Cary Design guidelines

Transcription

C• A• R•Y
Design Guidelines
Prepared for:
The Town of Cary
North Carolina
Prepared by:
Frazier Associates and
Strategic Land Planning
August 2001
BACKGROUND
Cary’s Vision .................................................................... 2
Purpose of Design Guidelines ............................................. 3
How to Use These Design Guidelines ................................... 4
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Create Human Scale .................................................... 6
Create a Sense of Place ................................................ 8
Connect Uses .............................................................10
Provide Transitions.....................................................12
Reduce Parking Impacts ..............................................14
Plan for Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Transit Users ..........16
Provide Open Space ....................................................18
DEVELOPMENT TYPES
How to Use This Section ..................................................22
1. Activity Centers .........................................................23
2. Office/Industrial Parks and Transitional Office Areas ......28
3. Other Nonresidential Uses ...........................................30
4. Residential Areas .......................................................32
5. Corridor Conversion and Redevelopment Areas ...............34
GUIDELINES TOOL KIT
How to Use the Tool Kit ...................................................37
1. Circulation ................................................................38
A. Roads .............................................................38
B. Pedestrian Routes ............................................45
C. Bicycle Routes .................................................48
D. Transit ...........................................................50
E. Streetscape Environment ..................................52
2. Site ........................................................................57
A. Parking ..........................................................57
B. Building Setback and Arrangement ....................66
C. Landscaping ....................................................70
D. Other Site Features ..........................................73
3. Buildings ..................................................................76
A. Entrance Orientation ........................................76
B. Building Mass ..................................................78
C. Building Elements and Materials ........................80
4. Open Space ...............................................................88
A. Gathering Places ..............................................89
B. Recreation and Natural Areas ............................92
C. Private Outdoor Space ......................................94
5. Transitions and Screens ..............................................95
A. Architectural ...................................................96
B. Landscape .......................................................99
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CARY DESIGN GUIDELINES
Design Guidelines 1
CARY DESIGN GUIDELINES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
TOWN OF CARY COUNCIL
Glen Lang, Mayor
Jack Smith, Mayor Pro Tem
Marla Dorrel
Jennifer Robinson
Nels Roseland
Jess Ward
Harold Weinbrecht
TOWN OF CARY STAFF
Jeff Ulma, A.I.C.P., Director, Planning Department
Jim Parajon, A.I.C.P., Manager, Land Use and Transportation Division
Scott Ramage, A.I.C.P., Manager, Growth Management Division
FOCUS GROUP MEMBERS
Frank Baird, Capital Associates
Rick Carnagua, Citizen
John Eick, Planning & Zoning Board
Boots Elam, ETD, Inc.
Mike Hunter, W & W Partners, Inc.
Mark Ivy, Citizen
Tim Joyce, Cary YMCA
Eric Kenney, Altman Corporation
John Powell, Appearance Commission
Ted Powell, Konover Property Trust
Scott Radway, Kimley-Horn & Associates
Chuck Smith, Withers & Ravenal, Inc.
Linda Teal, Citizen
CONSULTANTS
Frazier Associates
213 North Augusta Street,
Staunton, VA 24401
Strategic Land Planning, Inc.
132 North Main, Suite 100,
Woodstock, VA 22664
© Frazier Associates, Strategic Land Planning and The Town of Cary.
BACKGROUND
Design Guidelines 1
C• A• R•Y
Background
What Kind of Place Does
Cary Want To Be?
Cary citizens clearly want the
Town to be a special kind of place,
a specific place, a community.
The Land Use Plan notes that
“Cary’s residents care passionately
about the appearance, design, and
form of their community.” The
following features were identified
in particular and form the basis of
the vision for Cary:
Attractive Appearance - Emphasis
on urban design.
Highly Connected Roads and
Paths - Safe, convenient travel
ways that provide multiple routes
and are accessible not just to
motorists but also to pedestrians
and bicyclists.
Activity Nodes - Not strip
development but instead “activity
centers,” envisioned as mixed-use
nodes with commercial, office,
institutional, and high-density
residential development clustered
in a pedestrian-friendly manner.
Natural Landscapes - Preserved
natural areas and also enhanced
landscape in developed areas.
Transit-Friendly Development - A
development pattern that offers
the potential for economical and
efficient transit services.
Vibrant - A community with
unique and interesting places and
focused areas of activity and
human interaction.
2 Design Guidelines
CARY’S VISION
Cary has established its vision for future development through
the extensive public planning process that resulted in the Land
Use Plan. Key objectives of the vision are to retain a sense of
place, to have a more human-scale and pedestrian-oriented
environment, avoid strip development along arterials, focus
commercial activity into discrete nodes, and to increase connectivity.
Design and Community
The Town of Cary has many assets including a prime location near
Raleigh and Research Triangle Park, an attractive landscape, a
strong economic position, and high development standards.
Creating places conducive to “community” is one role of urban
design. A subtext throughout the Land Use Plan is the connection between development patterns and the function of a community. What is desired are places that encourage informal, casual
interactions and meetings. Many such places are found in the
public realm, such as along important sidewalks, paths, or within
open spaces or in parks as well as in a variety of shopping areas.
Hierarchy of Places
A sense of place implies distinct places, rather than the run-on blur
of much modern development. People move daily from where they
live, to where they shop, to where they work, to where they play.
These places can and should feel different from each other. One
aspect of the Design Guidelines is establishing ways to make all
parts of Cary connected while at the same time make them distinct
from each other. Some places are used more intensively than others.
A hierarchy, a feeling of distinction between areas, can reinforce the
balance of places that makes up a community.
Throughout this manual, the attempt is made to illustrate this
hierarchy or distinction of places: some are “going through”
places (corridors), others are “destinations” (activity centers,
office/industrial parks, other nonresidential areas) and others are
“where we live” (residential areas). The vision for these different
uses is to be well-connected, but functional. This concept simply
requires that new development is planned with its neighboring
developments in mind, specifically in how they relate through
circulation and architectural design. When successfully executed,
each development can be distinct but also blend with its neighbors.
PURPOSE OF DESIGN GUIDELINES
To address this challenge, the Town’s Land Use Plan lays a comprehensive groundwork for changing the pattern of new development with the goal of achieving a more attractive, functional, and
citizen-friendly design. That plan called for the development of a
design guidelines manual to put these concepts into action.
These Design Guidelines present general design priorities and
core design principles that can be adapted to individual circumstances of site and subdivision layout. While specific examples
are provided, the enduring strength of guidelines relies on their
flexibility. Not every case and circumstance can be anticipated,
nor is the goal to prescribe the design of every development in
Cary. In fact, given the level of sophistication of the market in
Cary, it is anticipated that developers will be able to build on
these principles and create unique, livable, and viable projects
that meet the vision.
The Design Guidelines are therefore a direct result of the public
planning process used to develop the Land Use Plan. This
manual was developed by consultants, Frazier Associates and
Strategic Land Planning, in close collaboration with Town staff.
Ample input was provided, through in-depth workshops with a
focus group made up of citizens and developers.
The Cary Design Guidelines Manual is intended to serve a number
of purposes. They are to:
1. Educate property owners, developers, the public, and plan
reviewers on what is expected and desired for new development throughout the Town of Cary;
2. Present clear principles and priorities for achieving this vision;
3. Present clear policy guidelines and criteria for development to
implement the design vision; and
4. Illustrate specific techniques to use when planning and designing developments.
How Guidelines Relate to
Other Ordinances
This manual is an official
policy document that expands
upon the priorities and goals
of the design principles set
forth in the Land Use Plan.
While the document provides
specific recommendations for
development, it cannot, and is
not intended to, cover all
circumstances. Rather, the
structure and content of the
manual are meant to give
developers and reviewers the
perspective to address the
unique conditions of each
project, while giving builders
the flexibility to develop their
own designs that meet the
intent, principles and spirit of
the guidelines.
Each development project must
follow all relevant Town
ordinances and policies. These
include but are not limited to
the variety of chapters in the
Unified Development Ordinance.
Design Guidelines 3
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Background
HOW TO USE THESE DESIGN GUIDELINES
This manual moves from the general to the specific. After this
background section, its three main sections are Design Principles,
Development Types, and Guidelines Tool Kit.
The Design Principles Section is an important reminder of the
reason for the manual. It puts into a visual form the essence of
the concepts developed in the Land Use Plan (LUP). Seven basic
design principles were drawn from the LUP. These are illustrated
and examples are given in order to guide the design of new
construction.
The Development Types Section puts these design principles
into practice. For each major development type, a checklist
clarifies what is expected for projects of that type. “Illustrative
development patterns” provide annotated, visual representations
of conceptual designs that meet Cary’s vision.
The Guidelines Tool Kit Section gives specific guidance on the
individual elements that make up a project. It is organized by
topic (circulation, site planning, buildings, open space, and
transitions) and provides text guidelines accompanied by illustrations and additional tips.
All users should read the Design Principles section. Property
owners, developers, architects, engineers, and other members of
the development team can then consult the Development
Types section that discusses the type of development they are
considering. In designing that development, they can refer to
the Guidelines Tool Kit section for each relevant element.
4 Design Guidelines
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Design Guidelines 5
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Design Principles
Design Principles for Development
in Cary and How to Use Them
1. Create Human Scale.
2. Create a Sense of
Place
3. Connect Uses
4. Provide Transitions
5. Reduce Parking
Impacts
Seven design principles were distilled from the Cary Land Use
Plan. They are explained in this section and form the basis for the
recommendations made in the Development Types and Guidelines
Tool Kit sections of this document. They are:
1. Create Human Scale;
2. Create a Sense of Place;
3. Connect Uses;
4. Provide Transitions;
5. Reduce Parking Impacts;
6. Plan for Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Transit Users; and
7. Provide Open Space.
1. CREATE HUMAN SCALE
6. Plan for Pedestrians,
Bicyclists, and
Transit Users
7. Provide Open Space
c
Human scale is the proportional relationship of buildings and
spaces to people. When components in the built environment are
ordered in such a way that people feel comfortable then human
scale has most likely been used. By contrast, a place that is out
of human scale, either too small or too large, will tend to make
people feel uncomfortable. The reaction is to avoid such a place
or to move through it quickly. Significant buildings and sites use
monumental scale to create a sense of importance. In these cases,
the human scale elements are often incorporated into the project
as well. Human scale can be further reinforced by the choice of
materials, textures, patterns, colors, and details.
a
Characteristics of Human Scale Development
b
The photo above shows elements
that give human scale to buildings:
a. A building element that marks
the height of the first floor such as
a cornice; b. A sign hung so it is
visible to the walking pedestrian;
c. Trees that provide a protective
canopy to walk under. The tree
canopy is approximately the same
height as the cornice in a.
6 Design Guidelines
1. The dimensions of building height and width, street width,
streetscape elements, building setback, and other elements are
combined so that they establish a comfortable realm for
people to move around in and interact in. The dimensions of
human interaction govern the design rather than the dimensions of vehicular circulation and convenience.
2. Buildings are arranged to enclose and define space. This may
include locating buildings close to a sidewalk, creating
spacial definition.
3. Buildings have limited height at pedestrian paths and sidewalks. Taller buildings have upper stories that are set back.
There is a gradual transition of heights and mass, with the
greatest concentration in the center of activity centers.
4. Building articulation and
design details reduce the
perceived mass of large
buildings. Elements such as
openings at street level,
decorative elements that
mark floor heights such as
cornices, porches and
awnings are used to break
the building down to
human dimensions.
5. Residential forms and
proportions are used on
commercial and office
buildings next to residential areas.
6. Street trees with protective canopies enclose and
define the streetscape.
7. Street widths are limited
when possible, bulb-outs
are used at crosswalks, and
medians are used to break
the street into dimensions
comfortable for pedestrians.
8. Streetscape elements such
as sidewalks wide enough
for comfortable pedestrian
movement, distinctive
sidewalk paving, pedestrian-scale streetlights
and other fixtures are
used to relate to the
human dimension.
Building Elements
A large mass without defining architectural elements (above) gives observers
no visual reference to themselves. Without elements that bring the building
into scale, the person can feel disoriented.
Architectural features such as cornices, windows, vertical divisions such as
columns and piers, break the same mass down to human scale. The person is
attracted to be near and in the spaces created by such buildings.
Space
Spaces between buildings can be out of human scale,
causing a feeling of being lost in a sea of emptiness.
Creating human scaled spaces that are defined by either
buildings or landscape features provide more friendly,
inviting places.
Space has no closure.
5x
x
Space is too large as defined by buildings. The most
comfortable community spaces are in the ratio of two
or three horizontal units to one vertical unit.
2-3 x
x
Comfortable human scale space is
enclosed by buildings.
Comfortable human scale space is
enclosed by landscaping and building.
Design Guidelines 7
C• A• R•Y
Design Principles
2. CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE
1. Create Human Scale
Place
3. Connect Uses
A “sense of place” creates an image that remains in your mind
when you leave that area. This sense can be built on a particular
distinctive element, such as a landmark building or a grove of
mature trees or a special view. It also can be a mosaic of details
that creates a fine-grained streetscape. Individuality of design
can give a sense of place, and so can a theme of common design
elements, particularly in the public realm.
.
Characteristics of Sense of Place
5. Reduce Parking
Impacts
Bicyclists, and
Transit Users
1. Civic open spaces may be located in central parts of
a development.
2. Amenities such as fountains, clocks, or seating areas
are provided.
3. Gateways into an area are marked with signature architecture, public art, and/or landscaping.
4. A landscaping and/or streetscape theme is used to define
the area or the inherent features of a place.
5. The architecture relates to human scale, is pedestrian
friendly and is harmonious with neighboring buildings
and the setting.
6. Outdoor spaces are defined by building arrangement, landscaping, and/or site elements such as fences or walls.
7. A materials palette or architectural theme may be
established for specific areas.
8. Special features and buildings may be used to
terminate vistas.
9. While an architectural style or landscape theme may create a
unified design, some variety and individual expression within
that theme provides vitality to an area.
Because the Town
Clock in Cary marks
the heart of the
community it helps
to create a sense of
place. A clock located
at another location
corner may not have
the same effect.
