Loading...
PZC Packet 091405Planning and Zoning Commission Special Meeting — 9/14/05 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies 1. Goals and Policies While each District -has specific Planning Principles, a number of overarching goals and policies provide direction in the following topic areas community -wide: • Regional Awareness • Urban Form • Land Uses • Economic Development • Housing • Transportation • Environment • Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space • Public Services, Facilities, Utilities and Government • Community Character Each topic area contains one or more goals and several specific policy objectives. Certain goals and policies are more specific and timely than others; however, all goals and policies contribute to the vision of the plan and its implementation. Finally, certain policies interrelate to several topic areas (such as policies that are relevant to both Land Use and Economic Development). Where this redundancy occurs, the policy will cross-reference other goals or policies accordingly. frown of Avon Comprehensive Plan age 1 �V U N Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies A. Regional Coordination Goal A.1: Collaborate with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other agencies to implement this plan and to ensure Avon's needs and goals are being considered. Policy A.1.1: Work with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other agencies on cooperative planning efforts, including joint planning agreements to govern review and action on development applications within the Town's 3 -mile planning area Policy A.1.2: Refer development submittals to Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other agencies to ensure that regional issues are identified and considered as part of the public process. Policy A.1.3: Review development submittals from Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other agencies to ensure that the town's issues are identified and considered as part of the public process. Policy A.1.4: Participate in agreements with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other agencies regarding funding of facilities and revenue sharing. Policy A.1.5: Work with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other agencies to coordinate efforts to address regional issues related to such topics as the railroad corridor, 1-70, trails, and the Eagle River. B. Urban Form Goal B.1: Maintain a compact community form. Policy B.1.1: Enhance Avon's compact community form by targeting future medium and high-intensity development to infill locations within the Town Center that are readily accessible to and otherwise integrated with existing retail areas and transit service routes. Policy B.1.2: Require that development in the Town Center be at a higher density and include vertically mixed uses. Policy B.1.3: Locate uses that generate traffic near transit facilities or shared parking facilities to minimize automobile travel and re -parking multiple times within the same area. 0 Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 2 Town District Planning Principles Goats and Policies Policy BAA: Encourage redevelopment and revitalization of currently underdeveloped, outdated, rundown, or otherwise dysfunctional areas. Goal B.2: Provide a distinct physical and visual separation between Avon f and its surrounding communities that preserves the natural beauty L of the surrounding mountains and the Eagle River valley. Policy B.2.1: Inventory, analyze and prioritize lands adjacent to the developed portions of the Town, particularly developable open space, steep slopes, drainage corridors, ridgelines, river frontage and other environmentally sensitive areas, for possible acquisition and/or preservation as formal open space or for other public purposes in order to maintain Avon's visual identity. Policy B.2.2: Maintain the Eagle River as a valued resource and require development and redevelopment to be compatible with the riparian environment. Policy B.2.3: Encourage cluster style development in areas of less density to promote creative and efficient site design, avoid impacts on environmental resources, and augment designated open space. Policy B.2.4: Work with landowners to identify opportunities for conservation easements or other permanent protection tool. Goal 6.3: Ensure that annexations provide an overall benefit to the community and are in conformance with this plan's goals and policies. Policy B.3.1: Require all annexed lands to be master planned in conformance with the Future Land Use Plan and all existing design standards, and to clearly show physical, visual, and functional connections to existing development and Town facilities. Policy B.3.2: Participate in planning efforts related to lands outside the Town's corporate limits that may affect the Town by maintaining open communications with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other quasi- governmental agencies. Policy B.3.3: Coordinate land use policies and regulations with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other quasi- governmental agencies to make development more consistent across political boundaries. own of Avon Comprehensive Plan age 3 C. Land Use Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies Policy B.3.4: Ensure that the conditions stipulated in all annexation agreements, subdivision improvement agreements and other subsequent commitments between the Town and an annexor(s) clearly identify the intent and/or purpose of the future disposition or development of the annexed lands, provides a sufficient level of specificity to assure that the identified