................. 197,800 ................ 4.6% Adapted Imm: Ce.ns~i ... Rt•1X>m, and "Ci1;\'S S."11.i:"'lcl'! B.irk.-Nt"' t;~ban :\~1·'· y,.!, ,_,, NP,4,_1uno·2('i.11. Plan Grand Rapids • A Strong Economy -Chnptcr 5 The adapri~1e rewe of older indwtrial b11ildings is an im/Jorrant is.rne for • a su.stainabie economy. 0 Chapter 5 · A Strong Economy • Plan Grand Rapids 5<+3 ~Plan Recommendations To provide a basis for achieving these visions. char· acreristics of a diverse, susrairn1blc ,~conomy ;:in~ pre- sented and referenced ro recommendations in Chapters .3 -9. In addirion, plan reu>rrnnendarions focus on: • exisring indusrrial disrri<:rs in \\:hi<:h a change in land use should be encouraged, and those in which indusrrial use should be rernined; • the role of light industry ;is ;i component of mixed-used use development; • the benefits c)f mixed-use as a context for institutional expansion in the center city; • rhe importance of coordinating the loc1rion of job centers wii-h decisions on transit. • Page 66 • · 5.3.1 .. Sustainability and Diversity Cirand R.1pids can have <l sust<1in;1bk cc<Hiomy by adapting t:o changing conditions and re-using exist- ing resources in new ways. Sustainable economic growth prornores adaptive reuse. brownfield clean- up and reinvestrnent in alre<1dy developed areas <ls an alt'enrnfr,:e 1'C> rhe "rnke-rrn1ke-wasre" pattern ot' sprnwl. Revitaliz<ttion of Downrown, the adapri\T reuse of older industri:<l and commercial buildings in the North M"nwe and Heartsick <m:a,; and plan rccommcncbtions for reinvestment in rhe c:ity's older neighborhoods and traditional hu;;ine;;s districts (see ChatJter 3 ·Great Neighhorh.oods · Page 27 ond Chajne-r 4 ·Vital B1isiness Districts· Page 47) prcwick examples ot' this kind of w;;rainability. A susrni11ablc economy abc_) c111pl1,1siz,~s qualitv of life as a key factor in <ltrracring and rer;1ining a bal- an,:e of ho11;;ehold types and incomes, a;; wdl as <~m ployers and a skilled workforce. Recommendations on important factors that influe1J<:e the city';; qual- ity of life -including the range n( hnusing choices (}rand Rapids offor~, its schools, the quality of irs built enviwnmenr, ir;; rec:reational and open spac:e oppornmirie~ <md it's e11vircnunenr<tl qtulity -an: addressed in visions and policy recotrnnendarions throughout the Masrer Plan. (S<e Chapter 3 · Gr<.at Neighborhoo1ls · Page 27, Clutprer 7 · A City thm En· riches Our Li''e.1 · Pag.o 89, Clwpt":r 8 ·A City in Be1L111ce with Nmure · Page 103 nnd Clwpter 10 · De1dotnn.:.nt Ch.arocter ·· Pe1g.o 117) Plan recommenclarions al,;o touch on the question of fiscal su~tainability (d1e ne<'.d t\) ldance munici- pal revenues ;md expenditures) by rec:ommending that public investments he rnrgekd (and leveraged), th;n incentives for de~ired private inwstrnent be es- tablished and rhar puhlic/privare partnerships bt'. created. \Vhile rhe public sector can help ro encour- age and gi.1iclc development:, it is rh<~ pri\'are ~ccror that actually makes the majority of the investment • needed to accornpli$h plan recommendations. As a result, limited public resmm:es musr be invesred srrn- tegically to maximize returns in achieving desired outcomes. Space for new indusrry and for the exp<insion of ex-• isting industry is limited. Available sitt:S an~ relatively small and often need environmenral remedi<1tion. Available buildings um also present environmenrnl problems and be expensive ro bring up to modern code requirements. \Vhile rlho city can help to over- come these disach-antages, it: is important to h~ve a dear und er~tanding of where time and re~c>1 m:es should be targeted. The following recommend<itions for future patterns of industrial land use t:an help to achieve rhis. Grand Rapids can have a diverse economy by cre- ating an environment that supports overall business success, r<irher than focusing on a single sector. As recommended in Chapter 4 · Viral Business Dimicts · Page 47, Grand Rapids can also enhance the diver- sity of its economy by placing as much emphasis on nurturing the success oflocal entrepreneurs as it does on attracting major new employers. A diverse economy includes a variety of large and small job- 1 Rail and Highway Corridors -.!\;; primary rravel generating uses including retail and services, arts and entertainment, government and professional offices, . educ<ltional and health care institutions, technology i and industry. Plan recommendations in this chap- ter focus on indusrry, mixed-use employment cen- ters and institutions located on Downtown's edges. Master Plan recommendations for offices, retail and services uses are ;1ddressed in the preceding chapter (Chapte:r 4 ·Vital Business Disrricts ·Page 47). 5.3.2 .. Industry Compared ro national trenc-ls, ()rand Rapids has done well in retaining manufacturing jobs over the past 15 years. Continuing efforts to diversif)r the city's industrial base have contributed to this success; while jobs have been lost in some industries (for example, furniture and fixtures), increases have been experi- enced in others (for example, priming and publish- ing). In manufacturing, as in other business sectors, many firms are lornlly owned. In addition, the ma- jority of manufacturing firm.s located within the city are small, employing 20 or fewer people. Although Grand Rapids has many assets that make it: an attractive business loGlt ion, the city also faces certain disadvantages in comparison to undeveloped "greenfield" <lreas in the larger metropolitan region. modes have changed over time -from water to rail to st:recr.s and highways -t:he patterns of indusrrial de- velopment in Grand Rapids (and the region) have also changed. In Grand Rapids, horh the river and rail corridors became the "spines" of industrial de- velopment. Today, (hand Rapids indl!stries do not depend Dn water for power or rranspDn<1rion. l'v1any industries rely more he<ivily on truck access ;me! pr(1x- imity to highw<iys (and ;iirports) than on rail. Tht~ cosr and convenience of competing transporrarion modes may continue to change in the future. how- ever. A~ a result, industTies that haYe ready acce~~ ro both rail and highway corridors will retain flexibility as a comperirive advantage. While sDme light industrial uses can fit C•..'mpat- ibly in a mixed-use development context, other in- dustrial mes, because of their SL'ale and/or external irnpacts, function best in single purpose industrial districts that are buffered from neighborhoods ~rnd shopping areas. Example~ of d1ese uses might in- cll!cle: truck terminals and distribution ccntc:rs, ,:011- tr;ictors' yards, industrial lal!nclries, and \lses rhar manufacrure or rre.-tt gouds from ra\V materi,tb. As shm,vn on the Fat1Lrt'. Lmd Use Mop (Figure 2.o ·Page 21), the Master Plan reumnnends the retention of industrial districts that are locarecl on r:iil lines and can provide easy acet~ss to highways without routing • Page67 • .~ __ .... ~ "''_.~· .. --'T71c rnajmfry of m111111fat'turing fmns «.·!thin th,! cil~~ 1Lre ~mwli, ~·mt,/1;yrng 20 or fewer peo/>I~. Attrat:·ti·11el.y landscapl:'d front :-;end.~ i11 ind11Hlif1l areas imp·ron; comf>at:il.dit:-; tdth ne(~h!)orhood.). Plan Grand T\apids • A Strong E,:onomy · Clwptcr 5 0 1886 Bird's Eye Vievo Map of Grand Rap;d.1. • rrucb through residential areas. The design of srrecrs serving these industrial districts must balance needs for truck access with other priorities, for example, establishing atrrnctivc gateways to rhc l:ity. l n some instances, parcels on the edges of rhcsc districts may be consolidated to cre;tte irnproved buffers and n·an- sitions to adjacent neighborhoods and business di~ tricts. While design ;md development mmdards in these industrial districts will nor be as stringent as thcls,: for light industrial development in mixed-use areas, ;;ome st·andards di;ir address buffers and fran;;ition;; may still be appropriate. Por example, industrial uses fronting on major t~ntran,:e corridors to the city should be encouraged to: e Clwpter 5 -A Strong Economy • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 68 • provide attractively landscaped front yards; • step down building heights rowarcl the street; • articulate foJnt fa.;:ades to crt~are a sense of ~ca le: • provide doors and windovvs overlooking the srreet·; • use higher quality materi<1ls on front fa<;ades; • avoid excessive ft'tKing <1t1d mak,~ fencing attractive (no barbed wire); • screen outdoor srorage yards. Jn some recommended industri;il disrri,:rs, for ex- ample the C!oclfrcy cc1rridor, rnulti-srory 19'i. t-enrury industrial buildings coexist: wirh more conrempornry industrial uses. As in the North Munn)e area, the achtprive reuse of rhese bttilding,; for <l rnix of uses should be encouraged. 'T'his mi..'< might i11dude loft housing, artist/artisan srudios, ofrice5 and retail. Over time, some existing industrit'i' may rclucare 01mide of the city. If rhis happens, it will be appro- priate to re-evaluate the atfecre,l <irea's hind ll~t'. des- ignation. For exam.pk, if the existing industrial users in the area bounded by 28tl' Street, Madi;;on and the Norfolk Sourhern rail line were l°c' relo,:ak, d1i,; ;irea could become a logical extensidn of the propo:<tcd village mixed-use center <ir 2811' StTeer ;md Divi;;ion Avenue. Such a change in land llSt' (from industrial to mixed-use) would be especially appropriate if the existing rail line were abandoned in the 1·ut11re. (Sec S1.tPt>lement B for ;rn illustration of one possible ,;c:c- nario for future devdoprnent at 28'h and Division.) Riverfront -Since rhe city's founding, the (:Jr;md River ha~ heen ;:i focm of joh creation. Although tlw nature of rho:::e johs continues to change, the city's relati,)nship to rb~ river remains criric,1l ro irs cc,)- nornic developmem future. PeC1ple in Grand Rapids would like to improve the visibility ,if, and an:css to, the river as an asset for Goth economic developrncm and qualiry of life. The riverfront can offer specicil opportunities for economic diversification, joh ere-• ation and expanding higher density housing choices; while ar rhe same time increasing recreational use and improving environmental stewardship. As a re- sult, the Master Plan (see Figme 2.a -Future Land Use Map -Pago; 21) recommends that a change in land use be encouraged along the riverfront north of Wealthy Street1 from industry to open space and mixed-use. ln rhe area north ofl-196, cast of US-131 (on the west side) and west of Monroe Avenue (on rhe east side), this mix of uses should give priority to: • the addition of open space; • continuous publiL access along the river edge; • medium-and high-density residential development on the riverfront. New job-generating uses along the riverfront could include offices, educational or culrural uses and ho- tels. Ret::iil, resrnurant and/or entertainment can <ilso be encouraged as accessory uses located in the same building as a prirnary residential, office or horel use. A mix of uses within a single building or develop- menr parcel should be encournged. Developmenr densities that capitalize on the value of a riverfront location, and the control of surface parking, are rec- ommended. Resource Extraction Areas -A significant land are;.i in the southwest portion ot (irand Rapids -includ- ing the former Butterworth Landfill and the area immediately to the west of l-96 -were historically used as resource (gyps11m, gravel) extracrion si.res. While these mining operations have been phased out, more than 200 acres of disturbed land remain that are currently zoned for single family residential use (R-1)2. The Master Plan recommends that this 10n rht-: w.~r hank 1•( ti!~· Gr.tnd R1v('1 :Sl'lld1 ,.f \'(.'l":\lr!,,· S1:~~. i•hmnizui i.$ undl·rW:l'.' :,•r ch.- dt~V("loprnt'tll l.'tf .i )J.Jrlt ..... ;, tl1;.: Surtl.!r'.\Y•rth L:mdtill. l11U: ne·w n\' ... rln.mt park will link to K~nt (\'IUl\l\:1:.t µl~m1t:d M1lbH\ium r.\!·k lotatd dLr(!l'tlv l(l the "O;Jtb \)fl the: Gr:.md Rivc:r <'.Ind Kent Tr:uk On tf,c ea..'>t bankoft!ac: Grand R1vl·r, dk· \h,.<:.kr Pbn prc>po:tCs that dlt' rhwcdc:l· lw .. .'~t c.1( ~:i.rkl"t Streed ~<'i.'llH~ µart<)( the rontinuou...: rivcrfr1.1nr ~'µen sp:i.rc/tr.ul .:o;y::.tem. ~'le Buttt"rv..·orti1 L:i.r.d!ill !.:: l-i\\·nc:d h-" ti,e city and 1!\ pl:mncti to ~c:~•me .1 p:;,rk. low-de nsiry residential land 11sc design;:ition be main-• rained unril more in(<..mnation is available on exist- ing conditions and the consrrninrs rhey pose for future development. fu ;.i result, any proposal for non- residential development will reqllire rezoning, includ- ing the notification of adjacent property owners and a public hearing. When a gemechni«;tl ;malysi ~ for this ;1re<l is un- dertaken, it may be determined that residential de-' velopment is not finatKially foasible in the maj ority of the are<i. lf so, altern<itiw uses will have to be l:on- sidered. In the inte rim, it may be appropriart~ ti) al- low limited use fo r Olltdoor storage (with ;.i special approval) in areas that are immediately acl:essilile from existing streets ;.ind are well buffered from ex- isting resident·ial development. 5,,3.3 .. Industry as a Component of Mixed .. Use With well defined liesign guidelines and perfor- mance standards, many light industrial uses can co- exist comp;it·ibly with ;i mix of office, rerail :ind housing -not only on the riverfront, bur also in por- rions of Downtown and in the proposed m.ixed-llse areas to the north ;1nd south of Downtown and on the Near West: Side (Figure 2.o -Fucur.o Land Use: Map · Page 21). Examples of tl1e$e light industrial uses might inclt1de: lahorarories, designer's or builder~ shops, photo labs, artist's studios <md artisan's work- shops, small scale m<inufacrurers ot food producrs or small assembled products f.rnm preparecl rnateri- als. ln rivcrfronr. Downtown and ne;ir Down1"own areas, li ght industrial uses that arc relatively small i11 sc<1le, provide a high ratio of employees to fl oor .uca <ind do not generate high volumes of truck traffic are partic11larly appropriate <1S p<in of the use mix. Encouraging a broader mix <..)(uses i11 exi sting in- dustrial are;is on the riverfront and near Downrown is an important sn«uegy in creati11g a human scale, walkable and transit-supportive city. To be success- • Page 69 • Dcl'ele>fJrncn r slwiild ca[Jiwl1z< on tlte rni11t' oj the riverfront. Plan Grand Rapids • A Strong E,:onomy · Cluipr,:r 5 0 The forrnc-r B1mm.uorth Landfill Site has bw1 mnediated and planning is underway for the developmen t of a park. Health .:are and research ilt1tit11tions ai·e important economic anchors and incubato1~. Chapter 5 -A Strong Economy • Plan Grand Rapids • ful, these mixed-use areas must be Grrctully planned • eluding rhosc ::issociated with health ca re) arc the and designed to provide incremental trnnsitions in fastest growing sector of tlw (}rnnd Rapids employ- use intensity and building scale, cohcrt·ncc in archi- tectural design and a pedestrian-friendly public realm. As noted above, perform::ince sr<1ndards arc ::ilso needed to contrl)l impacts (for example, noise and truck traffic) th::it can reduce quality of life. Recommended Dc:vdo/lmc:nt Obje,:ti1·e.1 for All Mixed- Use Areas arc prcsenrcd in f igure 3.g -Page 37. De- scriptions of the Purpose, Recommended Uses and Sp<c1,il Considerations fur Mi.x,>.il~lJse Areas are prese11ted i11 fig- 1ire 3.h (see Mi xed-Use Area Ty/les A and B)-Page 38. In addition, the developmenr guideline~ in Chapter 10 - Deidopment Character -Pnge 117 pnwide one example of industrial mixed-use; examples of how plan rec- ommendations and gnidelines might be applied (Near West Sidt and in the vicinity of Plainfield/ Leonard) are in Supplement B. These Master Plan materials provide a starring point for undertaking more derailed arca-spcdtk plans for each proposed mixed-use are::i. These area- specific pLrns should determine where exisring de- velopment should Ge protected <mLl enh<mced and where foture redevelopmtm should ht~ encrn1rng<'tl These more derailed planning efforts, undem1ken with the collaboration of the city, area [;ind owners, developers, residents and business owners, are essen- tial in esrnhlishing a frmndarion for successful mixcd- use development. In a global economy, b11si11esses' mosr imporrant rnw material is skilled and dedicated workers. As a re- sult, colleges, 11niwrsities and tt~c hni(«ll sdwob are critical economic resources, as well as important jd_, generntors in and of themselves. Similarly, health can: institutions -especially those engaged in biotech- nology research and development -arc import;mt economic anchors and incubators. Consistem with narional trends, service job~ (i 11- • Page 70 • menr market; most· o( rhese serdce jobs .ire !<>cared in the Downtown area. As a resulr, Cin1nd R;1pids needs land use patterns for the fururc rh;:ir ,:,rn alle>w and enc(_)urage these institutions ro grow within tht~ ciry -but to do so according to mies rhat rcc,)gnize imporrant priorities fnr preserving ncighhorhrn,ds, crcaring "·alkablc sneers and managing naffit: and parking demand. The exisring pattern of land use in CJr,111d Rapids outside of the D<)Wlltown area ,tls o indLkks many instituti0nal uses -from elemenrnry schoob to c0l- legt e<1111puses -tli<ir are alre<1dy i11tegrnted i11ro rlit! development fabric. In some instances, it would be very difficult ro expand the pl1y~ic:;1l houndarie~ of these institurional sires in any significant way. C'v1et- ropolitan l·lospirnl is an exampk.) In other instant-es (for example, Cornerstone College) wch expansic•n 1m1y be possible. Recause ead1 sini::ition is unicJ11e, the Master Plan recommends that institutions, neigh- borhood and busi1w~s organizatiolls work in <"<i lLtho- rntion with rhe city to explore alrcrn<HiYes ;ind find appropririte soluti,,ns t(' expan~it'll needs.; Jv1ixed-Use -The Master Plan re(:on1me111b rh<it the major educational ;md health ca r(' insl"i1tltions lo- cated in and L'll th<: ed.ges of Dow11tuwn Ii<: encour- aged to rem;1in and expand within <1 mixed-use developmenr cnnrex.t that: • ent:ourages ground level retail and sctTices along major streets; • emphasi:es the qualiry o/. rhe j)L'.destrian environment; • reduces traffic: and parking d<'!"nand by enuiuraging the use of rran~il, c;upooling, cycling and walking; rhe ~X'tX11h\:: 1w&1 t(. <"••t\SJ..ft:r !t!U!'~ 1•J1ti<•!'L: I· ·T pub!ir sdW>1.1\, ti,,\[ lb\' ht •ir•:_.d 11' ti,.· 11\~:lt p;o;-<:cnt., .l c!r~··· p.iraild t•'thl. 1!'.."U<: 1)! b:ot1tun,,;-,ni lXj.JJli,i<,n lihi,._.,!, Hl«nlJ~l,'l~"ll l:«t• Jr" •••w .,: ~CVl'r~l !il..dv qlti,'J\$ i~)r ,i,,. f"'ll."t.: ,•f rlw~(" ht~1\,hn!.,-i.. ;..irndt<lin~" !~~r ,,nc l'X'1:1q.:h· .•! .-rJ-..,,,t .<itt· • !"('."U'<t· \th.:.r.t :1.'.<~!l;:e.« th.:i.r ti,,. n.:t.~tm~: l;.1,;i[,li1~i.: L" r-:-r;;i1~e.i) i:-: i•r,•·, idt>,i m C!:.ipf.'' !\." !'.i.:t<. i IS. • controls the amount, location and design of surface parking; • incorporates higher density housing to provide compatible transitions to existing single-family neighborhoods. This mixed-use approach to planning for institutional expansion will not only protect the livability of cen- ter city neighborhoods; it will also present a positive image of the city to visitors from the metropolitan region cind beyond. The general purpose and recommended uses fr)r institutional mixed-use areas on the edge of Down- town are described in Figure 3.h-Purpose, Recommended Uses and Special Considerations for Mixed.-U.1e Arem - Page 38 as Type C. ln addition, it should be noted that public and private institutions (including, (or example, educational and cultural uses) can also be components of Type A and B proposed mixed-use areas. The recommended uses for neighborhood, village and sub-regional mixed-use cenrers proposed throughout the city (see Figure 2.a -Future Land Use Map -Page 21 and Figiire 4.b -Hierarchy of Mixe<iUs e Centers -Page 56) also include institutional uses (for example, schools, churches, branch libraries, post of- fices, recreation centers and soci<l l service <lgencies). A limited number of smaller scale institutional uses (elementary schom, branch library, agency outrecid1 office) are most appropriate in or adjacent to the core of neighborhood centers, the smallest in the suggested hierarchy of mi,wd-use cenrers. Because of their larger size, village and sub-regional mixed-use centers can accommodate a broader range of larger institutional uses (recreation ,:enter, technical sd10ol, church) both in their core or inner ring areas. Overall Developmenr Objectives for All Mixed-Use: Areas are presented in Figure 3.g· Page 37. Guidelines for one example of institutional mixed-use are also provided in Chapter 10 -De1.•elo/>mi>.nt Clwrackr -Pag,: 117. · 5.3.5 ,,, Job Center§ and Transportation The Master Plan recommends that major job cen- ters be located on transit lines so th;it employees have the option of getting to work without their cars4. In addirion, the expanded use of transporration de- mand management programs is recornmended to en- courage transit use, car-or ,·an-pooling and ·walking or cycling to work. This, in turn, will reduce peak traffic volumes and the amount of on-site parking needed. In mixed-use areas, parking should be treated ;is a resO\m.:e sh;ired by uses that experience pe:ik parking demands at difterent time of the clay. Streets rhat carry major w>lumes of traffic should alsn be designed to ensure that they cn~ate an appn)priate envimnment for pedestri;ins and cyclists, as well as cars and trucks. 5.3.6 ... Urban Redevelopment Council Esrnblished in 1995, the Urban Redevelopment Council serves in an ad.virnry c;ipacity to the City of Grand Rapids and the Right Place Progranr5 ro bring the "voice of the business community" w the city's urban redevelopment work. The Council's mission is ro promote business retention, expansiLm and at- traction acriviti.es in the city through the productive reuse ofland and buildings, while strengthening col- laboration ben.veen the city and other units of gm·- ernment within the region. The council's 2002 Str(ltegic Pla11 presenrs the following goals: • develop an aggressive land ;1ssernbly strategy for the city; 'it 1.~ :1:~1> uuvcrt.'1ll h' n·.\{" th:i; tL.-ln1d·11rhn:"I Trnnm !':111:1.-r~!iip 1!1T'), tli~ rt·WDt~.;l tnn~11 ni•.-11n·. 1$ 1 • .,·~1~in_~· 'P•···i:1l :ttr.-1,t1:1n nn !n\!•r:•VH\~ cr:m ... p:1n;1rit)n .kr\Fc; t~' im~ L"'x ::\•"t..i:t~<" ~'ll'µul.lll••J\.~ 10 t"O\J>lovi:tt"llt und dawar.:1 k11.:,1t:t..•!\. h· t·xµall.ima! ('X!..-tmi: \,ln ,,n·;r.- \Tl1t> Rh.•hr Pta.:c-PT't\• .. "hl!tl,;. :·t'~k.nal t'•"~'lh'l:i": <l'-"\'t"k•µmt'lll 'Hl'.t:IH"\-". ',•;-·rl-.: ur.<l<:r 1"(.1\lr.1.-r \'.'itl: th1.· Ci~v l){ Grnnd R..op1d~ fl) ,,~~L.:t wal: hr.rl and hwLlmt:: .•lh' t·rl·µauri.w;, hu~i11 ... "'' .1.-.i;:r.in:t, market;r.;,: and pr.~nh)th.•n rl <lc\c:ic•pmc.>1H l)\.it.ic1rtu11lli~~ ,lnd p.:i.rt11~r,.h1p• ·.•"::h µfr.-.He, ~('l\·-:=mn1t"ll~ ::i.1~,1 n•rrH11ur;iry •'.i"'>''iJ.$ inv<'l·.c<l h ~•(•n,•n1it-d~..-k•pt11-=nt. • Page 71 • promote rhe development of additional Renaissance Zones; • promote the de,·elopment ot' an industrial p,i1-k (in coll<ibor<Hion with the City oC\lValker) that supports rnsrninable business practices; • build partna~hips on urban rede\'('lopment with communities that border Clrand Rapids. These goals should be pursued in a manner c0nsis- tent with rhe ~faster Plan's rccornmendarions, ob- jectives and policies. • N1ajor joh l:lmrers sho11ld b~ located on transit !in~.~. Plan Grand Rapids • A Strong E..:onomy -Chapra 5 Photo courresy of Art Works Ex/umd,,d Visions 2 00 I youth appun ticeshi/> program. 5~4 ,,. Objectives and Policies The following objectives and policies summarize what: needs to be done to achieve the vision and plan rec- ommendations presented on the preceding p::iges so that Grand Rapids v.:ill have the land use and trans- portation patterns that support a positive business climate, ::i diverse job base and a producrive work force. Above each objective is a line of theme icons. The icons illustrate how a parricular objecrive is in- terrelared wirh another Master Plan rheme. See Page 24 for a description of each theme. Chapter 5 -A Strong Economy • Plan Grand Rapids 08006lOS Objective SE 1 Capitalize on the Grand River as an asset for economic development and quality of life by encouraging a change in land use along the riverfront from industry to open space and mixed-use. a. North of Wea lthy Street. encourage mixed-u~e development thar adds open space, provide:" public access ;rnd gives priority ro medium-;md high-density residential <len:lopment along rhe river's edge. En,:ournge devdopmenr rh<1t rakes advantage of valuable riverfronr land by discouraging one-srory buildings and controlling surface parking \s<.c Figure 3.g-Devdopmcnt Obje.:ti1•es for All Mixed-Use Arem ·Page 37 and Figure 3.h -P1trfmse, Recomm.i!ruled Use.s and SJ)<Cial Consideration.s for M ixed-Use Areas: T'iJ)e B -Page 38). h. South of We<1 lthy Street, pursue pbns for pm·k development at the Burterworrh Landfill and the extension of the riverwalk (.>ec Figure 7.c - Ot1en Space Framework Pim1 Mot1 -Page 95). c. Develop standards {or accommodating lighr indusn·y as <l p<in o{ the riYerfronr use mix (for example, small scale, low impact, high employment). d. Undertake area-specific planning as a catalyst and guide to reinvestment' (ba.sd on mixed-1~1e recommendations in Figure 3 .g -De~'dof1ment Objecti1·es for All Mixed-Use Arem -Page 37. Figitre 3.h-Pm·po:.e, Recommended Uses and Special Con.s iderations for Mixed-Use Areas -Page 38 and Figure 4.b -Hiermchy of Mixed-Us.:: Centers -Page 56). • Page 72 • ooeo: Objective SE 2 Capture the benefits of improved riverfront visibility and access by encouraging mixed-use development in near-Do,vntown industrial areas east of US-131 and west of Monroe Avenue. (Figure 3.h -Purpose, Recommended Uses and Speritil Con.side·mtions for Mixd.-Usc Ar~m: Type: A -Page 38.) a. lrnprm\: connecrions from ;1ll 1wighborhoods ro the riverfront (in particular, by reducing the harrier created by rhe US-131 cmbnkmenr). b. Sec ;1lso SE 1.cl. 0800 Objective SE 3 Retain industrial districts located on rail lines that can provide easy access to highways without routing trucks through residential areas. a. Consolidate parcels for industrial use on the edges of tht·se d isrricts. b. Develop standards tbar improve bufkrs and rransirions to adjacent neighborhoods, bu~ine~s districts and major entrance corridors to the city. c. Encourage the ad;iprive reuse n( prc-\Xlorld \Xfar II industrial buildings where,·er possible Objective SE 4 Encourage major institutions to remain and grow in a mixed,use context in Downtown and on its edges. (Figul'e 3.h · Purpose, Rt~commended Uses and Special Considerations for Mixed-Use Areas : T.l'fle C · Page 38.) a. Protect neighborhood edges by creating incremental transitions in use inten~iry and building scale. b. Adopt rransportation demand management srratcgies to reduce traffic increases and on-sire parking requirements; carefully conrrol the amounr, location and treatment of surface parking. c. Provide a pedestrian-friendly street nenvork with grouncl floor retail ancl service uses on major streets. d . See also SE l.d. Objective SE 5 Accommodate appropriately scaled institutional uses as components of proposed mixed,use neighborhood, village and sub,regional centers. (Figure 2.a • Fucure Land Use Map· Page 21 and Fig1tre 3.g · Developmc:nt Objectiws for All Mixed-Use Arc:as · Page 37.) Objective SE 6 Improve public transit access to work places by coordinating the location of major job centers with existing and proposed transit lines. ·oeoeeos Objective SE 7 Encourage business investment while balancing economic growth with priorities for neighborhoods, the natural environment and the quality of the built environment. a. Provide investors and d<.:vclopas ca ·y access to eu:momic, marker, workforce ,md re<tl e~r<lte information. b. Give greater emphasis ro technical assistance for small businesses to foster entrepreneurship. business srarr-ups and lorn! ownership. c. Nurture existing business to promorc sustainable grmnh. d. Provide the transportation, urility and re..:hnology infrastructure needed to supporr ,:ommen.:e. e. Use public investments strategically to levc~rae\~ desired economic development in appropriat<: locations. f Assist in the production and markding d attractive business de\·elopmenr sites. offering a range of site sizes, bnd use ty11es and loclrions. • Page 73 • • g. Provide flexible financing rools, ;i streamlined deYelopment approvals process and connection~ ro appropriare employee placement and rrnining programs. h. Make development approY<ils predict<1hle, fair ,md efficient. i. 1 lelp to coordinate economi.~ den:-loprnent initiatives within the mctropolirnn regkm. Objective SE 8 Er{courage business development and continued economic diversification to deepen and broaden the range of jobs and pay scales available \\rithin the city. <1. Gi\'e parricular <.:mphasis tn attracting and retaining businesses rhar provide jobs t:har pay <1 li\'ing wage and can support families. b. Promote rbe av;1ilab ility of good transit s<.:rvicc and qualiry, affordable day (<UT for the chiklren oi" working families. Objective SE 9 Encourage educational partnerships that promote youth development and improve the job skills of citizens of all incomes. Plan Grand Rapids • A Sn·ong E,:onomy · Clwpt.:.r 5 0 Cluipter 5 · A Stmng Economy • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 74 • 6*0 ~ Balanced Transportation 6~ 1 ~ Introduction Primary trave l m o d es change over time. They shape, and are shaped by, land use patterns. Grand Rapids' citize ns support the coordination of transportation and land use decisions to re duce dependence on the automobile, provide choice in travel modes and to balance needs for automobile and truck access with the long term objectives of improving transit, making streets more walkable and creating a system of bike routes. • Page 7.5 • Plan Grand Rapids • Balnnccrl Transporrntion. Cluipr.:.r 6 e Why D o We Need a Balanced Transportation System? The citizens of Grand Rapids expressed the following be- liefs abour rhe importance of a balanced transporration system that not only serves rhe automobile bur pedestri- ans, cyclists, and transit riders as well. Good public transportation contributes to a healthy region, ciry and neighborhoods. • We must pursue alternate means of rransportation so thar we don't jusr rely on d1<' rnr. • Om streets should be made comfortable for pedestrians, rhe handicapped and others (bikes, strollers, delivery cans, etc.). • Good pedestrian environments in business areas compliment good aummobile access. • A good networkotsrreets promotes easyacce:>s and often arrracrs businessel' ro an area. • Our streets should be well paved and wdl markt'd. • Multiple bus roures make neighborhoods more desirable. • Making and maintaining screei:s as wmtorrable places for pedestrians is important. • High volumes of low speed traffi.: are good for business areas. • The city should be built for people, not cars. • Bikes are an important corndderation in the d.osign of our streer.> and should be safely accommodated. T he dry's interconnected network of srreers, alleys and sidt'walks allov,-,: peopk' to move from one place ro another efficiently. The need for a balanced rransporrn- rion system thar offers alternatives to the automobile was strongly expressed by the public throughom the planning process. These alternatives can reduce automobile depen- dency and associated parking needs, as well as increase the .icressibiliry of jobs to the Grand Rapids workforce. PflTtidJuutts ,wre acti1.:ely 1n·roln~d in tl-u-t!t't ision-maling pnJL't'Ss fm the plan. O ne: Llf rhc: first steps of rhe mastc:r plan procc's wa:' to ask the citizens of Cr;md Rapids what they ·would like to see the ciry look like twenty years from nm'" At the first community frm1m more than 300 people came together to discuss rhe t'urure of Grand Rap- ids. Their discussion was guided hy the information gathered during a series of neighborhoL1d and busi- ness associati on meetings and di~u1ssion guide re- sponses collected in the firsr tW<) months of rhe planning process. Eleven majrn categori es summa- rized key issues and provided participants a V<triety o ( discussion ropics from which ro choose. The be- lief~ and issues used ar rhe forum. were dcvclnped from the strengths, >veakncsses, opportunities and threats identified previously. Statements and im<1gcs t-h:lt described a Yision, or preferred future, for Grand Rapids were then created by forum participants in small groups. The following visions emerged. Chapter 6 -Balanced Transportation • Plan Grand Rapicls • Page 76 • · 6.2.1 ... Automobile Alternatives We will plan trnd use <ind transportati<m in om ciry and the regi on to make rransir convenient and af- fordable. All residents will be ab le to get to work school, recreai-ion oppornmiries ,,r shopping \\·irh- out relying on a car. Because our st<He-ot~rhe-art tran- sit system will be such a success, parking d .. mancl will be significantly reduced and we will he able to devote less land to storing parked cars. ln most neigh- borhood~, residents will have access to dailv, l~o1we nicnt shopping and scn ·iccs within walking disr;mcc of home. Our streets will create a connected network and will be designed ro encourage walking and cy- cling; information on walk/bih: romes will be e;1sily available. \X/e will empha,ize the importance of trcc- lined, peoplc:-fricndly streets in our ncighborhood~. Traffi c ca lming will contribute to safer streets frir dri,·- ers and more livable neighhorhot)ds tL)r ;tll n~sidern~ -cspcciallv our (hildrcn. Most importanr, our over- all transportation system will offer a habnce bern\:~'n ,:,irs, transit, cyclisrs and pedestri<lllS. Vision Statement ' ) ' ,. _P_ic_t_u_re_/_Sy._m_b_o_I -----w .... T,•~Tum Picture/Symbol ;;.,..;.;:;,=;.;...:;:...:::...i..:.;.;.=.:..._-----W.O.-Tr't1nTeiim 6.2.2,, WeU Designed Street Network Despite carrying greater traffic volumes at major streets will be designed to be people-foendly. We will make sme th<tt :>tTeet p;:iving i~ in good condition by investing in improved longer-life materials and care- fully managing truck load limits. As a result, vehicle damage will be significantly reduced and traffic safety will be improved. Attractively landscaped, safe, clean, well maintained streets will be an important part of our city's positive image and quality of life. Poste.>~ are from the first Master Plan C'..omnamity F01um held at C:Cntral High Sdwol in March 2001. · The 1923 Master Plan Recommended Streetcar Improvements to ReUeve Traffic Congestion,. A !•I AN f i)?. THt I-t;~_Ut;} GkOW1 H Op • Page 77 • Plan Grand Rapids • Bala11co::d Transporwt.ion -Ci1£1pr..;r 6 a Balancing the> w;~ of str~et rights-0fu't'IY w aL..:omodare a1tto, tnnoit, • pedem·ian and bicycle ianes is imponant. Figure 6.a, GVMC Long,Range Public Transportation Plan URSA.NA.REA AXEO ROUTE SERVtcE ~-····-····----· -· ·· -FEEDER SSRYlCE TO Cl..OSEST HUB ; ·········-~RURAL SERVICE l 1..