8 Design Guidelines
A well-scaled plaza in the middle of new development
provides a sense of place (top), as does the clock tower
at Preston Corners in Cary (above right). Residential area
front yards, sidewalks and front porches (right) and
expanded sidewalks for cafes (below right) provide places
for gathering and social interaction. As Cary continues
to develop, elements like these can be used to create a
sense of place.
Design Guidelines 9
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Design Principles
Place
3. Connect Uses
5. Reduce Parking
Impacts
Bicyclists, and
Transit Users
3. CONNECT USES
A community is made up of both social and physical connections.
Connecting uses means making clear pedestrian and vehicular
pathways between developments. It also means intermingling
compatible uses. A strong sense of community, the highly valued
“small-town atmosphere,” depends on having such convenient
and easy access to a variety of activities and uses.
This connection of uses is very important to the function of a
livable, pedestrian-oriented community such as Cary desires.
Because many policies of recent decades have resulted in or even
required the separation of projects and uses, this all-important
design principle perhaps will require the greatest adjustment in
how development occurs.
Characteristics of Connectivity
1. Individual developments are joined together with roads and
continuous sidewalks and paths versus a collection of separate
development pods. Within a development, easy-to-use internal circulation is provided not only for cars but for pedestrians and bicyclists between all buildings and spaces.
2. Street stubs to adjacent developable sites are provided in
existing developments for future connections between new
projects and uses.
3. Common streetscape elements, materials and designs are used
to visually link different areas.
4. Buildings are oriented to roads and sidewalks with orientation
to parking areas being secondary. Buildings and whole developments are not isolated from one another with extensive
buffers.
5. Pedestrian and vehicular links are provided to parks, schools,
and other public destinations.
Salt Box Village in Cary is connected
with sidewalks to adjoining residential
neighborhoods.
10 Design Guidelines
a
Visual and physical connections are made between this shopping center and the
neighboring residential development (a) in the distance.
a
a
Pedestrian connections are made to large office developments (a) from a nearby hotel.
This connection to adjoining development also includes outdoor
cafes (a), further encouraging pedestrian activity.
Plan view
Plan developments with sidewalk,
street and open space connections.
Design Guidelines 11
C• A• R•Y
Design Principles
4. PROVIDE TRANSITIONS
Place
3. Connect Uses
5. Reduce Parking
Impacts
Bicyclists, and
Transit Users
As Cary moves into a pattern of integrated uses and development
projects, transitions become more important than ever to ensure
compatible neighbors. Traditionally, uses have been separated
and projects were designed to stand alone, buffered by landscaping and spacial separation. Cary’s vision calls for bringing buildings in activity centers closer together and requiring connections.
With good transitions, potential conflicts can be forestalled.
Characteristics of Transitions Between Uses
1. Complementary architectural design including building height,
style, color, materials, mass, footprint and decoration is used
to make a transition between diverse land uses.
2. Manipulation of massing is used to buffer abrupt changes of
scale. For instance, the mass of a multistory development can
be stepped back from the street when adjacent to smaller
scale development.
3. Transitions between residential and larger commercial areas
are created with mid-sized developments that may include
higher density residential, small office and/or retail uses.
4 . Primary building elevations that are visible from the street or
neighboring developments generally are not devoted to service
functions such as delivery, loading docks, maintenance areas,
utility equipment, etc.
5. Planted buffers or fences and walls are used when architectural transitions would not be sufficient to reduce negative
impacts such as rear service entries.
6. Parks and open spaces can be transition zones between residential and commercial uses.
This Cary office development transitions to adjacent residential developments through the use of residentiallycompatible architectural styles.
a
b
a
b
This is a transition between townhouses (a) and a
multifamily residential structure (b).
In this example, small scale retail (a) transitions from a shopping
center to medium-density residential development (b).
a
Architectural transitions are achieved
when larger scaled commercial
buildings respect the scale and form of
adjacent lower density uses (a).
Architectural Transition
b
When design character does not blend,
landscape transitions are used to
soften and buffer the change of scale
and design (b)
Landscape Transition
Residential
Commercial
Landscaped areas can create transitions between uses while maintaining
connectivity.
C• A• R•Y
Design Principles
5. REDUCE PARKING IMPACTS
Place
3. Connect Uses
5. Reduce Parking
Impacts
Bicyclists, and
Transit Users
A key principle of Cary’s design vision is to reduce the visual
impact of parking. This goal includes reducing the image of the
“sea of parking” one finds along corridors at retail centers and
the “garage-scape” in neighborhoods. Parking is necessary at
work, at home, and at destinations throughout the town. However, there is no reason why it needs to dominate the view.
Following other design principles should result in a decreased
need for parking spaces, as more sites are accessible on foot and
in combined trips. At the same time, the careful placement and
design of parking areas will do much to determine how successfully Cary can achieve its other goals of full pedestrian access and
good connections.
Characteristics of Reduced Parking Impacts
1. A portion of parking is placed to the rear or sides of commercial buildings that face a street. This parking is essentially
overflow parking for peak usage during the year.
2. Buildings are more prominent than parking lots.
3. On-street parking is provided when feasible to reduce the area
of parking lots.
4. Parking is shared between complementary uses such as
churches and office buildings.
5. Plantings and pedestrian paths are used to divide large lots
into smaller lots.
6. Parking lots are screened with low walls and/or year-round
plantings.
7. Parking lots are well-shaded with trees in order to create a
more desirable parking area.
8. Garages do not dominate the residential street view. In some
cases, access and parking are provided at the rear of some
residential units.
9. Structured parking is used in high-density commercial/office
areas to reduce the area of necessary surface parking.
Parking at Preston Commons is screened and
buffered from view so that buildings take on
more prominence.
Retail
Retail
The use of mature landscaping and topography reduce the
impact of parking in this large lot.
This illustration shows a shopping Center with overflow
parking to the side and rear.
In this development, on-street parking is provided to reduce
the size of parking lots.
a
Sidewalks and landscaping reduce the impact of a large
parking area and provide pleasant connections between
uses. (The lot is also directly across from the building in
the photo at left.)
In the residential development, left, the garage (a) is placed
behind the house at an angle. The driveway is shared. In
Carpenter Village, above, parking is located in the rear and
is not visible from the street.
C• A• R•Y
Design Principles
Place
3. Connect Uses
5. Reduce Parking
Impacts
Bicyclists, and
Transit Users
6. PLAN FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS,
AND TRANSIT USERS
Emphasis on the pedestrian experience looms large throughout
the vision for Cary. It is intended that it be possible to bike or
walk between most destinations and to have transit service
between major points. Overcoming obstacles to walking from
place to place requires evaluation of all components of development, from road dimensions to building arrangement and to
parking lot design. It also requires amenities such as sidewalks,
plantings, and street furniture. Continuous routes are the key.
Characteristics of Planning for Pedestrians,
Bicyclists, and Transit Users
1. Overall, sidewalks, paths and greenways are connectors between communities, between and within neighborhoods,
block-to-block and at mid-block to schools and other high
volume pedestrian destinations.
2. Sidewalks are continuous along public streets.
3. Sidewalks connect buildings to the public sidewalk and to
each other.
4. A system of bicycle and pedestrian paths is provided
town-wide.
5. Sidewalks are designed to match the future volume of
pedestrian traffic.
6. Safe and frequent crossings are provided for pedestrians.
7. Amenities such as street furniture, shade, and shelter
are provided for pedestrians where there is a high volume
of usage.
8. Sites for transit stops are reserved at locations appropriate for
commuters and activity center users.
9. Bicycle storage is provided at appropriate locations, including
parks, focus areas, and office parks.
Franklin Street in Chapel Hill includes benches, landscaping
and bike racks. These amenities are immediately adjacent to
shops and restaurants and close to transit stops. All of these
features encourage pedestrian activity.
Sidewalks are provided to connect
shopping centers with outparcels.
Pedestrian/bike bath connects various
uses and developments.
Drive aisles are narrow where pedestrian crosswalks
occur (top) and sidewalks are provided in residential areas (bottom).
This Cary development (top) includes pedestrian amenities
and landscaping in the parking lot. Transit stops, once
developed will include shelter from the weather (bottom).
C• A• R•Y
Design Principles
7. PROVIDE OPEN SPACE
Place
3. Connect Uses
5. Reduce Parking
Impacts
Bicyclists, and
Transit Users
Even as the amount of land consumed generally has outstripped
raw population growth, modern patterns of development generally offer little space for recreation, social gathering, and preservation of natural areas. This design principle calls for outdoor
space to be just as integral to the overall development plan as
the construction of buildings, roads, and other structures. A
wide range of open spaces are possible: public gathering areas in
activity centers and office parks; common play areas and miniparks shared by nearby residences; and natural preserves.
Setting aside well-designed open areas makes the immediate
environs pleasant and fulfilling, giving citizens a convenient
outlet for recreation and socialization and doing much to make
continued development sustainable in the long run.
Characteristics of Usable Community Open Space
1. Open space is provided in central, pedestrian-oriented areas
in activity centers neighborhoods and in large office/industrial parks.
2. Scenic views, mature woods or specimen trees, and riparian
areas are reserved in new development
3. Residential areas have recreation areas within a five minute
walk of each home.
Open space can
include landscaped walkways between
buildings and
developments.
Barretts Landing in Franklin, Virginia is a recently created open space in a
commercial district.
Open space in residential neighborhoods provide a recreational and gathering
area. Urban Park in Cary is a good example.
C• A• R•Y
Design Principles
DEVELOPMENT TYPES
C• A• R•Y
Development Types
HOW TO USE THIS SECTION
1. Activity Centers
2. Office/Industrial
Parks
3. Other Nonresidential
Uses
4. Residential Areas
5. Corridor Conversion
and Redevelopment
Areas
This section describes the general characteristics of development
that meet the overall vision for Cary. It is organized around the
following development types as defined in the Land Use Plan:
• Activity Centers;
• Office/Industrial Parks;
• Other Nonresidential Development Types;
• Residential Areas;
• Corridor Conversion and Redevelopment Areas.
Two key resources are provided for each major development type:
1. a checklist defining the characteristics that development
of that type should display and
2. an illustrative plan that shows options and site relationships that meet the checklist.
The desired result is to create individual projects that meet the
overall vision for Cary.
Please Note: For less-common development types not covered
explicitly here, the developer needs to work with Town staff to
adapt one of these checklists.
The checklists indicate priorities that should be followed in all
developments of each type. The annotated illustrations show
options and site relationships that meet this checklist. These
drawings give a sense of how development areas would look
when built out. Elements in these graphics are sized and planned
to meet local regulations and market forces.
In brief, how to use this
section:
1. Locate your development type.
2. Follow the checklist.
3. Review the illustrative plan
for ideas.
4. Develop a plan that meets the
checklist.
5. Follow the guidelines in the
Guidelines Tool Kit section for
more specific recommendations.
One of the most challenging and important new expectations for
development is providing connections between different areas and
uses. The illustrations in this section give an indication of what
entire areas might look like under these design guidelines. These
areas would be made up of numerous individual projects. The
sample illustrations, compared to conventional development,
show a connected community.
Please Note: The illustrations provided throughout this section are
options and examples only. Developers are expected to adapt these
concepts, following the checklist, to create pleasing and functional
places for the people of Cary to live, work, and play.
As conceptual drawings, these illustrations do not show topographical or other site constraints. For example, the grid-like street plans
are for clarity and do not imply that all plans must be grids.
1. ACTIVITY CENTERS
Description
Activity Centers consist of a core “focus area” with shopping,
services, recreation, and office and institutional facilities and
“support areas” with the highest-density housing. Activity centers are the most critical element of Cary’s Land Use Plan. Activity
Centers are characterized by a distinctive identity and a compatible mix of activities and facilities, along with functional and
aesthetic unity.
TIP:
Alternative Patterns
for Activity Center
Development
Three options for development
patterns in activity centers are
illustrated in this section. Each
uses a different integrating
Purpose of Area
element or design concept to meet
The purpose of an activity center is:
1. to have all of the essential facilities for the community concentrated in one convenient location, the focus area; and
2. to provide community focal points and open space and be
fully connected to adjoining neighborhoods in the support
area and surrounding neighborhoods.
the guidelines. Other options also
There are three levels of activity centers:
• Neighborhood Activity Centers;
• Community Activity Centers; and
• Regional Activity Centers.
Neighborhood Activity Centers provide facilities to serve the
daily needs of one or more adjoining neighborhoods. This one
convenient location contains small-scale facilities such as a
supermarket, a drug store, service stations, small offices and a
day-care center.
could be developed. These
illustrative development patterns
show neighborhood activity
centers, as the vast majority of
activity centers in Cary will be at
this level. Buildings and parking
areas in these drawings are sized
to accommodate large retail
operations and a variety of other
smaller uses with associated
parking as required by code. Each
drawing is captioned to explain
the features of the plan.
Community Activity Centers serve a wider area and therefore are
larger and more diverse than neighborhood activity centers. They
can contain such facilities as a large supermarket, large drug
store, large chain retail/discount store, specialty shops, service
stations, churches, parks, midsize offices, and perhaps, a school.
Regional Activity Centers serve an entire region. Regional
shopping malls, a number of major employers, restaurant and
entertainment facilities, and a high school or community college
are the kinds of facilities that anchor regional activity centers.
Regional centers take up the most land, have the most diverse
uses, and are the most intensely developed of the three levels of
activity centers.
C• A• R•Y
Development Types
Checklist: Activity Centers
1. Activity Centers
Parks
Uses
and Redevelopment
Areas
1.
Create Human Scale
____ Height, setback and mass of
buildings are coordinated with
street width, parking and other
elements to create a humanscaled zone of activity. Buildings are arranged to define the
spaces between them in a
logical and orderly pattern that
invites human interaction. See
Tool Kit Sections 1-5.
____ Architectural elements and
facade articulation are used to
reduce building mass, particularly at the first floor level.
Windows, material variety and
building bays at street level are
used to provide human scale.
See Tool Kit Section 3.