intent or purpose will be achieved, and provides sufficient assurance that the proposed annexation will support the Town's goals and policies and benefiting both existing and future Town residents. Provide a balance of land uses that offer a range of housing options, diverse commercial and employment opportunities, inviting guest accommodations, and high quality civic and recreational facilities that work in concert to strengthen Avon's identity as both a year-round residential community and as a Policy C.1.1: Ensure that proposed development and redevelopment projects conform to the Future Land Use Plan's designations and are of a scale and intensity as appropriate for the planning district in which they are located. Policy C.1.2: Ensure each development contributes to a healthy jobs/housing balance in the Town and surrounding area. Policy C.1.3: Focus lodging and guest accommodation in the Town Center to take advantage of the proximity to retail, commercial and other community services. Policy C.1.4: Encourage the development of detailed District Master Plans for each District. Once written, immediate action should be taken to provide clear and simple zoning that would allow the type of development approved in the District Master Plan. Policy C.1.5: Where no District Master Plan has been prepared, flexible zoning such as Planned Unit Development should be considered as an alternative to straight zoning if it would allow a more efficient development pattern. However, such flexible zoning will only be allowed where it provides a benefit to the community, is consistent with this comprehensive plan, and is compatible with 0 Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 4 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies surrounding development. Variations from standard zoning will be permitted only as needed to achieve effective development and a clearly demonstrated community benefit. Policy C.1.6: Include sufficient land for public uses such as schools, recreation, community facilities (such as childcare), and government services near the people who use them. Policy C.1.7: Permit home occupations and live/work opportunities where appropriate to reduce traffic/commuting impacts in the community. Policy C.1.8: Encourage development applicants to meet with adjacent residents, businesses, and property owners prior to and during design, planning, and application phases. This will allow applicants to identify concerns and propose strategies for addressing them. Policy C.1.9: Require proposed development near the railroad corridor, particularly in the Town Center, to anticipate future transit and incorporate this potential into building and site design. (Refer to Policy F.3.4) Goal C.2: Ensure that Avon continues to develop as a community of safe, interactive, and cohesive neighborhoods that contribute to the L Town's overall character and image. Policy C.2.1: Promote a wide range of residential uses including large -lot single family and duplex, small -lot single family and duplex, multifamily, and vertically integrated residential (housing on the upper floors of mixed-use commercial buildings). Policy C.2.2: Require new residential development to provide a variety of housing densities, styles, and price ranges based upon the findings of a housing needs assessment study. (Refer to Policy E.1.2.) Policy C.2.3: Require pedestrian, bike, and automobile connections, where appropriate, between proposed and existing residential neighborhoods. The use of multiple access connections, traffic calming devices, and/or street design standards will be employed to minimize cut through traffic. Mown of Avon Comprehensive Plan age 5 0 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies Goal C.3:Use mixed-use development to create a more balanced, sustainable system of land uses. Policy C.3.1: Require vertical and/or horizontal mixed-use development to occur in those areas identified in the Future Land Use Plan for mixed-use to enhance the Town's ability to respond to changing market conditions. Policy C.3.2: Require retail for a prescribed minimum depth of 25 feet along the "Main Street" in the Town Center to ensure an active street frontage and appropriate mix of uses. Policy C.3.3: Provide opportunities for temporary office and service uses in ground floor retail space when market demand is low, but retain permanent designation as retail. Goal C.4: Encourage sustainable commercial development that enhances i Avon's overall economic health, contributes to the community's image and character, and provides residents and visitors with increased choices and services. Policy C.4.1: Develop District Master Plans for the East Town Center District identifying parcel configurations and new automobile and pedestrian circulation alignments to increase the district's viability. Policy C.4.2: Require future commercial businesses, where appropriate, to cluster buildings and to provide publicly accessible amenities. Policy C.4.3: Encourage neighborhood retail and service activities in locations that are convenient to residential neighborhoods. Require such development to provide pedestrian connections to adjacent development and to existing and proposed trail systems. Policy C.4.4: Encourage commercial developments to utilize green planning and construction techniques (i.e. LEED certification). manufacturing uses that conform to existing plans and design standards. Policy C.5.1: Service commercial and light industrial uses, including warehousing and light manufacturing, Ru Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 6 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies should be designed to support effective vehicular access and circulation and allow effective screening from adjacent uses and public ways. Policy C.5.2: Permit accessory residential uses in association with light industrial commercial development when compatible. Policy C.5.3: Require adequate infrastructure improvements including safe access, utilities and controlled access from collectors. D. Community Image and Design Goal DA: Ensure that development and redevelopment is integrated and compatible with existing and planned adjacent development and contributes to Avon's community image and character. Policy D.1.1: Ensure that both the scale and appearance of development and redevelopment responds appropriately to adjacent development. Policy D.1.2: Restrict large surface parking areas that directly abut local streets. If a large surface parking area is located abutting a local street, use berms, plant materials of varying height, or other screening materials to buffer and screen these parking areas. Policy D.1.3: Create a unified and cohesive physical framework and community image by ensuring compatible building orientation, scale, massing, siting, street alignments, streetscape furnishings, signage, lighting, etc. Policy D.1.4: Policy D.2.1: Policy D.2.2: Policy D.2.3: own of Avon Comprehensive Plan I ge 7 Continue to update and enhance the Avon land use regulations so that development is subject to a thorough, rigorous set of development criteria Beautify town with street trees, sidewalks, landscaping and public art. Design and maintain the Town's streets and walkways as safe, attractive public spaces. Ensure that development and redevelopment adjacent to Interstate 70 maintains significant views from the highway and features quality landscaping Ruo Town District Pianning Principles Goals and Policies and architectural design. Policy D.2.4: Improve the streetscape along U.S. Highway 6 to strengthen Avon's overall community image and to stimulate future development and redevelopment by providing a more attractive and cohesive street edge. Policy D.2.5: Enhance `Bob" the bridge so that it becomes more of an architectural feature and gateway to the community. Policy D.2.6: Coordinate with the Colorado Department of Transportation to lessen visual and noise impacts from I-70 on adjacent development within the Avon community while preserving important views of Avon from I-70. ,Goal D.3: Enhance the Town's image as a unique and distinct community exemplifying quality development and conveying the town character. Policy D.3.1: Develop community gateways along the Avon's major roadway corridors (as identified on the Community Framework Map) that respond to and strengthen Avon's community identity. Gateways will delineate the Town's boundaries using landscape, signage, and/or right-of-way treatments that are applied consistently to create a unified community image at the town's border. Policy D.3.2: Strengthen Avon's community edge to distinguish it from neighboring communities through the continued preservation of open space. Policy D.4.1: Require the use of the West Town Center Plan for development and redevelopment in the district in order to facilitate and implement the plan's key components to include the "Main Street" concept. Policy D.4.2: Use the development of an East Town Center District plan to identify suitable sites for potential infill and redevelopment, to define a new modified street grid, to enhance the district's wayfinding elements, and to develop an overall pedestrian - circulation system connecting to the West Town Center District. Ru O Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 8 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies Policy D.4.3: Require development and redevelopment of existing structures in the Town Center to include architectural elements, site planning, signage, and hardscape elements that encourage pedestrian activity. Promote a pedestrian -friendly and inviting Town Center environment that encourages residents and visitors to frequent and remain in Avon's Town Center for extended periods. Policy D.4.4: Coordinate efforts between Avon's business organizations to strengthen the Town Center as the commercial and civic core of Avon. Focus appropriate new civic and cultural facilities in the Town Center. Policy D.4.5: Ensure that pedestrian is prioritized over the automobile in the Town Center. Policy D.5.1: Evaluate development proposals to avoid or mitigate adverse impacts on historical resources, including adjacent neighborhoods, and to preserve, reclaim, and compensate for the value of the impacted historic resource. Policy D.5.2: Support independent citizens groups who wish to preserve or enhance historical resources and sites throughout the Town of Avon. Policy D.5.3: Develop the role of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Develop new and continue to enhance existing cultural ft events, and programs that strengthen Avon's community Policy D.6.1: Policy D.6.2: Policy D.6.3: `Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 9 Support cultural activities oriented to families and year-round residents, such as theater, concerts in the park, school activities, etc. Encourage, through partial funding or other means, local festivals and special events. Encourage development of civic and recreational amenities that benefit existing neighborhoods. Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies E. Economic Development Policy E.1.2: Conduct a retail analysis to identify specific opportunities to increase retail expenditures within Avon to reduce sales tax migration to other nearby communities and to support a year-round retail mix. Policy E.1.3: Facilitate the redevelopment of underutilized parcels and promote a concentration of uses in the Town Center. Balance the needs for additional floor area and density with the needs to preserve view corridors and maintain reasonable levels of mass and bulk. Encourage shared access, circulation, and structured/shared parking to unify redeveloped sites. Policy E.1.4: Implement the Town Center West and Main Street Public Improvements Project to include its "Main Street" component. Require all development and redevelopment in the Town Center to document ways to meet or enhance the plan's overall framework and intent. Policy E.1.5: Enhance the Town Center area's pedestrian - orientation by linking together the two Town Center districts, the Confluence site, and the Nottingham Station residential and commercial areas. Enable pedestrians to easily circulate throughout the commercial areas, including connections across Avon Road and the railroad right-of-way. Policy E.1.6: Develop the East Town Center District subarea plan in a comprehensive manner to include the physical form, circulation, and connectivity to surrounding districts. Policy E.1.7: Encourage future Village at Avon accommodations, dining, and retail to be located adjacent to the Town Center in order to strengthen Avon's status as the regional retail trade center. Policy E.1.8: Support sales -tax generating businesses, such as restaurants and specialty retail stores, to locate in key strategic locations within the Town Center. Policy E.1.9: Identify and promote Avon's viable niche opportunities to create a diverse and attractive Town Center tenant profile. Au Q Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 10 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies Policy E.1.10: Allocate Town resources, including but not limited to Town staff support, to Town Center redevelopment efforts and business retention and development efforts. Policy E.1.11: Provide excellent, high-quality public facilities in the Town Center area including but not limited to parks, Town Hall, sidewalks, streets, recreational facilities, and library. Policy E.1.12: Implement methods for better meeting Avon's parking needs within the Town Center such as a Town Center parking district and/or parking garage. Policy E.1.13: Explore parking programs (paid, metered, and time - controlled) to maximize the efficiency of the system and to ensure that it meets the needs of visitors and patrons as well as residents and employees. ,Goal E.2: Ensure the ability to fund and implement the necessary development and redevelopment by encouraging strategic use of town funds to leverage highquality private sector investment. Policy E.2.1: Pursue economic development benefiting the Town of Avon by using local, county, state, or federal resources that are available including the investigation into various incentive programs and selection criteria. Community funds could he applied to different projects based upon level of projected public investment versus revenue returns to the Town. Policy E.2.2: Use the Capital Improvement Plan to fund key public facilities that will catalyze private sector projects. Policy E.2.3: Encourage private investment in Avon through such tools and strategies as Tax Increment Financing for specific development proposals; General Improvement District Bonds; expedited review processes; public/private financing mechanisms; applying for development and redevelopment grants; and participation (cost and revenue) in delivering infrastructure and services as appropriate and advantageous to the Town and its economic development efforts. Policy E.2.4: Attract existing businesses within the region to relocate to Avon by promoting its available commercial land and buildings as well as its existing infrastructure and its accessible location. Fown of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 11 0 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies Policy E.2.5: Address public economic and demographic information requests, as well as coordinate business attraction, retention, and reinvestment efforts between Town departments. Utilize local data and resources such as the Vail Valley Economic Council and Eagle County Profile wherever possible. Policy E.2.6: Continually review business taxation practices in an effort to maintain Avon's competitive position in the region, while maintaining a healthy fiscal structure. Policy E.2.7: Investigate the potential costs and benefits of establishing a vacancy assessment fee to discourage long-term commercial/retail vacancies. Goal E.3: Increase the number of visitors to Avon by enhancing our _ attractiveness as a destination resort community. Policy E.3.1: Promote effective transit and access with Beaver Creek Village that may include a direct lift conveyance, mass transit, trails, and pedestrian connections. Policy E.3.2: Strengthen the tourism potential within Avon by working collaboratively with organizations throughout the community to capitalize upon Avon's unique recreational and cultural assets (i.e. coordinated marketing efforts). Policy E.3.3: Institute minimum density requirements for development proposals in the Town Center and enforce minimum density requirements for existing land use approvals to achieve the needed critical mass of accommodation units. Policy E.3.4: Actively support marketing partnerships to promote Avon as a tourist destination. Policy E.3.5: Strengthen existing and develop additional cultural and recreational attractions oriented toward both local residents and visitors. Policy E.3.6: Develop a joint visitor center