·-····-' SURFACE TRANSPORTATION CENTER 1 • TRANSIT CENTERS . ff ~MMUNtTY HUBS r·~ -FIFTEEN MINUTE SERVICE -THIRTY M"NUTE SERVtCE -?UK HOUR EXPRESS 6~3 ~Plan Recommendations The 1994 C rand Valley Merw Cou1Kil (CNMC) BllLc· print Report and rhc 1996 Long-Rcmgc Pubiic Trans/lc>r- tation Plan for the Grand Valley Re,gio11 (Jv1etro Mobile 2020 Task Force, Grand Rapids Are;1 Transit and GVMC) provide a conceptual fon ndation fo r ,:oor- dinating transportation and land use Je(isions to redu(e dependence on the automobile and provide choice in travel modes. The Master Pla n builds on this foundation to promote coordinated land use and mmspon ation decisions that: • support transit use through coordinated land use, sire planning and sneer design decisions; • balance the use of street rights-of-way to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle needs, as well as moving vehicles; e> Chapter 6 -Balanced Transportation • Plan Grand Rnpids •Page78 • • design srrcNs to enhance safety, improve walkability and cre:lte image corridors: • reduce the extent to which highways cre.ne harriers to movement; • manage parking supply and dcm;md ;md improve parking lot location and design; provide hike r~)\ ires. 6~3 ~1 .. Transit Planning Background The 1996 Lo11~-Rnnge I'ILblic Transpurtotion Pl(/n fln the Grand Valle:v Region recommends the developmenr of a trnnsit system linking ourlying community h11b;; in Kcnr and Ottawa Counri.cs ro and rhrough rhc City of Grnnd Rapids via express and high frequc·ncy sen·ice liu;; roure~- Bccausc the locations of these roun.:s arc impor- tanr facrors in land use decision-making, <tn effort has been made to interpret rhe regional concept and. to iclenrify potcnrial alignments within th(: citv (Fig- ure 6.a -GVMC Long-Range P1thlic Tmn.1/lorltllion Plan ·Page 78). High frcquencv ridership bus r(1t1tes have abo been mapped to assist in futur~· land ll:'C plan- ning. Finally, d le regional rransir organization (the Interurban Transit Partnership, L)T !TP) is undertak- ing an evaluation of alternative fixed guidcway routes and transit rnodcs as part of the regional. system. Al.- though early thinking about these alternative roures has also been used in developing the F11ture Lrnd Use Map, the conclusions of this evaluation could modify land ust~ planning (and ckvelopment density decisions) within the city. Future Land Use Land use decisions must be coordinated with efforrs to improve and expand transit service, and tc• create a halanctd rrnnsp()rrctrion sysrern dlar n·d11ces de- • pcndcnce on the automobile. More compact devcl- opment patterns and higher developmenr densities • in some areas of the city will concentrate travel ori- gins and destinatiom to suppon more efficient tran- sit operation. Several land use recommendations thar reinforce efforts tc make transit a viable transporra- tion choice have been described in preceding chap- ters, including: • directing higher housing densiries to lcx:<1rions on, or within walking distance, of major transit routes (see Chapter 3 -Great Neighborhoods -Page 27); • encouraging the creation of compact, walkable mixed-use cenrers located on existing high ridership bus routes and proposed high frequency service, express and fixed guideway routes (see Chapter 4 · Vital Business District1 · Page 47; • encouraging rhe location of major job cenrers on transit routes and the provision of i1Kenrives for employees to choose the bus over l~ornmuting by car (see Chapter 5 -A Strong Economy -Page 63). As noted above, the fixed gllid eway location(s) to he recommended by ITP wilt have an impact on the location of several proposed village mixed-use cen- ters. These alternative village center locations include South Division Avenue a t Cottage Grove and 28'1. Street west of Breton, as illustrated on the Future Land Use Map (Figure 2.a -Page 21) and the Transportation Framework: Transit Map (Figure 6.b -Page 79). Site Planning and Street Design The way that buildings and parking are arranged on a site has a significant impact on the ease with which transit users can move between transit stops and the front doors of buildings. Large parking lots located adjacent to the street: esr,1blish a barrier to pedes- trian movement between bus stops and buildings. Existing development ca n be retrofitted in a variety Figure 6.b ~ Transportation Framework: Transit -.0§£11EN .#/A ... ~/ ~ ~:~11~n~~s~~u~1l ol us~) ,,/.-PROPOSED EXPRESS ROUTES -~-•••••• POTENTIAL FIXED GUIDEWAY SYSTEM @ PROPOSED TRANSIT CENTER -TRADITIONAL BUSINESS AREAS ~ ~ POTENTIAL CENTER • NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER • VlLLAGE CENTER e SUB· REGIONAL CENTER _/ • Page 79 • KNAPP LEONARD Pian Grand RaJJids • Bai.nnced Transportation -Chapter 6 e Figure 6.c ~ Transportation Framework: Streets ,...,, .... ,. ··'---. ~ ---CITYCOLLECTOR -MAJOAC1TYSTREET • • • • • MAJOR CITY STREET· PAO POSED -AEGIONALSTAEET e e e e e ENHANCED STAEETSCAPE STREET CONSERVATION AREA z a: ...J <{ •MILE .W rl··-··-·1 _ .. , .... / ) / /~-::-; ./ 'BJ ~r / SMILE ! I ) I i ;1--~__,-.,,,,, . .,o!j!.,,..N~---~--.. --.. ·-1. • !.~-·Wr-', "Z•·-·· ~J4""-r-r----r-f.--1..!:KN~A~PP:..,_ _ _j i. ANN I 1 ~ 1 r @ ·-· /-~ ~ ~-··-_,,, , ... I L"'ONARD ~ ~ :... L~ ( ·-···-..) --.l ···-···-··· ···"'t---t--+-...!'>:I"'lEf'"'--+-\ ~ r···-· .. - .-·.J \ 28TH ~ ,-·--"·-... -... i 32ND j I \ !.._ ... n. 44TH e Chapter 6 · Balanced Transporta tion • Plan Grand Rapid~ • Page 80 • • of ways to reduce the extent ro whid1 pr-irking lots disc:ournge pedestrian connections. (S<.e S.:ction 10.8 -Auw-Ori~ncd Commcrciol in o Po>t-WorlJ War 11 Cun text· Pag~ 135 for one ~wmplc.) A mon.:' efricil~nt par- tern for bus operation and transit riders. hciweve r, is to locate buildings 1Jn or near rhe front proper()' line, "v ith parking located to rear. This is especially im- porranr ar nrnjor job l'.enter~ and in neighhorhood, village and sub-regional mixed-use cenrcrs. Simihtrly, rhe planning <ind c1,~sign '-'{ srrecr im- prO\·emenrs ~hou\d rake transir ,-chicles ,rnd riders inro consideration, for example by pnNiding bus shd- ters, benches and bays that allow buses ro pull our of roadw~1y travel lanes. At m;1jor tran~ir nn111eu·ion points, a configurarion rhar <1ccommodarcs m ore than one hus ;it a rime, and rhM i~ lorared ofr rhe major through-traffic street, may also be ,lppropri- ate. (See Sup/Jkm~nt B. for examples of hot!' a major tran- sit connection might be accornmodmed. in the •.1i/lage mixed-use centc:1·s 1n·oposed lit Pl.llinfiew/Lconard and 28'" I Di~•ision.) 6.3.2 ~ Streets Streets musr be designed to allow cars, rrucb, rrnn- sit and emergcnc:y vehicles access throughout the citv. People in Grand Rapids also want sneeb rhat are attractive and safe. Along vvith parks, squares and plazas, the ciry'~ streets are major dererminants of rhe quality of the public realm. When rhcy <lTC im- proved to create a positive image, and proYide a pleas- ant e1wironment for people cm font and on bicycles, thev can serve as a powerful e.~onomic development tool. To achieve this, decisions on street ,lesign, rraf fie management, parking, land use and dcwlopment character must be coordinatt:d. Street Design The city has alrc<lcly established guidelines to better balance the use of space within publil· righr~-of-way • in the 1996 Street Clmsification Policy. Sneer functiornil classificarions (regional, major, city coilector as shown in • Figure 6.c ·Transportation Framework: Streets Map -Page 80) are coordinared wirh developmenr<:ategories and design guidelines. These guidelines balance the need to move vehicles with the creation of a srreet envi- ronment that accommodates on-srreet parking, trnn- s it stops, pedestrians and cyclists. A Srreet Conservation Area is also defined, encompassing rhe majority of the city's older neighborhoods where streets are narrower than modern standards. \X!ithin this area, streer reconstruction and widening projects require Planning Commission approval to ensure that streetscape and pedestrian amenities are not sa.cri ficed. The Master Plan reaffirms these policies and guide- lines and recommends thar they be attgmenred in preparing future neighborhood and area-specific plans that interpret the Master Plan's recommenda- tions in greater detail. These area-specific plans should designate pedestrian priority streets and co- ordinate land use decisions and development guide- lines with rhose designations. Safe Streets -Recent research suggests that slower travel speeds mean safer srreers wirh fewer accidents and injuries. Like many cities, Grand Rapids is now underraking traffic ca lming projecrs that slow traf- fic by effectin:ly narrowing the perceived street width, using curb bump-outs and small diameter roundabouts located at intersections. The Master Plan recommends a continued coordinated approach and financial support for these initiatives (on both residemial and shopping srreers) to ensure t-hat fasrer moving traffic is not simply displaced from one street to another. In addition, for new development projects, standards that allow narrower street widths should be considered. Walkable Streets -[yen streets that carry high vol- umes of traffic cae act as seams, rather than barriers between neighborhoods if they are designed to: • provide srreetscapes that create a comforrable, human scale environment; • include on-street p;uking and planting zones to protect pedestrians from travel lanes: • use traffic calming techniques to slow vehicles; and • provide well defined crossing points. The location and treatment of offsrreet parking, and the number and design of driveways (especially those serving non-residential uses) also influence walhbility. Parking lors located <idjaccnt to th,~ side- walk, especially if they occupy significant street front- age and/or are noi-softened and screened by landscaping, create an environment that is not hos- pitable to people on foot. In conmlst, building~ lo- cated d ose to the sidewalk, with entries, windows and/ or storefronts oriented tv the street, create a sense of human scale and add activity and visual in- tcrcsr. This model can lie applied to residential, corn- mercial, institutional or industrial development, bur it is essent·ial in rhe con~ of the city's rradilional busi- ness areas and neighborhood, village and sub-regional mixed-use centers. (See 10.4 -Traditional Business Area · Page. 127 for one example.) In addition to the design of t:he street environment:, the design of the larger street network has an impact on w;:ilkability. Streets thar crcare connections within and between neighborhoods, and to shopping, jobs, parks and schools, are neech~d. Small blocks and ,·a ri.a- tions on a grid of streets multiply connections; large blocks and cul-de-sacs limit connerri(ins (.sc:e Section 10. 9 · Higher Quality Medi1m1 mid High-Demiry Resi· de11cial Design -Page 137). Finally, the distribution of land uses influences walkability. A-. a resttlt, the Mas- ter Pl;:in recommends enco1m1ging mixed-use devel- opment that locates homes, shopping, j0bs, and :'chools wirhin easy w:ilking distance of one annrhcr. - ~'lC>,. Tt't1S \ \ I I lllu.mmions fi'om rite Stm•r Clas.1ification Poiicy tluit 1ho«• ho1r rn n-aire a />edestri(ln friend!~ stre.erstaj>e. • Page 8 J • Pi<t11 Gmnd Ra/lids • Balnnced Transportation -Ch.aprer 6 a Division A..enue is an irnporl·ant ima.~~ street (rendering from 1he • Heart:side Mair.street Charette). Image Streets -Cerrai11 high rrnffic \.durne SITeds thar serve as gateways to Urand Rapids, especiallv those on which rhe addirion of hight:r densiry re:'i·· denrial den·lopmenrwill be encouraged, deserve spe- cial treannent: ro create a posiri.w image for rhe city oven1 ll and to 1::nlrnncc: their app1::al as rei1westment k>carions. Bo11lcvard rn:armcnrs m otlh:r simiL1r en- hancements -for example, street tree~ plantings, im- proved sidewalk paving. ~treet ~igns and ~tred lighrs -on these streets would ck11naric1lly improve their appearance. The Master Phm identifies 28d' Stret~t, Division .Av- enue ::ind Michigan Street wesr of Fuller as impor- tant image streets (Figure 6.c -Tramporration Frnrneworlc Sr.reets Map -Page 80). Other gateway sneers th:n should be considered as image strel'.ts include Nc,rth Monroe, Fulton, Leonard, Plainfield, Lake Michi- gan Drive, Market and Grandville. The engineering and cost feasibility (>f creating enhanced srreets,~ape cm rhcse streers should be given special consideraricm. e Chapter 6 -Balanced Tmn.sportation • Plt.m Grand Rapids • Page 82 • • Street Redesign Studies -Several addirional street redesign studies wae suggested by (Ommunity par- tic:ipanrs during dle preparation of dit: Master Plan. These include: • East Leonard Streer, from Plainfield to East Bdt:line, where rhe V<ffying numher of Lines and lane configurations create botrknecb and safety c:oncerns; • Seward Avenue, where extensions north to Ann Srreer and south to \Vealthy Street wo11ld prm·ide a continuous norrh-s,)uth surface sn·c~t'f connection on the Near West Side. 6.3~3 "'Highway§ Limited access highways 1.vithin a city c>ft\:n crcarC' significant barriers by limiting or eliminating street c:onnenions and/or ignoring pedesrrian and bicycle: needs in the design of underp;1sses and bridges. In ()rand Rapids, the design o( US-131 -especially on the west bmk of rlie Cir;md River to the nurth of Downtown -is an extTernc example of this phenom- enon. The Mastc~r Plan r,~cnrnrncnds that strmc.gie~ for climin;iting or minimizing this harrier he explored to reconnect Near West Side neighborhuods tu the river. (S"" Clwt>ta 7 ·A Community that Enrich.:s Om Li1--.:s -Page 89.) In the~ longer term, when major re- consrrncrion of rhis segmenr of US-I~ I i~ being planned, rhe Master Plan recommends that the )'OS- sibiliry of eliminating the US-131 embankment be explored to create <111 at-grade ttrban boulevard (with appropriate surface street travel speeds) between Ann Street ;md I-196. 111 rnniun(tion v.-ith thi~ redesiQn, casr-wesr streets ~hould be extended ro tht: ri\'erfront. Although it may rnke decades for this red)mmenda- tion to be i1nplemented, interim steps cm be taken to reduce the barrier that the US-131 cmhankm,~nt creaks. These include improving the existing pec1es- trian tunnel at JOd· Stred ;md ,:re;1i·ing new ~treet extensions and underpasses at 7'i. and/ or 8'h Street • where there is adequate vertical clearance. A~ other highway improvements are planned, de- signed and implemented on both US-131 and 1-196, the Master Plan recommends that opportunities fo r improving street connectivity and enhancing pedes- trian and bicycle access (by widening sidewalks and adding bike lanes) be given serious consideration. This will require coordination among dry departments and neighborhood and business organizations, as well as the Michigan Department of Transportation. 6~3~4 ... Parking Parking is a complex and controversial planning is- sue. Nevertheless, a balanced trnnsportation sys tem must include a balanced approach ro parking man- agement. C ritical parking management variables in- clude: • the amount of off-street parking required for different land uses and types of development; • the way in which off-street parking is located and designed; • the availability of on-street parking; and • how the cosrs for both on-and off-sn eer parking are assigned and who bears those costs. Decisions on how parking is managed can have a trem.endous influence on neighborhood livability, business district vitality, the cost and financial feasi- bility of new developmenr and the price of hoti~ing and other real estate for sa le or rent. P,uking man- agement can al;;o >iffect the following: • individual decisions on whether to rake the bus, cycle or walk -rather than finding, and possibly paying for, a place to park a private automobile; • the amount of traffic on city streets (and the air quality impacts of tail pipe emissions); • the amount of impermeable, paved land area and the volume (and pollutant loading) of smface runoff; and • the extent to which compaa, walkable development rarrerns can be achieved. Supply Like many or her dries, Cl rand R;tpid~ spec:i hes a mini- mum number of off~rreer p<1rking spaces that must be provided tCx different type;; of land use;; in irs current zoning code. These minimum parking re- quirement;; appear to be ba;;ed on national srandards geared to suburban, rather than urli<m. lkwlopmcnt patterns. With rhe exception of the Downrown area, the same standards <lpply nL' matter whc'.re in the city a particular use is loc;ired. This appro;teh fail,; to reflect differences in actual parking demand patterns 0r to rake advantage of the potential to u~c varia- tions in parking requirements as an illccntive in implementing both transport;ition and development objective~. The Master Plan r..::commend,; that alternative ap- proaches to parking management be explored. For example, rhe city could adopt lower parking rc'qllirc- menrs -or replace parking minimums with parking rn.<.1is:jmur11s -in those portions of the city that' ;ire located within easy walking distance of transir r,Jutes (including job centers) or are designed ro incorpo- rate a mix of housing, jobs. ret<1il and service,;. This would proYidc a potentially significant financ:ial in- centivt.' to encourage rnixed-use development. dit· re- strnct·uring of trad it·iona 1 business areas and the creation of neighborhood, \·illage and sub-regic)IHI centers. Similarly, available on-street: parking c0uld be counted in meeting total parking requirements to reduce the area that must be devoted to surface parking lor;;. In many instances, shared parking lots (and decks) that serve the needs of a district are a more bncl /mt>n.H·ing <Kees.; and\~l US 131 to conn~L·t 'X·:~~t .Side n~ighl1orho(Jd~ to £he Grand R.it-'<•·r shvukl be gwen serious con..silil.!rt1t1on. • Page 83 • Pinn Gmnd Rapi<ls • Balanced Tramporwtion -Ch.aprcr 6 e Parking areas should be d~.signed for minimal impacr on the t•isual q1wlity mul pedesrrian onenration on the sn·eet. • dficicnr and cost dfectivc p<irking srratcgy than re-• quiring each property owner to pn.widt~ his/ha mn1 off-stTeet parking. This sh<1red parking approach is especially helpful in mainrnining <1 more compact development pattern and a continuous block face. The Master Plan recomrnends th,1t sh<ired parking also be encouraged to ensure that uses whi.:h expcri- e1Ke differing peak parking demands do nor pro- vide rcdundanr parking. [n areas where inccnri\'C~ for reinvestment are needed, the dry may play a mon~ active role in planning and developing shared dis- tri<.:t parking lots or ramps. lnitiatives for managing the supply of parking, es- pecially in the older parts of the ,:itv. require ,·o,,r,li- nared efforts to avoid the potenrial negative effects of p<1rking spillover onto neighborhood streets. Many communities use resident permit parking programs to control these impacrs. Demand New approaches for m anaging the supply of parking must be coordinated wirh strategies for tn<tnaging parking demand. One of rhe most effective strate- gies for managing demand is w ask drivers t'<' p<1y for the parking they use. This would lll<lke some of the true costs of parking more visible and dist:rih11te rhcm more equitably. Anorber, less politically challenging, <1pproach is rhe use of transponari on demand m;rn- agement (TOM) programs. These programs require large employers to provide i1Kentives for employet~s 1 to use transit, car-or van-pools , or walk or cycle to work. Major employers can also be e1Kouragecl ro develop financial incentive programs that allow and encourage employees to purchase homes within walk- ing distance of \York. The;:,~ employa-assisred hous- ing programs can take many forms, bur of1cn ind11de low-interest loans and/or assistance with d osing costs. e Cluipte·r 6 · Balanced TmmpoTtation • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 84 • Design The guidelines for mixed-use r<:'(OllHnt'l'lCl that park- ing be locared and designed to minimize its impad on the visual quality and pedestrian orienrario11 ,)f the street environment (Clwt1ter 10 · DeH.'W/Jmenr Char- acrer .. Pnge 117). In addition , all de\·elopment -ewn on auto-oriented strip comrnercinl corrid,)rS -should he required ro pnl\'ide landsc;1pe S<~lTt~ning on p;irk- ing lot edges adjacent to the street, ;is well as those adjacent to residential uses. Landscaping should b,'. required within parking lots to pn)\'ide \'iSll<11 relief, shade ;rnd <I more human sense of scale. Where\"t::r po~ ible, these l;indscaped. zones should also se rve as runoff infiltrarion an:as. 6~3 .5 ~ Bike Routes The bicycle clement of rhe Long Rnng~ Tr,m,[iortation Plan for the Grand Vcztlcy Region ( 1 </96) prnpo~es th;ir 3% of ,,u regional travel trips be m<1Lle hy bicycle in the ~hort term and thar 10% of nll tTips Ix: converted to bicycle trips in the longer term. Tl) aL:C()!nplish these goals, 1.:nergy and resmirc,~s mu~l' be ftxused on pn'l\'id ing m, n-e and berrer 011-srr<'l'r hicyde i'acili- ties and bike paths th<ir accommodate both recre- ational trips and trips to work, slwpping and sclwol. In the following chapter, the creation of <1 primary open space framework is re.::ommended, composed of grecnways and on-srree r hicyd,~/peckstrian corri- d()rS that link all areas of the city to major parks, rhe river and the developing county and regional trail network. The configuration of rhis primary ,ipen space framework, in combination with the bike routes proposed in the 1996 Long Range Tramportti- tiun Pl.an (Figim~ 6.a · GVMC Long-Rm1gc Public· Tmm· portation Pkrn . Page 78 and Figure 6.d -Tirn1.1portation Framework: Non-MotoTiZ<:'.d .. Page 85), should serve a~ a starting point in establishing priorities for future bike route planning and deYelopment. • Page 8.5 • Reducing Car Dependence Reducing dependence on the automobil.e and providing choice in tTavel modes yields many benefits. • lncreased mobility for rhe elderly, roo yo1rng, or with means ruo limii-ed to be able to drive a car. • Reduced congestion and rime spent in comrnuting. • Increased convenience in reaching nccc~ssary navel destinations. Redth:ed need for land devoted to parking at multiple destinations. • Tax revenues 1"11at· can be re-a llocated from roadways to other important purposes. • Reduced umsumptiun of nonrenewable resmm:es <md improved air quality. Plan Grand Rapids • Baltmccd Transporwtion -Chnpr..or 6 Photo coune.1y of Art Works &pandd Vi.11ons 2001 youth a/>frrf11t1cdti/J Jwogram. 6~4 ~ Objectives and Policies The following objectives <ind policies summarize what needs to be done to achieve the vision and plan rec- ommendations presented on the preceding pages ~o that Grand Rapids can eftectively balance transpor- tation modes. Above each objeLtive is a line of theme icons. The icons illustrare how a parricular objecrive is interreh1ted with another Master Pl::in theme. Sec Page 24 for a descriprion of each rheme. Objective BT 1 Improve and expand transit service. a. Support implementation of the 1996 LongcRonge Public Transportation Plan. b. Assist· in asse:;sing the feasibility of fixed guidcway routes and alternative transit modes wi thin rhe city and the region \Figure 6.b -Transportation Framework: Tramit Map -Pag.o 79). c. CoorJ inate land use and tran:::porrarion planning to make transit convenient, effi,:ient ;mJ <1ffordable. d. Locate higher densiry housing on or wirhin \\:al king disrnnct~ of rran:::it route~. e. Encourage transit-supportivt~ dc,·dopmenr densities in proposed neighborhood. •·ilLigc ~rnd sub-regional mixed-use centers. f. Ensme thar major employment and activity centers are well served by transit. g. Encourage building placement and parking design that: facilitate access to tran;:;it srops. h. I11dude transit-related improH'menrs in the planning and design of street improvement projects. 1. Ensure rhat transit is accessible to persons with disabilities. Objective BT 2 Coordinate land use and transportation planning to provide safe and appropriate vehicular access to all areas of the city. Chapter 6 -Balanced Transponation • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 86 • a. Locate industrial and commercial land uses, ,md manage truck traffic, to avoid rhe use of residential streets. b. Balance through-rraffic and commuter needs with the need for pedestrian quality in neighborhoods, neighborhood business district's and Downtown. c. Encourage the development of ~\ C()nnc,:recl stret'.t network rhat disperses traffic. d. Targer roadway and streetscape improvements ro ass isr in the revit:aliz;irion of neighborhoods ;m.d business districrs and encoura)!e mixed-use dc\·'<::lopmcnt. e. Undertake ;1 srreet redesign study on Ea~t Leonard. Street from Plainfield ro Ea:::r Beltline. f. Extend Seward Avenue north to Ann StTcer and South tu Wealthy Sm~et. Objective BT 3 Design all streets to be safe and walkable and to present a pleasing image of the city. a. lncorporare the recommendations and ~randard~ induded in dle «ity'~ Strat Ciassification Policy (and updares) as part of the Master Plan (Fig1iu 6.c -Twmportation Framework: Strc.et.~ Map -Pai;;<?. 80). b. Ensure thar ciry streets arc wdl paved and th:it streets and alleys are well lit, well Ll11dsn1ped and well maintained. c. Continue the coordinated use of rrnfik calming strategies w slow tra\'d speeds and improve safety. d . Encourage the development of more walkable streets by: • cooper<lting in planting and mainraining street trees; • requiring sate and attractive sidewalk paving; • creating well defined cross walks; • promoting rhe pl::icement of buildings close ro the sidewalk with entries, windows and storefronts oriented to the streer. e. Design residential streets for the minimum right-of-way and p::ivernenr width necessary for aesthetically pleasing w::ilks and parkw::iys, travel lanes, on-street parking and emergency vehicle access. f. Identify important city gateway corridors (e.t;:. 28'h Srreet, Sourh Division A\·cnuc and Michigan Street west of Fuller); provide srreetscape improvements (including possible boulevard treatments) to create a positive i.mage for the city and attract reinvestmenr. g. Recognize the imporrance of alleys in traditional and urban neighborhoods and promote alley improvement projects. oeeeo: Objective BT 4 Reduce the extent to which highways create barriers to movement between neighborhoods, business areas and the Grand River. a. Encourage the Michigan Department of Transportation (MOOT) to evaluate the teasibility of redesigning US-131(from1-196 to Ann Street) as an at-grade urban parkway when major reconstruction is planned. • b . Take immediate steps tt> reduce the barrier created by the US-131 embankment by irnprodng the existing pedestrian nmnd and creating underp<1sses to extend 7'" and/ or 8'" Street to the river's edge. ,:. Seek opportunitit~s for improving street connectivity and pedestrian/bicyde access as highway irnpri .. wemenrs <ire pl<111ned, k)r exampl,: on 1-196. Objective BT 5 Encourage the more efficient provision of parking and reduce its impact on the city's appearance and walkability. a. Coordinate transit and p<Hking strategies. b. Allow reductions in required off-street pa rkin~ (or the replacemenr of required minimum amounrs with maximum amounrs) in areas rhar are within easy walking dist<11Ke (1/4 mile) L)f rransit routes <incl/or planned t·(' incorporate a mix of ho using, jobs, retail and services. c. Encourage shared p'1 rking; manage parking in neighborhood busin,~ss <1re<1s on a shared, d isrrict-wide basis. cl. Encour<ige rhe clewlopment o( rransporrarion demand management progrnms by major employers and ar rrn11or employment ;rnd activity centers ro reduce peak hour congestion and on-site parking needs. e. Adopt policies to aYoid potential spillover parking on neighborhood streets (for example, res idem parking permit programs). • f Establish regulations and inccnti\·c~ to loc:trc and scre,~n parking to minimi:e its imp<1ct on t·he \·iew from the street. g. Develop polides ro d iscouragt: demolitit>n of buildings exclusively for surface p,irking use. h. Consider the feasibility of providing srrucrured parking in densely developed 1Htsines,; distrins where exrensive surface parking would neg;itively impact pedestrian character. i. To reinforce the role and importance ot· alleys in providing service~ ro compact residential and commerci<1l ,1re;1s (e.g. garbage collection, utiliries and parking) promor,~ alley improvement projects. eeo: Objective BT 6 Improve bicycle access. a. Prepare plans to guide the development of efficient and pleasant citywide hike rouk~ rh<lt connecr neighborhoods and link rhem ro thl~ Grnnd River, p<irks, schools, and business di"rricrs. b. Design bike routes to meet ncition;:il srnndards. c. En.:ournge bike/rransil' linkages (t' .g., bu~ bike racks; bike storage lockers at major tnmsit stops). • Page 87 • Plan Gran d Rapids • Balanced Transporrntion .. Chapr..:r 6 e Chapter 6 -Balanced Transportation • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 88 • 7 ~O ~ A City that Enriches Our Lives 7~1 ,P Introduction The quality of life in Grand Rapids plays an important role in determining whether people will choose to live, shop, work and spend leisure time in the city. Many factors influence quality of life including schools, environmental quality, open space and recreation and the attractiveness of the built environment. The Master Plan focuses on the Grand River, open space, the city's heritage and urban design as important quality of life considerations. • Page 89 • Pl.cm Grnnd Rapids • A Cicy rha t Emich~s our Live.1 -CIUlpr..:r 7 Q What Makes a Healthy City? The citizens of Grand Rapids expressed rhe following be- liefs concerning what makes a quality living environment. • Neighborhood parks and open space contribute to ht'<llrhy neighborhoods. • We should presen-e, enhance and add ro green space in the city. • Neighborhoods need community/recreation centers for cla ·ses, meetings and other activities. • Trails and bikeways should interconnect with our city parks. • Tree linetl streets comribme to healthy neighborhoods. • Green spaces along our rivers and srrearm should be expanded to help prorect and enha1Ke w-Ater quality. • Public places should become neighborhood landmarks. • Community gardens sh0t1ld be developed. The abiliLy to attract and retain residents and a skilled workforce is increasingly tied to a community's qual- ity of life-indu<ling its recreational and open space oppor- tunities, its environmental quality, its schools and the quality of its built environment. The Master Plan recog- nizes the importance of these quality of lite .:haracterlstks and gives special attention to creating an opt>n space and trail network ried to expanded open space and mixed-nse opportunirie.~ along rhe Grand River. More than Z,500 peo/1le /1artici{>111ed in the Mm1er Plan />ro.:e,s. 7 <+2 ~ Visions l.)ne of the first steps of the masrer plan process was to ask the citizens of Grand Rapids what they would like to see the city look like twenty years from now. At the fir~t community forum more than ~00 people came rogerher to discuss the future of Grand Rap- ids. Their discussion was guided by the information gathered during a series o( neighborhood and busi- ness <issociation meetings <md discussion guide re- sponses collected in the first two months of the planning process. Eleven tn<1jor GHegori.e~ ,,;11mma- rized key issues and provided p;irticipants a variety of disutssion ropic:; from which to d10ose. The be- liefs and issues med at the forum wen~ developed from the strengths, weaknesses. opportunities and threats identified previously. Statemenrs and images that described a vision, or preferred funire, for (~rand Rapids were then created by forum participants in small groups. The following vi,,;io11~ emerged. Chapter 7 ·A City that Emiches our Lives • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 90 • · 7 .2.1 .. Building On Our Assets Gr;rnd Rapids will be a dcy where green spac:e~ an~ valued, protected :md prese1Tcd to enhance ncigh- horhoocb, provide n1mrnuniry g;irhering ph1,·es and su~rain the invaluable treasure of wildlife and narure. We will succeed in making mtr most im.JK>rrant natu- ral feature -rhe Grand River -incre<Jsingly Yisible and usable by convening older riverfrc>nt indusrri:1l sites to parks and new ckvdopnwnt thar \.vdcomes peuple to the river's edge. \'Ve will reG,:;He the r<1p- ids in the river as a reminder of our hcrit<1ge. .. Topic: G • ..+ o lk /IJ .. :,~b.r h••u Issue: C.!1/.1~ t l>,(Jl~.ACrfllllJ/ Po.1rers me from tit< first Mam~· Plan Comm1rn1ry fiJn<m lteld at ( ;.,ntm! High Sch.ooi i11 f..foKh 2001. Topic: 7'-t>.r!> ~ !'.i'li1J::.B-l :>~? !J(/1 1,-.wt->t ..t,.,.}\(1'11H/l'-t.A{.it l'ntt Jotu ~,. lssue:'..1,µ.. A4H1 Bto-r £~rt'-'·"u·r AGts 10-1.t (!c) w~ ~u '" Uh , ......... , ~"'!""' , .,~ ..... .....,. -• u-... t• ~'...r"-"· ..,.A. 1 ... t 'I',...,..,.,.,_ -.'fl..'!< ... f .. .d..1-..., Ji.., .... !(~.! -,,.,. """"-'t<L• .., "•"'-"!< ...f,,.-t..._ ;.,.t.~~ \,.t ,..1 ~»A.4 "· .,.'f ... :., """"''" '°"' ...... ;f ,.A.n...i.~ , .... \,,.....::. ...... , •• , •. Vision Statement _P...;;ic..;.tu;...r...;;e;..;/S'""y.;..;m.;..;;b;..;o;.;.I _____ W•••·Tnm r .... 7 ~2~2 ,, Parks and Recreation Grand Rapids will have safe parks and community centers with lots of supervised activities for children of all ages -from sports to the arts. Our success in engaging youth and families in our diverse recre- ational programs will strengthen our community and provide opportunities for young people ro chart ~t constructive life course. We will also make great progress in developing a syst·em of greenway corri- dors that link neighborhoods to parks, to one an- other and to regional and state trail systems. The 1923 Master Plan Recognized the Importance of Parks and Open Space~ <i r,n \': ,, H A P· . ks and Pleasure System of Large . ar c · Enc1.rcle the 1ty Drives to - • Page 91 • . . vi ~or.nt·~lin~. <lrin·,;. Thi" pt.1.11 ·'no ,\ ~L'tl~S : .. ,1 . .-..u "~ti\t> .~nJ othi::r :;rt.":.l:• i'>, (li (';\)Ul'\t. n.1,1{>) . ~~ vh ·U)!\(.•\\'\.' .t~ mor~ in;.1y l"t'(fH1l.\l\)' rrt'\t:r1~ • L: • "''& rh\. fity hw., i!-ppNp<n>H':. ~)llW ot ;h~.:.\p.1.r,\ ·'· {k ·•f()\.ln'-l . -d bv ~iH, Hoc<J'"j'~ t"' . -~,:;~~~,;:~~~:~::::,;•~;'.:·~:,,,~:;:~P' .1J-t,1io1•"1 pi :1 ) \ <.' r Cr<.: tk p:,i.rk ,_..;f<..Ji~(· ~lion~ ,_iwun-1 by tht; n1y [Z!l :u><1 it:. n.tn;:r Al u·· ~)u('(h will tx' dt ,,dort--d. Th<: p.-rk:> $hnuld 1,1lftr v:H)'H)~ ·.;t· ll:1\.>1•m"· Ont f.•1 tn:itJnt.t fl)l::_h b\ J. .. ,.00di.m<l i11 i~' !'iJ tlll,1\ .. t at e p!.u..e "<.\hen: r.t;:., l<Jvt·r <•i b\rd.~ .;.iici t\tw·•tf::. !.nuld t':! )Of tlwm. Anoth~·1 >tn ..1:\lm.\l p.:i.tY. {H wi.lid: shnok\. b ,.- rtuJYL-cl r.i1e JI) tt II fkl.it ioP. /\thin.\ '.\ e.\1, ,J \°}~ hot..1.~\ \('J\ t):.il"k, fo;..1.~tl1 .l ...... ~ •• :et r:~;k \;! .;;re-..;,1,~ And fo~n~ ~,,in~ Jh:l w ;t; .. f fo\h. Wid.~ nr! rWf' ,t!i~t th(-.: ""O;l\J ho1d l!rn:~din;l" ii;, lt~"f.S~ t¢ ::;g. Plan Grnnd Rapids • A City chat Em-1ch.es our Lives -Cluiprtr 7 VIEW OF . FUTURE GRAND RAPIDS SHOWING EFFECT OF IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED IN CJTY Pl_,.~N CITY PLANNING DEPARTM[NT - Vmtl'ing from City of Grand Rapids Master Plan. 1923. · 7*3 ~Plan Recommendations To provi<le a li;1sis for ad1ieving t·hese vision~. phm recommendations focus on: • capitalizing on the Grnnd River as one of the ciry's greatest assets; • expanding green :;pace and recreational opportunities; and • quality urban design. On the.' v.~t b,,nk 01 the (i1.ln•l R!\\::r .. r~uth o! \X'.,.,,\d.1· S!l.<.'t, ;..!:mnm~ 1:-: un.l.·rwa1 l . .it t],.. d~d··!Jment ot' :'I p:u:L. {\\\ tLc-&1tterw,,nh Ll!\•1!1\1 TL: .. mw P't'dro:\\ i·.u\.: will lint~·· Kt"n: CJrnw;\ µlaJ1.!11..'<l M1lkm11u111 l'.uk loc:itcd dir•·1·dv t•' tJ,o: ,.,,11th 011 rh,· Gmn<l R1\d ,11hl K0.