____ Elements such as shade trees,
awnings, canopies, arcades, etc.
are used to define and create
inviting, pedestrian corridors.
See Tool Kit Sections 2, 3.
____ Large expanses of unmodulated
parking are avoided. See Tool
Kit Section 2.
____ Vast or long areas of blank
building walls are avoided in
areas where there is high
pedestrian usage. See Tool Kit
Section 3.
2.
Create a Sense of Place
____ Site plan is organized around
an integrating concept that
presents a distinctive character
for the Activity Center that can
be extended and connected as
additional development occurs.
See examples in this chapter
and Tool Kit Section 4.
____ Entry to Activity Center is
marked with signature architecture, public art, landscape
and streetscape elements and/
or other elements. See Tool Kit
Sections 1,2,5.
____ There is a coordinated
streetscape theme including
landscaping, streetlights,
paving and other materials.
Existing mature landscape
elements are preserved and
maintained where appropriate.
See Tool Kit Sections 1,2.
____ There is consistent architectural palette for buildings
including coordinated architectural style, roof forms and
materials, wall materials, colors
and details. Diverse developments within an Activity Center
strive to be coordinated without
being monotonous or repetitive.
____ By definition, Activity Centers
contain the highest concentration of activities in the core
area with a gradual transition
out towards lower density uses.
Therefore, taller buildings are
placed in the core area.
Enough buildings are placed
close to street to provide
architectural definition for the
core area and to frame and
define the street. See Tool Kit
Sections 2,3.
____ In a neighborhood activity
center, a village scale is
emphasized by including
smaller-scaled buildings,
smaller roads and by orienting
portions of development to
surrounding side streets and
neighborhoods. Medium and
high-density residential
buildings are limited to about
three stories. See Tool Kit
Sections 2,3.
____ In a community activity center,
there is larger scaled development with more activities. The
majority of development is
oriented to arterial roads with
some development oriented to
side streets and surrounding
neighborhoods. Medium and
four stories. See Tool Kit
Sections 2, 3.
____ In a regional activity center,
there is the largest scale of
development with a high
density of major destinations
and urban activity. Prominent
businesses are focal points and
are integrated into the overall
theme of the Activity Center.
Parking structures are considered in development plans to
create density. Medium and
five stories. Streetscape design
reflects the larger scale of the
Activity Center. See Tool Kit
Sections 2, 3.
3.
landscape amenities and by
architectural design. See Tool
Kit Sections 2, 5.
Connect Uses
____ Activity Centers are a mixture
of commercial, office, residential and institutional uses.
These diverse land uses are
linked by a convenient, logical
and highly-connected pattern
of streets, sidewalks, and
shared open spaces. See Tool
Kit Sections 1, 4.
____ Connections are made to
adjacent developments by
streets, sidewalks, paths and
open space. See Tool Kit
Sections 1, 4.
4.
Provide Transitions
____ Internal vehicular, pedestrian
and bicycle connections are
provided between buildings in a
single development project. See
Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Building mass is modulated and
building height reduced in
order to reduce scale from
higher density to lower density
uses. See Tool Kit Section 5.
____ Strong connections are provided between the outparcel
buildings and main buildings in
a development both physically
with roads, walkways and
treatments are used to create
transitions between different
uses and intensities. For
instance, commercial uses
Patterns for Activity
Center Development:
Alternate #1
“Eyes on the Street”
Integrating element: public
streets. Most buildings front
directly on the street and define
a clear edge. The principal
buildings on the corner of the
arterial street make a strong
architectural statement and
announce the activity center. A
minimum of 20-40% of parking
is to the side and rear of the
buildings. Buildings can also be
linked by civic open space.
C• A• R•Y
Development Types
1. Activity Centers
Parks
Uses
and Redevelopment
Areas
adjacent to neighborhood uses
employ heights, materials, and
roof forms that complements
and blends with neighborhood
architecture. See Tool Kit
Section 5.
____ When transitions cannot be
achieved architecturally,
landscape and/or open space
transitions are used to reduce
impacts between different uses
and to scale down densities.
5.
Reduce Parking
Impacts
____ A minimum of 20-40% of the
required parking is placed to
the side or rear of development
projects, reducing large
expanses of parking in front of
developments. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
____ Parking lots are screened with
landscaping or decorative walls
that also serve to define the
character of the district. See
Tool Kit Section 2.
____ Parking structures are provided
for denser developments at the
focus areas. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
____ Parking is shared or consolidated between compatible
adjacent uses. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
Center Development:
Alternate #2
“Main Street Revisited”
Integrating element: public streets
and mixed uses. Collector street is
the core of the activity center.
Buildings are closely spaced and
front directly on this street.
Parking is behind the buildings.
Landscaped square provides
transition to other mid-block
uses, which also are served by
smaller cross streets.
6.
Plan for Pedestrians,
Bicyclists and Transit
Users
____ The layout of buildings, streets
and pedestrian paths emphasize
pedestrian convenience and
provide for direct pedestrian
routes by providing breaks in
between building masses. See
Tool Kit sections 1, 2.
____ Pedestrian and bicycle connections are made with sidewalks
and paths between buildings in
a development and to adjacent
developments and neighborhoods. On-street sidewalks and
bicycle paths are provided to
connect to Town-wide system.
____ Pedestrian amenities such as
walkways, crosswalks, and
shade are included in parking
lot designs. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
____ Buildings are arranged to invite
pedestrian activity. See Tool Kit
Section 3.
____ Area for future transit stop(s)
is reserved in focus area and at
multifamily residential complexes. See Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Bicycle storage facilities
are provided. See Tool Kit
Section 1.
7.
Provide Open Space
____ Public gathering spaces are
provided in a convenient
central location as an integral
part of the activity center, such
as an architecturally integrated
plaza or open civic space. See
Tool Kit Section 4.
____ A natural landscaped area,
preserved woodland and/or
scenic view that provides
recreation opportunities, is
provided as a focal point or a
civic meeting place. See Tool
Kit Section 4.
____ Generous sidewalks are used in
commercial areas to create a
“Main Street” open space. See
Tool Kit Section 4.
Center Development:
Alternate #3
“Place on the Plaza”
Integrating element: open space/
civic space. A grand plaza gives
the activity center focus. Principal
buildings orient to the plaza.
Parking is buffered from the
arterial. Side streets open up
circulation and provide sites
for smaller buildings.
C• A• R•Y
Development Types
1. Activity Centers
2. OFFICE/INDUSTRIAL PARKS AND
TRANSITIONAL OFFICE AREAS
Description
Parks
Uses
Office Parks and Office and Industrial Parks (hereafter “Office/
Industrial Parks”) are planned concentrations of office and industrial development. These areas accommodate additional office and
industrial growth outside of activity centers. They include space,
for example, for large firms or those that by size or function are
incompatible with the residential, office, and commercial uses in
activity centers. Office parks have primarily office uses such as
corporate offices and office condominiums. In addition, office and
industrial parks can accommodate industrial uses, such as warehousing and light manufacturing. They may have a focus area
containing support services such as convenience stores, copy
shops, fast-food restaurants, and branch libraries.
Purpose of Area
and Redevelopment
Areas
Office/industrial parks provide space for substantial employment
centers. They accommodate uses that do not fit the compact,
pedestrian orientation of activity centers. Office/Industrial Parks
are unified developments, often in campus-like settings with an
internal road network and shared open space. The buildings
generally relate to each other and share design characteristics.
Checklist: Office/
Industrial Parks and
Transitional Office Areas
1.
Create Human Scale
streets, parking and other
elements to create a humanscaled zone of activity. Buildings are arranged to define the
spaces between them in a
logical and orderly pattern that
invites human interaction. See
Tool Kit Sections 1-5.
façade articulation are used to
reduce building mass, particularly at the first floor level.
Windows, material variety and
building bays at street level are
used to provide human scale.
awnings, canopies, arcades, etc.
are used to define and create
inviting, pedestrian areas.
Large expanses of unmodulated
parking and vast blank building
walls are avoided in areas
where there are high traffic
pedestrian corridors. See Tool
Kit Sections 2, 3.
2.
____ A distinctive identity is provided
by using coordinated landscaping and architecture, along with
public art, particularly at
gateways and gathering places.
See Tool Kit Sections 1, 2, 5.
____ A coordinated plan accommodates office and industrial
buildings of varied scales and
uses and is integrated with the
natural environment. See Tool
Kit Section 4.
____ Buildings are arranged to
define or enclose usable
outdoor spaces. See Tool Kit
Section 4.
____ Attractive outdoor spaces that
include amenities such as
furniture and landscaping are
provided for gatherings and
meetings near uses such as
office cafes or delis. See Tool
Kit Section 4.
3.
Connect Uses
____ The office park is connected by
streets, sidewalks, paths and
open space both internally and
to surrounding developments.
____ Sidewalks connect sites and
buildings within the office
park. See Tool Kit Section 1.
4.
Provide Transitions
____ Buildings have heights and
mass compatible with adjacent
buildings. When surrounding
buildings are residential in
scale, taller, larger buildings are
in the center of the park with
buildings transitioning in size
and height to smaller buildings
in surrounding area. See Tool
Kit Section 5.
employ heights, materials, and
roof forms that complements
and blends with neighborhood
architecture. See Tool Kit
Section 5.
____ When transitions between sites
and uses cannot be achieved
architecturally, landscape
buffers and/or open space
transitions are used to reduce
impacts between different uses
and to scale down densities.
5.
Reduce Parking
Impacts
____ Lots are designed to avoid large
expanses of parking, especially
for views from public streets or
pedestrian areas. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
____ The visibility of parking areas
is reduced by placing parking
to the side and rear of buildings facing public streets.
Ideally, one two-sided bay of
parking is placed between the
building(s) and the street. See
Tool Kit Section 2.
____ Parking is screened from public
streets with walls and/or
landscaping. See Tool Kit
Sections 2, 5.
6.
Users
____ Pedestrian and bicycle connections are made with sidewalks
and paths between buildings in
a development and to adjacent
developments and neighborhoods. On-street sidewalks and
bicycle paths are provided to
connect to Town-wide system.
____ Pedestrian amenities such as
walkways, crosswalks, and
shade are included in parking
lot designs. See Tool Kit
Section 1.
____ Buildings are arranged to invite
pedestrian activity. See Tool Kit
Sections 2, 3.
____ Area for future transit stop(s)
are reserved, particularly near
large employers. See Tool Kit
Section 1.
____ Bicycle facilities are provided at
convenient locations to the
majority of employers. See Tool
Kit Section 1.
7.
Provide Open Space
____ Natural areas such as woodlands and scenic views are
preserved to provide recreation
opportunities for workers, to
create outdoor meeting spaces
or to provide a natural focal
point to the development. See
Tool Kit Section 4.
____ Public outdoor spaces are
provided near office cafes and
delis that are central and/or
convenient to the majority of
tenants. See Tool Kit Section 4.
____ Existing woodland is used for
buffers and screens to adjacent
residential development. See
Tool Kit Sections 4, 5.
C• A• R•Y
Development Types
3. OTHER NONRESIDENTIAL USES
1. Activity Centers
(NOT IN ACTIVITY CENTERS OR OFFICE/INDUSTRIAL PARKS)
Description
2. Office/Industrial Parks
Uses
and Redevelopment
Areas
These sites provide isolated commercial, office, and institutional
uses that may not fit into activity centers or office or industrial
parks. Examples include miscellaneous uses such as veterinary
clinics, furniture stores, and car dealerships. These are the categories of nonresidential development:
• commercial uses outside of activity centers;
• office and institutional uses outside of activity centers;
• industrial uses outside of activity centers;
• commercial low intensity uses; and
• transitional office uses.
These categories can be applied to infill sites and at the intersections of some arterials not designated as activity centers.
Purpose of Area
The purpose of these areas is to accommodate the wide range of
miscellaneous uses that do not logically fit into activity centers
or exist outside of activity centers for other reasons.
Located along a major thoughoufare,
Pedestrian connections are
this retail use has the same setback
provided through the buffers
from the street as adjoining uses but
and from side sidewalks.
is buffered from lower intensity uses.
Checklist: Other
Nonresidential Uses
1.
Create Human Scale
adjacent buildings and developments as well as streets and
sidewalks to create a humanscaled zone of activity. See Tool
Kit Sections 1-5.
façade articulation are used to
blend building mass, particularly at the first floor level with
adjacent buildings. Windows,
material variety and building
bays at street level are used to
provide human scale. See Tool
Kit Section 3.
canopies, arcades, etc. are used
to define and create inviting,
pedestrian corridors and areas
within the development that
create human scale and
connect uses. See Tool Kit
Sections 2, 3.
____ Large expanses of unmodulated
parking are avoided. See Tool
Kit Section 2.
____ Vast or long areas of blank
building walls are avoided in
areas where there is high
pedestrian usage. See Tool Kit
Section 3.
2.
____ New buildings are compatible
with important adjacent
development including style,
setbacks, height, materials, and
forms. See Tool Kit Section 3.
____ New buildings are oriented to
public streets and to each other
in a way that continues or
establishes a desirable pattern
of development along the
street. See Tool Kit Section 3.
____ A streetscape treatment theme
is continued or established to
create continuity and sense of
place. See Tool Kit Section 1.
3.
Connect Uses
____ Links are provided within the
development and to adjoining
development with streets and
sidewalks. See Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Paths and bike trails are
provided when possible to
Town-wide system. See Tool
Kit Section 1.
____ Open space is used to connect
dissimilar uses by providing a
spatial buffer between uses
while also providing shared
outdoor space. See Tool Kit
Sections 4, 5.
4.
Provide Transitions
____ Architectural, landscape, or
open space transitions are
made between different uses
to mitigate adverse visual or
environmental impacts. See
Tool Kit Section 5.
employ heights, materials,
and roof forms that complements and blends with neighborhood architecture. See Tool
Kit Section 5.
____ New buildings are compatible
in scale to adjacent building by
using facade/massing articulation. When new buildings are
taller than existing adjacent
buildings, additional height
should be stepped back from
the front facade. See Tool Kit
Section 3.
____ Rear yard buffers are continued
when buffers have been used in
most adjacent developments.