with Beaver Creek on the east day parking lot or other suitable location to increase the effectiveness of providing information about the Avon community, its businesses, and the various special activities and events occurring within the community. Policy E.3.7: Encourage increased use of the Town's website to promote local tourist attractions. Monitor and Ru o N Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 12 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies maintain the website to provide both current and general information about the Avon community, its businesses, and the various special activities and events occurring within the community. Policy E.3.8: Ensure that the tourism and recreational attractions, shopping and dining areas, parks, transit stops, trails, and bicycle routes are coordinated within an integrated wayfinding signage program oriented to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Policy E.3.9: Identify and honor cultural and historic sites with such elements as museums, interpretive parks, markers, memorials, fountains, sculptures, statues, signage, banners, informational kiosks, public art, and flags. Policy E.3.10: Encourage and facilitate the creation of new tourist attractions relating to interesting, niche retail and/or manufacturing operations. Examples include the Leaning Tree Museum, Celestial Seasonings Tea in Boulder, or the REI flagship store in Denver. Pursue businesses that have a corporate philosophy in line with Avon's (i.e. North Face, Snapple, and Trek Bicycles) Policy E.3.11: Seek opportunities to highlight and support local artists, experts, and resources such as private collections or specific hobbies as part of Avon's overall cultural/heritage efforts. Policy E.3.12: Coordinate advertising of local festivals and events with window displays and special promotions by area businesses. Policy E.3.13: Seek marketing opportunities for local businesses such as restaurants and lodging to capitalize on an overall cultural/heritage community image rather than a single venue or event. Policy E.3.14: Encourage collaborative approaches between the various community stakeholders, such as but not limited to the Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism Bureau, Avon Chamber of Commerce, Beaver Creek Resort Company, Vail Resorts, Eagle County School District, Town of Avon Parks and Recreation Department, and Eagle County Library District to enhance Avon's overall guest potential. Policy E.3.15: Achieve greater use of existing facilities in the community with an expanded schedule of events to own of Avon Comprehensive Plan age 13 up N Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies strengthen the Town's year-round guest potential and to provide an amenity for local residents. F. Housing Policy F.1.1: Require that infill residential development is compatible in design, scale, and use with existing neighborhoods. Policy F.1.2: Initiate a housing needs assessment to understand the housing needs of the community and establish policies and programs that would address these needs. Ideally, a housing strategy would result that takes into consideration the unique opportunities and constraints found in the community. Encourage innovative designs that contribute to the quality and diversity of the housing stock. Policy F.1.3: Encourage private development to include a diversity of housing types and prices within developments. Goal F.2: Provide an attainable housing program that incorporates both rental and ownership opportunities for permanent and seasonal residents that are attractive, safe and integrated with the community. f Policy F.2.1: Require that development, annexations, and major redevelopment includes or otherwise provides for affordable housing within the community. Policy F.2.2: Require that affordable housing is integrated with, rather than separated from, the rest of the community. Policy F.2.3: Encourage affordable housing be close to existing development, serviced by transit, and close to schools/child care. Policy F.2.4: Require that affordable housing be maintained as affordable in'perpetuity including price control mechanisms that ensure units are affordable to desired income levels. Policy F.2.5: Establish a minimum dwelling unit size requirement for designated affordable housing units that effectively meets the residents' livability needs. Ruo N Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 14 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies G. Transportation Goal G.1: Create an integrated transit system that minimizes dependence on automobile travel with the Town by making it easier to use transit, walk, ride bicycles, and utilize other non -motorized vehicles. Policy G.1.1: Ensure that streets effectively accommodate transit, pedestrian, bicycle and other modes of transportation. Prioritize pedestrians, bicycles, and transit over private vehicles when designing streets. Policy G.1.15: Connect pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular circulation systems with regional transit. Policy G.1.2: Require that commercial, public and other uses that generate significant employment and customer traffic are served by transit and linked by pedestrian and bicycle paths to minimize their dependence on automobile travel. Policy G.1.3: Ensure that commercial areas, in particular the Town Center, are designed to minimize in -town automobile travel by making it easier for people arriving by car to park and conveniently walk to multiple stores and businesses. Policy G.1.4: Identify and participate in cost-effective transit partnerships with local resorts and other governmental