Suburban — Planning Principles
In Suburban landscapes, planning activities (such as comprehensive planning, infrastructure investment, regulatory updates, community revitalization, and creation of green space) should take into consideration the following principles:
Growth Outlook
- Future growth
- Growth occurs as a natural extension of existing development rather than leapfrogging to isolated greenfield sites
Preservation Focus
- Preservation and reuse of historic buildings in their historic context
- Villages and hamlets
- Protection and restoration of natural areas, nature preserves, and cultural landscapes
Land Use Patterns
- Low to medium density mixed use development and infill development
- Revitalization of brownfields, greyfields, and business parks
- A variety of housing types, including accessory housing units and small-scale infill multi-family residences, at a variety of price points
- Land available for new industrial and heavy commercial uses in appropriate locations
- Retail and offices that support residential neighborhoods
- Community institutional uses, such as schools and senior housing
- Diverse agricultural activities
Infrastructure
- Improved pedestrian and bicyclist safety and mobility via traffic calming, sidewalks, bike lanes, and increased street interconnections
- Appropriately scaled roadways
- Expanded public access to parks and trails
- Planned extension of sewer and water infrastructure for new development that does not leapfrog greenfield sites
- Modern communications infrastructure