5.
Reduce Parking
Impacts
____ The visibility of parking areas
is reduced by placing parking
to the side and rear of buildings facing public streets.
Ideally, no more than one twosided bay of parking is placed
between the building(s) and the
street. See Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Parking is screened from public
streets with walls and/or
landscaping. See Tool Kit
Sections 2, 5.
6.
Users
____ Sidewalks are provided along
arterials, connectors and local
roads with connecting walks
to all buildings. See Tool Kit
Section 1.
____ Connect pedestrian and bicycle
paths to adjacent sites and to
Town-wide system when
appropriate. See Tool Kit
Section 1.
____ Space for a transit stop is
provided in the cases of larger
commercial, industrial, office,
and institutional projects. See
Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Bicycle facilities are included in
office and industrial areas. See
Tool Kit Section 1.
7.
Provide Open Space
____ For larger developments,
conveniently located pedestrian-oriented open space is
included in project. For smaller
projects, existing open spaces
and buffers are incorporated in
the site plan. See Tool Kit
Section 4.
C• A• R•Y
Development Types
4. RESIDENTIAL AREAS
1. Activity Centers
Description
2. Office/Industrial Parks
Uses
Cary uses five categories of residential housing: very low density
(1 or fewer dwelling units (du/ac); low density (1-3 du/ac);
medium density (3-8 du/ac); high density (between 8-30 du/ac
in activity centers –8-12 du/ac elsewhere); and traditional neighborhood development (varies between 3-30 du/ac). Housing types
range from single-family detached houses to townhouses, duplexes, apartments, and condominiums.
The most dense housing is anticipated to be closest to the core
(focus area) of activity centers. Density is intended to decrease in a
gradual transition out from the core to the support areas and then
to the surrounding neighborhoods. Institutional uses such as
schools, libraries and churches should be centrally located in the
activity center, but also can be interspersed in the neighborhood.
and Redevelopment
Areas
Density increases as residential
developments, they are connected
developments near arterials and
by streets and sidewalks and share
Activity Centers. While separate
access to open spaces.
Checklist: Residential
Areas
1.
Create Human Scale
____ The relationship between lot
size, street width, and building
setback, height, design, and
arrangement create a human
scaled development. See Tool
Kit Sections 1-5.
____ Elements such as street trees,
pedestrian level lighting, and
porches are used to give
developments human scale.
See Tool Kit Sections 1, 2, 3.
2.
____ Features such as central
gathering places, special views
or vistas, and parks are used as
organizing features and
reinforce the sense of place.
____ Buildings within a development
complement one another in
style and materials without
being duplicates of one another
or repetitive and monotonous.
____ Buildings are arranged in
apartment and multifamily
complexes to create shared
outdoor spaces for formal and
informal gatherings. See Tool
Kit Sections 2, 3.
____ Elements such as front yards
and porches are incorporated
into single family and town
home design to reinforce a
sense of place. See Tool Kit
Sections 2, 3.
____ Theme streetscape treatments
are provided using existing
vegetation, new plantings and
landscape elements along with
pedestrian level lighting and
other streetscape amenities.
____ Highest-density housing is
located closest to the focus
area of activity centers. See
Tool Kit Section 2.
3.
Connect Uses
____ Connections are provided for
vehicles, pedestrians and
bicyclists, to adjacent shopping, office, and recreation
areas. See Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Adjacent residential developments are linked to each other
by connecting streets, and
continuous walks, paths, trails
and open spaces between
adjacent residential developments. See Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Vegetated buffers are used
along rear property lines when
buffers are already in place on
existing adjacent developments.
4.
Provide Transitions
____ Architectural or landscape
transitions are used to avoid
conflicts with surrounding
development and to transition
between different densities and
intensities of land use. See Tool
Kit Section 5.
____ Higher density residential uses
are located in Activity Centers
or downtown. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
____ Single family attached and
detached homes can face one
another as long as the latter is
no longer than five units or
100 feet. See Tool Kit Section 2.
____ Single family homes face front
or sides of other single family
homes, not the rear. See Tool
Kit Section 2.
____ Vegetated buffers are used
along rear property lines when
buffers are already in place on
most existing adjacent developments. See Tool Kit Section 5.
____ Buffers are used between
developments when the
existing topography or woodlands provide a better choice
for a transition. See Tool Kit
Section 5.
5.
Reduce Parking Impacts
____ The visual dominance of
automobile parking areas and
garages is minimized through
careful site planning. See Tool
Kit Section 2.
____ Garages can be placed along
rear alleys (when feasible) to
create less emphasis on
parking. See Tool Kit Section 2.
____ Buildings front streets and
parking is placed to rear and
side of lots when feasible. See
Tool Kit Section 2.
6.
Users
____ The development is pedestrian
oriented and has sidewalks
along collectors and local roads
with connecting paths and
sidewalks to adjacent developments and usable open space.
____ Pedestrian and bicycle paths
are connected to Town-wide
system when appropriate. See
Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Space for a transit stop is
provided in the cases of larger
multifamily projects. See Tool
Kit Section 1.
7.
Provide Open Space
____ Convenient and functional
open space is provided for
recreation. See Tool Kit
Section 4.
____ Views, woods, environmental
areas and assets such as mature
trees and stream corridors are
preserved. See Tool Kit
Section 4.
C• A• R•Y
Development Types
1. Activity Centers
Parks
Uses
5. CORRIDOR CONVERSION AND
REDEVELOPMENT AREAS
Description
Several corridors in Cary are slated for redevelopment, primarily
because of roadway widenings. These expanded roadways can
cause significant changes and challenges for the adjoining sites,
many of which contain existing single-family dwellings. Their
continued residential use may be obsolete due to the impact of
the widened corridor.
Purpose of Area
and Redevelopment
Areas
This category identifies areas that likely will undergo wholesale
changes. The intent is to provide guidance for new uses or designs
or adaptations that serve the function of the area and needs of
individual property owners.
Buildings along
the corridor are
residential. They
can have similar
setbacks from the
road, building
footprint, lot sizes
and spacing
between each
other. They have
front yards and
landscaping.
Checklist: Corridor
Conversion and
Redevelopment Areas
1.
New buildings
along the corridor
Create a Human Scale
can be residential
____ If new buildings or additions
are constructed on a site, scale
and style is compatible with
other buildings remaining on
the site or adjoining properties.
2.
and office infill.
They can have
similar setbacks
from the road,
building footprint,
Create Sense Of Place
____ The proposed project fits with
an overall design scheme for the
streetscape and existing buildings. See Tool Kit Section 3.
____ New buildings are compatible in
style, size, scale and setback to
existing or planned buildings
on the street. See Tool Kit
Section 3.
____ Respect the predominant
setback and orientation of
existing buildings. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
____ A streetscape treatment theme
is continued or established to
create continuity and sense of
place. See Tool Kit Section 1.
3.
Connect Uses
____ Connecting streets, driveways,
sidewalks, and streetscape is
provided where it is lacking.
4.
Provide Transitions
____ Architectural transitions are
created by respecting the scale,
setback, site treatments and
building materials of adjacent
properties. See Tool Kit
Section 5.
____ Fences, screens or vegetated
buffers are used at rear property lines to screen nonresidential uses from residential uses.
____ Generally, new buildings are
designed to be residential in
appearance and compatible in
scale with adjacent residential
buildings. See Tool Kit Section 3.
lot sizes and
spacing between
each other. They
can preserve front
yards and landscaping.
5.
Reduce Parking Impacts
____ Shared parking areas and
driveways are created between
adjacent redeveloped or
converted sites when possible.
____ Front and side parking lots are
screened with low walls or
landscape buffers. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
____ Screens and/or buffers are used
along rear or side parking lots
adjoining residential areas. See
Tool Kit Section 5.
____ Multiple adjacent lots share a
single access point. See Tool Kit
Section 2.
____ Parking and access is located in
the side or rear to the extent
possible. See Tool Kit Section 2.
6.
Plan For Pedestrians,
Bicyclists And Transit
Users
____ Continuous sidewalks,
streetscape elements and
streets connect diverse developments and land uses. See
Tool Kit Section 1.
____ Pedestrian and bike paths
connect to continuous Townwide system where appropriate.
7.
Provide Open Space
____ In general, front yards are
preserved. If parking is not
feasible in rear, one bay of
parking that is well screened is
provided in the front yard.
____ Existing mature landscaping
and trees are preserved and
supplemented with streetscape
plantings. See Tool Kit Section 4.
C• A• R•Y
Development Types
The Guidelines Tool Kit Section gives specific guidance
on the individual elements that make up a project. It is
organized by topic (circulation, site planning, buildings,
open space, and transitions) and provides text guidelines accompanied by illustrations and additional tips.
All users should read the Design Principles section
first. Property owners, developers, architects, engineers, and other members of the development team
can then consult the Development Types section that
discusses the type of development they are considering.
There is a checklist for each development type that
references various items in the Guidelines Tool Kit. In
this way the tool kit can be used as a reference during
the design process.
GUIDELINES TOOL KIT
HOW TO USE THE TOOL KIT
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. CIRCULATION
1. Circulation
A. Roads
B. Pedestrian Routes
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
D. Other Site Features
Circulation includes all of the elements that connect places in the
community: roads, pedestrian walks and paths, bicycle routes,
public transit, and streetscape features.
A. ROADS
The hierarchy of roads in Cary are as follows:
Arterials are the primary high-volume, multi-lane routes
through Cary.
Collectors carry traffic between arterials, from lower-order roads to
arterials and are the major routes within a development. They
also form a secondary network of crosstown connectivity.
Local Streets carry traffic from destinations to collector roads.
They include cul-de-sacs, loop streets, and alleys.
A highly connected development with multiple collectors and local streets.
3. Buildings
A. Entrance Orientation
B. Building Mass
C. Building Elements
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
Arter
ial
Art
eria
l
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
A development with limited
connectiveness, using mostly
cul-de-sacs.
1. The road network should provide more than one route between most destinations using roads of varying sizes and
types. Assure that future development and redevelopment
provides a more connected road system.
2. For major arterials that handle large volumes of traffic:
• provide frequent collector roads connecting arterials
and developments;
• limit local road and driveway access points. Instead,
provide frequent collector roads that, in turn, provide
access to local roads;
• avoid using continuous center two-way turning lanes;
and
• provide planted medians wherever possible.
This diagram illustrates the diffferent types of roads in a highly connected pattern.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Where arterials enter activity centers, provide:
• treatments (a) to announce arrival at activity centers
such as decorative lighting, special landscaping,
plazas; and
• traffic calming devices to slow traffic, such as street
trees (b), paving changes, or pedestrian crosswalks (c).
Co
lle
ial
cto
r
rte
r
A
a
c
b
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Activity center at the intersection of an Arterial and Collector road.
TIPS: Traffic Calming
Traffic calming attempts to make streets safer and usable for more than just
through vehicular traffic by automobile. The primary goal of this technique
is to slow the speed of traffic. Traffic calming is particularly appropriate in
neighborhoods and in pedestrian zones such as activity center core areas.
Sample Methods:
• Narrow streets
• Short blocks
• Decreased turning radius
• Bulbed corners
• Traffic circles
• On-street parking
• Offset intersections, jogs
(used in residential areas only)
• Curved roads
• Street trees
• Changes in paving
• Define crosswalks by raising or
changing pattern and material
Development A
Collector
4. Provide collector roads between developments for a secondary
means of cross-town connectivity and for alternate routes
between destination points:
• Avoid having individual developments connect to
arterial roads only.
• Whenever possible, link to or extend existing or
planned arterials, collectors and local roads.
Development B
Development A
Collector
Development B
Arterial
Arterial
DO connect to other developments.
DON’T make it necessary to return to
the arterial.
Arterial
DO provide roads or stubs to adjoining development.
Arterial
Arterial
Arterial
DON’T isolate each development.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
5. Provide a road system of collectors and local roads that:
• provides multiple access routes to arterial and other
collector roads;
• has a logical pattern;
• allows direct connections to adjoining developments;
• connects outparcels; and
• accommodates pedestrian and bicycle access.
Collector roads
between developments allow for
multiple access.
Roads within
developments
should provide
multiple choices
of connections
to collectors
and arterials.
Collector Roads
should provide
access to
multiple
developments.
Bike and
walking paths
also provide
connections.
6. Provide local roads within developments that keep to the
minimum required widths and number of lanes in order slow
traffic and maintain pedestrian scale. Reduce the use of culde-sacs. Alternative designs to the conventional cul-de-sac
can make connections while still limiting traffic and providing
privacy. Consider the following specific options:
• Loop roads and circuitous through streets. These
types of roads allow residents two means of egress off
of a local street but because of their limited access and
size, discourage through traffic. Some smaller scale developments could use single-lane versions of these street
types, allowing more green space and less roadway.
• Consider using alleys in small-lot residential areas and
in commercial sites to provide access to service areas
while retaining the visual integrity of the facades.
• Adapt cul-de-sac streets to provide, where topographically feasible, at least one additional connection to the
development such as a pedestrian pathway and/or bike
path. Consider limiting the paved turn around area of
cul-de-sacs with a landscape island.
Putting garages on an alley enables
the front of houses to be free of
driveways and garages and front on
narrower, more intimate streets. This
arrangement also would allow houses
to face a common green if desired.
The garages face an alley in this
residential development allowing the
development to have narrower streets.
This diagram illustrates the different kinds of roads recommended
within developments.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
7. Using Cary’s street requirements, consider choosing the narrowest road widths allowable and appropriate.
TIPS:
Road Dimensions
Width - Narrow roads in neighborhoods can reduce traffic speed and provide
human scale. Road widths can be chosen depending on whether two-way
traffic lanes are needed, or parking is to be provided on one or both sides.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
The paving width also can vary. For example, low-traffic alleys might have a
single paved lane within unpaved shoulders.
Block Length - In pedestrian areas, short blocks are best, as they provide
multiple routes. Mid-block crossings can help enliven long blocks. (Follow
Connectivity Ordinance.)
Spacing - Arterials should be spaced no more than about a mile apart with at
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
least one connecting road between them and preferably more.