-;H Tr:lil~. On th~ e;ht h:m\;. d the.' Grand Rl\t:r, thi.: M~~cr Pl.m yr• •v .. ~es th.lt the ri1·c:r e..k-c 1.wc~: • ot Marke Strc·et) 1:-ecorn<: p·J.rt ,-..1 dw (Ol~tmuo\1s riverfr,,nt ,...,pen ::p:lc~/lr:lil ;-"."MC\11. Q Chapter 7 · A City chat Emiches our Lives • Plan Grnnd Rapids • Page 92 • 7 ~3.1 .. The (Grand River A' Grand Rapids' most sig11ificanr nan.mil asscr, rl1e <..)rand Ri\·er can and should play <lll increasingly impon;11H role in <'nh<incing the dty's qu;1liry <)f life. Thi~ can be achieved by continuing tL) expand the visibility of the river and improving acces5 to and along its edges. Today, industrial dc\·elopment and highways limit the extent to which people can sec, access and enjoy the riverfront. A ne'A· land use pat- ter11 t:har encourages open ,;p<1l:t' ;md rnixt~d-11se d,~ vclopment is needed to create a v<1riety ot people-oriented destimnions. Existing riverwalk seg- ments should also be extended along the enrire length of the Grand River with ,~onne,·rnrs to neigh- borhomh across the city These idea:> arc not new; they huild ,)n rhe city's 1923 Master Plan, Grand River Edg~< Plan and Central Ar.:u River LanJ Pul1cy rccommendati,in::; fo nn11lared in the 1980's. The Master Fhln expands on these ideas to reflect a bro;idervision for making t·hc Ci rand River the focus of a larger open SJXKe system. Mixed, Use As shown in the Futme LanJ u~.: Mat' (Fig1ire 2.n - Pago:. 21), the Master Plan recommends that a change in hind use be encouraged along the riv<:rfront north of Wealthy Street1 from industr~' ro op~·n space and mixed-use. l n the area north of l-196. ca~t of US-lTl (011 the west side) ;md west of Monroe AYenue (on the east side), this mix of uses should give priority 1"0: • the addition of <)pe11 ~pace aYailahle 1\) art~a residents, patrons, employees and the public; • ,:ontinuou:; public access along the riwr edge; • medium-and high-density residenlial deYelopment on the ri\·erfront. New job-generating use:> along the riwrfrc•nt could include offices, ed11<·ational or L:uhurnl us es mid ho- • tels. Retail, restaurnnt and/ or entertainment can also be encouraged as accessory uses located in the same • building as a primary residential, office or hotel use. A mix of uses wirhin a single building or develop- ment parcel should be encouraged. Developrnenr densities thar capitalize on the value of a riverfront location, and careful control of surface parking, are recommended. Lighr industrial uses may also be appropriate in certain locations and under certain conditions. On the east side of the river, existing light industrial uses may remain and/or exisring light indusrrial build- ings may be reused for non-polluting, job-genernting activities, including office use. Because of rhe nar- row dimensions of this riverfront zone, rhe expan- sion of existing industrial uses should require special approval and new industrial development should be discouraged. However, new and expanded light in- dustrial use can be an appropriate componenr of the mixed-use area loc;lted ro the e;1sr ofMonroe Avenue. On the west bank of t:he river, more complete re- development is anticipated in the rivafront zone ro the easr of US-13 l. The exp.mded mix of uses hen~ could include new light industry. Nevertheless, rhis light industrial developmenr should require special approval ;md, as noted above, medium-and high.- density housing and open space should be given pri- ority on the river edge. Encouraging a new mix of uses in industrial areas on the riverfront (and near Downtown) is an impor- tant strategy in creating a human-scale, walkable and transit-supportive city. To be successful, these m.ixed- use areas must be carefully planned and designed ro provide incremental transitions in use intensity and building scale, coherence in architectural design and a pedestrian-friendly public realm. Performance snm- dards are also needed ro control irnpacr.s (for example, noise and truck traffic) that can reduce the quality of life. In rhis riverfronr zone, addirional standards that protect the river's water qualicy, habitat value and flood control functions are also appropriate. Figure 7 .a -Examples of Riverfront Mixed~Use and Greenspace Design • Page 93 • P1.(ln Gmnd Rapids • A City chat Enricli.0.1 ot£r Lives -Clwprer 7 e Figure 7.b ~Greenway Connections The spine of the open space system is the Grand River and all of its tributaries. Connecting people to these tributaries and the River are considered primary objectives of open space planning. Within each sub area, more detailed community-based planning should define appropriate linkages and park initiatives. Chapter 7 -A City that Enriches our Lives • Plan Grnnd Rapids I I ·-·-, A continuous open space loop should connect each of the sub areas. • Page 94 • Recommended D.oo.,do/Jm.ont Ohjecti1-•es for All Mixed· Use Area~ art' presented in Figure 3.g -Page 37. Dt:- scriprion$ <>( rhc PurfJO.lc, Rccomm.mdcd Uses ond S{J.ociu1 Consid<.'mtiom for Mix.al-Use Arem are presenred in Fi.~' me 3.h -Page 38 (sec Mixc!d-Us~ Area Typ~ BJ. ln addi- rion, two examples of how plan rec<Jnnnendations rind guidelines might he applied on the ri\·erfr<>nr (on rhe Near \Vest Side and in rhe vicinit-y o( Plainfield and Leonard) are pro,·ided in Figure 7.u · Exampl.os of Rii•erfront Mixed-Us e mid Greenspace [) ..... sign -Pag,: 93 and Suj)(J!ement B. These Master Pl,m marerials pnwide a starring pnint for undertaking more derailed arc<i-spccific plans t~·1r ead1 proposed. mixed-use area. The~e art:<t-~pccific plans should determine where existing developmenr ~lwuld be prokcted and enhanc·ed and where (11mre redevelopment should lie encouraged. These more detailed phmning efforts, underrnkcn with th..: col- laboration of the ciry. area land owners, den:lopcrs, residents and business ow ners, are essential in (:srnb- lishing a foundation for succ:essful mixed-use dcvel- opm<~lH (s.oe Clw/)ter 11 -Area-Sp.oci(ic Pkrns -Png< 15/). River Connections The Mast..:r Plan endorses the recommendation origi- nally proposed in the Grand Rim· Edg.0.1 plan that a cc,ntinuous riverfront \~·alkway be created on both sides of the (lrnnd River to connect rhe propos,:d Millennium Park (on the south) to Riwrside Park (on rhe norrh). ln addirion . the M<tsrer Plan rec:onrn1e1Hh that connections berween inland neighborhoods <md the riverfront be impwved. A'> described in rhe pre- ceding ch;tpter (l311lanwl Transportation), West Silk neighborhoods cc•ttld be reconnected to the river by altering rhe profile ot' US-11 l, impniYing exisring pc- cksrrian rnnncls. and/,)r creciring new underpass,:s to allow streets to b,'. extended to the ri\·erfront. Le~s dramatic bui-equally imponanr c:hanges arc recommended on Llther portions of rhc ri\·cr to i m- prove its ricces~ibi liry from inland neighborhoods. These incl11de the creation of additional public open • spaces at the riverfront termini of selected east-west streets and at bridge crossings, as well as improved sidewalks, street tree plantings and bike lanes on se- lected streets leading to the river. A' noted above, Supplement B presents two examples that illustrate how decisions on land use, development character and srreetscape inve~t·merHs can help ro enhance con- nections to the river from in hmd neighborhoods. Primary Open Space Framework To increase rhe value of the Grand River to all city neighborhoods, the Master Plan recommends esrab- lishing a primary open space framework that links the river to a network of greenways (off street) and an on-srreer system of de~ignated pede;;tria n and bi- cycle connections (Figure 7.b · Greenway Connections Map · Page 94 and Figme 7.c -Open Space Fram~work Plan Map · Page 95). The framework's greenway com- ponents follow (and in some instances, suggest: day lighting) the river's tributary creeks to provide ex- panded recrearion;.il opportunities and improved walk/bike links. Just as importantly, the greenways e<m provide opportunities for crearing habirar -:orri- dors and detaining and/ or filtering stormwater run- off to improve water quality and reduce flood risk. The riverwalk and greenway components of the primary open space framework arc cornplcmcnred by on-street pedestrian anJ bicycle connections that link m;1jor destinations within the -:ity <md provide connections to existing and proposed regional trails at the city's edges. In addition, a Legacy Trail is pro- posed along Fulton Street, Lake Drive and Wealthy Street to wnnectJohn Ball P:irk to Reeds Lake/John Collins Park in East Grand Rapids. This Legacy Trail, which follows a former streetcar line, could be devel- oped in a variety of ways (for example, streetscape improvements, hisroric interpretive displays, public art, antique trolley) to highlight the city's history. Figure 7 .c ~ Open Space Framework 3MILE OBRIEN UJ z ~ i: / t ,., /g I ~ it.' 4 MILE ·-,.-.. ----·-···-/ i.. ... , /· ... l 3 MlLE ·--···-·1 _ .. -.... -~~--. 0".i , __ ,..zj l ;-·--···-·· -r -·Jt -.... i /// : '\ v I / L-.. OPEN SPACE & NATURAL REATURES NETWORK (On Stree~ OPEN SPACE & NATUAAL FEATURES NETWORK (Ott Street) lEGACVTR.iL -PARKS -CEMETERIES OPEN SPACES & GOLF COURSES ':.. ~ POTENTIAL CENTER 0 NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER • VILLAGE CENTER e SUB· REGIONAL CENTER / -; --t !--l ···+- I • Page 95 • >.-·--···-~ ... r-···-··· f-·- Ptm1 Grnnd Rapids • A City chat Em·ichcs our Lio.Je.1 · Cluipw· 7 e People in Gmnd Rapids wanr to ,;apita!ize on the pnten1i11i of />arks and open splice> to improt'e neighborhood qiwlit:v of life, bring re>id,ent< rogether and build organizational ca/xu:i1-y and pride. · 7.3.2 .. Parks and Open Space The recommended prirnary open space framework establishes a starting point for more dcrnileJ plan- ning of open space and pede;;trian and bike connec- tions within three sub-areas of the city (Figme 7.b - Greemmy Connections Map · Pag~ 94). The definitfon o( this secondary open space framework should be undertaken in collaboration wirh neighborhood ;ind business organizations and the Planning Depart- ment, <IS the Park and Rt~creation Department' pai- od ic<1 lly updates its pLrns. In additiLlll, rhe preparation of neighborhood and mixed-use area- specific plans, th<tt build on the Master Plan's broader recommendations, is also anrkip;ited. These area- specific pl<ins will provide additional opporrunitie;; to coordinate more detailed planning (or parks, open space and pedestrian and bicycle linkages with deci- sions on land use and development ch:uacrer. People in Grand Rapids want to capirnlizc on the potential of parks ancl open spaces ro improve neigh- borhood quality of lift\ bring residents rogether and build organizational capacity and pride. The reuse of vacant lots as community g;1rdens, play are;1s ,,r beautifully landscaped and maintained focal point:- provides an opportunity for residents to cooperate in creating a tangible improvemenr in rhe quillity ,,f lite on their srreet or in their neighborhood. New and improvecl park spaces that create an arrrncti\'e residential etl\'ironmenr (for example. Llll rlh~ riverfront) or that are designed and programmed to draw people and activity (for example, in a mixed- use center core) can also enhance an ;m~a 's appeal ro private investors. ln additi1Jn, p;uks anJ open space~ can enhance urban residenr~' understanding nf, and appreciation for, naturnl svstems and environmen- tal stewardship. , Chapter 7 ·A City rhat Enriches our Li<ves • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 96 • • Park and Recreation Master Plan The city's Park and Recreation Ma.srer I'lan, which is updared every five years, w<is updared in coordina- tion with the prep<1rntion of this Master Pl,m. As a result, the goab and guidelines that c0n,;tirute the action plan of the Parks and Recr,~ation ,\1asti:'l' Plan are closdy ;iligned with the Yision,;, plan recommen- clrnion;;, nbjenive~ and policie;; pre~cnted here. 111 addition, the Parks and Re..:reatiun Master Pltm evi1lu- ated the amount and distribution of park aneagc throughout the city b<1sed on narional standards. The findings of this analysis, presentecl in figure 7.d-Parks D4icirs Map · Page 97, proYide a qui.:k and general visual summary of park and opt:n spac:e deficiencies that need to be addressed. Open Space Issues During the preparation of the Master Plan. citizen input emphasized the need to pn)\'ide addition.ii green space, parricuhirly within rhc dcnsclv devel- oped central ciry. Three park and open spac~ issues ,,f particuhtr irnport;rnce were identified: • the potential for road righrs-ofway ro ;;en·e as "green" corridors; • the opportunity ro coorclirnire op,~n space and stormwater management planning; ,rnd • the need to expl,we collaborati\·e srrarer.des for fonding the dewlopment and 111;1inten~rnr1~ 01· green spaces throughout rhe citv. Green Streets -The visual qualitv ,rnd walk<1bili1·y of the ciry's streets have a significant influence. 011 (1r;inc\ Rapids' image an~ q1dity oflifc. Srreet tree,;, located in a planting zone betwct~n rlw sidewalk and th,~ n1rb, creare ;i c'.omfortahlc ern·ironmc11t for people~ on fr,or by providing shad.: in warm weather and a buffer t·o rnoYing vehicles. Street rrce;:; also -:re- ate a sense of scale, soften the urban setting and es- tablish a unified t0regwund. Boulevarded streets (with a landscaped median) can have an even more dramatic effect in greening the urban environment. • Figure 7 .d ~ Parks Deficits More subsranrial streetscape investments are likely to be appropriate nn high image srreets rhat serve as gateway corridors to the ciry (see Chapter 6 · Bakmced Transportation -Page 7 5) and on streets that are com- ponents of the primary open space framework. Nev- ertheless, the planting and maintenance of street· trees should be a priority on all city srrcets. Srormwater :Management -Natural infiltration (or percolation into the soil) is a more environmentally sustainable approach to managing the quantity ;md quality of storrnwater runoff from impervious sur- faces than directing it to catch basins and pipes that carry it to streams and rivers. But natural infiltra- tion requires land -for landscaped swales rhat slow and fi lter runoff and for wetlands, ponds or deten- tion basins -thar can store runoff for later, <~onrrolled release. The Master Plan recommends that opportu- nities for retrofitting existing parks to help provide for stormwater management and natural infiltration be explored and that rhe acquisition and design of ne~r parks consider potential stormwater manage- menr functions. In addition, as illustrated in Figure 7.c -Open Spnce Framework Map -Page 95, the Master Plan recom- mends creating a system of greenways along tribu- tary streams to the Grand River. These greenways 1 should include naruralized open channels that slmv the velocity of the runoff they carry and bring that flow into contact ~rith soil, vegetation, air and sun- light to allow the natural ecosystem to rreat ;md in- filtrate storrnwater. Finally existing, publicly owned stormwater detention basins in the city should be redesigned to provide infiltration areas and/ or cre- ated wetlands that enhance their stormwater man- agement capability. These detention areas should also be landscaped to make them visual assets year around; 1 informal recreation could also be allowed on some portions of these sites during the periods when they II County Recre:otion Fucilirie."> Recre<JU011 PliJnnwg A1eas ..._ -· we-s~.slde Norlfiend Downtown Souit1e-e.s1 Sovif1we3I So1slh (fj) Neigl"ibor.~ood Par J( ..-; D~f1detJcy <@; MJ!H·P~rk Deficiency • Page 97 • / ··-... , ABERDEEN i ···-··«-~-, '\, ~ i f ~KNAPP ; .... ~ ti ® LEONARD fa Ki.!J @ t a: ~ ~ ~ /-~ rf..J) \!!!) ® \.:.; 3MILE r· .. -·~~i .;'·'~ .'...! r.~' '-.NJ I r --- '--·1 l . t ! i KNAPP . i ___ .. ·-:~·J Plan Grand Rapids • A City rhat Enriches our Lives· Ch.nprer 7 Figure 7 .e ~ 2003 .. 2007 Parks and Recreation Master Plan Goa[s Goals • Provide the resources for the maintenance, renovation and developmem of a high quality park and renearion system that meers tl.e needs of the Grand Rapids community. • Srrive to develop public green space within the city that is sale and attractive and serves as gathering places and destination venues. • Continue to involve the communiry, neighborhoods and residents in the development of policies, design improvements, acquisition and irnplem<.'ntation of parks and open space. • Recognize the quality oflife issues that will benefit from developing an open space system that relies on the ability ro mow around the city by toot, bike, etc. • Provide park and recreation facilities and programs that are acressible ro pt:ople o(all ages, income · and abilities. • Provide parks, recreation and special evem facilities that meet the community's reaeational needs, consen-e narurnl resources and/or enhance access to the Grand River. • Increase inrernal and c>:t('rnal awar~ncss and support for the d,~parrment. • Employ an informed and trained stafr to carry our the miss ion, goals and objectives ot the departmenr and provide an environment fostering personal and profes;ional gro.,,'th. • R~cognize and understand tlw "ignitkanr role that op<m spa,:e and reaearion play in the stabilizarion ancl revitalization of neighborhoods. Selected Guidelines Community Enrichment • Improve and su;;rain quality of lite bv providing and rnordinaring services in neighborhood". • Provide hisroric:al, culrnral and c1wirc)n111<'1Ha l inrerpretation whenever possible ro tltrrher enhance rhe recreation system and the communiry's exposure and unckrsranding of these <.'!emenrs. Diver-iry • lnrensify tlw promotion of and parriciparion in <'rhnir fost ivals. • Ensure inclusiveness in all departmental progrdllH, servires, anivirics and faci!iries by ,·ominuing ,•fforts ro make all parks and program> acce::,;ible to people o( all abiliries. Collaboration • Conrinue ro work closely with rhe public school district in tlw provision of recrearion opportunities and under::randing the effect,: ancl r;irnific:arions of recent and planned school closings. Chapter 7 ·A City rhat Enriches our Lives • Plan Grnnd Rapids • Page 98 • • Work closely with die various neigltborlwod and business a"sodarions in tlh' provision, impwwmenr and mainrenanct: of public ::pa(es. Connectivity • increase walkabilit:y within the cornnnmity ro as:<br the rity's goal ro provide balanced rran>rorration opportunities. • Develop a connected greenway system tlut prorects natural features; provides habitat corridors; connecrs neighborhoods, parks and open space and links ro regional and stare trail systems. Grand River System • Work wirh appropriate gowrnment agencies to pro\·id~ a continuous trail :<ystem along the Grand River. • The Grand River corridor should serve as rhe backbone and framework for tltc (unher devdopment of a cll)Widc.: non·motori:ed :<ystem. Provision of Additional Green Space • Develop polky and protocol wirh the a,;sistance of the Planning Deparrnwnt ;md orhcr <lpplir:ibl(• ciry miff in regard h) \~1cam lor:: within residential neighborhood;;. • Evaluare undernrili:ed green spaces such as ei:isting srorrnwar<'r rNenrion facilities ro provide u'eahk open s1xi-'.e that is aesrhetically pleasing and nndtil'uncrional. Facility Development • Cond11ct a foa;ibility sntdy for rhe pr,wision of re,:rearion centers within the city. • Complere a conreprual masrrr plan for rlw Bmterworrh Land till. I'unding • Aggressively pursue alternative funding sources for th.: provision of recreation facilitic:<, programs and opportLmit:ies. are not flooded (See Clw/Jter 8 -A City in Balance with • Nature -Page 103). Resources for Acquisition, Development and Main- tenance -City resources that can be devoted to the acquisition, development and mainrenance of parks, grccnways, trails and strcetscapcs arc limited. As a result, creative strategics for providing the land and resources needed to achieve the Master Plan's rec,ml- mendations must be explored. These might include: • opportunities to partner with civic, neighborhood or special interest organizations to provide open space improvements, maintenance and programming (for example, adopt-a-park or -street programs; community gardens; playground developmenl); • soliciting the donation of land and/ or easements; • partnering with the school district and other organizations to assist in the provision of land and facilities, particularly indoor recre<ition opportunities. Opportunities may also exist for rethinking dewlop- rnent regulations to shift some of the responsibility for providing, developing and maintaining open space improvements to the private sector. Examples might include: • including requirements for usable, fKcessible public spaces in zoning regulations and allowing payments in lieu of providing those open spaces; • tree preservation, replacement and or planting requirements for new development (and payments in lieu); • requiring minimum landscape setbacks from rivers and streams; and • encouraging the use of native plants/ landscaping. 7.3.3 "'Urban Design In Grand Rapids. people are CL)ncerned abour the loss of architecturally and hisroril'.ally signifiGmt buildings and the qw1liry and character o f new de- velopment. To help <lddress these concerns, sample developm.ent guidelines have been prepared as part of the Master Plan to illusm1te how the community nm be more prmicti\'c in de~crihing the mhm1 d-:- sign objectives it \\'ants to achic\'c and the t~Ktors that will be considered in reYiewing ;rnd <ipprnving projects. These guidelines arc pn:sented in Chapter 10 -Developmt!nt C/wractt!r -Page 117 and <1ddress the topics below. ·Mixed-Use -how to maximize the compatibility be- tween difforenr uses, densities and building types. Four situations are addressed in the context of the city's older neighborhoods: • infill development and parking in a m1ditional business district; • institutional mixed-use; • industrial mixed-u~t~; and • reuse of a school site. In addition, guidelines are recommended for improv- ing the visual quality and walkability ofc1uto-oriemed strip commercial developmenr. Higher Quality, Higher Density Residential Devel- opment -how to encourage medium-and high-den- sity residential develop11h~1ir rhat is l<)cated and designed to complement existing patterns. Green Space in the Central City -how to provide more green space in densely developed areas. C/wfner 10 · De11clopmer1l Clwrncter -Pag'" 117 dbo pre- sents a preliminary cvaluari,)n of the ch~1rn..:tcristics that distinguish fi,·e ditforent types of neighborhoods in Grand Rapids as the stc1rti11g point for dt~vdoping • additional guidelines ro ensure that \·;ilucd charactcr- isti.c1; ot the each neighborhood·~ c•xisting developmenr Cl)ntext ;:ire preserwd as new den:lopment, infill <1nd rehabilit<Hion <ire underrnken. Jn G'mnd Rat1i,L,, JkOJ)le t1r~ concentc'd abo11t the los,, uf t1l~.:futt: ... nm1Lly and historically .~ignifkrmt bttilding5 llnd rite qwility rrnd ch.drttdrr of lleH' :i~"'1rt'l0J)tnenr. • Page 99 • Plan Grnn.d Rapids • A City rhat Enrich.:..1 om Lives -Ciwprer 7 Photo couTW.S~ of ArtWOTks Expanded Visions 2001 youth c1t>prent1.:eship program. 7 ~4 ~ Objectives and Policies The following objectives and policies summarize whar needs to be done ro achieve the vision and plan rec- ommendations presented on t·he preceding p;iges so that Grand Rapids can protect and capitalize on its natural and built assets. Above each objective is a line of theme icons. Highlighted icons illustrate how a particular objective is interrelated with <ino ther Master Plan theme. See Page 24 fo r a description of each theme. oeoeeos Objective EOL 1 Make the Grand River a recreational, aesthetic, economic and historic focus of the city. <1. Encc)ttrage a change in hrnd use nonh of Wealthy Street from industry ro open space and mixed-use (see Figure 2.a -Future Land U.1e Mati - Page 21. Figure 3.g · De1,dopment Obje<tio.;es fo1· All Mixed-Use Areas -Page 37 ancl Figmc:: 3.h -P1trj)ose, Recommended Uses and S/Jecial ComidGrlltion.s for Mixed-Us<! Arem: Type B ·Page 38). b. Pursue the planning and de\'elopment of a city park on the former Butterworth Landfill; link this new park to the C•)llnty's proposed Millennitl m Park. c. Extend the rivcrwalk system from R.iverside Park ro the proposed Millennillrn Park; includl' a riverwalk connection on the easr bank of the Grnnd Riwr located west of Market Street in the are;:i ~ou th of Dmvn rown (ste Figure 7.c -0/>en Space Frame1.t>0rk Plan Mnp -Page 95). d. Evaluate the feasibility of returning rhe rapids to the (]rand River. e. Improve connections between Near W est Sitk neighborhoods and the river by cYaluating rhe long-term foasibility of eliminating the US-131 embankment; make interim improvemc:nts to enhance pedestrian, bike and n-hicular access under the embankment. f. Provide open spaces ;:i t dw ri\·erfrom termini ()f selected east-west streets and at bridge crossings: provide coordinated pedestrian and hike improvements on these streets. Chapter 7 ·A City that Enrick~ our Li<ves • Plan Grnnd Rapids • Page 100 • oeeos Objective EOL 2 Promote the development of a system of greenways along tributary streams to the Grand River, as well as on,street pedestrian and bicycle corridors, to link all city neighborhoods to the river, major destinations and regional trail systems. (Figure 7.c ·Open Spa.:e Fmm~work Plan Map -Pag~ 95.) a. Design grccnwaYs to pror,~ct nmurnl fc:Hurcs, prO\'iLlc habitat corridors and improvl' StL)rtnw<1ter lll<tmigemenr, as wdl as pn•viding bicycle and pedcstri<m connections. b. ProYide srreetscape, pedestrian ;rnd bicycle improvements on the on-street elements •)f tl1t' proposed primary open ~pace system. c. ExplorC' the pott'ntial for creilri n~ ;:i Lee;1cy Trail on Fulton Street/Lake DriYe/'Wealthy Street, ,:onnecl"ing John Ball Park to j,,lrn Collins brk. d. Continue to cooperate in the planning and deYelopment of a regional park ~ysrem. oeoeeos Objective EOL 3 Expand open space and recreational opportunities. a. Build nn rhe proposed prim<1ry open sp;1ce framework to undertake the more derailed planning of open spaces, parb and pedestrian/ bicycle links in collaboration wirh neighborhood <1nd business organi;;ations. b. Support the acquisition and development of new parks and open space, giving special consideration to areas of the city wirh acreage and distribution deficits. c. Maintain existing parks and open spaces in a safe, clean and ;ntractive condirion. d. Cont"inue to cooperate with the public schools to provide joint park-school facilities. Updare the park-school agreement to address school closure issues and maintain public access. e. Maintain public land that is vacant in a park- like condition or make these sites available as community g;udens. f. Design parks ro optimize usability in re~ponse to community/neighborhood needs and preferences. g. Include natural areas, wildlife habitat, native landscapes, stormwater management: and environmental education in p<irk planning and programming. h. Support exp<inded recre<irio1rnl progr;1mming for residents of all ages. 1. Encourage multiple use of public buildings for community activities. j. Develop and operate recreation centers in different areas of the city. k. Capitalize on the potential of city streets to serve as green corridors. Objective EOL 4 Identify additional/alternative strategies for funding the acquisition, development and maintenance of parks and open spaces throughout the city. a. Investigate the potential for partnerships wirh civic, neighborhood and special interest organizations. b. Revise development regulations to provide req11irement~ and/or irll:enrives for priv;11'e sector provision of uscablc, public open spaces. c. Continue to aggressively pursue stare and federal funding. oeee: Objective EOL S Build on our past. a. Make city history and histc•ric preservarion imporra11t ,·alues in land use and dt:vdopmenr decisions. b. Provide rechnical and support staff t<' idenrify districts with historic and architectural value and work with area property owners 1'o assisr in their designation to capnm~ the benefit o( historic rnx credits. c. Enco11rage the presen:;1ti<)ll <11\d ;1dapt'i,·..: re11~e of historic and archirecturally valuable srructu r<~s. oeo: Objective EOL 6 Emphasize urban design quality and place-making. a. Document and establish co11sc11sus on valued visual <ind sp;1tial ch<iracrt:ri~ri,-~ widlill rb: communiry; develop srrategics and tools. including urban design guidelines, for protecring those characteristics and encour,iging compatibi lity in new clevcl,1pmcnr and rehabiliration prnjcds. h. Protect and capitalize on imporwnr scenic views, landmarks and entra1Kes to the ciry. c. Encourage the creation of spaces for int0rmal social interacrion in the c!.:~sign of pri\'ate developmenr and the public realm. Objective EOL 7 Recognize the arts as an essential resource to be nurtured and supported. • Page IOI • P!m1 Grand Rapids • A City that Emich"s om Live.1 -Clwpw· 7 Chapter 7 -A City that Enriches our Lives • Plan Grnnd Rapids • Page 102 • 8~0 ~ A City in Balance with Nature 8~ 1 .,. Introduction People in the City of Grand Rapids support planning approaches that protect natural resources, capitalize on existing infrastructure and honor the principles of Smart Grmvth. This chapter highlights Plan recommendations that provide an alternative to sprawl, promote balanced transportation, protect valued natural resources and better manage stormwater runoff. • Page 103 • Plan Grand Rapids • A City in Balance'. wirh Natw< ·· Chapr,~r 8 0 llow Should the City Promote Sustainability? The citizens of Grand Rapids expressed the following be· liefs cont:erning how the city shoul<l consider the interesr.s of n;irure and the environment. • It is important to support the advancement of green technology in the city. • \'(le believe thar everything is interconnected. • Preservation should be balanced with reuse. • \'(le should follow guiding principles that are based on sustainable development and Smarr Growth. • The Grand River and its watershed must be enhanced and prorecred. • Green spaces should be i.nterconnected to accommo,fate wildlife. • 'I11e production of biosolids and other forms of waste should be minimized. • The quality of our ai.r can be improved by placing a greater emphasis on. mass transit. • Balance is essential in mass transit, auto and truck use. • Grand Rapids should be the "shining srar"; an international. leader in environmental problem solving. Sustainable devt>lopmenr is an emerging rr('nd rhar will affoct land use patterns, construction techniques and development in the future. Green buildings, rookop gar· dens, rain gardens and new technologies will influence the rnanagernent of storn\\\"1.ter and strive to resolve n1any 111~\n~ made problems. Some of these changes will be mandated by law, (for example the separation of combined sewers; stormwater and sanitary) and increasing pressures ro im· prove water and regional air quality may restilt in more transit-supportive initiatives, regional watershed protection and 1,vaste reduction initiatives. In recognition of rhe chal· lenges ahead, rhe Masrer Plan Commirree adopred rhe Hannover Principles as aspirational goals in formulating their guiding principles for this Master Plan (see Pnge 103). At tlte fourth Com.1n.11nil.> Forum moi-" th.mi 150 peof•l.e came wgeth.-,- ro discuss the fu ture of Gmnd Ra/Jids. 8<t2 ~ Visions One of the first steps of the rm1ster plan process was to ask the citizens of Grand Rapids what they would like to see the city look like twenty years from now. At the first community ti:.mim more than 300 people came together rn discuss the furure of CJrnnd R<tp- ids. Their discussion was guided by the information gathered during a series of neighborhood and lm,;i- ness association meetings and discussion gu ide re- sponses ,;ollecred in the first two months of tlh' planning process. Eleven major categories summ<l- rizcd key issues and provided particip;mts a v;:iri,:iy of discussion topics from which W choose. The be· liefs and issues used at the fornm Wt~n~ d,~velopt:d from the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats idenrified previously. Statemenr~ <ind image,; that described a vision, or preferred furu re, tC.1r (;r,md Rapids were then created by fornm participants in • small groups. The following visions emerged. Chapter 8 ·A City in Balan ce with Nawre • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 104 • · 8.2.1 .. City As Center Grand R<tpids and the rnetn1p,llif<m regio11 will bt'. national leaders in controlling urban sprawl. As a resull, we will stt<.:cet:d in revitalizing die dry\ \"en- tral core, strengthening long-established neighbor- hoods and protecting trea~ured gre,~n sp;ices. The quality of our neighborhood-based busines~es, work- pl;iccs ;rnd schools will play <Hl imponanl role in maintaining our city's appeal to families, cmployL'.rs and inve~tors. 1 f-s.-61.;b.5h<>;_, ~:>~>-~/ 6.7// .. \~>:,.''; j:; }'<~':1'/l .:.~r«i~ t:-~ ,l:".;,,t rr~d'r<,,J..,. ;~j:~:~g~:.:~~~.;::~~;-;;:~:'~·- ~,, ,./ ~. ··'-(,;/)~,dJ<·:,,~;-t-7-a;,,,,.,;...;:',.;.., 0'3/ j ~ ,,;~; :!,;.~~::":~;::~~::=,{,c~ ~- Vision Statement _P_ic...;.t.;;..u_re;..;./.;;..Sy,_m--"b-"o"-I _____ w0<1o-n1mTum Posre·rs r.re fmm tht?. fhst lviaste·r P~1n Conwu.mit.Y Fcrrum held at ( :1~ntral High School in !vfnn:h 2001. m.cr1-l<\lltt;i '/2fll ~ Topic: ~uSTA11JA8l£ (N\A~~. ilt ;;t>J );;'.~ Issue: fi£<-<-'' usE '(. o~rrF .,,,.,...,,iA7i.N OU.~ Co'( w ILL <f2o°bl(Cf No WA Sre .\ Vision Statement {/) _P_ic_t_u_r_e_/_S_.y_m_b_o_I ______ w,. .. T .. ,,.1,_ 8.2"2 .. Sustainability We will be a sustainable city because of our balanced approach t"o transponarion, 011 r suppon for waste reduction, our reinvestment in developed areas and the diversity of our economy. Our transportation policies will pay dividends in improving air quality and our state-of-the-art srormwat:er management: prac- tices will reduce run-off volumes and improve water qualiry. \Y./e will <llso foster a culrme that educates the community to the benefits of waste reduction and recycling and suppon rhe programs needed to move towards the goal of producing no waste. Grand Rapids will be nationally known as an environmen- tal leader. \Y./e will be proud of our progress in pro- moting harmony between humanity and the built and natural environments. The 1-lannover Principles After being selected lO hosr the 2000 \Vorld's Fair on the theme of"! lumanity, Nature, and Technology," the C iry of Hannover, Germany commissioned \Villiam McDonough ro develop a set of guiding design principles for che event. McDonough sought to inform the interna- tional design community of rhe bsues inhen•nr to ,;usrain- able design. Officially announrd by Mr. MrDonough ar the 1992 Earrh Summit in Rio de Janeiro, rlw Hannovt>r Prinriplt>s offered one of the first Cl)mprehensi\'C sratenwms on sustainability and the built environment. Today tht:y re- nrnin a fundamemal primer in the phllosophy and prac- tice of sustainable clesign. \X1iddy rewgnizcd as :1 H•minal expression on e1wironmenr.ally intelligent design, the Prin- dples have inspired and ini"luenred a wide array of other works and docunwnrs. Like the Master Plan, that serve; as a general guide for (mure de\'dopment of the city, rhe Hannover Principles addn~ss broad issu,~s rdative to sustainable design rather than a derailed checklist for green construction prnctices. The Hanno\'et Principles should be seen as a li,·ing docu- ment conunined to the transformation and growth in the undersranding of our inrerdependcncc with nature, rn r.hat rl1ey may adapt as our knowledge of the world evolves. The Master Phm Committee re,·iewed the l lannover Prindplcs as a part ot rheir background rC'S<'ard1 on pre· paring a master plan. While not adopted as a part of dir Masrcr Plan for ()rand Rapids, the committee endorse~ the rnncepr.; embodied by the Hanno\'er Principles: 1. Insist on righ.cs of humanity and nature co co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diwrse and sustainable rondirion. 