entities to include aerial conveyances, buses, and other transit services and facilities. Policy G.1.5: Ensure that adopted roadway and intersection standards have adequate provisions within the public right of way to fully incorporate both auto and non - auto modes. Policy G.1.6: Track annual traffic counts, in particular the prevailing ease of north -south travel to and through Avon, to note year-to-year trends that could lead to reallocating street vehicular and pedestrian capacity needs. Policy G.1.7: Investigate the feasibility and cost/benefit of a Metcalf Road to West Beaver Creek Boulevard pedestrian connection across 1-70, with possible inclusion of public transittemergency vehicle access or possibly general traffic use. Policy G.1.8: Devise a public transit service plan that would replace the current one-way loop system with a two- way system utilizing new road links. Compare Mown of Avon Comprehensive Plan page 15 pV O N Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies annual service hours and productivity (passengers per vehicle -hour) estimates of the two alternative service plans. Policy G.1.9: Require development and redevelopment proposals within the Town of Avon's transit service area to provide all appropriate transit amenities such as passenger shelters, waiting areas, pedestrian access, and lighting. Policy G.1.10: Develop a toolkit of traffic calming measures that would be appropriate and acceptable to achieve the desired balance between vehicular, pedestrian and bike travel capabilities. Policy G.1.11: Investigate the feasibility of implementing an alternative fuel program for the Town's transit and fleet vehicles to enhance air quality. Policy G.1.12: Preserve a corridor for a funicular or other fixed guideway transit mode to link the Village at Avon to the Town Center. Policy G.1.13: Develop a comprehensive town pedestrian circulation plan and require all development proposals to include it graphically on their plans, specifically addressing ways each proposal contributes to the concept and its implementation. Policy G.1.14: Investigate alternative funding sources for operations and capital improvements: federal/state grants, public/private cost sharing opportunities, etc. Policy G.1.17: Support a transit system that maximizes ridership by providing frequent service even if higher subsidy levels are required. Goal G.2: Ensure that the railroad right of way corridor becomes an integral t L part to the Town's mobility system. 5 Policy G.2.1: Ensure the preservation of the railroad right-of-way, in its entirety, through and adjacent to Avon, if it is abandoned. Policy G.2.2: Provide safe and cost-effective, at -grade pedestrian/bicycle crossings through the railroad right-of-way, particularly between residential neighborhoods and employment centers, shopping centers, and schools. Policy G.2.3: Provide safe and cost-effective, at -grade crossings 0Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Pagc 16 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies through the railroad right-of-way, particularly between the Town Center and the Confluence site. Policy G.2.4: Start a task force to investigate and advocate for a regional reuse plan for the railroad right of way corridor that fully investigates the potential benefits and costs of developing a regional light mil transit system. Goal G.3: Facilitate the development of a conveyance linking the Town of L Avon with Beaver Creek Village. l Policy G.3.1: Investigate transport technology options that could accommodate transit passenger as well as skier and boarder use to directly link the Town Center with Beaver Creek Village. Policy G.3.2: Work cooperatively with the Beaver Creek Resort Company and other appropriate entities to reach an equitable arrangement for funding and operating the conveyance. Policy G.3.2: Develop a strong pedestrian connection between the conveyance, parking, and the transit center. Policy G.4.1: Develop alternative roads to more effectively disperse and relieve traffic congestion in community centers and on major roads. Policy G.4.2: Require new roads in developing areas to tie into the existing road network. Policy G.4.3: Require multiple access points for all development to disperse traffic and allow for safe evacuation if necessary. ,Goal G.5: Encourage a "park once/shop many" environment Policy G.5.1: Initiate a parking needs assessment and management study for the Town Center, revising Town Code and parking standards as necessary and effective to create incentive for redevelopment. Policy G.5.2: Policy G.5.3: own of Avon Comprehensive Plan age 17 Ensure parking facilities are easily accessible by pedestrian connections and have minimal visual impacts. Investigate the feasibility ofjoint development of Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies structured parking facilities in the Town Center area to support private and public uses. Policy G.5.4: Require that all development or redevelopment in the Town Center incorporate structured parking or contribute to a pay -in lieu program established to develop joint private/public parking structures. Individual underground parking structures should share access and otherwise connect to adjacent underground parking structures. H. Environment Goal H.1: Protect Avon's unique natural setting and its open spaces. Policy H.1.1: Protect and capitalize on the Eagle River condor as an important recreational amenity and riparian habitat by implementing the Eagle River Watershed Plan. Policy H.1.2: Acquire or otherwise permanently protect important/significant open space. Policy H.1.3: Require development and