2-3 x
x
The most comfortable community spaces are in the ratio of
two or three horizontal units to one vertical unit.
5x
x
By the time the street cross-section is five times the height of the buildings, human scale begins to be lost. Adding a planted median can mitigate
the effects of wide street sections (below).
2-3 x
x
2-3 x
x
B. PEDESTRIAN ROUTES
TIPS:
The pedestrian network includes sidewalks, designated road
crossings, off-road paths, and shared bicycle paths. The pedestrian network should be as complete as the one for cars.
What Pedestrians Need
People walk when it is safe and
1. Provide, where feasible, unbroken pedestrian routes between
developments. Place paths in a logical pattern where people
will want to walk. Place sidewalks on both sides of streets.
convenient to do so. Keep in
mind these basic characteristics
of a walking environment:
• continuous designated routes
between sites;
• variety of connected
destinations;
• feeling of safety including
visibility and lighting;
• variety of routes; and
• comfort (for example:
Continuous sidewalks allow people
to walk from development to
development (above). Sidewalks
should connect buildings to each
other and to the public sidewalk
(right).
2. Within developments, identify a complete pedestrian pathway
system linking all buildings, green spaces and other destinations.
Design with emphasis on pedestrian convenience and safety.
• Link buildings to the public sidewalk and to each other
as appropriate.
• Add walk-throughs in parking lots.
• Provide crosswalks in front of building entrances.
• Provide breaks in large building masses to allow pedestrians to pass-thru, particularly through shopping centers.
shade, benches)
Also, keep in mind that a 5
minute walk covers an average of
1/4 mile of distance. As an area
such as an activity center is
planned, keep in mind this
dimension for connecting uses.
Crosswalks are particularly important
in shopping center parking lots.
Sidewalks through parking lots add
safety for pedestrians.
Different uses in adjacent developments
are connected by pedestrian paths.
C• A• R•Y
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1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
• Place special emphasis on connecting to pedestrian
pathways that link schools, transit, recreation areas,
and other major destinations.
• Place sidewalks throughout residential areas.
• Place sidewalks on both sides of streets whenever
possible.
• Include off-road walking paths that will provide direct
routes between destinations if the roadside sidewalks
cannot provide direct access.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
Sidewalks should be provided to make it possible to walk safely
throughout residential areas. Low-traffic areas may need sidewalks
on only one side.
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Walking paths that are not along streets can make direct connections between destinations. Note that this path is paved and well lit
for safety.
3. At busy intersections, between major pedestrian destinations,
between shopping centers and their parking, and at mid-block
points where feasible, employ techniques to signal a pedestrian zone both to the automobile and the pedestrian. These
techniques include:
• crosswalks that are slightly raised;
• crosswalks that are a
material other than
asphalt
and are textured;
• crosswalks that are
wide, at least 10 feet;
and
• bulb-out corners that
reduce the length of
the crosswalk for the
pedestrian.
TIPS:
Reduce Crossing
Distance
To improve pedestrian safety at
corner crossings, limit the distance
from curb to curb.
Crosswalks articulated with raised
pavers or contrasting material slows
traffic and makes major crossings
safer for pedestrians.
4. Design sidewalks appropriately for the site and the expected
amount of foot traffic. In commercial areas where foot traffic
is expected, sidewalks should be a minimum of ten feet.
Sidewalks in residential areas can be six feet and under,
depending on the type of street and size of road.
Keep curb radius to a minimum to
reduce length of crosswalk
Another option for local access
5. Provide pedestrian paths/bike connections between streets,
especially to connect cul-de-sacs and at mid-block points.
roads is the extended curb that
further reduces the crosswalk.
This illustration
shows connection
between developments and cul-desacs via bike and
pedestrian paths.
Avoid a wide turning radius, which
makes it harder for pedestrians to
cross because of reduced sight
distance, increased speed of cars,
and greater distance that must be
covered. When wide turning radius
is required, place the pedestrian
crossing at the narrowest part of
the throat of the intersection.
This path connects two cul-de-sacs.
C• A• R•Y
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C. BICYCLE ROUTES
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
Bicycle routes include:
• designated bike paths;
• shared pedestrian-and-bike facilities such as greenways,
paths, and sidewalks; and
• on-street bike lanes.
It is a goal to conveniently and safely provide bicycle connections
between most destinations.
1. Provide for bicycle traffic along major commuting corridors
and between major destinations, with particular emphasis on
connecting residential areas to schools, recreation areas, and
activity centers.
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Parking
Landscaped Buffer
Bike
Path
This photograph illustrates the relationship of a pedestrian/bike path to a
major connecting corridor.
2. Provide new bike paths to connect to planned or existing
municipal paths or paths of adjoining developments.
a
b
Corridor
Here the road(a), is
separated from the
pedestrian/bike
path (b).
3. Provide facilities to store or lock bicycles at appropriate
sites, including schools, major recreation areas, transit
stations, office parks, public institutions, and activity
center focus areas.
4. Develop an easily identifiable marking system of signs and
road markings to designate bicycle routes and crossings.
Parking Lane
Road
Sidewalk
Marked bike lanes are useful when roads will serve both forms of traffic in
redevelopment areas or in the heart of activity centers where landscaped
buffers are not possible. Signage and caution are required, however, to avoid
bicycle-automobile collisions.
Bike Lane
Provide connections for pedestrians and bicyclists within and between
developments.
Bicycle racks can take very different
forms, from simple, single elements
like these to more elaborate units
for longer term storage and weather
protection.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
D. TRANSIT
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
As Cary grows, public transportation options will increase as well.
Transit is anticipated to include buses, vans and other services,
and possibly light rail. As new development is planned, keep the
following in mind:
• continuous street networks with frequent connector
streets provide the best environment for transit
systems; and
• sidewalks are necessary to connect transit stops with
destinations.
1. Along potential transit routes, primarily along major commuting arterials and collector streets, plan for transit stops/bus
pullover sites.
• In particular, provide sites at activity centers and
major commercial developments.
• Provide sites close to the entrances of major
destinations such as industrial and office parks.
• Provide sites at entrances to residential
developments, particularly medium and high
density residential developments.
• Locate sites at pathway connections and
park-and-ride lots.
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Transit routes should be planned to connect major destinations, and stops
should be located close to the center of the development.
2. Ensure that the width and design of the roads can accommodate pullover and turning movements of the transit vehicle
anticipated. These specifications will vary depending on the
type of transit used.
3. Provide a wayfinding sign system for pedestrians, bicyclists,
and transit users.
Provide safe pullover
areas (a) and stops on
through streets to avoid
turn-around and blocking
traffic with transit
vehicles.
c
b
Transit stops can serve both light rail
and bus. There should be shelter from
the weather.
Provide unobstructed
paved areas (b) for front
and rear access doors of
transit vehicle.
a
Provide sidewalks and
paths for pedestrian,
bicycle and vehicle access
(c) to the transit stop.
Cary eventually could have significant
light rail service.
4. Include amenities appropriate to the projected boarding rates.
At major stops, include shelter from the weather, seating,
bike storage areas, signs and information boards, newspaper
stands, trash recepticles, and lighting.
Bus stop in an area that
is similar to an activity
center in Cary. Stops
are located near major
buildings and through
streets.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
E. STREETSCAPE ENVIRONMENT
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
“Streetscape” is the general term applied to all of the elements
that make up the public realm surrounding thoroughfares: street
paving, sidewalks, planting strips, lighting, traffic signals, outdoor street furniture, public signs, and utilities. Cary’s vision calls
for streetscapes that act as connective outdoor space and help to
weave a common community fabric. Streetscape elements can
lend to human scale, contribute to a sense of place, and help to
link destinations. Such elements may include:
• sidewalks along the edge of buildings where there is
retail and commercial activity;
• tree-lined sidewalks and paths that provide enclosure; and
• paving materials and landscaping that give texture and
visual definition to public spaces.
Allee of Trees
Sculpture or Fountain
Landscaped Open Space
Street Trees
Special Paving
Planted Median
Sidewalks
“Permeable Buildings”
with Entrances and
Windows onto Sidewalk
This drawings shows examples of streetscape elements that give the street human
scale. These elements help to make a place a more inviting destination.
1. Along arterials that connect activity centers to each other or to
other major developments, use street trees, streetlights, planted
medians, underground utilities and other features to strengthen
the visual and physical link between destinations. Insure that all
site distance requirments are met as plans are made.
a
b
c
Along major arterials traffic generally moves at a faster rate. Large scale
landscaping with full size trees (a) are needed to create visual continuity
and connectivity. At the same time, the proximity of the tree canopy to the
sidewalk (b) also provides a walkable “human” scale to this busy arterial.
Low plantings (c) reinforce the human scale as well.
In areas where pedestrian movement is
anticipated and desired, special paving
and pedestrian scaled light fixtures
(12-14 feet) make this otherwise autooriented area more inviting and
human-scaled.
Trees at both sides of this wide sidewalk along an arterial road
provide an inviting, human-scaled environment on an otherwise auto-oriented area.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Announce gateways to activity centers, and possibly neighborhoods, with distinctive streetscape elements. These can
include signs, special paving at crosswalks, grouped plantings,
fountains, and other signature features.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
a
At entries to developments or activity centers, streetscape elements
such as landscaped medians (“a” above) or signature buildings
(“b” below) provide a gateway
b
3. In activity center cores, use coordinated streetscape elements to give the area a distinctive identity. These elements
can be repeated but perhaps spaced less frequently as developments move away from the center of the activity center.
For instance, in the heart of the activity center, pedestrian
scaled lighting may be spaced more frequently and have more
powerful illumination to allow higher light levels. As development moves out to residential areas, lighting may be less
intense with wider spacing, but the same light fixture could
be used. Likewise, taller auto-oriented lights used on arterials
approaching activity centers can use similar pole and base
design as pedestrian lights in activity center.
Coordinated streetscape elements are
found in Cary at Chatam and Academy
streets and include decorative lights
and paving.
Elements like planters, trees, public
banners, and coordinated
streetlights and furniture can bring
coherence to an activity center.
These same elements can be
repeated in smaller amounts in
other developments within proximity to the activity center.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
4. In residential settings, provide street trees, sidewalks, paths
and pedestrian-scaled lighting to fit the style of architecture
of the development. Provide planting strips that are in
proportion to street width and type. For instance, planting
strips along arterials may be wider than planting strips along
residential local streets. Coordinate strips with utility
requirements as well.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Sidewalks and a planting
strip with shade trees
enhance residential
streetscapes.
5. Coordinate the total visual effect of all streetscape elements
within a development or along an arterial or major collector,
including paving, sidewalks, street trees and plantings, lighting,
traffic signals, signs, street furniture, and utilities. Develop and
use a common palette of colors, materials, and design.
6. Coordinate streetscape elements of individual developments
with adjacent developments. While they need not match, they
should coordinate and not clash.
2. Site / A. Parking
TIPS:
2. SITE
Site elements are critical to the feel and function of new development. This chapter includes recommendations for the major site
decisions of:
parking;
building setback and arrangement;
landscaping; and
other site elements such as lighting.
A. PARKING
Automobiles are so much a part of everyday life that space needs
to be made for them wherever people live, work, and play. At the
same time, however, one of the key principles of these guidelines
is Number 5: Reduce Parking Impacts. In this section, the guidelines will address how parking can be adequate, convenient but
unobtrusive. These techniques include:
• reducing the scale of parking areas;
• siting a portion of parking out of view;
• providing pedestrian amenities within parking areas ;
and
• using landscaping to screen parking and to reduce
overall visual impact of large parking areas.
How Much Parking?
Standard parking requirements
may call for more spaces than are
actually needed. Evaluation of
standards and case-by-case
flexibility can result in reduced
impact of parking.
Retail - Industry studies show
that, except at Christmas, businesses use only about 60 percent
of their parking. Research
indicates that actual average
parking demand for shopping
centers is just under 4 spaces per
1000 square feet of gross floor
area. Therefore, place 40 percent
of parking to side and rear of the
buildings.
Mixed Use - Studies show that
less parking is needed in mixed
use areas. Spaces can be shared
among uses with different times of
peak demand and many of the
trips tend to be local, not involving a car. Studies indicate that 30
to 40 percent of a downtown’s
retail customers already live or
work there. Activity centers could
also achieve such benefits.
Shared Access - Pedestrian
connections to adjoining properties can reduce the required
When parking impacts are reduced, more attention is drawn to
buildings.
number of parking spaces for the
same reasons.
C• A• R•Y
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1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
1. Reduce the scale of parking lots.
• Break parking lots into modules or multiple smaller lots
using techniques such as the natural topography,
logically placed landscaped pedestrian paths to destinations, and by linear aisles of plantings. Avoid large
expanses of asphalt.
• Reduce the amount of parking lots through such methods as providing on-street parking, using off site parking such as municipal lots, sharing parking among
complementary uses, providing pull-in spaces in front of
shops and creating overflow lots. These techniques may
require some flexibility when applying parking standards.
• Consider parking structures in high-density areas such
as Activity Centers to create closer knit development
and reduce parking impacts. Use attractive architectural designs (meeting guidelines for other buildings).
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
Break large parking areas into modules using pedestrian paths, topography,
and landscaping.
Office Use
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Church Use
Residential Use
Parking to the rear of buildings and shared parking among compatible uses
reduce the amount of visible parking.
A variety of
parking may exist
within a shopping
center including:
nose-in parking
or parallel
parking.
TIPS:
Parking Decks
Parking garages can:
• increase building capacity
• improve parking lot-building
ratio
• make pedestrian links more
feasible
• serve as catalyst for additional
uses/redevelopment
• add multistory presence
• be attractive
Design
The newest generation of parking
garages can be designed to fit in
with the architecture of the area
pull-in spaces in
front of
buildings;
and shared lots.
In this case, a
neighborhood
center and a
church use the
same lot.
Regulated on-street
parking can serve higher
density residential areas
such as this street with
apartment complexes.
and make a positive design
statement.
a
Parking garages, such as the building
on the far left in this photo (a), can
significantly reduce the amount of
ground needed for parking, while
fitting in with the character of
the district.