2. Recognize interdependence. Tlw elements of human design imeran with and depend upon the natural \Vorld, with broad and diverse implications <H every srale. Expand design considerarions ro rec,)gn i:ing even di;:r.ant effects. 3. Respect relationships bet\veeo spirit and matter. Consider all aspccrs of lrnm:in srrrlemPnt including community, dwelling, industry and trade in terms of existing and evolving connection,, between spiritual and material consciousness. 4. Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being, the ,·iabiliry of narural system; and their right to co-exist. S. Create safe objects of long-term value. Do nor bnrd,~n future generations witl1 requirements for maintenance or vigilanr administration of potemial danger due to the careless cre<ition o(prnduct..s, processes or standards. 6. Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluarc and optimi:..: the full life-cydc of products and pro,:e»e>, to appro•l<h rhe srnte of namrnl systems, in which there is no wasre. 7. Rdy on natural energy flows. l Juman designs should, like the living world. deriw their creative frirl'es from perpcruai solar income. Incorporate d1is energy efficiently and safdy for responsible use. 8. UnderHand the limitations of design. No human creation lasts forever and design does nut solve all problems. Those who create ;ind plan should practice humility in rhc tacC' of nature. Treat narnrc a; a modd and mentor. not as an inconyenience to be evaded or controlled. 9. Seek constant improvement by the sharing of knowledge. Encourage direct and open communication bet\vecn colleague:::.. patron~, rnanufacturer~ and u~er:::. ro link long term sustainable rnnsiderations with ethic;i] re;;ponsibility, "nd re-e:;tablish th<' inrC'gr:il rdarionship between narural processes and human activity. • Page 10.5 • Plan Grand Rapids • A City in Balance tl'ith Natlll\' -Chapter 8 Figure 8.a , Environmentally Sensitive Lands -CONTOUR ELEVATION (20 foot intervals) ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LAND (Mastw P1sn Amendments 1rom 1977. 84 & 98) L l l r ,/ / 0 Chapter 8 -A City in Balance with NattLre • Plan Gremel Rapids , \ • Page 106 • 3 ~l\ILE · 8~3 ~Plan Recommendations 'T'o provide a basis for ad1ieving these visions, pl<rn i-ecmnmendations foG1s on sustai1Mble dc~ve[,_,pn1e11t patterns and storrnwater management use. 8.3~1 ,. An A1rtemative to Sprawl The preceding chapters have presenreJ ,·is ions, plan rec:omrnencLnions, ohjectiYes and policies rh;it cm make Grnnd Rapids a more competitive alternative to greenfield d,~vdopmcnt for nrnny hou~dlold~ and businesses in the metropolitan region (Se< Chapter 3 -Great Neighborhoods -Pcige 27, Cha/Jter 4 · Vital BHsi- ness Districts -Page 47 and Chn/Jt.>.r 5 -A Strong E,·1morny -Pcige 63). By cncournging reim-eslmcnt in alrc<idy developed areas within the city's boundaries and by rer,1ining and <lttrncting more residents, ln1sinesses and jobs, CJrand Rapids can lead the way to a more snsrainable regional growrh pattern. Nevenhclcss, ~ig nificanr coopernrion anwng all of rhe units of go\'- ernmenr wirhin the region, and the privarc ;:;enor, will be required to reduce developrncnr pressures <.'11 farmbnd, critical nat:ural areas and open space. Grand Valley Metropo litan Council's 1994 I3lH.:.tnint RefJurt provides ;in initial agenda for modifying cm- rent (business <15 usual) development parterns t<..' manage grnwlh in a more sustainable vvav. This Mas- ter Plan supports and implements th<tr agenda. 8.3.2.,. Automobile Alternatives Providing rrnnspl)rtation choices ro r,'.du,:,'. aut<-' de- pendence and encomage transit use, 1valking and c:ycling will also u .mtribute directly r,, ~llSt<linabl,'. dewlopmenr and help ro improve environment<1l quality in ;t ninnb'.r of ways (see Chapter 6 -Balancd • Transportation -Page 75). For example, a shifr from single-occupancy vehicle commuting ro orb.er modes • of transportation will reduce the consumption of nonrenewable resources and improve air quality by reducing tail pipe emissions. ln addition, reduced auto dependence will reduce the need for parking at multiple destinations; less paved area for parking can reduce the quantity, and improve the quality, of stormwater rnnoff. 8.3.3 ., Natural Resource Areas Today, Grand Rapids has no c:omprehensive inven- tory of natural resource areas (for example, wetlands, wooded areas, steep slopes, valtrnhle habitat") rhat should be protected. Such an inventory is needed to help guide decisions on open space acquisition and to promore sire planning thar protects sensitive nati.1- ral features (for example, through clustered develop- ment). The Master Plan recommends that a citywid e inventory of nanmil resomce areas be developed and maintained. The Northeast Master Plan Arnendm.:nt provides an example of the valu e of developing an inventory of sensitive lands in making future land use and development decisions (Figuu 8.a -Enl'iron- mentalty Sensitive Lands Map -Page 106). In addition, the primary open space framework (see Chapter 7 -A City that Enriches Our Lives -Page 89) recommends that the environmental and recre- ational value of the Grand River and its tributaries be protected and celebrated by making them rhe fo- cus of a greenway system. This proposed system of connected riparian corridors can enh;mce rhe func- tioning of the river ecosystem, as >veil as the community's understanding of it. 8.3.4 .. Stormwater Management Stormwater management, and its impact on water quality and flood risk, has been a significant issue in G rand Rapids. Substantial investments have been made (and more are anticipated) in separating com- bined sewers, providing srormwater storage capaciry and developing standards for minimizing ,111d man- aging stormwater on individual developmenr sites. Some of the chal k:nges for the future will be to ex- plore the topics listed below. • Opportunities for undenaking collabor<irive stormwater management initiatives on a \Vatershed (and sub-warershed) basis, involving all governmental units within rhe region. • Implementing natural infiltration alternatives to putting stormw<tter runoff in a pipe i11clud i11g, for example, ''rain gardens," permeable paving and orher rnnoff infilrrni-ion ;tpproaches. • Joint planning of stormwater detention <lTcas and parks to capitalize on rhe porential to create fac ilities that meet recrearion;1[, sronnwater management and environmental goals. To meet these challenges, it will be necessary for gm·- ernments within the region -and city departments - ro work together. Ir is recotnmended that a "nx1lbox" of storm'A-'<Uer management alternatives be developed as a follow up to the revised Stormwater O rdinance. Taking advantage of narurnl processes to store' and treat stormwater, and reducing srormwater flows inro sewers can save public infrastructure dollars. while at the same time providing environmenrnl m1d qu;1[- ity oflife Lenefos. Using n<1rurC1l infiltration recharges ground water ro moderat·e stream flows, support veg- erntion and pro\-ide habitat. [>ecreasing paved sur- faces and increasing tree plantings help to moderare urban remperatures. Revegetation also helps ro beau- tify neighborhoods. A varicry of techniques for rc- storingwatershed functions in urban neighborhoods are presented in t·he adjoining ~idebar. Techniques for Restoring Watershed Functions in Urban Neighborhoods Reuse of Rainwater· Captming roof runoff in tanks and cisterns allows it robe used for lawn and garden irrigation; rt!duces peak nows during storms and provide;; for infiltra- tion into the soil in dry weatlter. Green Roofs· A modern variant ,m sod roofs, green wof~ rapture a portion of rainwater and rcpl:«:e ,:omc of rlw funcrion.5 ot vegetation displace<l by building>. Disconnection of Roof Drains • Di,:connecring <l.0wn >pours from sewrn< and discharging into rain g.udrns, dry wells or vegetated swales rcconne.:ts rainwater wirh natiw: so il (for infiltration) and vegetation (for absorption). Disconnection of Permanent Drainage -Pitching rhe drainage of drivc~"J.Vs, side·walks and parkint: lors onro ad· fo,:ent vegernred soil (and nm onto orher pa\•emenr or srorm sewers) also increases infiltration and absorption. Infiltration Basi ns -Carefully engineen•cl deprr,;sions in che landscape (for example, rain gardens. dry wdls and sllbsurface recharge beds) <·ollcrt runoff from roots and pavement and allow ir to percol.ue inro rhe soil. Tree Plantings -Tree bratKhcs and foliag<' int~rccpr a por- tion of rain water. Reduction of Impervious Surfaces -Reconfiguring clrive· ways, parking lN,: and srreers ro reduce unnecessary pave- menr allows more vegetated soil and mor,~ infiltration. Porous Pavement -Spedal varieties of asphalt, concrete, masonry and orher macerials have open pores thar derain runofr, filter pollutarm and allow water to infiltrate rhe underlying >oil. Vegetated Swale~ -Landscaped drainage ch;mnels (a, an alrernatiw rn pipes) slow run<)ff, n•mow pollutants and infiltrate water. Daylighting -Restoring or replacing historic streams by crea[ing narnralized open ch.mnels that slow runufr and bring it into conracr with mil, wgetariun and air to allow the natural ero>ystem to treat and infiltrnte ,:tonnw;1ter. Adap1ed from Swnn1wter, ]11iy/ A<1gu.st 2001. • Page 107 • Plan GranJ Rnpids • A City in Balm1c.o tuith Nat1m.' -Ch11pt,:r 8 Photo courtes:< of Art\Xforks Expanded Visions 2001 youth a/>prent1wh.ip progwm. 8~4 Objectives andl Policies The following objectives and policies summarize wh;:ir needs to be d one ro achievt~ the visions and plan recommendations on the preceding pages so that Cfrand Rapids can be a city in balance with nature. Above each objective is a line of theme icons. The icons illustrate how a particular objective is intern:•- lated with another Master Plan theme. See Page 24 for a description of each theme. Objective N I Ensure that Grand Rapids remains the focal point of West Michigan in order to reduce urban sprawl. • a. Work continuously to maintain the city's appeal as an investment location for housdwlds, business, indusrry and institutiom. b. Identify the proportion '1f merropoliran population growth the ciry desires to rnpture and work t:n absorb thar population in developed arc:as. c. Work in parrnership with non-profit organizations ro educate the public about sustainable developrnenr and m~u1<1gemenr practices. OG00S Objective N 2 Encourage infill development and brownfield clean up and reuse. a. Direct development and invesrn1enr toward infill and reuse of previously devdoped sites. b. Clean up conraminared sites. eo: Ohj<~ctive N 3 Identify and preserve (and restore, where appropriate) sensitive environmental resources and valued natural areas. a. Prepare a cit:ywide inventory of environmeni-ally sensitiw lands incl11ding, for example, wooded areas, wetlands, sreep slopes, wildlit~ hahir«n and riparian corridors. b. Encourage more compact and clustered development panerns t<°) conserve open space and natural tearures, promote watershed protection and reduce development costs. 0 Chapter 8 ·A City in Balance with Nature • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 108 • • c. Adopt development standards that cn,:ourage the protection of natural feature;;. d. Within the region, work towarLls the preservation of large patd1es of high quality natural areas and wildlife hab itat within int:erconneoing wildlife UJrridors. Objective N 4 Reduce stonmvater runoff and improve water quality by increasing natural infiltration. a. Us<'. the propost:d greenway system as part of a comprehensiw srraregy for prorecring the qualiry of stream and river corridors; maintain open space buffers to reduce the water qualiry impac:ts of sron11v<ater runoff and pnwide opportunities for visual and recreation.-il public b. Promote the use of best managemcm practices ro promote narnrnl infihrarion in public <Hld private devcl<)pment. c. Consider new paving technologies ro reduc:e impen:i()\lsness ~md runoff volume~. d. ~1hcrewr possible, provide storm\\·ater retention and treatment for parking area runoff integr;ikd \\'ith required landsc-1ping. Objective N S Reduce waste. a. Expand efforts ro educate the c:ommuniry W the benefits of waste reducti on and rc:cyding; reuJgni:e and reward waste reduction achievements. 9~0 ~Partnerships 9~1 ~Introduction The planning policies that guide development in the metropolitan region will significantly influence Grand Rapids' success in achieving important planning objectives. In addition, collaboration among city departments, residents, property owners, businesses and institutions will be essential in bringing the Master Plan's recommendations to fruition. Both regional and community partnerships are needed. • Page I 09 • Pln n Grnrnl R(lpid.1 • Parr11er.1hips Ch •. lpr,~r 9 ~ Why is It Important to Have Partners? The ciriz,~ns of Grand Rapids expressed the following be- liefs about public, private, local and regional parrnerships. • Cirand Rapids should esrnhlish partnerships and work with its neighboring communities. • A public transportation system that links the region and positively affocts growth patterns should be developed. • All people, regardless of their income levels and/or the stages of their lives should have a choke in housing. • The needs oC all transportation modes should be addressed and balanced. • Political power ha.~ robe shared in order to have a healthy foundation for die community. • Growth should be planned :<o thar narural feature:>, farmland and open spaces an' protecred. Local and regional cooperation and public and private parmt'rships art' esst'mial for a succ,~ssful fornre for everyone. Efforts to reduce sprawl, minimize farmland con· version, protect air and water quality, and mainrain a high quality of life are goals that can only be acwmplished by working together. Informed citizens and decision-makers must learn m balance the interests ot' their back'Yards with the overall good of the city and rhe region. The viraliry oi Grand Rapids can significantly impacrrhe long-rrrm h<'aith and growth ot the region, just as the health ot a neighborhood's housing stock can affoct the vitality or an adjoining business disrrkt. Ir is this inrerrelaredness that requires us ro work tog,·rher towards common solurions; such as improved mass transit options, srormwater ma nagmenr, and infrastructure planning. Cluipter 9 -Parrnerships • Plan Grand Rapids Small worhing groups l!'ere freqi.wndy used m nh'<'tings. One n( rhe first steps of rht~ masta plan procc,;s wa,; ro as k the citizem of (lr::ind Rapids what rhcy would like ro sec the city look like twenty years from now. At the first Community Forum more than 300 people came together to discuss the forure of Grand Rap- ids. Their discussion was guided by the information gathered during a series of neighborhood and busi- ness association meetings and diso1ssion guide re- ,;ponses collected in the fir'r nvu months of rhe planning process. Eleven major categories summa- rized key issu es and provided participants a variery of discussion topics from which t«) choose. The bC'- liefs and issues used at die forum were devclnpcd from the strengths, 1;veaknesses, opportunities and threats identified previously. Statements ;md irna.ges that described a vision, or prdem-:d future, for Cirand Rapids were then created by forum participants in small groups. The following visions emerged. • Page 110 • · 9.2~1 .. Working Together During the fi rsr two dec;1des of the 21 '' century, Grand Rapids will build on its strengths ro become one of dte M iclwe;;r's great cii-ie;;. Om s1Kce;;s "''ill he founded on a shared Yision for the furure and srwng partnerships. These partnerships will fosrer the in- du,;ion of all citiz ns <md colL1bornrion among in- formed residents. forward-looking business peopk, dedicated non-profit organizations and educational instirnrions and cl cumm1miry-orienred go,·ernment. Expanded regional cooperation will ,dso be impor- ta1H in m,1intaining our city's e,:onomic vir<Jlity and making us a national model in controlling sprawl, balancing tnmsporration choices ;mcl scn-ing ;is re- spnnsible stew<irds of the n<ltural em·ir, 'nrnent. ~.,, ~ Topic: ·,..r>J.I ,.,..tc~ "'""' "''f-'"'"'' .. ~ ~"''-" , ~~~0• lssue:u.11~v1..!-.f.w" lf"e:t ~.f..ul'> ~.,.,6 )~ r;sfc:;-1/Jj />al'"-l/l<lfSh1jJS f;r tt s d-e,, /J<!tl /-My a 11d -rh l I •I/ t'llJ flt!/ ;n /)er h,,e,1 els · Vision Statement ~ 'R f-.PJt.:if<SH-1p ,.,.P,..ic_t_u_r_e_/_S.._y_m_b_o_I ______ w .... r,;m Tttm ! .. Posters nrefmm rhi? ffrst lvtaste'I' Plan ( A:tmmu111~; Forum hdd ot ( ~ntral Higlt Sdwo[ in Mmch 2001. Neighborhood Associations Alger Heights Neighborhood A'sodation Auburn Hills Neighborhood A>sociation Baxter Neighborhood Association Black Hills Citizens for a Better Community Creston Neighborhood Association East Hills Council of Neighbors Eastgate Neighborhood Association Eastown Community Association Fulron Heights Neighborhood A<;sociation Garfield Park Neighborhood Association Heartside Neighborhood Association Heritage Hill Associarion Highland Park Association John Ball Park Community Association Ken-0-Sha Neighborhood Association Madison Area Neighborhood Association Michigan Oaks Neighborhood Association Midtown Neighborhood Association Millbrook Neighborhood Association Neighbors of Belknap Lookout North East Citizens Action Association North End Neighborhood Association Ottawa Hills Neighbors i\.ssodation Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association Shawmut I !ills/ Covell R-1 Preservation Association South East Comrntl'1ity Association South East End Neighborhood A.ssociation Southwest Area Neighbors Wesr Grand Neighborhood Organization West Side Connection • Figure 9.a ~Neighborhood Association Map OBRIEN CHICAGO DR C'lliD TRADITIONAL BUSINESS AREAS '"...,"' POTENTIAL CENTER 0 NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER • VILLAGE CENTER -SUB · REGIONAL CENTER • Page 111 • z ~ m 3P¥11LE KNAPP LEONARD 36TH 44TH Plan Grand Rapicl1 • Parrnership_, -Chnpta 9 Figure 9.b, Business Association Map i" .• i . i y •·· : ~ L.., ! :_ ... / ./ / ... _ .. ,_ ... _}_ .. ,-' ... OBRIEN • • TRADITIONAL BUSINESS AREAS POTENTIAL CENTER NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER VILLAGE CENTER SUB· REGIONAL CENTER 36TH 44TH Chapter 9 -Parrnerships • Plan Gremel Rapids 3 MilE KNAPP KNAPP 'j '\) ;ii ~ • Page 112 • . B . A . . , · uSlness · ssoc1at1ons Alger Heights Brniness Associadnn Bosron Square Bmincss Associark>n Burton Heieht:-Business As:;ociarion Cherry/Lakt'/Diarnond Business Aswciati(>!l Cheshire Village Business As:;ociarion Cresron Business A-;scKiation Division South Bttsiness Association East Fulton Business Association Eastown Business Associarinn Grandvilk Avern1e Bw<i1\l~ss A;;rnciatiou Franklin/Eastern Business .Association l leanside Business Ass0ciation Madi.son Square Bu:;i.ness Association Michigan Street Area Business i\ssociation Monroe Norrh Business Association Seymom Square Busine>s Aswci>1tion Stockbridgt' Business A-;sociation Wealthy Street Busintss Alliance West Fulton Business Association \X'cst Leonard Business Associarion 9~3 ~Plan Recommendations Plan recommendations focus on regional and com- munity partnerships. 9 "3 .. 1 ... Regional Partnership§ There are many topics addressed in the preceding chapters that require coordination and cooperation with immediately adjacent jurisdictions, as well as all units of government and agencies within the re- gion. These include, for example, tramponarion and transit planning, poli cies for population grovvth and job Location, atfodable housing, the planning and development of an open space and trail nerwork, watershed planning for stormwater management and, of course, land ust~ paaern~. The City of Grand Rapids is already involved in collaborative planning with regional agencies and neighboring jurisdictions. These initiatives include: • planning fr)r future development along t:he northern porrion of the East Beltline (with Orand Rapids Charter Township and Plainfield Charter Township); • working with the Interurban Transit Partnership (JTP) on bus service and the evaluation of potential fixed guideway route alternatives; • participation in the Grand Valley ~vfctropolitan Council's (GVMC) Urban Metro Committee ro discuss the fun.ire of major street corridors and other shared issues; • collaboration with the City of Walker in exploring a joint initiative for creating a "sustainable business industrial park". • The Master Plan recommends that these efforrs be • continued and expanded. To this end, the city con- ducted a series of meetings wid1 immediately adja- cent jurisdictions (East ()rand Rapids, C1rand Rapids Township, Kentwood, Plainfield Township, Walka ;md \Vyoming) in the sum ma of 2002. Tht' pmpose of these meetings was threefold: • ro share inform<lti,m on Cirnnd Rapids' Master Plan; • to gain insight inro planning isrnes at C1)mmunity bound<irit!S: and • to identify possible joinr pLmning initiatives Fmure development sit·es, and pos~ible developmenr proposals, were discussed, as well planned park ac- quisitions :mcl programs and future trail ::ind side- \Valk connecrions. The tdlowi11g joint project,; were suggested: • land use and tra11.'>portatk)n on 28th Stn~et (KenDNood, Wyoming); coordination of commerdal land use planning on Plainfield Awnue (Clrand Rapid~ and Plainfield Townships); • 32ncl Street reconstruction (\Vyoming); • the Cirand-Walk industrial are (\X'alker); :mLI • a shared public works site (\X,lalker). • Page I 13 • 1\Ji?.ighborhood CL'isodntion.s Uk~ En.st Hills Coun.:ii oj Neigh/ion j)l«)' nr: int~g"al roli:-in. the ru·'Y 's neighlloriwod.-;. Plnn Grnncl Rnpirls • Parrnerships -Ch«{ltt'r 9 Figure 9.c ~Future Regional Land Use Clwpter 9 · Partnerships • Plan Grnnd Rapids • Pai;e 114 • · 9.3.2 .. Community Partnerships The procc's of developing the Ma:<ter Phrn h;1s ~d <1 new srnndard fo r coll:iboration among city dq,art- ments, residents, property owners, busines' people and insrinirions in shaping Lmd use and development directions. Continued collaboration wil.I bt'. e~senrial in translating these cliren ion~ inro actual clevdopmcnt decisions that build on the Master Plan's recommen- dations. In parricubr. priority should be given to col- laborati\·e area-specific planning for rt:Yitalizing neighborhoods and proposed mixed-use areas (.1c:e Chapter 11 -Ar...:a Spffific Plims -Page 151) LEGEND ULTAA LOW DEl'JSITV RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL 8B MEDIUM DENSITY AESIOEt.JTIAL ml HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL -COMMERCIAL OOWNTO\'iN -OFFICE -MIXED USE l!l!!!I INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTIO\IAL 11111\1111 PARKS/OPEN SPACE 11111\1111 AGRICULTURAL -TRADll'IONAL BUSINESS AREAS ~) POTENT!AL CENTER EXISTING RAIL • NEIGHBOAHOOO CENTER • VILLAGE CENTER • SUB . REGIONAL CENTER Photo courtesy of Art Works Expand.,d Visions 2001 vouth appr~11tiwh1p prnguim. 9~4 ... Objectives and Policies The following objectives and policies summarize what needs to be done to achiew the vision and plan rec- ommendations presented on the preceding pages so !'hat· Ornnd Rapids continues to collaborate with partners in the community and the region. Above each objective is a line of them.e icons. The icons illustrate how a particular objective is inrerrelared with another Master Plan theme. Sec Page 24 fo r a description of each theme. Objective P 1 Serve as a strong partner in the provision of regional infrastructure and services. a. Collaborate in the development of regional transportation plans and prioririe,; (for air, r<til, street, highway, transit and bicycles) and the design of transportation projects. b. Update the \Xfater and Sewer Master Plan consistent v.1ith the policy framework e~tablished by this Master Plan. c. Pursue cooperation and cost sharing between benefiting jurisdictions in providing public facilities and services. d . Encournge the coordination of local capirnl improvement progr<imtn ing within ti'!<~ metropolitan region. e. Cooperate in rhe dewlopmenr of a ~ignificant regional park and greenwa)' system. f. Encourage inrergo\·ernmenral and public/ private cooperation in dec isions concerning the locati on of devdopment~ of greater th;m local impact (e.g .. major new ~hupping cenrers, employment centers, culrurnl facilities). g. Encomage the es tablishmcnr of standards that require adequate public facilities and service~ to be in place concurrent' with new development'. • Page 11 5 • oeoeeo: Objective P 2 \Vork as part of the larger metropolitan community to develop plans and strategies for regional growth and development. a. Srrengrhen existing communities and direct development toward these actiYiry cent,~rs. b. Pn .. nnote susrnin,tble de\'Clopment patterns and practices. c. Suppurr the Jlr<)\'ision ,)f aff<irdable hutt~iug for low-m1d IHLldcratc-income hLlllsehokls rhronghour t'l1e metropolitan area. d. Promote the balanced, efficient. c'.conomi,~al and em·ironmcntally sensitive use of land in a manner thar 111inimizes Lind use u.mflicr~ anos~ municipal borders and preserves the unique charadt'r of each community. oeoeeo: Objective P 3 Promote coordination with state agencies and among city departments in implementing the recommendations of the Master Plan. a. Continue to coordinate and rnrget infrastrucrure investments with other publil· ;md priYate im provement ini tiatives. h. Promote information sh<iring <nnong universities, fo undations, regional agencies, the public schoob, the city :rnd the public in helping to guide well informed investment decisions. Pllln Grand Rapids • Parrnersliips .. Clwprcr 9 a Chapter 9 -Parme1'Ships • Plan Grnnd Rapids Objective P 4 Collaborate \Vith neighborhood and business organizations in planning and development decisions. ~t. Develop, impl ement" and comimtcmsly refine a land use decision-making process th<lt is community based and partner;:;hip driven. b. Encourage and support the establishment of active neighborhood and business organization,; and collabora te with them in planning and development decisions. c. Encourage consensus-based decision-making and assist in conflict resolution. d. Provide information and technkal assistance ro neighborhood and business organi za tions on planning and developme nt issues. e. De,·elop and support programs dlat conti nue ro bu ilJ citizen capacity to make informed planning and developme nt decisir>ns. • Page 116 • Objecrivt~ P 5 Strengthen educational partnerships. a. Conri n ue to cooper<tte \Vi th the public sdW<)ls to provide joint park-schL1ol focilitit~S. b. Encourage partnerships between residents, neighborhood organizations, area businesses, faith-based organization,; and institutions of higher learning to enhance the achievement levels of ,;tudent,;. <:. RecL)gnize dle imp<)rran.:e of neigli borlw<)d schools in building and strengthening community. Objective P 6 Ensure that respect for diversity in all areas is a strength of our city. a. Celebrate rhe benefit,; of diver,;iry within the community <md reC<)gnize the effort~ uf those who promote enhanced understanding and toler;mce among people of diverse h~t<:kground;;. 10,.0 ... Development Character 10~1 ~Introduction ....ii In Grand Rapids, people are as concerned about the quality and character of development as , they are about what kinds of uses and densities are permitted and where they may be located. The sample development guidelines presented in this chapter illustrate how the quality of urban design can be given greater emphasis in making Project Concept decisions about future development (and renovation of existing buildings) in the city. • Page 117 • Plan Grand Rapids • Devdopment Clwrac:ter -Chapter 10 The Cit) of Grand Rapids Detdopment Center corrrdinates the ra;ie«• and approval of det•dopment projects. Chapte1· 10 · Development Clwractcr • Plan Grand Rapids 10.Ll ... Purpose CJuidelines are ;1 rneans of comnrn11icaring in adv,mce to property owners, developers and invesrors the kind of developmenr the communiry wants to encourage and rhe factors that will be considered in reviewing and <ip proving proposed project·s. By clearly arrirn- lating these urban design objecrives, much of the guesswork c<in he rernov<~d from the devclopnh~nt' approvals process. This can save rime and money for those who are proposing a projecr, as well as pro- moting better urban design n~wlts. Because the community's Mast·er Plan establishc;; the foundation that must ~uppon nHxe dernib.l d.:.- velopment regulations, it is essenrial rhat rhe Phin emphasize the importance nf sir,: planning ;rnd archi- recrurnl design quality as factors in J\:viewing dcvcl- opm.:.nt proposals. As a result, it will be possible ro include prindples and standards relarcd t:u design qual.itv in zoning regulations, sire plan review and other tools <incl processes for implement·ation. • Page 118 • 10~ L2 " Organization The illtruduction ro this drnpt<'.r provides a perspe,:- tive on two key issues as a philosuphical founcLHiL111 for guidelines development: • walkability and auto access; • contexr and compatibiliry. A basic urban design vocabulary is cils,) provided. Then ~evernl guidelines examples are prc~cnrcd, ad- dressing three ropics: :Mixed-Use -hClw to maximize the com1x1t'ibilit-y be- tween d ifterent uses, densities and building types. Four situations <ire ;icldresse<l in a pre-World W<ir 11 neighborhood conrext: • infill and parking in a trnditional business di~trict; • institutional mixed-use; • industrial mixed-use; and reuse of a school site. Jn addition, guiddines an'. prnpo~ed for improving the visual quality and walkability 0f auto-oriented strip commercial development in a posr-Wrnld '\Xiar II setting. Higher Quality, Higher Density Residential Devel- opment -huv.· to .:.ncuurage medium-and liigh-lkn- sity residenrifll development that is located and designed ro complement existing panans. Green Space in the Central City -how to provide rnon~ green ;;pace in already developed <irt:as. These ropil:s were selected from it much longer li;;r of candidate guidelines suggested by community in- put over die CL'llrse Ll( rl1L' master planning JmXL'S''- ln part, the guiddines examples were chosen ro help clarify kt~y master plan C<..l!Kepts (mixed-use, rran;;ir- oriented cencers; alternative models for new hems-• ing development and infill) and to augment others (open space network, walkable srreets, srorm"'·ater management). The examples presented here se rve as a template for developing guidelines on additional topics in the future. 10~L3 ., Perspective Two critical issues serve as the philosophical foun- dation for the s<imple guidelines and others to be developed in the future: the appropriate balance between walkability and automobile access; • the importance of compatibility with the built context. Walkability and Auto Access Finding the right balance benwcn walkability and automobile access is one of the most fundamental issues in making decisions about Grand Rapids' fu- ture and framing appropriate development guide- lines. Since the 19.50's (after World War 11), planning and development regttlations h<ive tended ro sepa- rate uses and require substantial setbacks in an ef fort ro minimize conflicts. At the same time, priority has been given to maximizing through traffic move- ment and requiring ample off-street parking. The resulting de\·elopr1ent pattern -low-density subdi- visions that prohibit through trnffic and surround each home with a substantial yard; shopping malls, schools and p<irks surrounded by huge parking lots - has reduced walkability and made multiple car 0\\1.1- ership a necessity. Grand Rapids has areas like rhe~e, and many residents prefer the lifestyle choice rhey provide. But Grand Rapids also offers an alternative devel- opment pattern and lifesty le choice -the Downtown, older neighborhoods and traditional business areas of the center city. These pre-\X!orlcl War 11 areas are more walkable b.x:rnse a denser mix of residential, • civic, workplace and retail uses are provided in com- pact areas on an inrerconnecred grid of srret·ts rh,ir form small blocks lined by sidewalks. In rhese ;1re<1s, today's dependence on the car can cre<ite p:nking shortages thar are often met by remoYing structures to provide parking lots. The introduction of subur- ban development panerns in t·hese older are;1s cre- ates gaps th<t t interrupt the continuity of buildings and <ictivity along the street and compromise walkabiliry. Nevertheless, center city businesses, in- stitutions and residents need places to park cars as one component of a balan,:ed transporration prognm. How can we protel:t and capitalize l)ll the walkability of older parts of the city while accommo- dating new invesnnenl m:1d rneel'ing need~ for acce~s and parking? How can we improve walkabilirv and enhance the sense of community in more recently developed parts of the city.' These are two o( rhe ques- tions that the sample guiclclines b,~gi ns to ;1c\dress. Context and Compatibility To protect and build on Clrnnd Rapid~' assets, new developments, as well a~ n·noY<ttion of existing build- ings, musr be designed wirh rci~rencc to the sur- rounding built context. Achit~ving compatibility with the existing context requires an unders1-;rnding o ( the positive design element~ that give ,~ach part of the city its special character. These include hn-,ader district p<itterns (i.e., the network of streets and blocks); patterns that are repeated from one de\-d- opment site to another (i .l'., building sca le, place- ment and orientation) and the repeated ttse of similar design details (i.e., choice and use of materials, pat- terns of windows and doors). Promoting urban de- sign compatibility improws the fit between new investments and what already exists ro enhance the irn;1ge and identity of e;Kh pan of rhe ,jty. The pro- tection of historically and architecturally significant buildings is also <in important parr of maintaining Fin~ling th~ nJ;hr balance b~twc.t!n urtdk<tbiln-;• and automoh1k <h\:~.'.>s L-t on~ of the m.ost fundamenwi 1ss11~' in makm.~ tltusi!1n,, nbout l;umd Rapids 1 future an.,i fmming rtfJfJropri<lk dt!t•elopmr:nt guiddrnc, • Page 119 • Plan Gmnd Rapids • De1·elopmrnt Clwra,:ter -Owpt~r 10 Figure 10.a ~Neighborhood Character Types _I l L. 19th Century Neighborhood -Early 20th Ccmtury NtHghborhood -Garden City Sulx.lrb -Post World War II Neighborhood -Late 20th Century Neighborhood -Seteeted Open Spaces -Industrial Unclassified Chapter 10 ·Development Cluiractcr • Pltm Gmnd Rapids r j L • Pag.; 120 • • visual charncrcr ;md a ~ense of continuirv v;irh rhi: city's hair<ige. As ,rn inirial srep in promoting comparibiliry in urban design, the Master Plan has idenrifi.ed five maj(1r neighborhood character rypes alcing \.\·ith de- scriptions and examples L'f t:adi rypc's d,:fining vi- sual charncreristks. 'T'hesc ch~mKtcr rypes ·or con tcxr caregc,ries -have ;tl~o been mapped to pr<1\·itk a ~rarr ing point for a more refined dcfiniricin of area~ of dift~ring characrer~. including: • the n1rn-ufrhe ccnturv ncighborh,,od: • rhc stret·r car suburh; • t:hc garden ciry suburb; • rhe posi--\Xlorld W <ir l1 nt:ighhorhood; • the late 20rh Century neighborhoocl. The m<ll' ofNdghborhood Charnc[c:r Tyt>es is presented in Figure IO.a -Pngc: 120; illustrarions and descrip- tions of each type arc presented in Figt!Tr: 10.b -Neigh· borlwod Clwm;kr T'!pcs -Page: 121. Ir is important to note that the mapping of ncigh- liorlwod type~ i~ preliminary. Sewr;il an~as rernai11 unclassified and refinements in the boundari~'S of some "d;:issified" areas could tmdoubledly be n1<1lk. Many pans of rhe city ;:ilso include a mix of m<1re rh<in one neighborhood type. Mosr (>frcn. rhc:se mixed areas represent a cb1ng~· in ag<: '-'r architec- tural sryle, rathn tlrnn a change in fu ncbmenral [,ind use patterns, development densities and circu lari,.