redevelopment to accommodate wildlife habitat, including deer and elk migration routes, or otherwise mitigate loss of habitat. Policy H.1.4: Prevent visual degradation or degraded solar access from development. Policy H.2.1: Avoid development in environmental hazard areas such as floodplains, steep slopes, areas with extensive geologic hazards, wildfire hazard areas, and areas with erosive soils. Policy H.2.2: Require development and redevelopment to minimize degradation of sensitive natural areas, restricting development on steep hillsides. Goal H.3 Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens by eliminating, reducing, or preventing air, water, light, and noise pollution. . Policy H.3.1: Reducing the number of air pollution sources to the extent possible, such as limiting the number of AVON Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page is Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies fireplace installations, reducing demand for automobile trips, and reducing pollution from existing sources through the use of alternative fuels, scrubbers, and other technologies. Policy H.3.2: Require appropriate control of fugitive dust from disturbed sites in adherence to Avon's Building Code as determined by the Building Department Policy H.3.3: Protect water quality by following the Eagle River Watershed Plan's recommendations. Policy H.3.4: Ensuring that outdoor lighting does not create undesirable light pollution and complies with the "Dark Sky Ordinance" passed in 2004. Revisit the ordinance 5 years after adoption to ensure it is achieving the desired goals. Policy H.3.5: Develop an educational campaign on noise pollution to inform residents, employees, second homeowners, and visitors of Avon's goals regarding noise. resources to ensure Policy H.4.1: Support regional and local efforts for recycling and maintain support of regional recycling facilities. Policy H.4.2: Require use of green building and energy efficient appliances and building techniques and water conservation approaches for new and existing development. Policy H.4.3: Conserve water through public education, supply management, and demand management techniques, requiring residential, commercial, and municipal landscaping to be compliant with the water conservation design guidelines adopted in 2003. ;Goal H.S: Protect and conserve unique, distinctive, or historic natural and man-made features in recognition of their irreplaceable character I and importance to the quality of life in the Town of Avon. Policy H.5.1: Protect from destruction or harmful alteration historically significant structures, archaeological sensitive areas, and other landmarks as determined by the Town. Preservation of these sites will be protected through the planning of compatible surrounding land uses. Proposals with potential adverse impact will be dealt with on a case-by-case own of Avon Comprehensive Plan! age 19 pV D Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies basis. Evaluation of impacts may be required as part of the development review process. Policy H.5.2: Require that proposed development applications include an evaluation of potential impacts on possible wildlife habitat and corridors, and wetland areas. Construction of buffer zones may be required to protect these areas. The size and dimensions of such buffer zones and their vegetation will be determined by the Town on the basis of reports which may be required from the developer for the particular habitat. I. Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Goal 1.1: Provide an exceptional system of parks, trails, and recreational 7 programs to serve the year-round leisure -time needs of area lit —residents and visitors. Policy 1.1.1: Require new residential and resort developments to incorporate recreational amenities that are accessible to the public. Policy 1.1.2: Continue to evaluate and acquire parcels or RVD N Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 20 easements for open space, trails, and recreation. Policy 1.1.3: Integrate the Town's recreational trail system with the regional trail systems (ECO Trails, USFS, and BLM) wherever possible. Policy 1.1.4: Require new annexations and developments to include or otherwise contribute to land for trails, open space, and recreation purposes. Policy 1.1.5: Coordinate with Eagle County and other government and non-profit agencies in planning, protecting, and managing public open space, and in providing access and linkage opportunities. Policy 1.1.6: Conduct a master plan study of Nottingham Park to identify program enhancements to potential art, cultural, and recreational facilities to better activate and enhance this area as Avon's major recreational and cultural center. Policy 1.1.7 Develop a river front park that connects the Eagle River to the Town Center and Nottingham Park. RVD N Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan Page 20 Town District Planning Principlesi Goals and Policies Policy 1.2.1: Participate in travel management planning by the USFS to ensure that trail connections and trailheads are meeting the town's needs. Policy 1.2.2: Collaborate with other recreation providers such as Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District and private homeowners association to discuss joint use of facilities and coordinated event planning. J. Public Services, Facilities, Utilities and Government Goal J.1: Utilize this comprehensive plan in all town dealings including capital planning, the operationtmaintenance of facilities, and programming of events. Policy J.1.1: Consistently adhere to established policies and regulations. . Policy J.1.2: Analyze town