C• A• R•Y
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1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site a portion of parking out of view.
• Generally, site a minimum of 20-40 percent of parking
to the rear and sides of buildings.
• Limit the amount of parking between the street and
principal buildings oriented to streets, (such as
outparcels in shopping centers) to no more than one
double row of nose-in parking between the building and
the street to which it is oriented.
• Screen parking lots from the street and from adjoining
development, using low fences or walls, berms, or yearround landscaping.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
This office
development is
set close to the
street with a
single aisle of
parking in
front (a).
a
b
Using the natural
grade, the bulk
of the parking
is behind this
building, on the
second level (b).
In a similar development with a single
aisle of parking, the
building and parking is
set below the grade of
the street. Landscaping provides partial
screening of parking
however the building is
less visible than the
example above.
Trees and shrubs screen parking from the street and provide a pleasant pedestrian environment.
A popular and successfully redeveloped area in Shirlington, Virginia, has parking in the rear (left), reached
through a pedestrian walkway from the shops (right).
This office park has parking between the buildings
and street, but it is well landscaped.
Overflow parking can reduce the size of the main lot.
Salt Box Village combines parking in front with
additional parking on side of the development.
C• A• R•Y
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1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Reduce the visibility of garages.
• Avoid allowing a garage to become the primary architectural feature when a home is viewed from the street,
especially for small-lot and attached housing.
• Orient garages for townhouses and very small lot detached homes to the rear (a). Avoid placing them on
the first-floor front facade.
• Consider placing the garage behind the building setback, preferably facing to the side or rear of detached
homes (b).
• Consider placing garages and parking in the rear with
alley access (c).
• Consider ways to reduce overall visual impact such as
placing driveways side-by-side on adjoining lots.
a
3. Buildings
b
c
B. Building Mass
and Materials
Some options for garage placement.
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
Avoid placing the garage in
front of, or aligned with,
the primary house facade
for single family houses
and duplexes.
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Do This
Don’t Do This
Shared garage, behind main setback, with walkway
connection.
Garage angled and to the rear, reducing
visibility and allowing lots to be fairly
narrow.
Rear garage off alley.
Garages combined with accessory dwelling units.
Provide on-street parking for
townhomes with garages in rear
or side.
C• A• R•Y
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1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
4. Accommodate pedestrian needs around parking areas.
• Provide clear pedestrian paths and crossings from
parking spaces to main entrances and the street.
• Plan parking so that it least interferes with
appropriate pedestrian access and connections to
adjoining developments.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
Sidewalk with central planting area
extends through this shopping
center parking lot.
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Clearly marked pedestrian walks
between parking rows.
5. Provide landscaping within parking areas.
• Separate parking aisles with medians planted with
shade trees along the length of the islands. Include
pedestrian walkways with medians to reinforce connectivity and separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic.
• Avoid isolated islands of single trees. In general, provide landscaped tree aisles between every other row
of cars.
• Use shade trees of sufficient number and size at maturity to shade a substantial portion of the lot. Consider
orientations that would provide the greatest shade
during summer months. Smaller, more decorative
trees can be used closest to buildings.
Grouped large trees have more impact.
b
c
c
b
b
a
Landscaping is provided at the perimeters (a) and at the intermediate
points (b) of the parking lot in these two examples. Pedestrian paths are
part of the planted median (c) above. Groups of shade trees are placed
every 60’ (d) within the example lot shown below.
Isolated single trees cannot overcome
the impression of a sea of parking.
d
d
a
d
b
b
a
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
B. BUILDING SETBACK
AND ARRANGEMENT
Building setback and arrangement are critical elements for creating the kind of community envisioned for Cary. They create spaces
for pedestrians to move and congregate as well as for parking, and
they create continuity between developments. Building arrangement and setbacks help establish an architectural presence at
important intersections.
• Setback is generally the space between a building and
the property line.
• Building arrangement refers to the way that buildings
are oriented to each other and to the street and how
they are sited and arranged on a parcel.
1. Arrange buildings to orient to and help define the street, to
frame corners, to encourage pedestrian activity and define
spaces, particularly at Activity Centers.
• Limit setbacks at major intersections so that the architecture can define the area.
• Use compact building arrangements when a project is
close to a core of an Activity Center to reduce the
feeling of seas of parking, encourage pedestrian activity
and define space.
• Strive for contiguous building arrangement along the
street-face, and avoid large breaks between buildings.
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Buildings at the core of Activity
Centers can have minimal setback from
the street.
Signature architecture can define entry
to the focus areas of Activity Centers.
TIPS:
Making Corners at
Activity Centers
The major corners of activity centers
need special attention so that all
four corners are linked and
function as a whole.
Building Arrangement - Buildings in
general should orient to corners
with little setback. This pattern
helps establish a street wall, gives
pedestrians access, marks the
gateway (road entrance), and
encourages traffic to slow down.
Attempt to align buildings at
opposite street corners.
Use outparcel buildings to frame
corners and define street edges.
Do This
Avoid This
Place buildings next to the street,
especially at corners.
Avoid deep setbacks behind parking
lots or vacant land.
Buildings aligned across activity center corner.
Pedestrian Focus - Narrow turning
radii, crosswalks, and clear paths
to building entrances are needed
for pedestrians to cross corners.
Building Design - Common architectural elements such as colors, roof
forms, and materials should be
used on all corners of the activity
center.
Streetscape - Distinctive paving,
crosswalks, streetlights, banners,
and other elements can tie
together the corners.
In this solution, a compact building arrangement defines the corner, and
buildings are arranged for convenient pedestrian access from parking and
sidewalks.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
2. Site new buildings so that they relate to adjoining buildings
and developments.
• If existing buildings front the street, new buildings
should have a similar orientation.
• Relate setbacks of new construction to setbacks of
existing buildings or developments.
• Orient a portion of shopping centers to adjoining
neighborhoods and to local streets leading into the
adjoining neighborhoods.
• Provide breaks in large developments and building masses
to allow pedestrian connections between developments.
• Avoid orienting service areas toward primary elevations
of adjoining developments.
Place buildings in relation to adjacent development.
a
Shopping
Center
a
Breaks in large commercial developments (a) provide access to
adjacent residential development.
3. Limit setback variation to 20
percent of average setback of
existing appropriate development on a street for both
residential and non-residential
development.
20%
4. Around common open space, use buildings to define edges and
provide a comfortable scale.
This building arrangement is suitable for
apartments and
townhouses. It allows
for shared open space,
parking to the side and
rear while buildings
face both the street
and common area.
This office park arrangement allows
for circulation connections and
common space.
5. Choose building arrangements that offer an attractive termination of vistas.
1
2
In both of these examples, the buildings are aligned to present an attractive
view at the end of a street (1) or at the end of a common space (2).
Community buildings such as schools,
libraries, and government offices are
especially appropriate to terminate
views and vistas.
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
C. LANDSCAPING
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
Landscaping in an urban environment has many roles. It provides
scale and enclosure; it provides shade and buffers; and it creates
cool, inviting, gathering places in commercial districts and residential areas alike. It can reinforce connections between neighborhoods, as well as being the barrier to unsightly views.
There is a strong commitment in Cary to preserving the indigenous landscape of the community. Leaving the landscape as
unchanged as possible when development occurs helps retain the
Town’s sense of place. Residents have come to expect to see a
green landscape that reflects the area’s natural heritage and
provides a pleasing local environment. The Unified Development
Ordinance (UDO) clearly outlines in great detail the landscaping
that is required in new development.
1. Attempt to maintain existing topography and plantings in
new development.
• Use indigenous species appropriate for site conditions.
• Along thoroughfares and corridors, preserve a “tree-save
zone” of natural vegetation or add significant landscaping.
In the core of Activity Centers, street trees and more
formal urban plantings may be more appropriate.
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Mature trees add character in this Cary subdivision.
• In residential areas, attempt to provide significant tree
cover, using species that will provide a canopy at maturity. When feasible, incorporate mature trees into
subdivision and lot design.
• On commercial and office sites, include trees, shrubs,
and other landscaping to provide beauty as well as
shade and screens for parking, pedestrian gathering
places, and for screening utilities, and other service
areas.
• In pedestrian zones, use street trees to provide shade
and enclosure.
• When feasible, incorporate mature specimen trees into
streetscape, subdivision and site design.
Preserving mature trees in new
developments helps to provide a
sense of place.
A large evergreen tree was preserved
in front of this new office building
and parking was placed to the rear
of the site.
Young trees planted in this new
subdivision will provide a shade
canopy in years to come.
Landscaping, along with other site elements in new commercial development
provides pleasing gathering places and focal points.
Along the major thoroughfares and
corridors outside activity center core
areas, landscaping buffers development
and screens parking from the road.
New bermed plantings provide screening of parking areas along this
corridor. As these young trees mature,
they provide a canopy over the
pedestrian zone and provide a strong
visual edge to the corridor. This
design reinforces the character of the
existing mature “tree-save” zones
shown above.
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C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
2. Provide natural areas in development plans.
• Incorporate existing vegetation and large specimen
trees into site design to the extent possible.
• Consider reserving from development such features as
mature woods and riparian areas.
• Use stormwater control ponds to create new park-like
settings or natural areas within a development. Take
measures such as creating pathways around the ponds
and adding landscaping to enhance the park like
setting. Generally avoid fencing around ponds however in some cases, limited architectural fencing of
modest height may be included to enhance the parklike setting.
• Use trees and other landscaping features to help
enclose spaces such as parks and gathering places.
d
a
b
c
Trees and landscaping are used in this
neighborhood park to define the space
around the edges (a). The landscaping
also defines the edge of the street (b),
screens the parking(c), and buffers
the park from the rears of houses,
providing privacy (d).
a
b
In this activity center, trees are used
to define and enclose the space along
this linear pedestrian zone(a). The
buildings are set close to the street
and trees are used to provide shade
for the sidewalk(b).
This attractive development encircles a
stormwater management pond.
Illustrative plan shows stream corridor
reserved as natural area and as buffer
between multi-family and single-family
areas. Path along the stream provides
recreation and increased circulation.
D. OTHER SITE FEATURES
Other common site elements include:
• fences and walls;
• service areas;
• utility-related appurtenances such as overhead wires,
fuel tanks, utility poles and meters, antennae, and
exterior mechanical units;
• trash containers;
• outdoor lighting; and
• signs.
1. Use fences and walls to define edges along major roadways and
property lines and to provide screening when landscaping
alone is insufficient. Built edges range from fences in neighborhoods to brick walls defining enclosure for office parks.
• When walls or fences stretch longer than 50 feet, use
designs with texture and modulation to provide a
regular rhythm without being monotonous. For example,
use vertical piers (generally spaced no more than 25
feet apart) of a different material or width or height.
Landscaping shall be used in conjunction with a wall or
fence to break up a long expanse.
• When a wall is an integral part of an office or commercial development project, use materials from the material palette of the project.
• Fence design along major roadways should be aesthetically pleasing and can be made of a variety of materials.
Avoid wood stockade, chain link and other utilitarian
fences along major roadways.
a
b
This attractive brick wall, helps define the Wimbledon area of Cary. The long wall
is broken into segments by stepping the wall(a) and adding plantings (b).
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C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Locate utilities so that they have the least negative visual
impact from the street and on adjoining development. When
multiple sides of a building have entrances or are highly
visible, dumpsters and utilities should be screened.
3. Screen service areas and loading docks that are visible from
streets or adjoining development by using berms, landscaping,
structures, fences, etc.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
This landscaped berm screens these
loading docks.
a
This rolling screen hides the entrance
to a service area.
This entrance lane between two
buildings (a) leads to a service area.
4. Site noise-generating features away from neighboring properties, especially residences, or use noise barriers or other
means of reducing the impact. For example, place mechanical
equipment for nonresidential buildings so that they have
minimum impact on adjacent residential uses.
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Place noise-generating utilities on roof tops. Screen them from view along
major thoroughfares and from neighborhoods and parking lots.
5. Provide appropriate lighting for the particular use and area.
• Light pedestrian areas with 10-14’ pedestrian scaled/
designed poles.
• Provide pedestrian lighting at transit stops and along
paths to parking lots and other destinations.
• Provide extra lighting and electrical hookups at
gathering areas.
• Provide lighting under arcades.
• Provide lighting of intersections in high traffic areas.
This type of general lighting can be provided from taller
poles with more powerful lights. In high pedestrian use
areas, provide lower, pedestrian level lighting. This
situation may occur at the core of Activity Centers
in particular.
• Coordinate the lighting plan with the landscaping plan
to ensure pedestrian areas are well lit and that any
conflict between trees and lighting is avoided.
• Avoid using building accent lighting that is too bright
and draws too much attention to the building. Reasonable levels of accent lighting to accentuate architectural
character are recommended.
2
1
In this new
development,
smaller scaled
decorative,
pedestrian lights
are provided
along sidewalk
(1), while taller
non-decorative
general lighting
is used in the
large parking area
(2). These lights
are also designed
to focus light
down and not into
the night sky.
Monument signs along corridors are
sized to be viewed from automobiles
travelling at a moderate speed.
Large building signs should be well
integrated into the architecture. They
are scaled primarily for lower speed
automobile traffic.
These smaller wall signs are designed
for pedestrians and very low speed
automobiles.
6. Follow these general guidelines for signs (as well as Cary’s sign
ordinance):
• Coordinate the colors and styles of signs within a
development;
• Keep signs to the minimum number and size necessary
for the use; and
• Scale and place signs for both automobile traffic and
pedestrians.
Small hanging and wall signs
are designed for pedestrians.
75
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
3. BUILDINGS
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
The vision for Cary emphasizes
denser development at the core
of Activity Centers with density
decreasing as it reaches the
outlying residential areas. This
vision for these cores as well as
office development areas suggest buildings that will be
larger, taller, placed closer together, and closer to street fronts in
many areas. In order to maintain the current “feel” of Cary created by mostly one and two-story buildings, certain techniques in
building design will be required so that new development will
not be in jarring contrast to the existing built environment.