>n parterns. Nevertheless, the map provides <1 general overview of neighborhood visual ch;1racter. The sample guidelines presented in this c:h,1prer illustrate huw renovation and new construction projccrs in a parricular c:ontc~xr (nci~hborhood drnr- act~·r i-ype) can be designed w respect and enhance its idcnti~·ing urban design characteristics. Figure 10.b, Neighborhood Character Types Turn of the Century Neighborhood Built after the C ivil War in and around the central city. Straight streets, smaller blocks, dense develop- ment, small lots (often with alleys). Housing, com- mercial, factories more integrated (e.g., apartments above corner stores; factories close to homes). Little green space (or concentrated in parks and squares). Churches and schools integrated into neighbor- hoods. Sidewalks predominant. Examples: Early neighhorlwods that rim Do<Umtown: Heritage Hill, Nec1r West Side, Belknap Park, Roos evelt Park, Cheny Hill. Streetcar Suburbs Approximately 1900-1930. Developed ;:iround street- car lines, adjacent to (and frequently mixed with) "mm-of-the century" neighborhoods and also farther from the central city. Straight streets, small blocks and lots; dense development. Small parks. Small com- mercial districts along streetcar routes. Exampks: John Ball Park, Emruwn, Fairmount Square:, Creston, Southeast, Granch •ille. Garden City Suburb Approximately 1900 to 1930's. First 'suburb' model. Srreets more curvilinear; homes set back from street. More street trees, parks, open space. Generally lower density (less intensity in residential areas) th:in "turn- of-rhe-century" neighborhouds. "Srreetc<1r" suburb neighborhood commercial still lines major streets with possible residential above. Architecture more romantic (cottage, Cape Cod, Arts and Crafts, ere.) Beginning separation of land uses (separation of resi- denrial from factories). Examples: Orrawa Hills. • Page 121 • Plan Grand Rapids • Development Clwra.:tn -Cha;1rer 10 Figure 10.b; Neighborhood Character TY!Jes Post War Neighborhood Builr afrer WWII, approximately 1950's ro 1970's. Larger residential lots and generally lower single-fam- ily housing densities. brger blocks and sr.reers with cul-de-s;1<:s and/or curvilinear srreets. New rnnch t:rve single-family housing; ofren mixed with other "streer- car" suburb ard1i1·eci-ural styles. Aparrrnents more 'modern' in architectural style. More segregation ot commercial and industrial uses. Beginning of'super- block' concept, with streets de-mapped and large parcels assembled. Commercial now one-story with- out mi..xed-use. Larger modern footprints for com- mercial and industrial. More parks and open space. School footprints becoming larger. Examples: Boston Square, Creston, Ri~•erside, Alger Heights, 28ch-44th area, Eastgme, Leonard Street area. Ltte Z.Oth Century Neighborhood Approximately 1980's to 1990's. Freeway-based de- velopment. Automobile-dominant, sprm;vling uses. Much larger footprints, larger parcels assembled for all uses with greater segregation of use. Commercial and industrial with ever larger parking lors. Typically wide streets; a hierarchy of arterials and cul-de-sacs. Housing design often nostalgic/traditional (pitched roofa, detailing). Larger rwo-and three-car attached garages. Parks larger. Schools developed on larger tracts as campuses. All uses set back from roads cre- ating more open space and lower density. Examples: Leonard/Fuller commercial, 28th-44th mea, Dean Lake Road area, East Beltline (west side beyond cop of bluffs), Knapf1 area, scatr:ered infill. Chapter 10 · Devel.opm.:nt Clwracter • Pl.on Grand Rapids • Pagt: 122 • 10~2 ~Urban Design Vocabulary \Xlhile guidelines can communicate expectations for urban design quality, outline principles and illustrate how those expectations might be met, there is rardy only one right urban design solution. Moreover, no one solntion can fit all rypes of projects in all devel- opment contexts. Arriving at the best solution re- quires an understanding of the specifics of each project and each situation. Understanding urban design vocabulary and the elements of design can have a large influence on development quality, char- acter and fit. Basic mban design vocabulary is defined and il- lustrated below and applied in the guideline ex- amples presented in the balance of the chapter. The vocabulary is organized under three headings that move from a broader scale (the Districr/Neighbor- hood) th.at focuses on context, ro the Project Con- t:ept (or site) scale that focu~es on compatibility, to Project Details that focus on quality. · 10.2.1 ... Vocabulary: District/Neighborhood Connectivity Connectivity refers to th,~ way in which individual developments and uses are phys ica lly linked together within the larger fabric o( rhe city. Mosr often, ir reters to the network of streets and blocks and the way in which they encourage or discourage \valkability and concentrate or distribute traffic. Other elements of the trnnsp0rration network also influence connecrivity -for example, the ava ilabil- ity and location of transit routes and stops, hike routes and on-and off-street walkways. N<itural tea- rures -for example, rivers, creeks and open spat:e corridors -can also be part of rhe connecting 1abric 0f a neighborhood, disrricr or c0mmuni1)'· Storrnwater/Daylighting • Page 123 • The Hd<n De Vos \\i'omoi and Children '.1 Cente1 and rhc .?v1usculoskeletal (£ntt-r iL~c:-pttdic-d roojlin.'s w l:lt'at:!. a .'OJl.t'1' tm11_.,;1ti(ln ro the nearb~ residential neighborhood. Transitions and Edges Th..: \,·,1y diftcrent kinds of us..:s ,md d..:vdopmenr densities relate to one anorhcr has a major irnpacr on ,·isual and (un ctional fit. ln g.>.ncral, gradual rrnn- sitions in int.>.nsity and scale arc more t:omp<Hihk than abrupt chan~es. lnc:rememal changl"~ in build- ing density and sca le (heighr <rnd mass) can ~,,fren changes in land use and ,:reate a m0re harmonious blend. In som.>. instances, open space and landscap- in_g can esrablish au:.>.prnbk buffrrs l'etween ckTel- oprnents that are dissimilar in intensity cind function. ~1nQlf' Farndv Res1dc~nh1I · Conv·ncfc1al rRuail P!an Grand Rapids • Dmdopmrnt Clwra,:tn -Cru1pter 10 Parking • Natural Systems Shared off-street parking at the district or neighbor- hood level can serve mulriple users -especially rbose whose peak parking needs do not overlap. This can reduce the amount of land (a nd financial resources) needed to provide an adequate amount ofconvenienr storage for cars. Establishing maximum (rather than minimum) parking st"andards, and requiring trans- portation demand manage menr (TDM) ro reduce traffic and parking demands, are also important in promoting more "valkable, livable communities. Since off-street parking represents a significant de- velopment cost, reduced parking requirements and public assisrant:e in providing disrrict parking can be important development incentives. Chapte1· 10 · De11dopm.:.nt Clwracter • PUin Grand Ra pids Land forms (hilltops. slopes, vallt:vs); rivers. creeks, wetlands and narural vegetafion are example:; c1( nan1- ral systems that can be inc._1rporated in -nnha than erased by -developmenr r0 preserve wbar is unique about an ;irea and to maintain a visible connection to the natural environment. Public Space Organization The pattern and landscape treatment of streets. parks, squares and plazas that make up rhe public realm establish the basic structure around which private~ development i.s organized. The design rrearmenr of public spaces encourages pedestrian use, private in- vestment and a visible civic life . • Page 124 • 10~2.2 "Vocabulary~ Project Concept Uses and Densities Some uses -for ex,1mple, drive-throughs, cir w<ishes and ~ervice stati.nns -are auro-clependcnr ;rnd diffi- culr to incorporate in older parts of the ciry without seriu11sly compmmi~ing walkabiliry. (U~t:,; thar t:en- cratc high \·olumes o( rruck traffic crn ab,1 be a sig- n ifi c:;11H prohkm when lr11cks rravcl on pedestrian-oriented neighborhood or shopping streers.) l.arge-,;c,tle 11ses -''big li<'Xc:/' or ll1<lJOr i11- dustri;1 I facilities -Glll also imp;i ct \\·;tlkabil ity by tak- ing llp a lor of gw11nd area for building fooi-prinr~ and parking. ln conrrasr, a finer grain mix of 11scs located within walking distatKe of ,1ne anorher ~ap proximately 2,000 teer) makes choosing <111 alterna- tive ro rhe c::ir easy. ln ::icldirion, gracl11al rrnnsirion~ in density help ro promore compatibility. /1tH1t11tional Mix~~d-use · Proj~~a ConLept Scale Building proportions (length to width to height) should be compatible with surrounding buildings. When new buildings are significantly larger (or smaller) than surrounding development, the charac- ter of the block front or neighborhood can be over- whelmed (or inappropriately diminished). Building height should also relate lO adj;Kent strnctmes, es- pecially on the street frontage and at neighborhood edges. Building heights can increase as the setback from these important edges increases. The overall form of a building -often defined by the shape of the roof -is also important in evaluating the com- patibility of new structures. Placement Consistent setback dimensions from the property line to the face of the building play an important role in mainraining the visu al character of an ;ire<i. In business district.s developed before World W;1r 11, buildings are typically located on the front property line. Maint;iining this setba,:k ro maintain a consis- tent "street wall" is imporrnnr in preserving the in- tegrity, pedestrian <1ppeal and walkahility of these districts. Traditional Business Ar~a Prnject Coacept • Orientation The orientation of a building's front fa.;:aJe and en- mmce also has an impacr on th,~ w<ilkabiliry, sense of scale and level of perceived security on adjacent streets. When from t~H,:ades and entrances arc ori- ented toward the side or rear of a site and foe~· park- ing areas, the walkability, visual interest and potential for an active street life are dimini~hed. Parking The amount, locarion and trearment of off-street parking can have significant impacts on development character and ,:ompatibility. Parking lots that <ire lo- cated between buildin.gs and the street give priority to the car, rather than to people. Parking lots located belv..'een neighborhoods and non-residenlial u~e.' GHl create an unattractive "no-man's land." Landscap- ing within and on the edges of parking lots is needed to reduce rheir negative visual impact. Care is also needed in locating access drives ro parking !ors, ;tnd in locating and screening service areas (truck unload- ing; dumpsters), ro minimize impacr~ un adj<te<~nt residential uses. 10.2.3 --Vocabulary: Project DetaH Articulation The articul~ttion of wall surfaces should also be c·ont- patible with the character ;me! rhythm of adjacent developmenr. The size'. and proportion of wimfow openings, t:he design treatment of entries, the ,;]ear definition of a building base'. ;md upper stories <tnd the articulation of vertical bays that echo the dimen- sions of other buildings on rhc bk,ck face will help ro determine how well a new or renovated fa\'.mle firs in with its neighbors. • Page 125 • • Landscape Lands-:aping can be used to provide canopy elen1t~nts thar unity and provide a sense ,,fhuman sc<1k in rhc streetscape environment. It softens and screens the visual impact of utilitarian elements such as parking lors or service areas. Site D etails Sire derails such as lighting, signs, tcncing, screen v..·alls and spt'.-:ial paving or awnings GHl help to Geate a -:bu identity, ,·isual interest and a sense of human sc<1le. To be effrctive in promoting (:omparibility, rlh~ choi-:e of sire details, and the way in which they ;ire used, shutild be coordi1rnted withi11 a11 are;\ or distri,:r. Materials , Compatibilir:y with rhe character of surrounding de- velopment is important in sdecting an appropriate palette o( materials (for walls, windows, doors, ere.) for rcnoYa ti on or new construcri.on. l n a rcsi(kn rial neighborhood characterized by sloped shingle roots, woc•dt:n dapboard ;:;iding, window-; a11cl duor~, a building with a flat roof .mJ unfinishe~d concrcre block or metal siding would he inapprnpriare. Plan Grand Rapids • Det•elopment Chara,:tn -Chapter 10 The Boai·dwalk, fonner!y the Be-rke~ and Gay furniture factor,, is PMt • of the ongoing transfOrmation in th~ North Monroe arra. Cha pter 10 · Development Character • Plan Grand Rapids 10~3 ~ Mixed#Use Overview This section presents sample development guidelines t-hat ill ustr;ire how careful ;mention to urban design can promote compatibility when different types of uses and densities of developmenr abm one anotlwr or are mixed togerher. Examples are prodded for the following situations: • infill and parking in a traditional business area located in a pre-World War II neighborhood context; • institutional mixed-use in a pre-\Vorld War fl business area and neighborhood context; • Page 126 • • industrial mixed-use in a prc-\Vorld W,u ll business area and neighborh<:>L'd C<.'ntext: • ~dwol reuse in <l pre-World \Var lI neighborhood cc>nrext; • auto-oriented commercial dcn·lopnwnt in <1 11ost-\'\!clrld \Var lI neighborhood c,)nrext. The Future Lmd Lse Map illll~rrares lll<\11')" uppor- tunitit·s for mixing uses to pronh.'t~· rhe ckvdopmcnr of a hum<in-scalc, walkable, s<iJc, trnnsit·supp,irtivc city. In addirion to Downtown <Hl<l more rrnditional ,:enter city neighborhood~, th,~s,: mix,·d-usc areas in- dllde: • are<is <Kljacent to Downrown (to the north and sourh. and hl the wesr of the ("!rand River); • linear riverfront mixed-use arc<1S; • instirurional mixed-use ;1re<1s on Downrown's edges; • traditional bllsiness are;1s; • mixed-use centers <H neighborhoc,ll, \·illagc and sub-regi~lnal ~L·aks. \Vhile not all areas ot' the city will be -or need to be -mixed-use in charact·er, almost all areas will need to deal more effectively ·with the imerfacl'. between residential and non-residential uses. Design th;1r is sensitive to its surrounding l~onrcxr is critical in <Khievi ng this compatibiliry. The neighborhood char- acter types suggested on Pages 120-122 provide an cwen iew of the range of physical form ;ind archirec- turnl character in the city. This gcncrnl guide Jml- vides ;i srnrting pc>inr for understanding how the elements of urban design can be used <tnd interpreted ro create ;i berrer fit between differenr types and den- sities of development. 10~4 ... Traditional Business Area in a Post ... World War II Neighborhood Context 10.4.1 .. District/Neighborhood · Transitions and Edges Connectivity 0 Provide transit, pedestrian and bicycle access to reduce dependence on cars and minimize traffic volumes and parking demands. • Provide transit srops located our of the flow of traffic. • Use traffic calming measures to create a safe and attrnct:ive pedestrian environment. • Maintain the existing grid of small blocks and connected streets to provide sidewalk connections to adjacent neighborhoods. • Connect to city bikeway systems and provide convenient bicycle storcige. 0 Encourage a mix of uses within a compact business area to create a focus of community activity and promote walking to and between destinations. 0 Incorporate smaller scale structures and less intensive uses as a transition between primary business frontage and adjacent single-family neighborhoods. • Encourage residential as parr of mixed-use development within the business district. • Encourage the development of medium- density housing (e.g., town homes or small apartmenr buildings) along secondary s1'recrs linking the business district to single-family neighborhoods. • Encourage the development of medium- density housing along primary streers linking compact dusrers of businesse~. Public Space Organization 0 Maintain (and, where necessary, reestablish) a pattern of small. blocks and relatively narrow, connected streets to enhance walkability. 0 Provide on-street parking as a convenience to patrons, to buffer the sidewalk from moving vehicles and to aid in calming traffic. 0 Encourage improvements to paving quality, street lighting, landscaping and cleanliness along primary and secondary business area streets to provide a comfortable, human-scale pedestrian environment. 0 Encourage the developnwnt of shared civic spaces as area focal points. • Page 127 • Cherry/Diamond Business Ari!a conrain.s a mix of use~ uithiH ll comfJact district. Plan Grand Rapids • Development Cl\{Lra,:te1 -Owpc~r 10 Parking 0 Encourage the development of shared district parking in strategic Locations, rather than attempting to provide needed parking on each site or block. 0 Reduce off-street parking requirements (establishing maximum, rather than minimum standards) in areas that are served by transit and bike routes and have strong pedestrian links to nearby neighborhoods. 0 Count on-street parking capacity (that is not required to meet the needs of existing homes) in meeting parking requirements. 0 Encourage development patterns that use buildings to screen off-street parking areas from primary and secondary streets and provide a compatible transition to existing residential areas. Proj,ct Concept: Traditional Busine,s Ar,a Chapter 10 · Developm~nt Cluiracter • Pinn Grand Rapids 10~4~2 .-Project Concept Uses and Densities 0 Encourage a mix of retail, service, entertainment, civic, office and residential uses to enhance the vitality of traditional business areas. • E1Kourage the conce ntrario n of retail uses in compacr core areas. Require active ground level shopping, service and entertainment uses on business district frontages in core areas ro cn:are an appealing pedes1Tian environment. • Prohibit (or permit only under stringenr urban design sta ndards) auro-orienred uses (e.g., drive-through, car wash, service station) rhai-det:rac1 from rhe walkabiliry of a trc1ditional business ;m:a. • Encourage the development of medium- density housing and residentially scaled office uses along primary srree ts linking ,:ompd cr dusters of bu~i nes~es. 0 Promote the development of medium-density housing as a transition between the primary business frontage and adjacent singlt.'-family housing (along secondary street frontages, screening district parking). Scale 0 New construction on primary and secondary business area street frontages should be compatible in scale with existing structures on the block and neighboring blocks. • Maintain predominanr existing building heights on business area street frontages. • Page 128 • • Build ing heights may incr..:asc on t:hc primary business area street frontage as they srep back from rhe ~treeL 0 New construction on secondary street frontages should provide a transition in height and scale from the business area to adjacent single-family development. 0 The massing of all new structures should be articulated to echo the proportions of nearby structures as viewed from the street. Placement 0 Locate new buildings on the primary business area street at the front property line to maintain the integrity of the streetwall and screen parking. • Provide active ground 11oor uses, display windows and en tries facing th<~ sidewalk. • Permit openings in the strectwCtl.1 that provide through-block p..:destria n connc,:rions and/ or create p ublic pla zas/squares. 0 Locate buildings at the intersections of primary and secondary streets to give architectural definition to the corners. • Public plazas/sq uares at the corner arc appropriate if rhcy are spari,1 1lv cndn~,~d hy buildings. 0 Set back medium-density residential structures on secondary streets to provide small from yards that create a transition to the depth of lawns fronting adjacent single-family residences. Orientation 0 Provide ground level storefronts and building entries facing all streets, plazas/squares and through-block walkways. Parking 0 Locate parking to the rear of the buildings. 0 Locate vehicular access to parking and service areas on secondary streets, immediately to the rear of the buildings facing the primary business area street. • Discourage curb cnrs for drivcw,1ys on the primary street frontage to avoid gaps in the streetwaJI and conflicts with pedestrians. 10~4~3 .,. Project Detail Materials 0 The architectural character, materials and finishes on new buildings should be compatible with surrounding structures and the larger neighborhood. • The ~ame marerials used on the primary fai;:ade should be used on all fai;:ades visible fron1 the street. • The materials used on fai;:ades facing parking areas may be lower in cost, but should be coordinated with the character of primary fai;:ade materials. • Articulation 0 The articulation of new building fa~:ades should be compatible in proportions and rhythm with surrounding structures. • Divide long fa<_~ades into smaller incrernenrs (bays) to echo the proportions ,,f existing strn.:t·1ires on the street. • Use a solid tu void (solid v,·all to wine.kiwi door opening) ratio and v. ind ow ::rnd door opening dimensions similar to those of orb.er buildings on rhe blockfront. • Design entrie~ (and pt)rches on residential structures) to echo the design elements/ n·eat:ments used on surrounding srr11ctT1res. Retail or o1her active giound floOt USG$ with offioo,resklelitial. or other use• al»-'8 Prnject Detail: Traditional Busm.ess Area 0 /Y •Page 129 • • Landscape 0 Provide and maintain high quality plantings and paving to add shade, color, texture and human scale. • De>ign parking ar~·as ro incluclc islands landscaped with shade m~es to reduce rheir ;1pparenr scale and ne).!<trin~ \'is1rnl irnp<h~r. • Lmdscaping should be providL·cl in the fronr yards ot' medium-density housing. Site Details 0 Use site details (street lights, signs, awnings) in a coordinated manner to add visual interest. Plan Grand Rapids • Detielopment Clwra,:ter · Chapcer 10 With parking loca1ed behind du building, th~ Pet~r M. Wege Ce11t,,,· relare.1 well to Lafayerte Av,mue and the nearby resid~ntial neighboo·lwod. Chapter 10 · Develo pment Cluiract<.r • Pinn Grand Rapids 10~5 .,. Institutional lVIixed ... Use in a Pre~World War II Neighborhood Context 10.5.1 "'District/Neighborhood · Transitions and Edges Connectivity 0 Encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation to reduce traffic and on-site parking demands. • Encourage transit° use by employees and visitors. Provide excellent transit s.;rvice to major employmenr desrinarions. Provide arcraccive rrari,it stops and well-lit pedesrri;rn conne,·rions. Provick incemives l(.1r rransit use (e.g., paid employee rransir pas;es). • Connect to the citywide pedestrian and bikeway systems. • Encourage the clen,lopment ll( ernployer- assistcd housing programs to encourage employees to live within walking/biking distance. • Encourage/require the formulation and implementation o( transportation demand managcmcnr progTams (e.g., assisr:mcc in ,:ar pooling; priority parking for C<H pool vehicles). 0 Encourage the d evelopment of complementary office uses, medium-densirv housing and retail and support services as part of the institutional mixed-use district ro reduce dependence on cars. • Pag,~ 130 • 0 Locate smaller scale structures and lower density uses on neighborhood and business district edges. • Enn)urnge medium-densirv residenrial and/ or office uses on neighb,xhood edges. • Encourage office and/ LW residential uses with ground floor rct>1il and scrvi1.:c mes on primary :>treets in and adjacc~nt to busines,.; Public Space Organization 0 Orient m.ajor institution entries to primary streets. 0 Incorporate public/ civic spaces, especially where they can benefit both the institution and the surrounding community. Parking 0 Encourage shared district parking that is located to meer the needs of both the institutional mixed-use developmenr and the adjacent business area. 0 Consider reducing off-street parking requirements (establishing maximum, rather than minimum standards) in districts that are served by transit and bike routes and have strong pedestrian links to nearby neighborhoods. 0 Encourage the development of structured parking to reduce the amount of land required to meet parking needs. • Where parking ramps fa ce a primary business area street, encourage the incorporation of ground floor commercial space. 10.5.2 .. Project Concept Uses and Densities 0 Encourage a mix of institutional, office, retail, service and residential uses. • Locate lower density uses on neighborhood and business area edges. • Encourage medium-density residential and/ or office uses on neighborhood edge~. • Encourage office and/or residential uses with gn.wnd floor rerail and .~ervices on primary streets in and adjacent ro business are as. Scale 0 Step down the scale of new buildings from larger and taller institutional structures in the interior of the block to allied office and/or residential structures along business area and neighborhood edges. • C hoose building heights that create a transition to adjacent residen tial and busines~ area structures (2 to 3 stories). • Allow building height~ on the primary business area frontage to increase as they step back from the street. • 0 Articulate the mass ing of the lower sca le perimeter structures on neighborhood edges (in ;rnd our from the street) to echo the rhythm ,)f adjacent single-family residences. Project C'-011cept ·Scale: Ir.stiwtionlll Mi;wi-Use. Existing Conditions Placement 0 Place buildings on the primary business area street to maintain the streetwall established on adjacent block'i. 0 Provide a deeper, landscaped setback on block fronts facing the neighborhood to buffer the increased density of development. • Page 131 • • Orientation 0 Locate ground level storefronts and building entries on the primary business area street ro provide pedestrian scale and interest. 0 At a minimum, include windows overlooking secondary (neighborhood edge) streets to provide "eyes" on the street. Building entries on these streets are also appropriate for office uses and are essential for residential uses . Parking 0 Locate tbe parking required to serve the institutional mi.xed-use development within the interior of the blod</dt'velopment. Surfaet' parking lots should not be located on the perimett~r of the institutional m ixed-use block. • Encourage the dcveloptnl'lH of stru.::turcd parking and parking th:n i~ shared 1.>;ith the adjac,~nt business area. • Encourage the de\"eloprncnt of "liner" buildings herween parking de.-b ;rnd ;1dj:Kent blocks/de,·dopmen t edges. 0 Provide primary vehicular access to the institutional mi.xed-use development, and its parking and service areas, from the primary street, or access from secondary (neighborhood) streets immediately behind new mixed-use structures facing the primary street, to minimize traffic impacts on the neighborhood. Plan Grand Rapids • Dewlo/Jment Cluirac:tn -Clwpter 10 Tnc form el· American Seating Company factory is being renovated as a mixed-we facility. Chapter 10 · Developm~nt Clwracter • Plmi Grand Ra pids 10<t6 ... Ind11J1strial Mixedl~Use in a Pre..-World War II Neighborhood Context 10~6~ 1 .. District/Neighborhood · Transitions and Edges Connectivity 0 Encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation to reduce traffic and on-site parking demands. • En,:ournge transit u~e by employee~. Provide exrdlenr tr.imit "ervkc to major employment clestinaduns. Provide atnani,•e transit stops and well-l it peclestrLm ,:onr1ectk,ns. Provide incentin:s for trnnsir l"" (e.g., paid employee rr,1mit passes). • Connect to the citywide pedesn-ian and bikeway sysrems. • Encourage the development <if employer- assisted housing pr<Jgntm~ ro cnc01m1ge employees to live within walking/biking distance. • Encour;u~e/require the formulation and implementatio n of transportation demand management progr,1rn~ (e.g., assistance in car pooling; priority p;irking for ca r pool vehicles). 0 Encourage the development of complementary office uses, medium-density housing and retail and support services as part of the industrial mixed-use district to reduce dependence on cars. • Page 132 • 0 Locate smaller scale structures (a nd/ or buildings that step down in height) on neighborhood and business area edges of the block/ district. 0 Encourage office and/ or residential uses with ground floor retail and services on primary street.s in and adjacent to business areas. Public Space Organization 0 Maintain the pattern of small blocks and relatively narrow, connected streets to enhance walk ability. Parking 0 Encourage shared district parking serving both the industrial mixed-use development and the adjacent business area. 10.6~2 .. Project Concept Uses and Densities 0 Encourage the development of complementary retail and support services, office uses and medium-density housing (on upper stories) on the primary street frontage in and adjacent to business areas. Scale 0 Step down the height and scale of buildings from larger industrial structures in the interior of the block to Lower, Less ma5sive structures on the neighborhood and business area edges. • Choose building heights that create a transition to adjacenr residenrial structure~ (2-) stories). • Allow greater building heights on the primary business area street frontage, with increased heights allowed as the building steps back from the street. 0 Articulate the massing of new perimeter structures on both neighborhood and business area edges to echo the rhythm and proportions of existing buildings. Placement 0 Place new buildings on the primary business area street to maintain the streetwall created by building setbacks on adjacent blocks. 0 Place new buildings on residential (secondary) streets to provide Landscaped setbacks at least as deep as the yards on adjacent residential structures. Project Concetn · Plac~ment: Industrial Mixed-Use, Existing Conditions Pro;e..:t Cun..:~pt ·Placemen!: Indu.snud 1\.1u:~d-Us!!, Hecornmenditd Orientation 0 Locate ground level storefronts and building entries on the primary business area street to provide pedestrian scale and interest. 0 Provide window openings on fa\'.ades of new structures overlooking (secondary) neighborhood streets to provide a sense of "eyes" on the street. Parking 0 Provide parking on the interior of the industrial mixed-use block so that it is screened from the adjacent neighborhood and business area by new buildings. • Encomage the sh,ired use of parking wirh rhe adjacent business area. 0 Provide vehicular access immediately behind new mi.xed-use structures on the primary street to minimize traffic impacts on residential streets and avoid creating a drive,vay gap in the primary street business frontage. • Page 133 • • Site Details 0 Prohibit the use of chain link fendng on neighborhood (secondary street) and business district (primary street) edges. Use ornamental fencing and/or landscape sc reening. Plan Grand Rapids • Development Clwra,:ter -Crwpcer 10 The fo11ne1· Grand Rapi<h Christian High Schoo! on the corner oj Franklin and M11dison SE is 1101!' the office hu.1Ulin.~ for the Fmniiy lndep,,ndence Age.ncy (FIA). Chapte1· IO · Development Charact~r • Pl.an Grand Rapids 10~ 7 .,. School Reuse in a Pre ... World War II Neighborhood Context 10 .. 7~1 ... Project Concept Uses and Densities 0 Give preference to office (including service agencies), educational and residential reuse of former school buildings. 0 Discourage major e:\.-pansion of the existing building footprint to maintain existing open spaces/ parko;. Placement 0 Maintain the original front and side yard setbacks to retain the original relationship between the structure (a focal point) and the neighborhood. Project Concept -Placemen t: Schooi Re11s~. faisti n~ Conditwns Orientation 0 Maintain the original front entrance evt~n though primary access for the new use may be located at the rear of the building. • Page 134 • • Parking 0 Locate parking to serve the new use behind the existing building and maintain sufficient open space and landscaping to soften its impact on the neighborhood. 10. 7.2,, Project DetaH Articulation 0 Maintain the size of original window openings. Landscape ()Retain existing mature trees. ()Provide additional landscaping in side and rear yards to decrease the visual impact of increased parking on the neighborhood. 0 Use a combination of hedges and canopy trees on the perimeter of the parking lot for screening and shade. Site Details 0 Pt•rimeter fencing of the parking area should be ornamental and in character with the residential context. 10~8 ~ Auto~Orientedl Commercial in a Post ... World War II Context 10$8$1 ~District/Neighborhood · 10*8~2 .. Project Concept Connectivity 0 Provide alternatives to the automobile in accessing auto-oriented commercial development. • Provide improved bus srops along rransi r routes se rving auto-oriented commercial development. • Provide sidewalks along primary streets and improve cross walks \Vhere needed. • Provide sidewalk connections along secondary streets to connect auto-oriented commercial development ro adjacent residential neighborhoods. • Provide links to citywide bike and greenway syste ms. Transitions and Edges 0 Require landscaping on site edges to screen and buffer adjacent residential uses. Placement 0 At important intersections, encourage infill development that locates buildings to anchor and define corners and screen parking lots. Orientation 0 Locate building entri.es and storefronts to face the primary street. • For infill buildings loc;1red close to rhe ~m:~er, encourage srore wind,,ws and enrril::< ah'llli <H least fifty percent (50%) of the front fa,;a de. Proj~ct C.:Oncepr · ()rie~;tarion: Alfto (hi~nted Commercial. Existing Conditions • Page 135 • Protit.le impro•:i.!d bus irD{Js along uam:ir r1J1ttl?.'l seriing mHo-oriented commercic1l dct't:luJm1ent. Plan Grand Rapids • De11elopment Chara,:ter · Cfwpter 10 Project ConcejJt -Parking: A11to Oriented Commercial. flecommendd Chapter 10 · Development Character • P!tm Gmnd Rapids • Pag..: 136 • • Parking 0 Consolidate driveway access for l~ustomers and service vehicles in a single location on the primary street frontage. Permit access from secondary streets. 0 Provide and maintain landscaping (hedges and shade trees) to screen parking lots from primary and secondary streets; low masonrv walls and decorative fencing may be used in combination with landscaping. 0 Provide attractive pedestrian connections through parking lots to front doors from both primary and secondary streets. 0 Provide islands planted with shade trees within parking Lots to reduce their visual impact and make them more hospitable to people on foor. 0 Locate and screen loading areas and dumpsters to minimize their visibility from adjacent residential property. 10~8~3 "' Project DetaH Landscape 0 Landscaping is essential to screen parking areas, provide buffers to adjacent residential uses and create a more hospitable pedestrian environment along streets. 