spending to assure that the priorities of this comprehensive plan are being considered for implementation. Policy J.2.1: Coordinate with special purpose districts regarding service expansions and other development that could affect the achievement of the districts goals and objectives. Policy J.2.2: Locate schools, parks, and other civic facilities, along trails, pedestrian and bicycle connections, and transit facilities. Policy J.2.3: Ensure that annexations and new subdivisions include or otherwise provide for community services and facilities (i.e. schools, transit, fire, affordable housing, etc.) based on the increased demand created by those developments. Policy J.2.4: Policy J.2.5: Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan p4ge 21 Analyze the net costs of various types of growth and development including long-term service provisions and secondary impacts. Encourage development of neighborhood and community-based childcare facilities and include 0 Town District Planning Principles Goals and Policies youth in the programming of any community or public facilities. Policy J.3.1: Strive for increased transparency in government. Policy J.3.2: Build awareness of upcoming events, planning processes, and decisions. Policy J.3.3: Use multiple means of communicating with the public including radio, newspapers, mailings, internet, email, churches, community centers, etc. Policy J.3.4: Strive for bilingual communications to inform Hispanic residents, employees, and visitors of town business and information. MMMM Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan UNPage 22 A. Regional Coordination B. Urban Form Goal B.2: Provide a distinct physical and visual separation between Avon and its surrounding{ communities that preserves the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and the Eagle River valley. t Goal B.3: Ensure that anexatio—nsprovide an overall benefit to the community and are in I rnnfnr nnro with fhie nhn'e nnnle nnri nnlirioc C. Land Use J] Provide a balance of land uses that offer a range of housing options, diverse commercial and employment opportunities, inviting guest accommodations, and high quality civic and recreational facilities that work in concert to strengthen Avon's identity as both a year-round residential community and as a commercial, tourism and economic center. C.2: Ensure that Avon continues to develop as a community of safe, interactive, and cohesive neighborhoods that contribute to the Town's overall character and image. C.3: Use mixed^use d_ e-v_elopment to create a more balanced, sustainable system of land uses. CA: Encourage sustainable m comercial development that enhances Avon's overall economic health, contributes to the community's image and character, and provides residents and visitors with increased choices and services. C.S: Create incentives for Community Image and Design and manufacturing existing and planned adjacent development and contributes to Avon's community image and character. D.2: Create communitygateways and st eeetscapes that reflect and strengthen Avon's unique community character and image. D.3: Enhance the Town's image as a unique and distinct community exemplifying quality E. F. G. as Avon's center. D.S: Ensure protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of historically, _ _ . -_ significant_ resources in Avon. D.6: Develop new and continue to enhance existing cultural facilities, events and Economic Development E.2: Ensure the ability to _fund_and implement the necessary development and redevelopment by encouraging strategic use of town funds to leverage high quality private sector investment. E.3: Increase the number of yisitors to Avori by enhancing our attractiveness as a Housing Goal F.1: Provide a diverse,_quality_housin_g inventory, to serve diverse economic segments and age groups of the population. Goal F.2: Provide an attainable housing program that incorporates both rental and ownership opportunities for permanent and seasonal residents that are attractive, safe and integrated with the community. Transportation Create an integrated transit system that minimizes dependence on automobile trave with the Town by making it easier to use transit, walk, ride bicycles, and utilize other non -motorized vehicles. G.2: Ensure that the railroad_right of way corridor becomes an integral part to the Town's mobility system. G.3: Facilitate the development of a conveyance linking the Town of Avon with Beaver Creek Village. G.4: Provide a safe and efficient vehicular transportation system. H. Environment open_spaces. H.2: Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens through avoiding or adequately mitigating environmental. hazards H.3: Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens by elfrr nating,,reducing, or preventing,air W- 4er,,,light, and noise pollution. HA: Conserve environmental resources to ensure the most efficient use of such resources. H.5: Protect and conserve unique, -distinctive, or historic natural and man-made features in recognition of their irreplaceable character and importance to the quality of life in I. Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Goal 1.1: Provide an exceptional system of parks, trails, and recreational programs to serve the year-round leisure -time needs of area residents and visitors. i Goal 1.2: Coordinate and collaborate with surrounding jurisdictions and agencies to develop i seamless recreationalopportunities.___u_-_ J. Public Services, Facilities, Utilities and Government of facilities, and programming of events. — f ---- J.2: Ensure cost effective provision and developmerit of public facilities and_services'.