A. ENTRANCE ORIENTATION
Entrance orientation refers to the direction of prominent entrances and “front” facades of a building. Generally, the entrance
facade will be the most prominent elevation of a building.
1. A building can have more than one orientation. For instance, the
prominent front elevation can face a major collector or corridor
while elevations facing local streets, parking or adjoining developments can have secondary facades and entrances. Design the
needed entrances with a hierarchy to properly address the view
of the building from various orientations.
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Orient primary elevations to major streets and secondary elevations to
parking and side streets.
2. Orient entrance elevations for convenient access from adjacent
buildings, sidewalks, parking, bike paths and transit stops. At
a minimum, present a compatible view to adjoining sites.
These offices and townhomes front the street and parking while maintaining
access from connecting sidewalks.
These commercial buildings can be accessed from the street and from
parking lots.
3. Orient at least part of public elevations of shopping centers to
adjoining neighborhoods.
In the Waterford development in Cary, residential and commercial buildings
are connected to one another by being oriented to the street and sidewalk.
77
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
B. BUILDING MASS
Historically, the buildings in Cary were small and pedestrian
scaled. Newer, more recent developments are more massive with
large big-box stores and expansive parking areas. These developments have lost the human, intimate scale of Cary.
Many techniques suggested in this document provide tools for
allowing large development while reducing their perceived massiveness. While the footprint of new commercial development may
remain large, massing and organization of building forms can
help to retain the human scale of Cary. Other techniques for
maintaining scale are covered later in this chapter.
There is a difference between massively scaled buildings and
monumentally scaled buildings. Monumental buildings still
relate to the human scale but are carefully made larger to exhibit
a sense of importance. Buildings such as churches and institutional buildings are often built with this kind of scale in mind.
Massive buildings are simply huge buildings that dwarf and are
not intended to relate to human scale. Airplane hangers, for
instance, relate to the scale of an airplane and are therefore
massive. When large retail stores become as massive as an airplane hanger, they lose their relationship to the human user and
feel unfriendly.
1. Use techniques to reduce the perceived mass of large buildings. When making transitions to lower density areas, modulate the mass of the building to relate to smaller buildings.
Heights can be greater if the mass is modulated and other
scale techniques are adopted. Reduce height near low density
uses.
2. Use building mass appropriate to the site. Place buildings of
the greatest footprint, massing, and height in activity center
core areas or at the heart of office developments where the
impact on adjacent uses is the least.
3. Floor-to-floor heights of a building can have an impact on the
mass of a building. For instance, typical ceiling heights in a
residence are 8-9 feet. First floors of office buildings or retail
shops can range from 10-15 feet. Upper floors that include
residential or office are generally 8-12 feet in height. Big-box
retailers may have floor to ceiling heights exceeding 15 feet.
When actual or implied floor-to-floor heights exceed these
dimensions on the exterior, then a building may begin to read
more massive than human scaled. When articulating large
buildings, keep these dimensions in mind.
TIPS:
Building Heights
Recommended Maximum Heights
Avoid an unmodulated mass.
Use stepped-back height.
Activity Centers:
Neighborhood activity center
• Max: 3-4 stories
Community activity center
Regional activity center
Neighborhoods adjoining Activity
Use varied heights with regular width.
Use varied wall surfaces.
Centers:
• Compatible with nearby
residences
• Heights transition from
adjacent activity center
outward to lower density
Reduce massive appearance of “big
box” retailers by placing smaller retail
spaces along the front elevation of the
building.
neighborhoods
Neighborhoods outside of Activity
Centers:
Street
• Max: about 3 stories
Plan View
Office/industrial Parks:
High Density Residential Not Near
The massing of the transition building (left) is out of scale with neighboring residential and small-scaled commercial buildings (right).
Commercial Transition
Building
Activity Centers:
Recommended Height Minimums
Residential Buildings
Core Area of Activity Centers:
• Min: 2 stories or 25’
Note: Height is flexible depending on specific site conditions
and distance from nearby uses.
The massing of the transition building (left) is broken up in order to
reflect the massing of adjacent residential and small-scaled commercial
buildings.
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C. BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
This section addresses the design elements that impact the exterior appearance of a building including:
• roof form and articulation;
• pattern of solids and voids;
• facade articulation;
• architectural details;
• materials and textures; and
• color.
These elements contribute to a human scale and provide an
interesting and coherent architectural character to the Town.
Over-scaled features, haphazard designs, and bland use of materials can undermine the overall character and quality of the community. Use these guidelines to create a cohesive architectural
character throughout the entire Cary community
1. Use designs that contribute to a human scale.
• Avoid large expanses of blank walls where pedestrian
movement is desired.
• Avoid oversized design elements.
• Include human-scale elements, particularly at street
level and on facades with a pedestrian focus.
Lack of materials and
elements that define
human scale
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Human scale achieved
This series of diagrams illustrates how architectural elements and materials
can break a massive building down to a human scale.
2. As appropriate, establish a design theme to give a distinctive character to a specific area.
• Establish design themes at the core of Activity Centers
that: have a palette of materials, forms and features;
create a coordinated but inviting mix of buildings
and spaces; and establish a unique identity for each
activity center.
• Establish design themes for residential neighborhoods.
For instance, a neighborhood of Colonial Revival-styled
houses will have different yard, setback, lighting and
fence characteristics from a neighborhood of more neoVictorian styled houses. Establish a palette of house
designs and street elements. Variety can be introduced
into neighborhoods with a mix of lot and house sizes.
• Establish design themes for office and industrial parks.
These types of developments can take on a “campus”
appearance where roof forms, building heights, materials, and details such as windows all relate more closely
to one another, creating a very unified appearance.
The theme for Preston
Commons in Cary includes
classical elements using
brick and cast stone details.
The theme for this development
includes decorative shingles on steeply
pitched roofs with wall dormers and
brick with cast stone details.
81
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
3. Provide attractive facade treatments on any elevation that is
visible from streets or from any primary elevations of adjoining developments. Use the same materials for all building
elevations. Avoid blank walls on elevations facing arterials
and collector streets.
This side elevation uses
materials and elements which
provide an attractive appearance to the adjoining road.
4. Balance repetition of design elements with room
for individuality.
• Similar setbacks and spacing can create a similar character while allowing diversity among building designs.
• Use repetitive design elements enough to provide continuity but avoid having more than two to three identical
buildings in a row.
• Provide opportunities for different colors or other
individual design elements.
• Consider using different styles, but similar scale, quality
of construction, and siting.
5. When making transitions between developments, avoid
jarring contrasts in materials or building styles.
Development “A”
Development “B”
Avoid using completely different materials and forms in adjoining developments.
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Natural
Do use complementary materials and forms in adjoining developments.
6. Strive for designs and materials that reflect the architectural traditions of the region such as gable roofs, brick
and siding.
7. Use roof forms that complement the building design and
contribute to a human scale.
• An articulated roof adds visual interest and human
scale. Avoid a monolithic expanse of roof on large-scale
buildings. Break the roof mass with elements such as
gables, dormers, or parapets.
• Steeper forms are associated with more traditional design
and can be appropriate in and near neighborhoods.
Avoid long stretches of the same roof
form.
Articulate the roof at frequent intervals, every 30 to 60 feet depending on
the type of building.
This grocery store uses cross gables to break up roof mass.
This development employs a variety of forms with the
same roof material to give it continuity.
Crescent Commons in Cary uses a variety of heights and
shapes to articulate the roof line.
While this development employs a variety of roof forms,
the siting of the building below the road grade makes the
roof appear too large and out of scale with the development. This type of siting occurs frequently in Cary. To
solve the problem, either make walls taller and roofs
slightly shallower or raise the base elevation of the
building to the street such as the building in the photograph to the left.
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C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
8. The relationship of solids (walls) to voids (openings) as
well as the number and size of openings in a wall has an
effect on the how well a building relates to the user. Aside
from allowing natural ventilation and light, windows provide
a great deal of design character and warmth to a building.
Vertical windows give a more traditional feel, while horizontal
windows lend a contemporary look. Generally, retail buildings
have a greater area of openings (storefronts and entrances) on
the ground floor with solid parapets above. Multistory, mixeduse or office buildings have more glass at ground level and
less on upper levels. Residences typically have a greater wall
than window area and more vertical openings.
• Use a regular pattern of solids and voids. Maintain an
overall pattern so that all of the floors seem part of a
whole. Use special windows, window groupings, a mixture
of large and small windows to create a hierarchy of importance on a building, particularly around entrances.
• Use a proportion of openings (vertical or horizontal)
that generally is consistent throughout a development.
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
Pattern of solids and voids for mixed use
There is a higher ratio of wall to window commercial buildings usually includes
openings in residential buildings.
large voids on first floor with smaller
openings above.
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Multistory mixed-use or office buildings The composition of solids and voids
can use a variety of window types and makes attractive even so mundane a
patterns to break up building mass.
use as this mini-storage building.
9. Architectural details are important tools to create human
scale and architectural character. Techniques include highlighting foundations, lintels, sills and cornices with contrasting
materials and breaking up the mass of the building with bands at
floor levels or projections at entries. These techniques are only a
few of the ways to transform a massive building into one of
human scale. Consider the facade design of all buildings; even
service buildings can have attractive facades.
A number of character-defining
techniques were employed in the
design of this corner office building
including a modulated facade, a
variety of brick patterns and several
roof forms.
A variety of materials and mass-reducing techniques
were used on this major retail center above; however, the
scale of the building is exaggerated in order to be seen
from a distance. Reduced setbacks from major streets
would result in reduced need for exaggerate scale. The
building at left has similar materials and details but the
scale is less exaggerated.
Awnings of all kinds can provide a
variety of color, protection, enclosure,
and interest to a commercial facade.
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1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
10. The choice of materials and texture has great visual significance. Using different materials for such features as foundations, quoins, cornices, and window lintels can add eyecatching details. In addition, coordinating materials within a
development can tie together buildings of different sizes,
uses, and forms. Modern construction materials offer choices
that can provide many different looks and textures.
• Use material changes to help reduce mass and provide
visual interest.
• Choose materials that offer texture and avoid monotonous surfaces. For example, use wood or brick or stone,
or new synthetic materials that approximate the look
and dimension of these materials. Use these quality
materials on all visible sides of commercial, office and
residential buildings. Avoid prefabricated building types
except in industrial parks.
• Choose roof materials that contribute texture, patterns,
and color. Standing-seam metal roofs give a traditional
feel. Asphalt shingles are offered in a wide variety of
styles and colors and can approximate many different
looks, even slate.
• Use consistent materials on all sides of a building.
The design of the grocery store hidden behind these bays successfully breaks
the facade into human-scale units using changes in materials.
Changes in color, variety of roof
form, but similarity of windows
create visual interest in this
apartment complex.
This residential building uses a variety
of materials, and textures and roof
forms to articulate the facade.
11. Color is an integral element of the overall design. Brick,
concrete, and stone will have an inherent color, created by
nature or during the manufacturing process. Other surfaces
will get their color from applied materials such as paint.
Awnings provide another opportunity for color.
• A coordinated palette of colors should be created for
each development. This palette should be compatible
with adjacent developments.
• Set the color theme by choosing the color for the
material with the most area. If there is more roof than
wall area in a development, roof color will be the most
important color choice and will set the tone for the rest
of the colors.
• Limit the number of color choices. Generally there is a
wall color, trim color, accent color, and roof color.
• Use natural tints of materials such as reds, browns,
tans, grays, and greens as primary colors. Save bright
accent colors for awnings and signs on commercial
buildings. Brighter palettes of colors can be employed
on residential buildings.
• Use color variation to break up the mass of a building
and provide visual interest.
Single building color
Tips:
Compatibility
Compatible designs can integrate diverse land uses and help
make the community have a
cohesive atmosphere. Compatible
does not have to mean “the
same.” In fact, the blandness that
would result would be undesirable
in its own way. The focus should
be on maintaining a human-scale
and mitigating any features that
might be offensive to neighbors.
Maintaining Compatibility
within a Development Project
or Area:
• Develop a palette of elements to
provide consistency and compatibility of design;
• Allow for variations and
individuality;
• Maintain similar scale and siting;
and
• Give importance to maintaining
similar quality of construction and
materials (not necessarily exactly
the same style).
Relating Buildings to Their
Neighbors
This large retail building in Cary has a
variety of material colors.
Multiple building colors
A variety of colors provided by changes of materials or paint can
create a rich facade for commercial or residential buildings.
• Reflect the form of neighboring
buildings:
• Use similar setback and layout;
• Use similar footprint and massing;
• Use similar height and width;
• Use similar roof form; and
• Use similar materials.
• Adjust to the needs of neighboring
buildings:
• Orient potentially bothersome
features away from neighbors;
• Consider sight lines from windows
onto neighboring property; and
• Mitigate the mass of building with
architectural detailing.
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4. OPEN SPACE
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
Open spaces include preserved natural areas, parks, plazas, playgrounds, squares, greens, and yards. Attractive and convenient
outdoor spaces should be provided throughout the Town for
everyday use, special events, passive enjoyment and as an attractive visual backdrop for the community.
Open spaces serve a variety of functions. In Activity Centers,
office parks, and other nonresidential areas, open space provides
areas for gatherings, events and functions such as dining or
meetings. In other parts of town, open space is used for recreation such as organized sports. Natural areas are preserved for
passive recreation such as walking and picnicking. In neighborhoods, open space includes yards and shared areas for playgrounds and neighborhood recreation.
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
A grassy area as natural amphitheater
can be an integral part of an open space.
An outdoor cafe is part of the open
space in this commercial area.
A fountain is the focal point of this
open space in an office complex. It
includes benches and shade trees.
This well-proportioned green provides
outdoor space for a neighborhood.
A. GATHERING PLACES
Public gathering spaces create the opportunity for informal
interactions that help build a community. They can vary widely in
size, in type, and in degree of amenities. For these guidelines,
gathering places include plazas, squares and greens that are
integral design components of development plans.
1. Public gathering spaces should be used as central organizing
elements in Activity Centers and should be conveniently
located within an easy five-minute walking distance of any
major building. Gathering places should occur in employment
centers, office parks or industrial development outside of
Activity Centers. Provide the opportunity for outdoor dining
in gathering places in commercial areas.