10~9 ... Higher Quality Medium and High ... Density Residential Design 10~9~1 .. Overview This section pres.:nts development gu idel ines in- tended t:o promote higher quality design fo r medium- and high-density res idential development. Medium- a.nd high-density res idential development refer~ rypi- cally to multifamily residences. including apartments, fownhomes and condominiums, either n~nud or owner-occupied. Med ium-density is defined as resi- dential development of 10 to 15 dwelling units per acre. High-density residential is defined as 15 or more dwelling units per acre. The Future Land Use Map envisions many oppor- ru nities for new medium-and high-density residen- tial development in Grand Rap ids: as part of mixed-use districts in and near the Downtown; an- choring n ew mixed-use, village and sub-regional mixed-use centers; as an upper story use within older neighborhood business districts; as redevelopment of underutilized or obsolete commercia l parcels; as infill within existing neighborhoods; and as new de- velopment on vacant land. The goal is to locate higher residential densities on transit lines and to serve as a transition benveen non-resi dential uses and lower density ho using areas, as illusm1ted in the Fu- tim Land Use Ma p (Page 21). The underlying objective for improving rhe qual- ity of higher density residential design is to provide a variety of future housing choices within the city in a more physically integrated way. Design that is sen- sitive to its surrounding context and that responds to the physical and architectural character of its se t- ting provides that integration. The neighborhood character types presented in f igure 1 O.a . Neighbor- hood Character Types Map · Page 120 and Figure 10.b · Community Character Types· Page 121 provide an over- • view of the range of physical t;xm and archirecrural character in the ciry. Ir is a gener;1l guide, howeYer. Any new higher density residc~ntia l development or infill project should be designed in response to the spedfic conditions (both natural and an:hirec:tmal) of its site. 10*9 .. 2 .. District/Neighborhood Connectivity 0 Coordinate the location of medium-and high- density residential development more effectively with Grand Rapids' transportation network to reduce the n eed for trips by car, distribute traffic more evenly and encourage transit use. • Connect new ::ind redeveloped housing areas to rhe existing city strcc~t nctwL1rk . Ex[encl rhe existing >treet network inm ancl through new dewlopinems. Maintain JncVor ex[end rhe exis[ing pattern of stret'fs and blc,rb. Avoid the u>e c•f cul-cle-><tcs. • Con nect to citywide pcdcsrrian and bikcw.1y systems. lnd udt> sidew<1lb in new and infill hou::ing <le,·elopmenr;; 8nd <onnecr rhem to rhe cxisring sidewalk 1wt1.vork. Incorporate bikeways consi:;rent wirh rhe kKal and regional bikeway nusrer plans. • Page 13 7 • Plan Grand Rapids • Development Chara,:ter -Ctwpcer 10 • Locate and design medium-and high-densiry • res idential development to suppor t transit use. Locate medium-and high-<lensiry residential de,·elopmenr on transit romes. Provide safo, well-lit pedestrian access to transit stops. • lntegrate medium-and h igh-density residential development with retail and support services. locate new higher density residential development within, adj>lcenr ro and/or within wa lking distance of existing and planned retail areas (including transit-oriented development cenren). Encourage residential units above recall as pan ot a mixed-use district. Allow small scale. resident-serving retail and services as pan of medium· and high-density housing developmenrs within mixed-use ;neas. Good Ex;zmph's I I I I I I j I I I I I I I I I -L--j.----1- -·---· ··---I I I I I i : I _l__T-_1_+- - I Extending street grid Lonnc::cts n~tt.' devdopnient. -~---1----- I --#-·---l--l_ Exrt'nding block pattent connects infill. Chapter 10 · Devel.opm .. mt Cluiraaer • Pl.a n Grand R.apid.s Bad Examples Single acct.'.ss and ring rot1d isolare..s nt>-u de~:dopment. ~, I > 1( Ii ii Transitions and Edges 0 Blend medium-and high-density residential development into the surrounding neighborhood context. • Provide a variery of densities \Vithin new housing developrnenrs to allc>w incremental t:rnnsi tions in density that maximize compatibility wirh existing neighborhood edge~. Promore re>idemial \'arietywithin larger housing developn1ents. Step clown densirv where aburring single-family neighborhood,. Locate higher density "t the center of new developnH:'nr, akmg major tlwroughfares, and/ or abutting non-re;iclential development. • Page 138 • • Blend rhc visual appearance of medium-and high-den~ity residential developmem with surrotinding neighborhoods. Provide visual transition$ along prin1 .. 1ry sm.'el front<1ge; and/ or more visible edge> (•t the new development. De,;ign residenridl infill to bc C(>mp,Hibk with >t1rrounding neighborhood ch<ll'~hT<'r. Orienr building fmnr doors w rhe >trcer. Incrc:m~ntd.l ch.ang~ in den.sit)' i11 n.~11' construcrion. Natural Systems 0 Incorporate a site's natural features into higher density residential developments. • Preserve, as much as possible, a site's natur:il features and envirornnentally sensitive areas. Cluster development to preserve narural teatures and open space. Preserve woodlands, hedgerows, wetlands and landmark trees. Maintain a natural vegetation buffer (minimum 15 foot depth) n~xt r0 existing w<•rlands and v:ater bodies. • Site housing to minimize grading impacts. Srep buildings down slopes ro retain the natural grade. Do not force walk-out condition,; on shallow slopes. Minimize parking tootprims on steeply sloped sin•s, for example by placing parking under buildings. • Preserve a site's natural fratures as ::in interconnected system. Preserve n<Huml features, w rhe greatest extent possible, as cominuou,; sysrems, rnrher than in isolated pockets. Conn0ct open spaC(' sysrcms and wildlife corridors on and off-sire i·or greater habitat value. \Vhere ft•asibk, provide ptxlestrian greenway connections (oft~street paths and tTails) to the larger ritywide open space system. Lack of pre.servarion in site de.1ign. Preseri.·ation of .,lopeli, t1·oodl<1!!ds. Public Space 0 Incorporate parks and civic spaces into higher density residential development. • Include new neighborhood parks, square~ or other civic spaces in new residenri<1l development. Provide open space lor active and pa,siv,, r~\.:rcation in new dt.:n:lop1nc:nt~. Locare new parks <1nc.l neighborhood re.:rearion~tl teanm:s in highly visible areas, wirhin c:asy walking disrnnce ot unit>. c:onnect parks and l.:ivic .:'prtc1:~~ to the citywid1:~ pedestrian sy:<tem. [111..:lufl\;~ l.:iYiC ~p(lleS and ;::qttal\:~~ (or gr,~e-ns) '1S f'<lft of mixed-me residential dtwlopnient'. • Design residential infill and redevelopment to reinforce existing parks, schools, playgrounds and civic uses. Provide direct p('destrian and street connections to existing parks, schools ;rnd civic U>t~s. • Page 139 • Plan Grand Rapid:; • Development Charac:ter -Cfwpter 10 10. 9 .3 .. Project Concept Uses and Densities 0 Encourage greater housing variery and a mi.-x of retail and neighborhood services in medium and high-density residential developments. • Provide a range of housing densities, not ro exceed the overall density pcrmirtcd. Encourage an integrated mix of housing densities, types and costs to promote income and lifostyle dioict:s within larger developments. Provide a finer mix of lwusing rypes wirhin blocks, rather than large tracts of the same housing rype. Encourage a mix ot owner-occupied and rental units within devdopmenrs, even on sanw lot (ancillary unit:: or granny !hr::). • Integrate medium and high-density residential development with compatible retail, workplaces and neighborhood services. Encourage the den·lopment of higher density housing in mixed-use centers Encourage small >cal,\ residenr-serving ground floor retail in medium an<l high-densiry residemial rede,·elopm enr on major city srrecr>. Mixed housi11g densiri"5 on the same block. Clwpter 10 -Developm~nt Clwrawr • Plan Grand Rapids Residential and retail mixd.11;e. b.mnpl.: of an anciilnry unir (granny fl.ad. • Page 140 • • Scale 0 Promote the compatibility of higher density residential development with the character of surrounding neighborhoods. • The scale of new dcvdoprnt:nt should fir wirhin the context of the block and neighhorhoc>d. Allow bigher dc•n>ity residenrial dewk)pnwnr ro esrabli>l1 incremental increases in the height, mass and scale of adjacent structur,:s. Step down the height of de\'elopmem adj.Kem ro :;ingle-family homes or other smalkr stru,:run·s. New developrnem >hould mainrain rhc predomin.un beighl" of exL>ting buildings at rhc .;meet, whilC' allowing the new building's height r,) increase inncm<'nr;Jlly .~s ir sreps back from rhe streer. The ,l\'ernll rnas>ing and artil:uLuion ot dw prim<HY bllilding front.ige should be in proponion wirh exisrin~ single-family ht,mei' e>r srrnrrnr,•s ,)n rl"· hl0,·k. • New higher density residential development should be compatible with the arch itecturnl character of existing neighborhoods. Use nw!linc> and roof pirrhes rompatibk wirh a<lja(enr srrucrnres and overall n,·ighborhoc.cl d1ararrer. For example, use stt~epc•r pitched rool~ in prc•-\V\X!ll areas, shallvw<'r m0t" pttchco in r.mch style neighborhoods and tlar roots in rra<litional bu.>ine-$s an•as. Placement 0 Building placement should be compatible with the site's natural character and the surrounding neighborhood's physical pattern. • Place buildings on a site consistent with its topog raphy and natural foatures. Work wirh rhe ropography o!" a sire w minimize site grading. Preserve natur.11 fe<irures ,,r landmark rrees, as much as possible. • Maintain rhe same setback from rhe street for higher density residential development as the majority ot' exist"i.ng st-r11ctures on that !'treer (or within that neighborhood). Maintain the existing strecr wall (distance from rhe srreer nr r roperry linr) for residenrial infill in older neighborhoods or in ndghborhoo<l business areas. A consistent streetwall gives spatial definition to the public realm, creating more pleasant, usable outdoor space. Maintain setbacks consistent v.irh rh,~ residential setbacks in single-family neighborhoods. A consisknt mutwal1 defines outdoor space and the pedestrian realm. In.consistent setbacks <lnd fac;ad~.~ th?f1k~n th~ .)treer.,.._·afh· (i.nd pi.:dt:Strian edge. Orientation 0 Orient primary fa~ades and front entrances to reinforce the public realm. • O rient the primary fa<;ade and main bui lding enrrnnces to the street. Provid(' at least 01w primary fr,)nt <!nrra11<:c· on street. S('{:ondary entrc:\Ill"('~ Oll Sid\~ StTC\~t~ ll1<:\.V also lw provided.· · Provitk sidcwalb from from ('llfr.l!Kcs to rl\(' iroming >treet, connecring to the dty >idewalk netv.'ork. • Archirecl'llrally define huildings' primary entrance(s) to the buildings from the street consistent with the archirecwral chanKter of rhe surrounding stnH:tllres or neighborhood. • Page 141 • • Plat:c building mechanical and/or supporr functions toward the re ar of the sit<:, aw<w from rhc primary fr,>nra~c or ~rn:er. Scretn nh!ckrni<:al <;>quipmcnt, ki.hling dcKks a11ll build in~ St't\'ke frutn tit~ vi~w (•f adia<'enr pn.)p\;~rt.i\;""~ and public rigl1r~-or-w~1y. Cmage.1 fanng the str<et deaden the publi,: 1e.itm. Plan Grand Rapids • Dmdopment. Chara,:ter -Clwpcer 10 Parking O Garages and parking lots should not dominate the primary frontage of the development. • Consider establishing maximum, rather than minimum, parking requirements for higher density residential development. • Lornte parking ro the rear of the site or building. No parking should be allowed in front yartb. Rear yard parking (induding parking under rhe buildings) i!' encouraged, accessed trom a rear alley and/or-;ide srreec. Internal parking courryards, screened (rom rhe street, ar,, also encouraged. Where the above conditions cannot be mer, parking mav be located ar rhe side of buildings with ad~quate screening. • Utilize on-street parking to meet parking needs, where possible. Encourage a srreer parrern in higher density residential developments rhat allows for on-stTeet parking and reduces rhe number of' spaces needed in off-street !ors. On-srreer parking may be used for visitor parking, or ac< part of the resident parking requi.rement, provided it does nor co-opt on-srreer parking rhat serves pre-existing homes. Provide offstreet parking for vL>it.ors i( on-street parking is not sufficient. • Screen parking lots from adjacent properties and public rights-ofway. Screen all off-street parking from adja.:ent properties with a 6-foot tall screenwall or dense evergreen hedge. Screen all off-srreer parking from p11blic righrh)f wav with a 4-foor tall screenwali or dense evergreen hedge. - Chapter 10 · Development Clwract..:r • Pinn Grand Rapids Po.~itl\'t! orientation to the street. Parking tucked 1111der r<Sidence.1, accessed from 1e.ar. • Page 142 • 10.9~4 .-Project Detai1 Materials 0 Architectural character, materials and finishe:. of higher density residential development should be compatible with surrounding structures and tht> neighborhood. • u~e high quality, durable exrerit)r matcriab and finishes. l-li211 quality marerials include wc .. xl siding. >tone, brick, mdal :md stucc0, comL5rem with the ,urrounJing di>trirt. Residenrial infill devel0pment :'110uld inwrpN;itt' the prc•Jumin,rnr material> used Nl rll<' blvc·k. lnnovat.ive or environmenral\y rc·sponsihle extaior materials may be included prn\'idc·d rhcy are similar in tinish, dinh"1sion, texture and proportion to rhe building nl<lt<~rials duracererisri< of rl1(• neighborhoo,l or di:<tricr. Quality rriin and ,ic:cenr materials inrlurk wn,)d r•r vinvkbd wood. ,:tramk rili: ~md mtral, 1:ompari11k \\'id1 ~urrounding structure~ t\r ndghbvrltoo1..l. Extend rhc primary fa<;ride material~ to ~idc r;~<,·ade~, particuh1rly when \'isibk from rhe srrecr. • Simple finishes and detailing are preferred, consistent with adjacent structures and homes. Simplicity in material' i; preterred. t.g. no more than three primary materials per fa<;atle. Window and door trim should complement the overall building design and use materials consistent wirh the neighborhood. • Encourage a coordinared variety of architectural design within larger developments. High qualit), darable mareriaLI. Articulation 0 The design and articulation of building fa<;:ades should be compatible with surrounding structures and the neighborhood. • Primary fai;:ades should be in proportion with existing structures on the block or in rlw ne ighborhood. Divide !,mg fa\·ades into smaller incremenrs (!My>) in proportion to the rhychm and dimensions oC existing single-family homes or other structures of the srreer. Shallow projections (bay winJows, bakonit•s, porches, and building overhangs) or setbacks from rlw primarv fa1·ade are em·ouragt•d, compariblt~ wirh the architectural dur.tcter of d1e surrounding strucwres. Fairadc! anic11ltiticm and Jnnj)ortion of lloors c.md window.\ c.fft! (Om/wtiblt' "'irh e>i.1ting homes. • Design window and do,)r opening~ to he ..:omparibl e and in proporti<)n with adjacent strucru res. Use a rnlid to void (solid v.odl r" wind""'/d,;or opening) ratio on front fa<;.<de,; ot new building> similar r0 rhar <>I° exi.-ring srn1.-r11re:<. Use window and door opening dimension:< c0mparihle ro acli,Kl'nt srn1cmre>. F0r 1'xampk, use narrow, more vt>rriral proporriom in prt>-\Xl\Vll .ir~a,, wider more hori:ontal pruportit>ns for posr- WW!l neighbNhoods. • Higher density residential devdopmenr on a corner should treat L'oth frwades as primary fac;a des. • Page 143 • · Landscape 0 Incorporate high quality landscape design (both plantings and plaza paving) to add shade, color, texture and human scale. • Landscape design and materials should mainrnin visibility ro emranccs and fa.,:ade~ from the street. Fronr yard st•rh.Kk ar.::a:< 111:1v b~ Luldsc;qx:d with" combination o( turf. ground c'Ovcr, low :<hntli>. tr..:C-:' and conift'rs. Simple plantings and heel layouts are prc-ferred. Povl'd cntratKf'> anJ/or t'<lllrtyarJs shun!J lie consrrucced of durabll' materials ,u.-h .1s concrcrc-, brick, stom' or nnir P<\vers. • Sneet tn~e~, lawn and/or low ground co\'er should b..: planrccl near rhc srreet ro e~rabbh a consi~tent streetscape. . The ,;treerscape design sh01dc! ht-c0111p:irib!e with rhe block ;md surr0\mding neighborhood. • Side and rear parking lots should incorpL)rate c;mopy tTees and lands,·apecl isl:mcls to redu,·e hear and g lare~. Twdiuunal 'itTt'tV1c,1J>!' de.sign with n~ti infill. Plan Grand lfopid.s • Development Ch.nra,:ter -Chapter 10 Chapter 10 · DeveLo pment Character • Pkrn Grand Rapids Site Details 0 Architectural detailing should be incorporated to add visual interest and human scale to higher density housing, compatible with the character of the neighborhood. • The character and amount ot" an:hitectural detailing should be ,:omp<nible wirh the block/neighborhood. Projections, bays, balconies. porclw,;, stoop;; and overhangs should be in proporrion ro rhc over" ll design. All building der"il~ ::lwuld he of high qualiry rn;1terials and finbht·:: con::istent with the architectural character o( the developmenL • Page 144 • • Site lighting All building emrances and ;lccess ""'!ks should b,~ wdl lir. P,~destrian scile sklewalk lighting ::lwuld b,• provided. consist,•nt with rlw block cir neighborhood. A!l parking ll)tS ::htJtild lw we'll lir !\_1r sai'cty. while ;;hiekling Glare from neighboring propcrti.cs. High q1.tt"tl1tv ard1itc:\·t11wtl d.•tailing in makr1ab, surle, prn['ortion and repctll'it>n. lncompa1ibl.~ cm.:hifecunu.l dctailin,g, lou.1~r lft.wlit:-; nwkrial.s. 10~10 ~Green Space in the Central City 10.10.1 .. Overview This section provides recommended developmenr guidelines to promote the increase of green space in the central ciry. Parks, recreation and green space are necessary ro the creation of a vital and vibrant central city. Public green spaces implemented in a systems-wide approach provide a cenrrnl focus for new developmenr, serve as a caralyst for private invest- ment and contribute to the creation of a coherent framework of open space amenities. The Master Plan envisions a city of urban district:s organized around a system of green space and con- nected by a network ~)f green street~. paths and natu- ral corridors. Increasing green space in the central city can be achieved through a variety of approaches, including street tree plantings, development of new neighbor- hood squares and pocket parks and the reclamation of underutilized or vacant spaces. A sust:ained effort will be required to create partnerships and locate funding for acquisition, development and mainte- nance of expanded green space in the central city. During the development of the Master Plan, the focus for increasing green space in the central city narrowed to three essential topics -green space re- lated to roads and rights-of-way; vacant and underutilized land; and stormwater management. For ease of reference, guidelines for each of these three focus topics are presented under a general gu ideline statement that is related to a specific guideline vo- cabulary element. ~ Primary Frame1.,ork The Grand Ri11ctr sen'f.S as the spin.: of th~ open spac.: sy.sit~m ent'ision~d in the Ma.ste-r PlnH. / • Page 145 • Second,1ry Frame1mrk Urhan distri.:ts mgani~ed £noitnd a system of grecnspnL c. Pllln Grand Rapids • De1 -dopment CIUJra.:ter -Cl-u1pter 10 10.10.2 ,,. District/ Neighborhood Connectivity 0 Coordinate both public and private sector planning of green space improvements to create interconnected systems that link neighborhoods and districts to the river and the larger citywide framework of greenways and non-motorized paths. • Streets and Righrs-of-Way ldentitY, and de::ignare through design rreannents, sped fie central ciry srreets ro serve as green connections and a(cess points ro the rh·er. Develop on-srreet demenrs of rhe proposed primary open space framework m provide major connections to regional systems. Plan and implement a citywide system of on-street bike routes that link residents to key activity centers such as parks. shopping cenrer::. transit srops and schools. • Vacanr and Underntilized Land Plan green space to create a linked system of diverse parks and recreational facilities. Promote rhe creation of quality landsc;1pe corridors along tributary (reeks and floodplains to connect neighborhoods. Ad,~mce th<' praaice of neighborhood planning ro include a system-wide acquisition strategy for parks, open space and ripari«n corridors. • Srormwarer Management Coordinate basin-wide mam'r planning and design of srormwater improvemenrs wirh green spa(e plans !(>r neighborhoods in rhe central ciry. Connect neighborhoods to the regional greenway nerwork and the Grand River through riparian habitat corridors r.hat follow the river's tributaries, per the recommendations of rhe Master Plan. Chapte1· 10 -Developmo?.nt Chara.:tcr • Plan Grand Rapids ldentih and desig>utte throi<gh design rreatnw1ts specifi..: centml cit; strats to serie as guen connections. Connl!ctions rhrot<gh a netu;or~ ofcon-1dors tOllm.t•lng thi? riparian habitat of the rily. • Pag"-146 • • Transitions and Edges 0 Provide green space as a transition betwet~n incompatible land uses, along major utility or transportation corridors and as a buffer to protect natural systems such as wetlands, streams and rivers. • Srreets and Righr~-of-Way l)esign streen~ . ...:apt..• rrearn1enrs rh.H buffer neighborhoods from high volume tr:lffk corridor;. and thar reduce die barriers rh,ir r.hc;e ,,,rridor> ,·reare between neighborhoods. Plan streetsc.lpe improvement> for rnMI> th.n Gill :'erve as a rransirion bet\\'Ct: .. n inc0111parihle use:', rnd1 <l.S resicknti«l and indu::rrLtl land llS(':'. • Vacanr and l'nderntilized L1nd At·quirt:> vacant or undermilizt'd pan:d; ,·ontigucrn> to protected narnral resource; a; buffe1» and rran~irions re., du• resour(e. Inventory va,·;int pa red s along the ()r.rnd River t<J facililak acquisirion efforr, in impkmenring" greenway corric.lr·r and river w;ilk. • Stormwarer M:magemenr Prnvkl\' a cGntin11011s greenwc1y edge al1>ng the Grand River. and a variable width green ::pac~ edge' along all rriburnrv streams, a:; a method !nr improving the qualirv of surfa,·t nm otf (rom developed areas in the central city. Natural Systems 0 Develop cooperative processes within the Grand Rapids region to coordinate planning and design of public improvements with natural resource protection plans. • Street.s and Rights-of-\X!ay Align roads along rhc t~dges of parks an<l natural systems to enhance the visual quality ot the route. Use utiliry rights-of-w<ty ro link narural areas. • Vacant and Underutilized Land Encourage the purdrnse of environ men rally sensitive lands along d1e city's river and srreams to serw rhe <lual purpose of srormwarer buffers and green space. Acquire vacant an<l underurili.zed parcels comiguous to protected narnral systems as a means ro exten<l the resources into the community fabric. Provide vacant parcels that are managed rn support a native landscape to encourage wildliie and natural habirat in rhe central dry neighborhoods. Preserve natural foarures, to rhe greatest exrem possible, as a continuous system, rarher rhan isolated pockets. • Stormwater Managemenr Esrablish a structure/mechanism within rhe city to make coordinated stonnwatcr manageme1H on a basi.rvwide basis more feasible and attractive. Encourage the redevelopment of dosed stonn""~1ter systems as daylighted systems that increase water qualiry, hab;<ar suirabiliry <tnd flood umrrnl opportunirie>. A tmns/1orcation network de1doj1ed £1rotmcl rl1c na111ml assets of the ciry. Public Space Organization 0 Use public green space as a focal point of activity and civic life in the central city. • Streets and Rigl:ns-of W;ty Pr0vide streetSGlpt" in1pro\\'ment:.: that i:apitali:::e c1n dw city stre,,t 1w1work in linking the ciry's public sp.;ces and advandng rhl' ;;genda uf .\ drvwide pedestrian network. Dt·velop lX'nrral .:it)' gatt-w.iys as ::trccr identifiers an<l 1najor dc~1nencs of the city fr1bric. ln1prO\>e1nent~ slwuld indud<· ;\ combin<Hion ot ne'"· shrubs ;rnd flowers, in conjun..:rion with lighring, signagt:1 rurniture and public nr. Corninne traffic calming ct'forts ,rncl create boulevanb: or parkwavs ~n kev stn:~ets c·l vdriouc:' sGti<'s. · , • Vacant and Undcrutiliz,~d Land [l,:vclop, in c:ol1.1lmrarion with residents, plans tu acquirl' vacanr Lind for p,nb and ,:mrnrn.m gt\:c'l1 spac(',: in c:('nrral dry ndghborhoods in rlh' ,·onrcxr of the Park and Recrearion !\'laster Plan. Where possible, locare ;\park c)r sqnar<' as rlh' h1n1s of emerging or proposed neighborhood rrdewloprnenr projec:rs and rrnnsir-orienred, llliX<'d use developn1t:nt centers. • Page 147 • • Stormw;ircr Management Consida the creation of p;nks and ,·ivic spaces in the pl:rnning and cksign ot arC'.1-v•idc: sronnw;m'r improvements; balance swrmwarC'r and floud conrrol enginet~ring iwed,: wirh rlw ,·rearion c>t' Ltseable, aesthdically pleasing publi<-spaces. Plan fur a sysre1n of urban pcnks <1nd l)pt~n spaces for acrh-e and passive Lise .i.cljacent to wetlands and noodplains, when feasible, to enhance rc·,ourcc· inr,:rpreration and <'ducarion ('r the natural tearures. Plan Grand Rapi<L1 • Development. Chara,:tf:'r -Chat>tcr 10 10.10.3 ... Project Concept • Scale Uses and Densities 0 Locate new green space to be compatible with the existing community context and to be appropriate to the density of the residential population and/ or targeted user groups. • Streets and Rights-ofWay Locate parks <\l1d green spaces ro be vL5ible from dry streets, especially pedestrian priority Hreets, and r.o serve h igh-density residenrial and/or transit- oriented, mixed-use areas in the ,:t•nrr;1l dry. • Vacant and Underutilized L,;.ind Locate parks and green spaces w complement ndzhborhood srructure and wit.bin o ne-half mile walking dista1Ke of the popularion served. Plan for the rC'de.elopmenl ot'varanr parcels as neighborhood parks where land uses arc compatiblt• and appropriate location rtquirenwnrs are acl1ieved. • Stormwater Management ln high-densiry projects, day lighting of stonnwarer infrastructure should be Pncouraged and designed to serve visual and recreational, as well as storm water management, purposes. Gr~~n.spac~ used at street ends ill the pianning of re:;idemial. developmrnt. Chapter 10 -Developm~nt Character • Pl.an Grand Rapids 0 Encourage the provision of green space in public and private project planning that is designed to provide human-scaled passive and active recreation opportunities that are responsive to the existing development contexr. • Streets and Rights-of-Way T lte location and sizl' of green sp,Ke ,dwuld cn1nplen1enr pede~rrian priority srrr-l·r.~ re'\ en::;ure cominuity of aniYity. • Vacanr and U n derutilized Land Vacant and und.:rnt.ili:ed parrds developed as pan of dw open spa<e plan !·or new dew•lc,pmenr ar dw project sc<1le should have a minimu m of 10,000 square foet o( use:ible bnd and rhe park inreric,r should b,, visible from [he cnrran-:<.>s. • Srormwater Managemenr Sronnwarer iwmagemenr facilities should be: designed with lanrhcape improvements rhar rre,it.c a h111nan·1'Gile and help rn meer the c•pen sp;h:e ne.cds ot' the d ry. H:nnalHcaled gr~i?nspa~,~ d~i-~n~d as an t'.X?c·nsiun of the d~'1·clot>mfnl ill to the Jnihiic r?alm. • Pa~e 148 • Placement 0 Green space and parks in development and redevelopment projects should be centrally located and provide functional space for passive or active recreation. • Streets and Rights-ot-\Vay ';r,'C'n sp;ice should be ln<<\t<'d so rhar 1r is <h~ce:::sible fru1n at least unc str('Ct. \v'lwre poo;;ihk, align hi<yrl\'/pedc,rri.in rrnils wirh petlc:::trian-uriented stret:r:::. Vacant <md Underutilized Land Provide: pathways in [he redewlopmenr of cenrral rirv blncb rn link ,·omrnon puhlir ,,p,1r,» <1nd parks ro ~ll pan.-o( the projed and pruvi,le linbges ro rh e ctr~a~\\'itle green sp<H:e net\\'('rk. • Srormwarer Man::1gement· l :o,,rdin,1re rlw Ir.r;irion of gre,•n sp.KP with n;irnrnl ,Irainagt: corrid(\r> ;111cl floodpL1im ro prorccr thc:s,~ in1port..i.nr environn11.::ntdl resour1:t"s. Centrall~ located greenspace and pai·ks for all new de11dotm1ent. Plan for gree111pqce along tlw city's riparian conid01·, and floodplains. • Orientation 0 Provide public green space oriented to pedestrian priority streets. Ensure clear vistas, terminal views and the ability to safely enter and exit public green space in the central city. • Streets and Rights-of'w'ay Gret~n space slwul<l ht• vi::ible from rht~ publk righcs-of;way and should abut and be wirhin rhree feet in elevation of a pedestrian ronm·ction t.0 b<' vi::ually and pliysh:ally ar,:essibl~. • Vacrnr and Underutilizt~d Land Vacant lan<l not \·isible from rhc public rid1h1f~wav i:: best used a:: n;Hive bn<lsrapt> buffer:: with minimal public us~ or arcc::s. Green space provi<led in new developmem should positively conrribute to rlw quality of rhe public realm. • Stormwarcr Manag,~nh~nt· Plan for day-lighted storrnw;uer l'1<:ilities as a cenrral up .. ~n :;p:Kc· ((~<Hlln.: ur a.5 ;1 rontinuarion of the green space nerwork in tlw projecr. • Page 149 • • Parking 0 Green space should be used to mitigate the negative effects of parking lots and structures on the visual quality and micro-environment of the urban environment. • Strc<?ts and Righrs-of\Vay Parking IN:: should b,, !.>rared rn rh,, r,,,ir of buildings, whenever po,>ible. Landsc~re buffers should ::cn•en crnd soften rl1<' view o( parking lot> from publir righrs-ot;way. • V<t,:ant <iml Underuti lized Latid \/:Kant or uncknnilized parcds .-crnriguou;; rn greenway or nanm1l land::rapc .-c,rridt>rs, and conwnienrly accessible by ,:ar, should be <lcvclopdl ;ts trailheacb ro increas1..~ giet~nway use poh~nt i:1! in rhe .-cnrral city. • St()rmwater Management New de,·dopmcnt should integrar-: stormw.uer 1nan;ige1nent ~ysten1s into parking 101 design1 wherever p0~sibk:1 using biort.::tl.:nti\',n tt·;.:hniqnc:' to direct surface runolt. to ,h;ollow lan<lscaped depression; in rhe parking lot. ·ntr clllyl(~hring of hi.,toric stlfam., and .hruna.~c dwnnds ;s fl m.?tlwd for introdul~ing 1:t:"ntrttii~ 0Y1c::nted storrm.rtHn mllnd.~('.m~!nt frkilitid as a C{'nnnl ,~recn:spncc elc'men.t in netc de·v~·loJnnent. Plan Grand Rapids • De11elotnnent Chara.:ter · Clwpter 10 10.10.4 "'Project Detail Landscape 0 Green space projects in the central city should seek to reinforce the existing landscape character of the neighborhood and/or extend the natural landscape into the project. • Stre.::ts and Rights-of-Way New roads should be designed ro avoid impacts to the sire's mature tTees and include streel tree plantings that form a pleasing canopv while providing safe and functional moven~ent of automobiles. • Vacant and Unclerntilizecl Land Sire areas that will remain as buffers should be designed and/ or managed as native landscapes providing minimal maintenance requirements and maximum opportunity for wildlife habitat and water quality enhancement. However, security and safety issues should be considered in the design concept for thest• areas. . • Stormwater Management Exisling drainageways, riparian w rridors and wetlands should be maintained or enhanced in a natural state. Stonnwmer systems sho11ld be landscaped with natiw t·egewtion as rm extension of the sire's land.<rnpe plan. Chapter 10 -Development Character • Pinn Grand Rapids Mature tree..l at~nd the region.1s landscape into neighborhoods <lt che t)~n1ect sl:al~. Site Details 0 Civic spaces and green space in cbe central city should reinforce community identity and culture. The site details should combine to provide a distinctive character and form and reflect the importance of these spaces to the fabric of the city. • Srreets a.nd Righr~-o f-Way Design all streets ro be· pc,lesman fr i<-ndly. including such d rmems as sidewalb and str,,et rn'es. P<·desrrian prk,riry srr~Ns shuuld ind udL' details such as >pt:ciai paving. >e;1ring and dec·orntiv<· lighring. • Vacanr and Underutilized Land New d<•vdopmcnt prnhxn; slh>uld s''"k to ,;rgani:,, vacam parcels as a discernable renter to Corm a gret>n or square which is desigiwcl f<' pnwiclc' meaningful p11bli,: spa,:e. Elements sud1 as dd ined edges. pedestrian sc<1le and accessible open ,pace should be included ro c:reare ;i strong sense ,;( spatial definition. · • Page 150 • • Stonnwatcr Management l. lse fu nnion,d materials ,md design appro;1dlt's thar prornorc v.~1tcr <'Onsuvati<,n and swrrnwarcr managenit'nt practices such as rerention ponds, planred parking islands and penne;1blt' p;1ving material:'. The dt>sig1L ofst1(~(~1s a~ljan•nf to 1h~H1 t!~''elojJrth'nr shou!~i hf t)edt>:;t1icm f11~ndly indudi11g dem~nD s11,/i as .m~~r trt'fS nnd sitl"'' alb. Pat h«·ays mthin pro;ecrs .<hould ix d".«gn.:d mth distmctlh' lightmg and landscape rra1tnirnr.~ w exti?nd g-i·t!t!nsjwct• rhro11ghnttt rhc /noie;.:r. 11 ~O .,. Area.,.Specific Plans ~ Introduction The Master Plan provides a city, wide vision of how to direct and manage land use change in the community. In some instances, a more detailed approach will be required to insure that appropriate consideration is given to character, design and detailed issues. Area, specific planning provides the opportunity to more closely examine a particular geographic area of the city and tailor appropriate recommendations that best suit the needs of area residents, businesses and property owners. • Page 151 • Plan Gmnd lfopids • Ar<.ll-Specific Plans · Clia{lte1 11 Figure 11.a .. North East Bel dine Future Land Use LEGEND --sidewalk '"" "" N~Motorized Palh System - -Planned On-Street Bikeway Low Density ReskSenUaJ • Medium Density Residential • Higti C>en5ity Residential • Parl</Open Space • Urban ,t,gr;cutture (:) Water Body ""' Wat~r/Sewer Service Area Boundary CJ Oesignat~ ~elopment Area Environmentally Sensitive Area • Commercial .MU<ed~ •Mixed Use Office Institutional Chapter 11 -Area-Specific Plans • Plan Grand Rapids 11 ~2 .,. Purpose Area-specific planning is an cfo::crivc way to ensurt: thar land use and devdopmenr goals for a parricular ;uca of rhc ci ry arc idcnrifrc <l w prow:r irs un iq uc charncrer while encouraging reinvc::rment and revit<l- lizarion. These plam t'rnvide a closer analysi~ of an <Hea than a cityvvide master plan by e::rablishing <1 ;;pecific mix of use;; and building rypes, roadway align- menrs and design treatments, and necessary public fac ilities and amenities needed ro make a neighbor- hood, mixed-use area or business disrricr a Sli<:cess. Formally, arc(l-spccific pl"ns m<iy he officicilly adopted into the city's Master Pbn. Informally, thc·y can serve as c-iralyst~ ro org;tnize neiglihorhm,ds, in- crease citizen technical skills <Hld arrracr desired [.'ri- vci te sector investment. To be effective, are::i-specific planning efforts must be collaborative, involving resi- dent~, businesses, institutions, Liry representari,·c;;, property owners and/or (kveloper:<. This collaborn- tivc pbnning appro::ich will make it: pc•ssiblc to cr;1ft detailed plans that balance varied interests, build on • Page 152 • • tht~ Masrer Plan's rec,m1mendarions <1nd enhance an area's viability and stability. Area-specific pbnning will cn.:-are significant benefits: • implernentatic•n of the M a~t·cr Plan; • appropriate alkication uf Community Development Block Uranr \CDBU) funding; • ,:oord inat"ion of Community R,::;oun.:e Team (CRT) <Ktivities as parr of the Liry's Community Oriented CJovernment (COC) iniriarivc; • prioritization of Transportation Enh;nKement proje,:t requests; • the effc:ctiYc tari;ering of public investment wi thin a givc·n geographic area; • strategic investment by community found;nion:: and other non-profit organizations; and • a strategic focus for neighborhOL'd and busines:; organizations. 11 *3 , Planning Areas · officials, city officials, neighborhood ;rnd businc>s • associations, non-profit organ izations ;rnd other groups or individuals who are int"erested in the (u- ture of the area to be planned. These stakeh1Jlders should remain engaged thr0ughout the pl<inning process to ensure ownership of \\·hat is proposed in rhe plan recommendations. to assist with implemen- tMion and, ultimately. to re<1lize the ~oab of rhe neigh- borhood or area plan. Community engagement in an area-specific planning proct~ss ,1 lso contributes to the philosophy of this Master PLrn hy listening ;ind responding to rhe community. Area-specific plans may be prepared for blocks, neigh- Gorhoods, business districts or larger areas. They may be underrnken in response to a developmenr pro- posal or as a proactive planning study. In all cases, these plans should be developed as a complement to the Mast·er Plan. Arca-specific planning is recommended for the city's neighborhoods -especially those in need of re- vitalization -and for the following areas as idenrified on the Fucure Land Us e Map (Page 21): • mixed-use areas; • neighborhood, village and sub-regional centers; and • traditional business area core and connectors. In addition, planning may he required in :ue;1s where land use regulations are in place that fail to protect the character of an area or satisfy the objectives of rhe citywide Master Plan. It may abo be needed where the Planning Commission has determined that due to the scale or impact of a proposed development additional analysis is required. 11*4 ~Initiators and Partnerships An area-specific planning process can Ge initiated Gy the Planning Commission (as described above), prop- erty owner(s), developer(s) in the pre-planning stages, community-based organization(s) and/or the Plan- ning Department. Partnerships should be actively sought v.rith key stakeholders to ga in insight, understand issues and anticipate challenges prior to a plan's development. Stakeholders may include residents, business own- ers, property owners, workers, institutions, elected 11 *5 ~ Planning Process A genernl approach to preparing a neighborhood or area-specific plan is provided below. No specific ~'tan ning approach i> mandat,~d by sr<itc law; however, the following suggested process has proven itself over time to produce effe<:rive n:sulrs. This appw;1ch may be modified bc1sed upon the purpose L)f the <lrea- specific plan. Active p11hli,: panicipai-ion ;md srak<~ holder engagement throughout the entire planning , process is <in essential component c.f a successful pbn- ning process. • Collect Data -Do research; collect and analy:e informarion on rhe physical, social and economic characteristics of the stud\' are::i. • Identify Problems and Opportunities -Define key planning and urban design problems and opportunities. • Formulate Goals -Define goab and translate them into objectives and priorities. • Preliminary Plan -Formulate and eYaluare pl;in alternatives to develop a preliminary plan. • Page I 53 • Charrette Proce§s One tt~rhnique that can be used to plan an •m~a is ralied a charrerre. A charrerre is a highly imeranivr design proc<'ss undertaken within a brief period of time by an intd-disd- plinary team that generally includes rnnununity stakehold- ers, pl.mners, landsmpe ard1ite.:ts, engineers, and •Jthers involved in land dcvclopnwnt dr1:ision>. This process pn>· vicles five distinct advamages as a planning rool. l. This inclusivf' event encourages all project stakeholdc:rs ro parrkipa.n:• in rhe planning pr<Kcss and t•l act crearivdy within their areas of expenisc. 2. All participants focus on rhe project's history . .::on:<rrnints and opportunitks at the same time ... ewryont! gets the s.imc- intormation. 3. Limited in time and smpe. rhe drnrrertc dcarlv an,l quickly defines relevant design ~nd devdopmenr iswes. cremes altcrnarivc snlurions and graphically pn'senrs thr project's final direction. 4. Participants are willing to implement the plan with a dear umlnstanding of what is proposed and their roles as stakeholders. 5. Documentation of the planning process, issue~. alkr- nativcs, stakeholder involvemenr and project recommen- dations is provided ar the end of the process. Ir is important rhat all appropriate .entities are invoked in the charrerte process from the beginning. \Vhen individu- als an: invo!vt:d at the inception of a projt!ct rhey arc mor" likely ro support the final recommendations. Ptan Grand Rapids • Ar.:-.a-Specific Plans · Chapter 1 I Information Collection Important information to collect concerning the built environment may include the data below. • Existing land use • Building condition • O\vnership •Height and massingofbuildings • Hisroric/ard1itecturally >ignificant structures • Size ol parcels • Setbacks from the street • Placement of entrances and windows • Walls and fences • Parking area design and relationship to buildings • Number of parking spaces, utilization, square feet of building space/number of dwelling units served • Road widd1s, sidewalks, curb ctm, medians • Pattern of streets/size of parcels • Patterns of movement (e.g. pedesrrian connecrions, access ro tran.~portation/rransir) • Srreet fornimre (e.g. bu:< stops, srreet lighr.s, signs) • Landscaping materials, both planting and hardscape • Publir infrasrrucrun~ (e.g. drainage facilities, bridges) • Social inreraction opportunirie:< and acriviry centers • Relationship between builr and naniral emironment (e.g. sensitive environmental lands, valued natural kann:es, wherr conflicts may occur) • Architectural sty!,.,, and traditions • lnfill opportunities Chapter 11 ·Area-Specific Plam • Plan Grand Rapids • Refine Plan · Review ;md refine rhe plan and approve the end product as rhe neighborhood/ area-specific plan. • Implementation · Present the plan to property owners, residents, business people and other key stakeholders located within the study ;irea to verify <:cmsensiis. A resolurion of support from neighborhood and business a~sociations is encouraged. Present the plan to the Planning Commission and City Commission for adoption. (Once adopted the plan should be used as a standard for gaining site pliln appmval.) lnitiare implementation <\Ctions. • Continue Planning· Monitor and evaluate progress. Updare and revise d1e plan as needed. 11 ~6 ... Area ... Specific Plan Elements An area-specific plan should artcmpt to achieve SC\"· era! goals in order to be considcn:d t<..1r adoprion as an amendment· ro rhe cirywidc: Mastl·r Plan. These goals insure consistency wirh rhe policies <11ld rec- ommendations of the Master Plan and other City of ()rand Rapids documents. Plans will: • reterence, and be consistent with, the recommendations of the cirywide Masrer Pl<m: • assign appropriare and reasonable land use classificarions; • promote compatibility vvit:h the exi;;ting character of an art:a; • provide standards and design guidelines for land uses and devdopmenr character ccmsist·enr wid1 rhe Master Plan; • promote mmsit and walkability; • Page 154 • • designate pedesrrian priority streets in coordination with the mon~ clet~1iled planning of the JisrriLurion of uses within the <lrea and the Sti-eet Clmsification Policy; • identify. if necessary, additional infrastructure improvements. The following elemenrs are reu.immended in <lll area- specific plan to achieve these goals. Additional cle- ments may be included heyond thi~ li~1·, particul;:irlv if a neighborhood and/ or business association h.1s undertaken a pbnning effr>rt. In many neighborhocxl plans additi,mal sPcial issues, n-adirionallv nor ,1d- dresscd by a land u;;c phln, may b,~ indudcd. There- fore, portions ot" a plan rather than the complete document may be selecred t"o amend the ci1y's lvfas- ter Plan. At a minimum, an ;)!"ea-specific pLrn should con rain the following clemenrs: • ncighhorho,xl/arc<i·Sl'ecific boundaries; • neighhorhood/area-~peciti..: d1;1ra..:ter dcscriptio11; • purpose Llr intent of plan; • dcscriprion of planning process; • list of stakehold,~rs itwolved in the pnxess; • rdatiunship tL) other plan~, ]JL)licit:~ and regulations; • s1Tengrhs, weaknesses, opportuniries and threars (SWOT) an;1lysis or other iss\k' identificatiLm mechanism fo r the planning area; • existing and future conditions, including bur not limited to: -s1Teers (layour, hiernn:hy) -structure:; (type, use, height, setback) -property Oot ~ize, configurnti,m) ·parking (type, lo..:ation and use) -landmarks/amenities: • land use and design goals/ objectives; • plan recornmench1tions ;ind/or concepnrnl ~ite plan (if for a small area) that includes proposed land use, infrastructure investments, desired design guidelines, etc.; and • an action plan. 11~ 7 ~Adopted Area~Specifi.c Plans A neighborhood or area-specific plan can only be irnplemenkd if appropriate decision-makers are aware of what the plan says. It is recommended that such plans serve as amendments to d1e citywide Master Plan. As an amendment to the Master Plan, the C ity of Grand Rapids Planning Commission and the Ciry Commission would formally adopt the area- specific plan. Upon adoption, it can then be used to justify decisions that are consistent with the plan's intent. The following plans have been adopted as part of this Masrer Plan. • North East Beltline Joint Development Plan (Adopted 1998) • Street Classification Policy (Adopted 1996) • Voices & Visions: Community Planning for Downtown (Adopted 1993) These plans shall serve as complements to the Ma~ ter Plan. The C ity of Grand Rapids Master Plan, adopted November 14, 2002 shall supersede an are::i- specific plan or other earlier ciry land use plans if an inconsistency exists. Every effort has been 1nacle to incorporate the recommendations of earlier area- specific plans (e.g. Nonheast" and Nord1v..-est area plans) into this Master Plan document. Amending the Master Plan Several step; must be undertaken for tli<~ Planning Com- mission and City Commission to adopr a neighborhood or area-spC'clfic plan as an amrndmenr to the Master Plan. The Municipal Pl:.rnnlng An (285 of 1931. as amended) requires the following process to amend the city's Ma>tcr Plan. • The Planning CommL~sion and City Commission shall be norified in \\ttiring of rhe lnn•nr to prqiare an ar,!a· specific plan. • Upon completion, rhe plan shall be submirred to rlw Planning Commi;;sion, who then shall wbmit rhe proposed plan to the City Commission for n~vkw and commenL The City Commission shall then approve the distribmion ot' the proposed plan. •The City Commis;ion will direct the Planning Commission's secretary rn subn1it a copy of the proposed plan for review and ,:ornment to: the Planning Commissions or legislative bodies of ead1 city, village or wwnship lorated within or contiguous to the City of Grnnd Rapid;; neighborhood and business associations located wirhin or rnnrigt101 1s ro the planning ~rca; West Mi.:higan Regional Planning Commission; Krnr County Board ot Commissioners; and • Page 155 • ead1 public utility company and railroad company owning or operating a public mility or railroad that ha; regim•rcd its name and addn»s for the purpose of receiving notification. Comments from the above listed entities may be submitted ro rhe Planning Commi>si,;n on the propos,•d pbn within 40 chys after the plan was rnbmitred for rcvil-w. A copy ot rhe comnHcnrs shall also be providt•d ro the Kent c:ounty Board of l:ommis,innl."rs. • Not less than 55 days or more than 75 days after the release date of the plan, the Kent County Board of Conunissioners shall provide comments on the plan to the City o( Grand Rapids Planning Commi;sion. Comments ;;hall in.dud<', bur not he limited to, a srntement ot wherher the pLm is (onsisrenr with plans of adjoining communities and/or is consistent with any county plans. • The Planning Commiss ion will hold ar leasr one (I) public hearing on the proposed plan, which shall be hdd once the comment period ha' dosed. • Public notice shall be provided not le" than 15 days before the hearing by 1 pttblkation in a newsp;1per. All ,~ntities that were offered the opportunity (or rornmenr shall also he notified. • The plan must be approved by 2/3 oi the members of the Planning Commission. • Following appro~-al of the proposed plan by the Planning Commi::sion, the Secretary of the Planning Commission ::hall submir a copy o( the proposed plan to the Ciry Commission. • Unless the C iry Commission as;erts it:s righr to approve or reject tht plan, the Planning Ccmrn1ission adoption shall be the final .<rep for rhe plan. • If rhe Ciry Commission chooses to rejerr the plan, the Planning Commi::sio n shall con; id er tlw ':iry Commission's objections and revise the proposed plan ro address those objectiom. i-J,,r<": Rc:-vi""'n~ tr• rh:" pl.m :tr:" tl.c tt":'.p1im1bilirv. -I th1· rLmnini.; Cr,n;n11.-. . .;i. •n; hN--\:· ~r. it is rf'1"f>mmende.d rlut JIW d~.1n:.:-e~ ~ lllrtd1· in r"njun>tl••n Wi?"h rh1· entitv d::u ir.in:~k•l t;11· ne11!hh1Hh1-:...~l 1-.:-J.n:-:1-~i>C"dii· p!:;:i. Plan Gmnd Hapids • Arc.a-Specific Plans· Chapter 11 Chapter 11 ·Area-Specific PlaTL1 • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 156 • 12~0 ~Implementation ~ Introduction The City of Grand Rapids Master Pla n is made up of graphic and narrative land use recommendations that function as benchmarks and provide basic guidelines for making coordinated community development decisions. Completion and adoption of the plan is not the end of the planning process. Plan implementation must be achieved over an extended period through the cooperative efforts of the public, private and nonprofit sectors. •Page 157 • lfJ Plan Gmnd Hapids • Jmplemenrntion -Chapc-:r 12 "This city was a palace once. And there were no king.1 or queens or dukes, but only citizens, bAwlden to eoch other. And this city can be a palace again." Mayor John Pap/ias in Ci.tLH1.1J!. Ctistle Rock Ent.'Ttainmen!, ( 1996). Chapter 12 ·Implementation • Plan Grand Ifopids • This Cit:y of Ci rand Rapids Master Plan was created • by over 3,000 citizens of C rand Rapids in 250 rneer- ings over a one and a half ye<ir period in c,)llabora- tion with a Masrer PLrn Commirree of rhirry members, the City Planning Staff, ;ind the conslllt- ant ream. Ir represents our hoves and visions for the future of our community. In hirge areas of dw city, ,:irizen' haw cho,e11 <l future rhar values trndirional, walkable neighbor- hoods and mixed-use commercial districts; as well ;1~ a recovery of rhe viable transportation choices rhat used to exisr. At the same time, rl1<~ vi, ion embraces a city in sustainable harmony with the natural envi- ronment. At first sight. a co11ccrn t~'r the narurnl environment may appear inconsistent with an urban vision, bur a narionwide (:onsenstts is emerging rh;1t the key to preservation of the natural erwironment lies in n~vitalization of rhe Amcric;m city. Not less important to our cirizens is rheir concern for the educarional, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of community, along with a desire and respect for rhe true diversiry char enriche~ us all. lr i' imponmH t,, acknowledge our community n1lues that shaped this Master Plan as we strive tovvard~ it~ implement;1tio11. This chapter provides implementation recommen- dations ro achieve the promise of th,~ Master Plan. It is presented in three secri,1ns. Action Plan The Action Plan identifies, assigns and propose' a schedule for maj or next srcps to ensure thar the mo- mentum achieved in formulating dw Master Plan is continued in initiaring irs implcmenrarion. Action Plan ~ Theme Matrix This matrix shows how ead1 of the Action Plan ire ms relates to the objccrivcs and p,)licics of the Master Plan's seven theme chapters. The matrix denwn- srrates the continued inregrntion of rhemes in the implcinentation phase. • Pag~ 158 • Overcoming Barriers to Implementation Despire the application of a wide-ran gt~ of plan irnple- mentarinn techniques, institution<ll harriers may limir its effectiveness. Sn-ategies for overcominQ a nmnber of barriers ;ire described. 12~2 ~ Action Plan Twelve acrion ire ms recommended to implemenr the Master Plan are fou nd in Figure 12.(1-ShoTt-Tenn lm]Jk· menwtion Action Plan -Pag.o 16 0. The following ele- ments are included for C<1ch action ir,~m. • Assignment -The p<1rty(i,~s) respo11~ihlc for underrnking rhe acrivity. • Action Summary -A brief des,:Tiprio11 of rhe activities to be performed. • Timing -Recommendatiom for acrivity srnrr and complcric'll dates. • Priority. All Action Plan ircms can contriburc ro the ~uc,:ess of the Master Plan; however, rhc /\fasrcr Plan Com- minee ranked the it'ems in the ,)rd er pf their relatin~ importance: Tier I: Top Priorities (Critical) • Zoning O rdinance <md 'tv1ap Audit and Uptbtc' • lnformation Outreach • C ity Deparrment' and Program Acrion Prioritie~ • C itywide Srudies Tier II: Intermediate Priorities (Essential) • t\eighborhood and Arca-Specific Plam • Design A-;sisl'ance Center • Capirnl Improvements Program Development • State Legis lat"ion • Master Plan Evaluation Tier Ill: Lower Ranking Priorities (Desirable) • (.J uidelines Workbook • Growth Management Program • Economic Summit The activities included in each action item will re- quire a conti.nuing process of public collaboration, according to the follO\ving principles. Those impacted by an action item should be involved early on in the process. • Community involvement should occur prior to reaching decisions. • Partnering agreements that articulate a process for resolving disputes should be encouraged to ga in commitment by the participants. A process of public coll;ibonition c;in help to over- come potential limitations on time, money, resources and administrative capacity that may occur as imple- ment occurs. Actively soliciting the support of pri- vate industry and foundations ca n help to overcome limitations in public sector resources. 12.2.1 .. Zoning Ordinance and Map Audit and Update The zoning code and map are e~sent:ial toob i11 imple- menting the Master Plan. The local zoning code di- vides a community into l;i nd use disrricrs and establishes building restrictions limiting the height, lot area coverage and other dimensions of structures that are permitted within each district. At the time that the City Commiss ion ;idopts a zoning code, it • ;:ipproves a zoning m;ip overb id on a street or pa1-..:d • map of the community. It is po~sihle to idenrif)· the \!Se district >virhin which any pared tif!and is hicated, rhe uses thar are permitted ;:ind the restrictions that apply ro the land. Regularions in differenr kinds of districts may be different; however, regulations within rhe same district must be consistenr throughout the ,:ommunity. The city's current zoning ordin ance (text and map) has not been comprehensivtly updated for rnany ye;irs. Ir is recommended thar <ippropriare texr ;md zoning district map amendments be pursued follow- ing ;i technical ;iudit of the zoning code to comp;ne it with the objectives uf the Ma~ter Plan. Particular attention should be given to incorporat- ing flexibility in the zoning reguhtions, such ;i~ flrnt- ing zones, planned unit developments, oYerlay zoning, in centive (bonus) zoning, and twology coding. 12.2.2 ... Information and Outreach As noted by the Urban Land Institute: The planning and ,Lwdopment bitsiness is much more complicated than it used to be. No longer i:< it /)ossiblc?. to consider the public and private sectors as independent actors. Tight budger.1 haw caitsd pL1blic agenci~ to act simultaneously as regulators of anti partners in prii1ate development; interest groups have b.ccome stronger and more sotiliistiwtcd, ilnd the diversity of participants hm incrc:uscd. Clc:arly, ir\ a n et1 ' ball game for del'eloj)ers, local gowrnmc:nt.s, and citi:.-:en~. 1 To promote a broad undersrnnding of Master Plan recommendations, it· \vill bt: ncces~ary ro rnect wirh: • neighborhood and business asslxi;itions; • private sector inrcrcsts (lenders, developers, major property owners, etc.); • Page 159 • PUD SR PUD PUD R-1A The zonmg l'ode nnd mnp nr~ .:.'.ls~·nunl tools m impl.:m.:nting the Master Plar:. I IL:·· -;·iu.: l 1rh1n L·md iL1•U!\.1H: \\'tth Pr,1:.!r.1:;1 f.ir L<'i1111,unll"• i'r,-:1i··n: $ .. ]v:no.: !',t,l'n~ ]_\~(th~r; A I'bn11u'.J::,).H~l.[)J·d··j.l;n:11t .C ... m,lia~_,,, -l31.:il.H1 c!: \1,~'1 :,)! \i:/ .. 1..'i1ir:j..''''I\ [ <". ! :.J -Th~~ -rhr. Lm1! \;).<:i1tl;t,-.;. 1~19-!. Pl'· ! l -1:~.! I:. Plan Grnnd F<apid.s • Implementation -Ch.apter 12 Figure 12.a ; Short~Term Implementation Action Plan Action Item '.urning Ordinance and Map Audit and lJpdate (See Section 12.2.1-Page 159) Information and Outreach (See Section 12.Z.2 -Page 159) City Department and Program Action Priorities IS~e Sectwn 12.2.3 -Pag" 162 I Citywide Studies (See Section 12.2 4. Page 163) Assignment(s) • City Planning Deparrmenr • City Planning c:\,)111111issi1.)11 • Zoning Board of Appeal, • <..--:try (~1.)1n1nission • City Planning Dep<irrm,,nt • Neighborhootl and Brn:iness Association;; • Fc.,undarions • City Manager • City D<'parnncnt;; and appropriate programs • City Departments • [nterurban Transit Partnership OTP) • Srakeholder Groups • Foundations Action Summary Conducr re:\·iew ot city zonin-' ordinanr,, and map rC:: " • prioritize a1nt:nd1nent~ needt:d: • prepare arnendn1cnts \i...'ith t.·irize-n •l~ivbory conuninee inpur; • conduc[ co111111uniry revi('ws; anci • .hL,)pt a1nendn1c:nt~. Prom01e unckrsrnnding of lv1aster Plan n.:~con1111cndations by awcring \.\:ith: • th,ighhorhood and blt>incss assndati0ns; • pri,·.ite sector imeresrs (lenders, devdopt:rs, m.1jor property owners, de.); • nun-profit & t:ornn1unity-based organi:;ttion~; • insrirurion:-.; • city dcpanmen1 and program sraff; • n,,ighlh)ring i11ri;dini,ms, County, GVMC, Region 8 rtprcscntariw;;; .rnd • Michigan !),,panment of Transportaric.n <MDOT). Ask City lv!anag,~r to direct each department or pn.)gra tH ro: • detinr 3 a<tion steps (wirh work plan ,md rin1erable) ro implt~ment Master Plan rt't:vmmendations; i1h:0rporate these initiatiw; into the annual update of the 3- Y,·ar CirY ~rrnregic PLm an,l ro report on progress and additional iniriatives annually. Rc•vicw <l.nd ro<·rdlnate pwjens •tnd funding with MDOT; • review policies for ,·onsisre1Ky with M•'!srer l'bn obje,:rives; and • review ordinances and codes for consistency with M;i;rer Plan objerrive; and propo;;e .1pprnprhue amendmenr1» Prioritize and undertake rityv.•ide srudies, e.g.: • 1-li,;toric Preservation Plan; • Enviwnmenrally :::en;;itiYe An'<i;; lm·<:'nrory; • Bikeway and Pedestrian h1cilirit:S Plan; and • Fi.'<('<] Ro11te Transit Plan. Chapter 12 · Implementation • Plan Gra nd Rapids • Page 160 • Timing )Anuary 2003-Dccember 2004 Starring wirh Masrer Plan ,idop1·ion (0.:wbcr 2002); .mgoing • For No\'e111ber 2002 3-Yt:ar ('irv Stratei!ir PLm updatt'; :rnnu;1I • Annual No\'ember 2002-J.mtLU\' 2003 .fanuarY 2003-Juiw 2004 Figure 12.a , Short,Term Implementation Action Plan Action Item Neighborhood aud Area-Specific Plans (See Section 12.2.5 ·Page 164i Design Assistance Center (See Section 12.2.6 ·Page 164) Capital Improvements Program Development (See Section 12.2.7 ·Page 165) Stace Legislation (S"e Section 12.2.8 ·Page 165) Master Plau Evaluation (See Section 12.2.9 ·Page 166) Guidelines Workbook (See Section 12 .2.10 ·Page 169i Gro~1:h Managem\,nt Program (See s,,ction 12.2.11 . Page 170i Economic. Summit (See Section 12 .2.12 ·Page 170) -j Assignrnent(s} • Neighborhood and Business Associarion.< • Ciry Planning Department • Community De\'elopmenr Department • City Design Team • Design Assistance C..,nrer • Foundatiom • Economic Development Deparnnenr • Founcfations • GVM.C • Foundations C ity Budget Offic~ City Legislative Liaison • City Planning Department • Ciry Planning Cornmis~ion • Zoning Board of Appeals • (-:irizens • Ciry PLmning D.:parrmenr • Planning Commission • Ci!)' Design Te:Hn • Foundation,; • Grand Vallev 1'.•ierro Counci.l • West Michigan Strategic A.lliance (\XIMSA) • The Righr Place Program • Urban Red,,vel opment Coundl • Sustainable Business Forum • Economic Development Department • Neighhorh,)od Business Alli;rnce Action Summary • De"dop cri rt:ria/priorities for planning etfort,:, including rhe provision ot r~chnical assistan,:e, projen funding and implem.:nration techniques in (O nsulcation with neighbothoo,i, business, property owner and devebper repre::entar:ives. • "Pilot" and tt:st the proposed process; refine. • Underrake .1ddirional planning effrms. Explore rhe porenrial for establishing a DAC: • solicit funding: • idt~nrit)· host org;inizarion; and • organize DAC composition and assi,tance rrororol. VpJar~ CIP process including: • Planning Commi::::ion participation: • sr~ff training; and • progr;1m plan criteria :md forms. Make the Master Plan a basic reterence in pro· posing and rriori tizin): CU' projects. Propose and lobby ior needed stat<~ legislation l<"'.g., dt~sign n:~vit:\v autho rity. d1:~n1olirion (\!->S~~~> n1ent~. i1npal'."t fe-e!), tran~ter of developtHenr rights (TDRl, concurren~y requirements). [lcvelop measures, (rireria .rnd tools for Mas· r,·r Plan evaluarion ancl mainr~nance. Prepan' annual reporr on Ma:'ter Plan implemenrntion progress and pri0riric~. fu:>ess acLountctbility. Evaluate con::i::tency between Plan c)bj,~<"rh·es and policies. Update rlie Plan through official acrion eYery fi\'e years. Pr('pat(' c(>tnprehensiw <lesign guiddincs wurk· book .llldt«~ssing n,'ighbc>rhood character type" and busines~ an·a~. Carry nllt GVMC Blueprint fl planning process. Con,;ider holding annual Economk De\·dop· ment Summit to addre;s on-going regional is· sues affecting pri\'ati.: inv<•sttucnt d\.'.'1..:ision~ (infrnsm1cture, quality or life, funding assi:'· • til n1.:t.,., err.). Timing • November 2002-Januarv 2003 • 2003 • Ongoing Novt~mber 2002-April 2003 Nowmbt:r :002-0,t<'Uer 2004 January 200); ongoing • Nove mber 2002-0crober 2003 • l\nnual n•port/rL·vi ... ~w • Five year rcnew,d/updak by 2007 J<mua ry 200.\-)un'' 2004; c>ngoing ad.-liri,ms and revisio ns C)ngoing Nm·ember 2002-January 200); ;u\nu.il • Page 161 • Pl.an Grand T<apids • lmplemenwtion · Chapter 12 Excerpt from State Municipal Planning Act The Planning Commission shal.l make and approve a mas- ter plan for the physical development of the municipality, including any areas our.side of irs boundaries which, in the Commission's judgment, bear rdarion ro rhe planning of the municipality. The !'Ianni ng Commis~ion may meet v.~th other governmental planning commissions lO deliberate. The municipal plan, with the accompanying maps, plats, charts, and descriptive matter ~hall show the planning commission's recommendations for the development of rhe reniwry, including. bur nor limiwd tO, all of rlw fol- lowing: (a) The general location, characrer. and extent of streets, viaducts, subways, bridges, waterways, floodplains, w;irer fronts, boulevards, parkways, playgrounds, and open space.>. (b) The general location of public buildings and other pub- lic property. (c) The general location and extent ot public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned or operated, lorwarer, light, saniration, rransporration, communkarion, power, and other purposes. (d) The removal, relocation, widening. narrowing, \racar- ing, abandonment, change of ust\ or extension of any of the way>, grounds. open spaces, buil<lings, property, utili- ties, or terminals described in subdivision (a). (b), or (c). (e) The general location, charac:tcr, layout, and excem of community centers and neighborhood units. (t) The general chara,:ter, extent, and layout of rhe replan- ning and redevelopment of blighted areas. (g) A zoning plan for the control of che height, area, bulk, location, and use or buildings and premises. The municipal plan shall address land use issues and may project 20 years or more into the future. The plan shall include maps, plats, charts, and descripti\'e, explanatory, and other related matter and shall show the planning c:ommission's recommendations fo r the physical develop· menr of the municipality. Chapcer 12 ·Implementation • Plan Grand Rapids foundations, non-profits, community-based and fa ith-based organizations; • institutions; • city departmenrs and rrogrcim ~raff; • neighboring communirics; cincl • public organizatiom (CJrand v,1u,~y M.etTO Council, Region 8, ere.) and public agencies (for example, the Michigan Departrnent of Transportation). The Municipal Planning Act (St:;:ite PA 285 of 19)1) empowers the Planning c, nnrnission to k:ad this criti- cal acrivity. ln ;:iddition, amendments ro the Munici- pal Planning Act adoµted in 2002 require coordination of planning activi ties among neighbor- ing municipalities through consultation prior to plan adoption and by making ,:opies of adopted masrcr plans available. These eft<.)rts are designed to lead tu cont:inuity in planning policies among communities. PA 285 cilso provides th<1r the proposed plan be shared with each public utility company and railroad company owning or operming a public urility or rnil- rocid within rhe municipaliry, and any government entity, that registers its name and address for this purpose. Specific cictivities which should be consid- ered as p<tn of this Action Plan iren1 include: • crc~ation of a "speakers bureau" comprised of Phurni11g Commis:;ion, Mast<~r PLm Comminet~, neighborhood and business associarion members who can be called upon to represent the Master Plan at specific outreach events; • broad distribution of an execuriw surnmciry document/poster that quickly communicates Mcister Plan objectives and recommendations. • Pag~ 162 • 12.2.3 .. City Department and Program Action Priorities Two activities are recommended as parr of this Ac- tion Plan item . • Encourage ci1-y departmenrs ro identit)r initiatives that support the Master Plan and rnn be incorporated into the annual update ot rhe city's 3-Year Srrntegic Plan. • Review city policies cind codes for consistency with Master Plan objectives, i11d11di11g the goal of sustainable devdoprnenr; and prepare nect:ssary :1n1t'.ndments. Strategic Planning A strntegic plan is ii se ries c•f derciiled acti0ns and progr:uns usc'd ro addres;; major c~mrnnmity oppor- tunities and problems in the short term. Strategic plcinning helps communities become more effe..rive in implementing planning objective~ bernuse it iden- tifies specific actions rhat will be undertaken by a certain date, who will underrnke them and at what cost.2 Tit~ city's 3-Year Strntegic Plan is updat..:d arrnu(1lly. It prodde.> an ideol vehicl~ for focusing the am~nrion of city departments on Master Plnn re,:omrnendacions by cL~king each Jetxmmenr (and f>rogrnm) to idenri(y sp.c:.cifi.; iniciati11es that U'itl helt> w implement plan recommendations for incorporation into the StTut(~ic Plan upd.ote. These initiati1>.;s should be sp,:cific, mensurablc, nchiewble, relemnc mid trc.1ckabk. Snch a /nnci'ss could be initiat<.d at the r,.;1.iuesl of tft<' City Jvtanager mid instirutionnliz.ed 1.1,; an administruti1'e practice in Grand Rapids. City Policy and Code Review Many communities have found that their own de- velopmenr policiu; and codes can <ll:t·ually work against their efforts to achieve master plan objectives. This can be especially true with respect to the prin- ciples of Smart Growth. For example, local policies often promulgate inflexible rules that result in ex- cessively wide residential streets, expansive parkin_g lots and mass clearing and grading of forested areas. At the same time, local codes often give developers little or no incentive to conserve natural areas. Con- sequently, communities need to re-evalu ate their lo- cal codes and policies to ensure development decisions that are consistem wirli rn~1srer plan rec- ommendations. Model development regulations affecting residen- tial streets and parking lots, lot development and the conservation of natural resources prepared by the Cenrer for Watershed Prorecrion (Maryland) in their landmark 1998 publication Better Site Design: A Handbook for Changing De,·dopment Rules in Your Community are presented in Supj)lemcnt A-2 to as- sist in an assessment of current city policies and re- quirements, and the need to amend them. This audit may lead to changes to regulations gm·- erning the subdividing and dividing of. land within the city. Local authority for such regulations is pro- vided by the L rnd Division Act (PA 288 of 1 %7) and Condominium Act (PA of 1978). • Land Division Act -The Land Division Act (formerly and more commonly known as the Subdivision Control Act) is the srare law permitting a seller to record a plat of land by dividing into blocks and lots (Pl.ease refer to Supplement A2). This permits the sale of land to be made by reference to a recorded plat (rather than in metes and bounds) making taxes eas ier to assess and collect. The act also describes the process and requirements for the "replatting" of property -often a necessity when redevelopment is tL' be encouraged in already developed areas. • Condominium Regulation· Separ:ire legislation governs the regulation of condominium deYclopmenr -a cin.'.umst;UK(~ involving a single real property parcel with all dle unir owllers having a righr ill ,:omrnoll r,, use the common elements with separate ownership confined to rhe individual units i-har are serially clesignared. Initially, condominiiim de1't:l.opm~nts IA'crc of thi: aportment vmidy and rnb_iecc to l.o..:al nucltifamil)' zoning regiilmions. SHbsequently, singlefamity detached condominium de1•dopment emerged as a fiousing option. A' a res ult, lo,:al :::oning reqaircmcnrs are nec:cssary to en.sure that <ite condominiams ar.o built to th.: same standards <ts singl.t!-famity mbdivisions. 12.2.4 --Citywide Studies The ma~ter phn prm:ess h;-1s focu~ed upon provid- ing an overall rccommcnckd pattern of fururc land use fo r the city. At the same time, it has identified a number of citywid e ~rudies rhar will be important for rhe plan's successful implementation. It is rec- ommended that the city pursue the prepararion 0f additional studies: • Historic Preservation Plan • Environmentally Sensitive Areas Inventory and Plan • Bikeway and Pedestrian Facilities Plan • Fixed Route Transit Plan These studies, once prepared, should be adoprecl as amendments to the Master Plan. • Page 163 • Condominium ~L·t1dopm!.!nts contain LOrnrnon d!.!meni: .. ..-h~t:ruirinR 1miq1u d1..7'-'elopm~nL ri?,~1datwns. A B!ke'll:(L)' and H~destruin Fadlitks P&.m is -recomm~~ndetf. Plan Grnnd napids • lmpkmenwr.ion · Ch.apter 12 Plainfield Avenue and Lconnrd Srm:r Special Study. Chapter 12 ·Implementation • Plan Grand Rapids 12~2~5 .. Neighborhood and Area.-Specific Plans Neighborhood planning is aurhorized liy the M unici- pal Planning Act and can pro\'ide a finer grain of analys is than is aYailable rhrough a cityvvick master plan. Area-specific plans may be prep<irt'd for a bk1ck, a neighborhood, a business district or a larger art'a. They may be underrak.en in response ro a devek>p- ment proposal or as a proactive planning srudy. A specific work plan should be used in preparing a neighborhood or an~a-specific srudy such a:; dis- cussed in Chapter 11 · Arca-Specific Pl.ans · Page 151 There are myriad of sites within C.Jrand Rapids well suited for detailed study and planning. Given this competition, it is recommended that this Action Plan item include rhe following sreps: • develop criteri;:i/prioriries for planning dforrs, including technical ;rnd funding assistance that may be provided by rhe ciry and other ~ot1rces; • "pilot" and test the proposed process and refine the process as necessary; and • undertake ;:idditio n::il planning studies. 