The plaza is central to the buildings in
this office development.
The plaza in this commercial development is central and
conveniently located. It also serves as a through-connection
to the neighborhood beyond.
Plazas or landscaped open spaces are
appropriate for office developments.
Landscaping, pond, and shade all
make this an appealing gathering
place in this office park.
The gap in this shopping center
provides connection to residential
development beyond. It is also a good
location for restaurants with outdoor
dining that function as gathering
places for the neighborhood.
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1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. To create appealing and comfortable outdoor spaces orient
buildings to form such areas rather than isolating them in
landscaped pods. Use trees, walls, topography, and other site
features to further define the space and lend a human scale
to the area. Provide shade with trees or overhangs from
the buildings.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
The building creates a gathering place by its shape. This plaza is also a focal
point upon entering this commercial development.
3. Consider open space as an organizing element of the site plan.
A gathering place can become a focal point for a development
scheme.
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
The central open space was the organizing element in this multifamily
residential development. Secondary open space, add additional amenities.
4. Provide amenities as needed including:
• street furniture, such as benches and picnic tables,
lighting, and fountains;
• bike racks;
• outdoor cafes and seating areas; and
• electrical service and lighting for public events.
This gathering place includes landscaping amid benches and surrounding shops in a shopping center.
TIPS:
Types of Common Areas
Common areas for residential and
some neighborhood commercial
developments range from a small
pocket park in a row of houses to...
...a larger green in front of an
important building to...
This gathering place is a wide sidewalk in front of shops
and restaurants. Benches, bike racks and landscaping
are provided.
...a larger detached green on
which commercial and residential
buildings can front.
This gathering place includes a series of fountains and a
place to rest amidst shopping and dining destinations.
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B. RECREATION AND NATURAL AREAS
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
Recreation and natural areas are open spaces reserved for outdoor
activities and for the enjoyment of nature. Overall community
appearance should reflect the natural landscape. In addition, all
residents should be able to enjoy open space within easy walking
distance of their homes.
Recreation areas, such as mini-parks, are generally anticipated
to be fairly small in size. They provide space and equipment for
outdoor activities within close walking distance of residences.
Natural areas can preserve distinctive habitats or natural vegetation, ranging from a particularly impressive mature tree to a
greenbelt along a stream corridor.
Natural areas can
be preserved as a
focal point for
developments
1. Include private neighborhood recreation areas and children’s
playgrounds within residential areas.
2. Whenever feasible, recreation and natural areas should be
centrally located within a neighborhood. Provide sufficient
open space within easy walking distance of all residents.
• Ideally, all residences should be within 1/4 mile walk
of a private recreation area, or a Town public park.
• Private mini-parks should be a minimum of 1/4 acre
in size.
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Play areas of all
sizes can be
provided in
neighborhoods.
3. In multi-building, multifamily projects, provide centrally
located versatile recreation areas on site. These can include
level grassy areas, play yards, courtyards, and natural areas
along with amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts
and other similar features.
Multifamily Project A
These two multifamily projects
have different approaches to
organizing outdoor space.
Development A is informal and
organized with topography in
mind. The outdoor area,
however, remains central to the
development and provides
sufficient area for recreation.
This playing field becomes a central
recreation area in this neighborhood.
Development B is more formal
and is organized in a grid
pattern, creating rectilinear
courtyards. The recreation
space is also central to the
development and an important
element in the organization of
the buildings.
Multifamily Project B
4. Link recreation and natural areas to town-wide pedestrian
systems and greenway systems as feasible.
5. Provide pedestrian connections between open spaces of
adjacent developments, subdivisions and multifamily sites.
Seek to connect to town-wide network of open spaces and
pedestrian system.
6. Preserve natural areas as development is planned.
Walking paths in
residential neighborhoods should be
provided to adjacent
greenways, sites
and parks.
A preserved natural area in a development easily becomes a recreational and
focal point.
c
a
b
Various densities of residential development can share neighborhood
recreation areas including small lot
single-family residences (a),
townhouses (b), and large lot singlefamily residences (c).
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C. PRIVATE OUTDOOR SPACE
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
Private outdoor space includes garden areas, yards, or terraces
that are for the exclusive use of the tenant or owner. Most multifamily or attached residential developments have the potential to
offer a private or semiprivate outdoor space for each unit.
1. Configure small lots and townhouses to provide private space
that has enclosure and privacy. Provide private or semiprivate
outdoor space for all units except in very high-density developments where shared outdoor space is recommended.
2. In addition to private space, provide opportunities for shared
open space such as parks, greens or courtyards.
Small-lot, single
Townhouses
While each of the units in these developments have their own private outdoor
space, a larger shared outdoor space is
within an easy walking distance.
Townhouses
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Apartments
A forecourt provides open space between medium and high density
residential developments.
5. TRANSITIONS AND SCREENS
How to Choose Which
Type of Transition to Use
Transition means making adjustments in siting and in building
design to ensure that new development is compatible with its
neighbors. The primary ways of accomplishing transitions are
architectural (adapting the building) and landscaping (adding
open space, edges, screening or buffers).
Why Transitions?
The vision for Cary calls for development to be interconnected
and for buildings in many cases to be close together. A seamless
flow from one development project to another and to some
extent from one use to another can be achieved — with good
transitions. It may be simpler to make buffers of vegetation or
distance between neighbors, but this has unintended negative
results — excessive land consumption, lack of pedestrian and
vehicular connections, haphazard appearance of development,
and reduced opportunity for generating a community atmosphere.
This section proposes instead transitions between neighbors.
Transitions can take many forms and in fact, several tools may
be appropriate for the same site.
When to Use Transitions
Not all changes in use or intensity require a transition. In some
cases, very different buildings and uses can function quite well
side by side. The design of the building itself may become the
transition. Times when transitions are to be considered include:
• when changes in use occur between adjacent or nearby sites (especially from any nonresidential use to residential);
• when the scale or intensity of a building or development changes
dramatically between one site and the next (such as between higherdensity residential to lower-density residential);
• when views or uses on a site would be a nuisance for neighbors on
adjacent sites; and
• when new building types occur in infill locations.
a
b
Either transition type can work
in most situations. However,
architectural transitions may
work better and are preferred
in more densely developed
areas such as Activity Centers,
or in other mixed-use developments. Landscape transitions
are preferred when the nature
and intensity of uses on
adjacent sites is too disparate
to transition architecturally,
for instance mini storage next
to single family use.
Architectural and landscape
transitions can occur together
as well. The objective is to
make transitions gracefully
between uses and developments and not have jarring
juxtapositions. Consider
connectivity when making the
choice and consider the
movement of the pedestrian.
(Will they be moving between
different destinations, for
instance shop-to-shop or shopto-office, or shop-to-home and
what will be that experience?)
Also consider scale. Can
landscaping be used to make
a graceful transition between
taller buildings in denser
developments and smaller
buildings in less dense
development?
Architectural transitions are achieved
when larger scaled commercial
buildings respect the scale and form of
adjacent lower density uses (a).
When design character does not blend,
landscape transitions are used to
soften and buffer the change of scale
and design (b).
95
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
A. ARCHITECTURAL
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
An architectural transition means designing a building to take
into consideration neighboring buildings and uses. Adapting the
architectural form is generally preferred over buffering because
it consumes less land and allows a continuity of streetscape
and connections.
1. When transition between sites is required, first consider
architectural transitions, using vegetated buffers as needed or
appropriate. However, small green spaces between developments can provide open space and a transition between similar density developments.
2. Use architectural transitions as gateways between developments and different uses.
• Use important civic buildings, such as churches, as
gateways into neighborhood developments.
• Use pedestrian intensive uses such as post offices,
banks, and restaurants as gateways between medium
density residential and commercial developments.
These types of uses can be housed in special signature
buildings at key points that will provide transitions
between residential and commercial uses.
3. Relate the new building in higher density developments to its
neighbors in lower density developments, particularly in
siting, height, massing, roof form, and materials.
• In particular, nonresidential development next to residential buildings should be compatible with the residences.
For instance, in cases where the new building is taller,
upper stories should be set back from the main
elevation(s), particularly along the streetfront. Roof
forms, facade modulation/articulation and materials
further create compatibility by breaking the mass of the
new building down to the scale of the residential building.
• When single-family detached homes face attached units,
the latter should contain no more than about 5 units
per building and building length should be no longer
than about 100 feet.
• Nonresidential buildings facing residential buildings
should have similar facades in height, massing and
facade modulation.
• If the existing pattern of development does not fit this
guideline, insure that any new development will fit it.
TIPS:
a
Compatibility vs.
Diversity
a
Compatible form (a) along a residential street (left) helps this corner building
make a smooth transition between residential and business. The building has
apartments upstairs with retail in front (right).
Individual variations in buildings
can add depth and character to an
area. Rather than aiming to make
buildings match each other or look
alike, consider having them
complement each other.
Avoid the most typical “jarring”
elements:
• abrupt changes in scale;
• abrupt changes in site layout;
• introduction of nuisance factors
like noise and traffic; and
• abrupt changes of materials and
construction quality.
Otherwise, consider allowing
compatible diversity:
• distinctive designs;
• variations in design; and
• differences in use.
Retail buildings on the left face apartments on the
right. The businesses are neighborhood-oriented,
such as dry cleaners and take-out food. Service
areas are located to the rear, facing a service alley.
Three illustrations of architectural transition.
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C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
4. When making architectural transitions, orient potentially
bothersome features, utilitarian elevations or noisy uses away
from neighbors. For example, avoid service areas facing the
fronts of buildings on adjacent sites.
Here the service area is
between the buildings
and not viewed from
any public right-ofway.
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
In this example, the business building is oriented so
that service and parking is
partially screened from
residential uses.
5. Buildings facing side elevations of other buildings are acceptable. For example, the front elevations of townhouses can
front an attractive side elevation of single family residential
buildings. Avoid conditions where front elevations face long
blank side elevations of adjacent developments. This relationship discourages pedestrian movement, particularly in
commercial areas.
a
b
This is a transition
between townhouses
(a) and a multifamily residential
structure (b).
B. LANDSCAPE
Site landscape features can provide transitions as well as screening between new and existing developments.
1. Use open spaces to provide transitions between developments
and/or use types while also providing usable, attractive gathering places. Open space can be densely vegetated or open
fields. For instance consider creating a neighborhood park or
playground between medium density residential and neighborhood commercial uses.
Single family residential
Townhouses
Townhouses
Commercial
More formal landscaped open-space transitions can provide
order to a site plan while separating diverse uses and
providing usable outdoor recreation space.
Developments can take advantage of vegetated natural
areas and use them as open space that divides different
densities and types of use.
2. Use landscape edges to provide continuity
and connection between developments
and/or use types. For instance, a row of
trees along a street edge can provide unity
between single family and multifamily
residential uses.
Trees can create an edge where continuity is desired between buildings.
99
C• A• R•Y
Guidelines Tool Kit
1. Circulation
A. Roads
C. Bicycle Routes
D. Transit
E. Streetscape
Environment
2. Site
A. Parking
B. Building Setback
and Arrangement
C. Landscaping
3. Buildings
B. Building Mass
and Materials
3. Screening may include plant materials, such as shrubs and trees,
along with fences, walls, and berms. They are included in a
development to separate high levels of human activity from
mechanical uses such as cars and mechanical equipment. Screening also is used to disguise utilitarian features or unsightly views
of rear elevations of buildings or other features.
• Use screening when architectural and site adjustments
are not sufficient to hide service areas, unsightly site
appurtenances, or activities.
• Screen parking areas from the road, from pedestrian
routes, and from adjoining development as appropriate.
(Follow guidelines for Parking Site Design.) Use fences,
walls, or year-round waist-high vegetation around
parking lots.
• Screen service docks, trash storage areas, and
other utilities.
• Limit walls or fences to shoulder height next to sidewalks or pedestrian areas, and use variegated designs
on long stretches (more than twenty-five feet) to avoid
monotonous solid surfaces.
• Design screening from the palette of materials or vegetation established for either the corridor it is on or the
development it is in so that it will blend with the
design theme and architecture. Use brick, wood, or
PVC. Avoid chain link fences.
4. Open Space
A. Gathering Places
B. Recreation and
Natural Areas
C. Private Outdoor
Space
5. Transitions and
Screens
A. Architectural
B. Landscape
Commercial Use
Residential Use
There are a variety of methods for providing buffers and screens. Some
of the methods are shown here. Note that as distance between incompatible uses decreases, the landscape transition increases in intensity.
4. Buffers are used to separate sites or uses and vary in depth
depending on what is being separated. See the UDO for a very
detailed description of current use of buffers in Cary. Buffers
are generally heavily vegetated and may be articulated with a
variety of landscape elements and/or structures such as fences
and walls. Densely vegetated, preserved natural areas can be
used as effective buffers when needed. It is preferable to
encourage connectivity with architectural or landscape transitions rather than create barriers between developments.
• Use of buffers includes shielding residences from hightraffic corridors or other uses that may produce high
noise or light levels such as airports, regional shopping
malls, and brightly lit existing development.
• Use buffers when it is necessary to separate new from
existing development that was not designed with connectivity and transitional design in
mind. These types of developments
may have large service areas that
require buffering from new uses.
• Limit using buffers to separate neighborhood scale commercial and office
uses from residential uses.
• When buffers are needed along major
arterials, consider using dense landscaping, zones of preserved natural
vegetation, or appropriately designed
walls or fences to shield uses such as
residential development from highspeed traffic. Walls and fences should
blend with any design motif set forth
for the arterial if it is a corridor enterInformal landscape transitions can separate diverse uses
ing an Activity Center. Otherwise, the
while providing usable outdoor recreation space such as
wall or fence should be constructed
in this example above.
from the palette of materials and
designs set forth in the development
it is protecting.
5. Minimize the use of landscaped earthen
berms that block pedestrian access between
sites and limit the visual connection of
related uses.
An example of using landscaped buffers between
different uses while maintaining connectivity.
101

Cary Design guidelines

Transcription

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