12~2~6 ... Design Assistance Center Design assistance is often needed to dewlop neigh- borhood and area-specitk pbns and guidelines, and can be helpful in illustr<lting how phrns and guide- lines can be translated inro nwre detailed tkvdop- ment decisions. Ofren, the need for design assista11LL' (i n borh area-specific planning and design review) i;; greater than the city staff and budger alone can pro- vide. Communities are increasingly relying on 1·he <1Ssistancc of an independent design assessment cen- ter to expand city st;1ff capa hiliti,~s. A design assessment c,~nter (DAC ) is an indepen- dent organization having the expati;;e to provide • Page 164 • • tcdrnical assistance on design issues on an as-needed basis. As <1 non-profit entity, rhe DAC may be housed within <1 university or operate as a division of a g0\·- ernn:1ent department; ir c;m be fin<mcially supp,)rrcd by universities; lot:<1l, c.-iunry and regional gm-ern- m.cnr: foundations and/ or the devclopm<.:n t commu- nity or it m:iy be staffed by volunteer design profes~ion;1 k A DAC may: • mediate disputes berween rhe ;1pplicant(s), municipality and affected neighborho(1d ; and • p1"<Nide technical advice and/or recommendations to neighborhood grnurs or rl1t: city 011 dt~~ign rdated tn<ttrers. There arc many protoryp,~s in existence. l)ne exampk is the Design Center ,,f the Chanano,>ga-Hamilron (Tennessct') Regional Pl.urning Cummissi<Jn. lt was established in 1990 ::is a di\'ision (lf the planning agency. It is staffod by employee~ of rhc pla1111ing agency, the River Valley Company and a consultant from the Unin~rsity of Tennessee Sd1onl of Ard1i- tecture. Uver the past decade the Chammo,1ga De- sign Center has had a significant imp;1Ct as a caralvst and facilii-aror in encouraging reinvestment -and quality design -in the downrmvn area. lt is recommended that the porential fr>r establish- ing a DAC be explored and a11 organ iz<Hi,.mal srrar- egy be wmpleted. Specific Action Plan tasks are: • explore potential organizational stT11.:rure~; • identify potential funding sources; • identify a host urg;miz<H ion; and • organize DAC composition and ::issistatKe ]'TOtucol .md technolugy rcquirernenrs. Some citie' haw started using virtual reality simuL1- tion as an aide in providing design rc\·icw assistance. These computer-generated imagcs depict the de,ign proposal within the context of it~ ,;;en-ing. The (:it\· of Birmingham, Michigan currently utilizes rhis tech-• nique to evaluate the design character of buildings proposed for their downrown. Computer As~isted Design (CAD) drawings are electronically provided by the applicant at the time site plan approval appli- cation i · made. This information is then manipu- lated by staff using vendor provided software to create an "as-built" image of the proposed project· at irs in- tended location. 12~2. 7 .. Capital Improvements Programming A capital expenditure can be defined as any outlay that produces benefits in periods beyond the cur- rent accounting period. A Capital Improvements Pro- gram (CIP) establishes a forma l mechanism for consideration and implementation of capital expen- ditures covering a period of six yea rs. with the fi rst year representing the currenr capital budget. A CIP can allow improvement proposals to be tested against set policies and/ or goals, objectives and plans of the community. In facr, cities, villages and townships having an adopted master plan under au- thority of the Municipal Planning Act (PA 285 of 1931, as amended) must annually prepare a CIP. Sec- tion 9 of PA 285 reads, in part: For the purpose of furth~ring the dcsirnbk futur~ development of the municipality undi!r the nwster plan the city tAanning commission, afte:r the commission shall lwve adopted a mastc~r plan, shall prepare coordinated and .:omprdiemi\1c prngram.1 of public stmctu1·es and improvements. Th'" commission shall annually prepar.o s1iclt a program for the "ns1tin.~ six years ... There are many ways to prepare a CIP. A seven (7) • step process is outlined in Sapplement A-5. The prepa- ration of a C IP using rhis sequence is recommt'ndecl ro program specific projects recommended in an e<1r- lier chapter of this report. Examples include the im- provement of 28,;, Streer, improving "connections" to the riverfront by extending 7'1' or 8'h Street, the extension ofSe1.vard Avenue nonh ro Ann StTeer, or retmning the rapids to rhe Grand River. 12 .. 2 ~8 .. State Legislation Amendmenrs ro stare enabling law are required for the ciry to apply new techniques L'r insrnll ne\\' re- quirements for development projects, in a manner rhat benefits Master Plan implementation. It is rec- ommended that the city evaluate the need fo r srnte legislation supporting: • Clear Design Review Authority -Michigan courts have accepted the validity of aesthetic regulations under rhe police power, but in a somewl:1at more limited way. In Wolverine Sign Works ,._ Bloomfidd hills. 27 5 M id1 205; 271 NW 823 ( 1937), rhe u>un rnled '\iesrheri,::.; may be an incident but cannot be a moving facror." • Demolition Assessments -Starurory autliority under the City-Village Zoning Act does not exist, which requires a developer (as a precondition to site redevelopment acri\·iry) t•-' document the need fo r, or me<1sures to mitigate rhe im1x1cr of, building demolirion. • Impact Fees -Authorization to ;issess charges aga in M newly-developing property that <tttcmpts to cover rhe cost incurred by a local government in providing public facilities required t0 ~erve rhe new development is necessary ro help re- direct growth to mb,rniz,:d areas ;rnd away from greenfield sites. •Page 165 • Stan1tory authority under the City-Village Zoning A..:r does not "-'i<I, whi1·h requirt>s 1l dt•h?lotkr {ct~ fl prt:'--·ondition to siti? ri?dc>vc>lopmt>nt a.ctit1ir.y) to ... ioi:iont::°)i.t the need for, or measures w mTtigate the nnpa....r of, b11tlding dt'moiition. Plan Grand Hapids • implementation -Chapc,~r 12 Chapter 12 ·Implementation • Plan Grand Rapids • Concurrency -Similar ro impact tees, concurrency is a technique, which requires public faciliries ne,:essary to ~t:rve a developrnenr robe in place as a pre-condition to project approval. • TDR P rogram -In ;1 rransfcr of devclopmcnr rights program, a cornmunity identifies an area wirhin its bou ndarie~ thar ir would like ro ~ee protected from development (the sending zone) and anorher area where the community desire~ more urban style development (the receiving zone). Landowners in the sending :one are alloGited a number o( develnprnenr credits thar can be sold to developers, spe(ularors. or d1e rnrnmunit:y itself In rerurn for selling their development credirs. rhe landciwner in the sending zone agrees to place ,, permanent conservarion easemcnr on his or ha [;:incl. Meanwhile, the purchaser ot· the den.:lopmenr credits can apply them w develop ,11 a higher density rlian otherwise ;:illowed on pnipcrty within the receiving zone. The ,:ity ~houk! ;:ilso con,;ider Sllp]l('rting stare legis- lation rhat increases the ~upply d. affordable hous- ing in the stare. Particularly import-ant is the establishmenr of increa~ed funding for profit and non-profit organizations to build tW\\' affordable housing units. 12.2.9 .. Master Plan Evaluation and Amendment Michigan·~ Municipal Phrnning Act wa~ amended in 2002 to require that planning commissiLmS re- view their ma~ter plans at lea~t every fiw ye;tr~ ro determine whether to commence the procedure to amend the plan or adopt· a new plan. These regu- larly scheduled plan reYiews will make it necesqry to determine how plan cffoctivcness \\'ill be measmed. • Page 166 • • Measuring Plan Effectiveness The process of preparing a comprehen~ive master plan requires liNh effective processe~ and a pra,:ri- cable set of recommendations. Therefore, plan et~ fe(tiveness should be judged upon both its planning proet'.SS<~S and by its outcomes. • Grading on Process -The way in which land use decisi,m~ an: made ;;hould be mea~un~d . Tlit~ master plan process established a new W<lY in whid1 the community can be invoked in determining land use priorities on a citvwide scale. An evaltrntion of how the communiry is involved in hrnd llSL' discus~inns, and rhe influence the~c cliscu~sions h;:ivc on rhe decision-making process, post-plan adoption should be n::vie\\'ed. • Grading by O utcomes -Outcome~ c:an he· compared against the intended consequences 1. 1( t:he plan; they can also comparC' rhc unanticipated conseqm·n(es of land use d.eci:;i,m~. Thi~ t~val\l;~tion should i11dt1dt' what has been lcarnt'd in trying t1..' achieve rhc objectives of the master phrn ,md "''h;1t shollld be changed. Outcome-and proces~-h;:ised e\·alti;:itions arc not mutually exclusivt'. Eacli must lie used. to accurntclv report on the suc,:ess of the pbn and to derermine whar adjllstrnenrs mighr be <lppropriate. Ir is recom- mended that rhe City Planning Department prepare an annual report on Master Plan implementation progress and as a me;ins 1-0 gauge the level of cPnsis- tency between plan objectives, city policit:~ and t:e)nl- muniry engagemenr Below are listed two roob that would be useful in this cvaltution. One tool to evaluate the effectiveness of plan out- comes for the Master Plan is the Acrion Plan -Theme Comparison (FiguTc 12.b -Accio11 Pkm ·Them.: Com· parison -Page 167). Master Plan objectives were orga- Figure 12.b -Action Plan -Theme Comparison (Master Plan Objcctivc(s) Acldrcsscd by Action Item') Action Plan Items Information and Outreach City Dcparm1cnt and Program Action Pri<)ritics Zoning Ordinance Text and Map Audit and Update Guidelines Workbook Neighborhood and Area- Specific Plans Citywide Studies Design Assistance Center Capital Improvements Program Development State t egislation 0 Great Neighborhoods Chapter 1 GN t. GN1. GN4, GNS. GN6. GN7. GN8. GN9. GN I2, GNI), GN 14 GN2, GN4, GNS, GN6, GN7. GNS. ()N9. GNIO, GN il. GN!l, GN13. GN14 GN l,GN2, GN3, GN4, GN7, GN10 GN2, GNl, CiN7, GN8, GN10, GN ll, GN 12 GN2, GNl, GN 4, GN5, GN7, GN8, GN9, GN IO, GN11 GN I, GN2, GN I3 GN2, GN.l, GN 4. GN7. GN8, GN lO, GNl2, GNn GN7, GNS, GN9, GN!O. GNIJ, (~N 12, GN l3 GN2, GN8, GN9 a ~ Vital Business l)istricr.s Chapter 4 VBD2. VBD3, VBD4. VBD5 VBDI, VBD2, VBD3, VBD4, VBD5 VBDl. VBD2, VBD3, \IBD4, \IBD5 VBD2. VBD.1. I VBD4, VBDS i 0 A Strong Econon1y Ch<iprrr 5 SE4. SE?, SE8. SE9 SE I, SEZ, SE\ SE4, SE6, SE7. SE8, SE<l SE!, SE2, SE>. SE4. SES, SE6, SE7 SE I, SE l, SE4, SES. SE6 ~g\ ~:;;. Im 5'2. 5£4. VBD5 t SE2 ----------! i VBDl, VBD2, SE 1, SE2, SEl. I VBD3, VBD4, SE4. SES. SE7 VBDS I VBDl, VBD2, SE!, SE2, SE). i VBD3, VBDS SE4, SE6. SE7 ! VBD2, \IBD SE4. SE? '-!!\ \J Balanced Transportation Chapter 6 BT!. BT4 BT!. BT2, BT3. BT4, BT5, BT6 BT!, BT2, BT4. BT5, BT6 BTl. BTJ, BTS, BT6 BT!, BTZ, BT). BT4, BTS. BT6 BT!, BT3. BT6 BT!. BT2, BTl. BT4. BTS BT!, BT2, BT3, BT4,BT5,BT6 BT3, BTS G) A City that Enri"hc> Our Livt'S Ch'1pkr 7 EOl.2. EOU, EOL4. EOL.6. EOU EOLI. EOI.2. EOL1. EOIA. E015. EOl6. EOL7 EOLI. EOL.2. EOL4, EOL5, EOL6, EOL7 EOI.2, EOL l, EOL4. Et~)L.5, EOL6 EOLl, EOL2, EOU, EOL5, EOL6 EOL2. EOLl, EOL5 EOLI, EOL2, EOL1. EOL5. EOL6. EOL7 EOL.I, EOL2. EOLl, EOL4. EOL6, EOL7 EOL5 • Page 167 • 0 A City in Balance with Nature Chaptl'r 8 NI. Nl. N4. N5 NI. N2. ~l. N4, N5 N3, N+ N3, N4 N2 Nl, N4 N2 N2 Partnersh ipd Ch.ipt•·r<l l'I. 1'2. P3. 1'4. PS. 1'6 1'1, 1'2, I'\ 1'5 l'I, 1'2, 1'4 1'2. P4 f'l. r2. r». 1'4 l'l l"l, P4 Pl, Pl l'l. P2 Application/Comn1rnts Authc.nizl"d activity o( Plannin~ Cnnmi.-.siun pursuant n1 St•crion I I. Statt· of Michie.Hl PA 285 of l'-131. ~i..,; ~lllhtndt•ll. Strar1.:·gic p1:.11111ing at!voc.1tt: ... I ~s a m1.:·:111:-; to 1..l1.:·\·clt.1p :'hort~ rt"rlll ::tnionahlt" :-:tep~ in support ol long-ratH:t" pbnninl! rh.lt are ::t ... si~n<ihlt~ and tr:H.·k<\hk·. Ri.:~\'it•w to fon1hm it stlpfh)fthc.: uf .'liSt:'lin.1hk t.k·\"l·l11p·· 11w1ir -~tl·rion~ thar l'rt~att' d"fic1ent infrastr11o:rur1;·, 1\rntt·l't anJ enhan(t" quality uf lift, Jnd stren!.!tht'n ll)Lal t'etinomh."':' without injurin!! futurt !.!~neration"'. RtTi1..~w of L1nd Di\·isi\1J1 Act {PA 288-\067) i• .. 1r rq.1brting and red.e\·dopnwnc project:' and the C1..n·hit)Jnin1.t1rn A(t: (PA 59-1978) for dtwloprnent st:indard> opplicabk to ,ktoclwd :-;in~lt·-fomily n'ndomintum dt·,dopnwnt:' .. Nc.:·w :l)liillf.! tt.•ch1liqul":-: art rc.:'tomnwrnlnl tl1;lt can n· . ..;pond tq th1..~ major thc-nw:--,,ffrrt>d bv th1;· Plan. Fluatin!! zotw, cwn· 1:1: zont, i1Kenti\e/hnn11~ z1.,nin!!. Tra1..lition:1l ".'Jt.·i~hlh)rl11..H.l(.l Ot'n.·!npmcnt <TND) Di:->trict regulattt,n:·· :1nd l)1'0l'.l~Y (\)d- i11~ are rt';.l1n111w1Hlt·1l apprnad1e.~. Guilfdinc,, fill the ~'Clµ berwec.:n _i!e111..·nl rl"'n µulic1t:."' .1111..i mun: ~l't't."ific of .:onin,g r,~quiremcnt~. Nei~hhnrhood/art".1-spe(ifi'--pbnninv pro\ 1dl·s .1 ii1kr J,!'r~1m of annlysb thnn i . .., :1Yailahle Yia a cirywide m~.,ter plan. l....l.')cd fl1 intrca:->c-titi;:en rl"dlnical cap:1cin· a1H.l attract in\·t·srnw11t. Autlwri:,·d hy Se,·ti<>n l of Statt· ,i( MirhH!an PA 285 ,,f 1911. . .:\ [),t\<...:, uftt•n ,1n indqwndt'llC nn!.l!iiZ(lt:ion. l.-1r1.widt:·:-o: tt~d:~ nk.11 assi:'rarn:c <)n J\'.°.-ii!!n i'lsut.·s ~111d f..1Cilir.1r1..·s (vll:;t"thu:-: pbnnmg and de:'ign ·'l'lutinn:-: \\1th dt::n.:·lopcr:->. pl\)pcrty ow!H'f:', ndl!hborhPt•d .1nd lni:-;i1w;-. . .:. 01~.1nizn1 ion" nnd th'-· city. Tlw DAC wuld ph1y ""important rol<' in rlw pr,·p'1r"- tion of nei~hhorhOl)d and are:1·~p\'.'ci(k plans. Pbnnin!! Commi:->sion ill\l•ln .. ~mc·1H required hy s1;'C"tlltll (i of f'A 285 o( 19)1 ofrer \<fa;tc·r Plan "],>pkd. \·!MFO:'\ ,k- \'tlPpnwnt prou:•,..;s n·r11mmt:·th.kd. along wirh d1.::parrnwn- t~1\ progrnrn plan:-. Se~k nt:w t'r ~xµand~d .. rnrhority lor: • con:'t'fYatiun ;.lfe(IS • de:-i~n ft"\'iew inlp~Kt ft~ .... • l"UlKlllft"\11..'\" • tran:-::ter t1f t·i~,·d1..)pmenc riµht:-> dl"'molitiun appro\'al C. ·nlinu"'.",j ';;, n,!>:' p:::..c:~· Plan Grand Uapids • implementation · Chapter 12 Figure 12.b -Action Plan -Theme Comparison (Master Plan ()b11xtive(s) Addressed by Ac:tion !rem·) Action Plan ltems Gro"th Management Progratn Econon1ic Summit Mast.er Plan Evaluation Great Neighborhoods Chaprer l GN!, GN4. GNS GNI. GN2. GN\ GN4, GN5, GN6, GN8, GN9. GNIO, GN14 GN1-GN14 Vital Business A Strong Balanced Districts Economy Transportation Chapr,~r 4 Chaptt•r 5 Chaprer 6 VBDI. VBD4 i SE4, SES. SE6, BT! I I SE7 VBD l, VBD2, r s.. .. 1 · . l: l, SE.. Sf"3· BT! \IBD), VBD4 ! SE4, SES. SE6. SE7, SES. SE9 VBDl-VBDS l SE1-SE9 I BT1··-BT6 A Ciry thar A Cir,· in Balance Enriche. Our Liv<' .. ~ ''"ith Nature Chapter 7 Chaptt·r 8 EOL 1, E\.)L2 NI. Nl EOLI, EOL2. NI. '.J2 EOL4 EOLJ-EOL7 Nl-N5 Partnerships Ch"prer 9 Pl. l'Z Pl, f'2, P\ 1'4 l'l-1'6 Applicaclon/Comn1cnts GVMC tvkrrop11litan [),.,.,.Jopnknt Rluq.nint arn~nd~d b1 Bluqnint II incl11dint "pr,.dul..'1..~ a n1lu1H.:iry rt'!!iun~ll plan· ning pn•tl.'.'S!' that fu11nion!' Jt 101.:al le\'d." Rt·l~1 w ~\)urhcrn \.X/ayrn· C<)u111-, Chamlwr 1.1f Comnwrn· Eronom1r ~unnrnr a" rl.'.'gic1nal m~idcl. '* krtt:r/nUlllt!rlC .l\ ((),.f<" rd°cn;:nr~ l'JJt:nt'ir: µb.nnin~ .,1b1<...,...li\'I'! i,!fJund 1" rhaµtt'r:< ti)\ ,\,jlln::~~d b\· :\.'fh.'l'l rL.in 1lt:IU Rt·ql1in:·nwnr uf S1:·rrin11 8:1\2) nf Stan• 11( Mi1·hi~;.in PA 285 o ( 19 HCv1unic"ip:d Pbnni111! Al..'t) for Plannilli! Cnm111i!':-oion Hl re,·kw plan at lea.,t l"·er~ 5 yt:"ar.,, • nized around seven themes (see Chapter 3 throHgh 9). • The matrix reveals how eac:h Action Plan ircm im- pacts the objectives devel oped for each theme. l.t is recommended that periodic review of approved. and denied projects, master plan amendments and zon- ing ordinance changes placed before the Planning Commission, City Commission and Board of Zon- ing Appeals include consideratio n of rhis matrix ro eva luate decision making consistency and plan imple- mentation progress. City planning objectives and policies will likely change in the years ahead in response ro unexpected eYenrs <1nd in t:onsiderntion ot new information nor ye t available. It is recommended rhat new objectives be comp<1red against Acrion Phrn items as dH~Y m-e created to determine if ad dition;\! implemenrarion measures are warranted. Planning Rating Form -A sirnplc way to qukkly review a master plan using a rnting form has been suggested by the Michigan Society of Planning as pan of rhdr Master Planning Workshop (<1 .sam ple raring , form is presented in Suppkment A-6). Participants first reach agreemenr on the e\·a luation caregories to use, then evaluate whether the pLrn successfully re- spondecl to each category or failed ro adclrt~ss a par- ticular need or issue by scoring each category against a numerical scale (100 being a high scure and 0 rep- resenting a low . core). An "overall" score is also pro- vided to evaluate the adequacy of the exisring plan. The need to amend the plan is based upon irs rnu- nicip<1l score predetermined hy the group. Amending the Plan As the Master Plan is evaluated, it may be necessary to amend the Plan. The Planning Commission may amend, extend, or add to the Planar any rime, fol- lowing the proct~dures as set fonh rhe M unidpal Plan- ning Act. (The procedure is shown in rhe Municipal Plan Approval di,1gr;nn in Su/l{Jlcmcnt A4.) Plan amendments ca n be initiated in several ways: • a major private sector cleve lopmcn r proposal is received by the community that WC\S una nticiparcd; • ne1.v infonnarion (i.e., U.S . Census data, regional rrnnsporrarion plans, ctt:.) i:-recei\'t~d whidi forct~s a n~-evaluation of plan ;1ssumptions and ret:ommendarions; Chapter 12 · Implem>?.ntation • Plan Grand Rapids • Page 168 • • storm events ;md similar catastrophes such as fires force property redevelopment decisions; • activities of orher governmental agencies or authorities such as major infrastructure projects or development occurring "across the border" fon:e re,:onsiderntion of plan recommendations; and/or • petitions from community-based organizations or boards are presented. Plan amendments can also be made at the discre- tion of the Planning Commission to reflect an ex- tension, addition, or revision in terms of topical area, geographic coverage or level of detail. The prepara- tion of neighborhood/area-specific plans are an ex- ample of this (refer to Chapter 11 -Area-Specific Plans ·Page 151). When an amendmenr is anticipated, it is recnm- mended that the Planning Commission include the plan amendment in an annually adopted project priority list (supported by a resolution of concurrence from the City Commission). This project priority list will serve as rhe work plan for the next year mid should contain only those rnsks that can realistica lly be accomplished based on the availability of time, money, labor, and a thorough review of nt~ed. 12$2$10 ,,. Guidelines Workbook There is growing acceptance and support for local design guidelines and design review by the develop- ment community. Guidelines help fill the gap be- tween the general planning policies of site planning and zoning requirements. Sample design guidelines have been provided as part of the Master Plan (refer to Chapter 10 -Dewlopment Characte·r -Pag€ 117) to illustrate their value in guiding and coordinating pri- vate investment decisions. The Master Plan recom- mends that these samples be used as a srarring point • in preparing a comprehensive design guidelines work- book for addressing neighborhood character types and business areas. This Action Plan item should also derermine hO\v such guidelin es would be applied in the future. Guidelines may be advisory or m.mdatory;. They may be used to communicate the community's ur- ban design objectives and/or they may be incorpo- rated into the zoning code as development regulations. Certainly, design guidelines will. ha\.\'. a greater influence on rhe character of deYelopment if they <1re mandatory and administered as part of a ' sire plan or design re,·iew pwcess. Any design review process must be fair and c,msiste11t. Tht: following elements are usually incorpornted. • A "users guide" thar answers mosr of the common questions about content, process and riming. • A "pre-applierition confrr,~nce" to review community expectations, proposed concepts ,md establish a framework for resoh-ing problems. • Opporrunities for public comment on the proposed development and its consistency with the guidelines. • Staff analysis tc' describe how rhe project does or does not meet the design criteri;1. A checkli~r can be useful in i-his an<ilysis (An example is .:ontained in Sup/)lem..:nt A 7). l.n some cities, staff makes <I decision in their .:apacity as an administrative official: in others, a recommendation is referred to the Planning Commission as part of the site plan review process. • An appeal process rhat allows <111 aggrieved applicant, or a citizen opposing a project, to challenge the staff or Planning Commission decision. Specific criteria for gaining a waiwr of guidelines should be identified to expedite rhe review and appnwal rmices,,, and ro distinguish unwarranted appeals. • Page 169 • "Traditional 13:.sinc" Arai . Pro_iect Detail l Tho: ,\hil;r~ 1.11 [. ·"·.i; u"iB o! ~'.·;\,·n\H1,·nt (. · i,·~ul,•lr. ,,,:,th, 'I·' .-111 !" ·r,1· .-.Ii" :1 • S '-1tj.'l•·u1,· .. :::('\i:~ ,:,-.:1-.1· ·n iS.:nu.m \' f>.ukcr, HS I l.5 2•) i. l')~.;)). Lm~".•:!•:1• m r:1•_" c:._..._. "'l!J~•· ·n1·.l ti,,. ,·,i:i.·ept th.1t pl1hl1t . .., .. ,...11ar<"' 1~ :1 ~n•:-,,! :11od rn•b:1\'<" l•n11 ;w,1d,;v111-. '"''itl.m tl l' pl1W ... 1 ,. tl:r: l•::1~lan1~\.· to d\.>t•'ILlllth.' rh;1t ::'! :-••!1111\llrntr .. h,,o!d h..: '<.:J.l:l!l-d L,!,:r. th..: i 1 S. ~n1µ1d11~ (\·w·; (bi Pc:;n Ct:ntr.-ll Tr.u•~p,•n:1rk.11 Co. v. Ni:-.11 y,,rl l~l\\', 4 ~8 t ·.s. !.~ il')'l~l) r~' ••!.!t:i::•·J ~:f,,:._ ~rat,·:-;md riti...·' i1,,w ,·!1.1rt \.111,l 11~,· r .. :1..'t11.it1,11~' .~r ,.,,r,rr, -l~ : , ,·nhJ1<1·,· ti1 ... q,1..1l1t\ »l L1,· h. pr<;":<erviay :Le rkH".Ktl'T a; 1~l rh~ ,it>:<ir.!hll• ae.~thcrir ;,.,~(;,;r~ <•: :i. .-in-.. ~ Plan Grand Hapid.s • Imp lementation · Chapc,~r 12 Criteria for Successful Economic Development* Success can also be precltcted based on the following <'CO- nomic development criteria. • Long-term political and community leaders with the p;1tienC<' and perseverance ro nurture a plan over time. • A dear sense of rhe possibilities scaled ro the place, and a marked sense of "optimisri.: realism." These will keep doubters at bay in the crirical early stages. • A vision articulated in a way that caprures the imagination of the community. • A strategic plan for implementing the vision. It is important to have a t:actical game plan as well as a compelling goal -dreams !a<le when no visible ~icrion exists. • A management entity rhar can "acr" and rake responsibility for implementing the plan. Most cities have term limits for elected officials, making it imperative to lta•·e an organization that. will ensure continuity. • Early successes that can enhance the community's ability co maintain a sense of momentum. Realistic first target> and an inregrated matkering program help ro ser a sustainable pace. • Borrowed successes. Link the plan to initiatives already underway (i.e., streetscapes, transport systems or marketing programs) to accderate the sense of ad1ieve1nenr. • Funding through a variery of sources. The dremn should be realizable to a cerrnin degree when raken in :;maller steps rhat can be financrd quickly. "Robert Gorr.ltm J.nd '.'-bnrv E$?l.n, "Rcvirali.:ing Littk R."<:k," l Trb01n L·md. Septcmher 2(),'"}l. iJ::lfiC ll. Chapter 12 · lmpkmentation • Plan Grand Rapids 12"2" 11 ,,, Growth Management Program The success of the Ciry o( Grand R<ipids' phrnning program 1.vill depend upon its ability to constructively interact with neighboring communities and state anJ federal ;1gencies. Fostering improwd alliances will lie critical to advancing the recommenchitions ...:ontained within the ~faster Plan. Perhaps one ot' the hesr "'·ay~ ro respond to issues betwe,~n units and layers of go'" emment is rhrough local and regional cooperarion. Grand Rapids is served by rhrc~e such organirnrions. They arc rhc Grand Valley Metrn Council (GVMC), the \Xlest Michigan Regional Planning Commission, and the Urban Redevelopmenr Cot tndl of rhe Righr Place P1")grnrn. ln 1994 the ()rand Valley Metro Council rdeased the Merropolitm1 Det1dopm,:nt Blu~print rcporr which recommended redirecting growth and developmenr in compacr cenrers of eumornic ;1crivity and livahlt' communities framed by a network of grcenways and open lands. Blueprint strategies included: • complete an inventory of natural as~er~; • design a transit sysrcm based on Blucprinr concepts; • define current employmenr centers/locate future cenrers; • review \Vater/sewer utility services crn d the way they serve land use p<ttterns; • devise ways to encourage compact/livable commtiniries; • create sub-regional alliance;; ro <tddr..:ss i~sues. Thret~ add itional goals haw rt'.Cently been adJed. Collectively referred to as "Blueprinr U," they are: • produce a voluntary regional planning process thar functions at the local le\'el; • Page 170 • • promote Blueprint principles within the local political process; • equip metropolirnn comrnuniries wirh effecri,·e tools for cYaluaring rcgion<il decision-making. It is recommc'.nded rhat the GVMC in asso...:iation wirh rhe West Michigan SrraregiL Alliance (\VMSA) work in concert ro champion regional "Sm;1rt Uro1nh" ini- riative~, which respond rn the impacrs ot' s1m1wl.4 12.2.12 .. Economic Summit The future suc...:ess ,_if Grand Rapids is th)f only tied to regional land use planning issues, burro maintain- ing regi on,tl e,:ouomic virnliry. !11 2000, du.: Mid1i- gan Economic Development Corporation released the r<~~ults of a srndy prepared by tht~ Anderson Economi,: Group pertaining to business dimate and site sdec- rio11 ...:riteria · rax r;ites, t~~es, regulatory burdens, util- ity costs, wages, business costs and orher i!L'\'ernrnenr burdens. Grand Rapids ranked No. l in terms ot' prot~ itability for manufacturing and service finm. 1 t is T<~COllHllt~nded rliat c' >ll\lll\ l11 ity [e;.1Lkrs c:on- ti nue to address these and other criteria hv holding an ;1nnual Ec:onornic Summir 1·,, ~tddress on-goin.g regional is~ues affecting pri\·ate inwstment di,·isions. The Right: Place Program, the Urban Reckvelopment Council and Susrnin<ible Business Forum (along with other intcresr<:d stakchold,~rs) might champic)n rhe event. lts design should incorporate an cxtensiw outread1 effort ro i11\'lilve neighb,)rhc'od organiza- tions <ind businesses rhat mirror the process used tL' create the Master Plan. An ex;1mpk model dh~Y srwuld consiJer is an <lllllU<ll economic forum de- signed by rhc Sm1thern Wayne County \Michigan) Chamber of Commerce.' ·· :h .. \X'MSt\ !.~ ~ v('llutV\'er c1.[bi"\(•r:iti\'\" .·fl~'rl J:..,· l•-<":i! ~'(')\'t'rr:"l"nt.<. lnhi:-it:'"'''• h\..<~m.:b•t'..:·. :.:.n-1 p,i.,.1k >it1ut1', •·•t;)hli·b·,\ tn Jt')G~, ..111 [ :·;·,_'lk·i t·. ,!nd· ·;> .l ~'i·h.:l ... ti lkW:· \'i.'iil1!~ I~,;-\x..·,kiH· Mu·l1h:.m. TJii, i•rt'rt".'.<, -·.lB:•-l 1li,· ··cP111111on Fr.imr",\· .. rt-~ 1, in•1·n.i.-J i.1 l,l'.• •h( J;T•"''~,\..,.c:i..1-·r ti.-:' ~1 ... :1t.-r Gr.md Rq.i.i.-., ~h!::l..n-;11:. Grni.d H.1w:, :1:1d f-1,,l\:11~.i .ll<'<• h· pl.i:~ -1, :1 !'•..,:;,.;, 1111 S<_,,1th1::n1 \'(.';iy1:•: C.-unl' n·, •!\•'!:u< i• 1r:m, r:il!i...,\ ;.h,; [\ .wnn•.._., :::.:..1:,an1t, I': • .-•.r::h.'>.."l•' l-·1.mn1n; pr•"·,..,, inv(i\vm-.: rh~ ;.:i>1bik ancl 1·n\~,~~ ''e-<lrn~ J,r~·ieJ l•.V.''.'lr-1 iJ"°m:11·n\:.: ··nti··,\i ,·c1,,:'.lD1l'.'- 11.:c•L; :11.d 1·(,,•hni; tlw r,·_;r,lm.,.<: :,-.<,·~:<.iry l(' Jd\i\"\-\0 tiKt11. F,,ur w,,rk;ih! \111n1111tr,-~.,. ],:'!,,. h..·,ii j,,.,~,~ed f•' (,x:;.1, M~ (~n,,hl\' ,,(Lilt. \'(i,,rkf·r:·e Devel•1j .. :inc11: Er,,1,,1:1:'.l :lcvt!,+11h'!ll, ,11;.\ !nfra.~::ru<::i.,;·'° i_.;,_,t:~ 12~3 ~ Overcoming Barriers to Implementation lnstitutional barriers may limit the eftectiveness of plan implementarion. The Grand Rapids commu- niry is well positioned ro meet these challenges in the years ahead, provided it commits itself to the recommendations of the Master Plan. Building Government Trust The Master Plan has been drafted based upon a model of public collaboration. Addition;:il informa- tion and outreach efforts are planned as an Action Plan implementation strategy ro build public rrusr and a commitment ro mecr planning objectives. Complexity of Interests A robust community such as Grand Rapids has many public agencies and private organizations with com- peting priorities, responsibilities and viewpoints. Ad- vocates also bring diverse vie\vpoints to important community decisions. Grand Rapids has an established infrastructure of neighborhood and business organizations, regional councils and a history of joinr decision-making that has recently produced dramatic results. These in- clude, for example : • collaboration between the Ciry, Grand Rapids Township and Plainfield Township in planning for the furure of rhe East' Belrline corridor; • regular participation of neighborhood and civi c organizations and regional agencies in important land use decisions; • colbboration between the cirics of <.]rand Rapids and \X!al.ker in explorin~ the potential for a sust·ainable business p;irk in the industTial area loc;1ted wesr 1.Jf US-131 and south of 1-96; • p:uticipation in regional transit planning :md operations through the lnrcrnrli::m Tr,msit Partnership (ITP); • parriciparion in rhc UVMC's Urban Metro Committee to develop a subregional plan: and • participarion in GVMC's Metropolira11 Transportation Planning Co1nmit:ree's ;icrivit:ies as the designated Mt:tropolitan Planning Organi:ation. B11ilding upon these ;1chievements hy initiating <1 Regional Growth \-1:magement Program and Eco- nomk Summit will be critical to the Plan's success. Communities Must do More with Less Communities can no longer rely on state ;md fed- ern 1 goYernrnents as major fundin.£! sources. EKTd vvith unfunded m::mclares and a shrinking labor force, local governments find they must compete with more attractive private senor positi,in~ in finding and re- rnining qualified personnel. Thm, less money and fewer people are available t·o carry through on pl<1n implementation acri,·ities. ln response, regional funding oprions and public- private partnerships arL~ being pursued with increased vigor to carry out planning objectives. Continued conversation in this regard through a forum of an annual Economic Summit will help i-o focus drillar:;; where they ;ire most needed. • Page J 71 • Th1s jonnel rnilrut1.d brid~c \t:t'LS ~ontiiCr!l'd fo1 pi.!d~!strian u.se 01•c>1 th:! Chand f\i·vc1 in Dou:n1ou11 Urm1d R<1/1id,. Plan Gmnd Rapid5 • lmpl.emenwtion -Ciwpc,:r 12 While traairional households with school age children no longer comprise the majority of tit<! household.< in the City of Grand RatJids, rite goaL' c•f the Maste,. P!an cannot be fidly reaked unless parents wirh school ag" ..:hildun ]Jei-ceive t•iali/e education o/itions in rhe city. Clwpce1· 12 · lmplemcntL cion • Plan Grand Rapids • Tyranny of Urgency The accelerared pace ot society and the growing di- verse demands of consriruency group~ t">ften naps local officials inro spending their time solely "pur- ring out fires," not on long-range planning needs This can lead to a freling o( frustTation over not be- ing able to meet long-term goals :ind gain a sense ,)f ch:compli~hment. T he City Dcparrmenr and Progrnm Actk)n Priori- ties implernenrarion sm1tegy addresses this predica- ment direcrly by linking the ciry's 3-Year Strategi,: Plan with master planning efforts. Lack of Technical Capacity The Masrcr Plan has emph;:isizcd the importance of urban design as a critiL~<1l factor in the development of Grand Rapids. The Action Plan recommends rhat GVMC explore the porential of establishing a De- sign .Assistance Center and Design Uuidelines Workc book to increase the rechnical capacity o( rhe metropolirnn region to respond to future design is- sues fac in g the community. Leveling the Playing Field Often, governmenr;il policies do nor ;;upporr rht~ ef- forts of local communities ro remain competiti\·e or to enact: local regubtions designed ro preserve local community v;1 lues. Research shows that many polocies (ldopred since World War ll ar the fcdernl, state, and county level h<WC created a sysrem of overt and hidden subsidies \\·herehy mban ,:omnumities subsidize suburban communities. The Action Phm recommends new srare legislation he enacrecl thar contributes to growth management and afforchble housing supply efforts • Balancing Individual Property Rights with Community Interests and Goals The es~ence of (Ommuniry, especially urban com- munity, is that the best life for ,11l is achieved when individual rights are balanced wirh the interesrs of rhc comrnunity. Aristotle rnughr that the inclividu,d (Ould nor reach his ,)r her highesr deYclopmenr out- side a rebri,)nship to rlw ,:ity. Rigid ideologi,·,i[ ,:orn- mitmcnrs ro individual rig-hrs at the expense ,)f rhc community. or the other way around. will impede rhe implementation of the plan. A ha lance must be sought. " ... we must lllrn Lo the /irst cJ1i.:5·tion of political /lhilo.rn- jJhy: ls it che rok of go1•ermnenc co i>romote indi1·idulll rig/m whil.e d4ending the common good, or to promote the common good while cl4enclin!{ indi1•d1w1 rights?" From Stdlurl•rm N11twn: Th.' R.i'e and !he Dfdin,, nJ rhc-c"\rn,·11,:<tn Oretlllt Schools While traditional households wirh school age chil- dren no longer comprise rhe majority o ( the housc- h,)lds in the City of Clrand Rapids, rhe goals of the Ma~ter Plan c;mnN he fully realized 1111le~~ parenr~ \Vith school age children perceive viable education options in the city. Charter schools and parochial schools rnn supply this need ro a point, but a rhrh·- ing public school system is an esst'nti<1 l ,;riterkm for full implementation of rhe Plan. The crisis of the urban public sd1oul is nor unique ro ()r,rnd Rapid~. The city must be ;m.:ounrable rn working in ,:oncert wirh rhe puhli,· ~d10ob ro re;1lize rhe gm1I~ ,)( rhe Plan. Ar the S<lme rime, rhe city and its citizens must demand accountability trom the' sdwol admini~tni tion, unions, parents ;1nd srudenrs. The Acri on Plan recognizes t:h,~ import;mcc ot" monitoring the consequences (anricipatcd or unin- tended) of imerrclared a,:rions by pre~,:rihing rhar" formal Master Plan evaluation pruce:;s be adopted as an on-going JH"<Ktice of the ciry. City Staff Coordination lt is essential to involve city staff at all levels to un- derstand and implement the Master Plan. Day-to- day cooperation among city officials is essential to its success. The Acrion Plan advocates that formal coordinated points of information exchange con- tinue through the CIP process, the strategic plan- ning process, and the on-going review of city policies that support the Master Plan. Misperceptions and Prejudice Race and soci.oeconornic status continue to influ- ence personal property investment decisions and affect locational choices for industry and home own- ership. A critical Action Plan activity is information and outreach. This on-going <lctivity of Master Plan edu- cation can help to reinvigorate a dedsion-making process based on shared inrerests and common is- sues of concern. Auto State Some of the recommendations of the Plan, sud1 as viable transportation choices and traffic ca lming could be perceived as a challenge to the automobile. This perception is not necessarily rea lity. There is a growing recognition that sole reliance on the auto- mobile as a rransporrarion option is not a su~rain able strategy for tlw future of a city like Grand R;ipids The Action Phrn recommends that we make the case that viable transportation options are a contri- bution to the long term economic viability of the region through fixed-roure rransir planning. •Page 173 • Plan Grand Rapids • Implementation -Chapter 12 Chapter 12 · Imple mentation • Plan Grand Rapids •Page 174 • ...... ~ .... :