Design Standards

• The Riverfront

• Downtown Core

• West End

• Brooklyn Square

• Extended Downtown

Livable, vibrant cities don’t happen by accident. Rather, they grow from a shared vision, a desire by the public for a place of character and quality, a governing initiative, and a collaboration of public and private stakeholders. These design guidelines build on the city’s Comprehensive Plan. They make the goals of the plan achievable over time by offering a flexible tool, rather than restrictive zoning requirements, that allows new development to respond better to the district character of its surroundings.

Site Planning
Site planning guidelines primarily address the organization of a project’s components. They deal with the location of buildings and site features such as parking lots, open space and service areas. Good site planning can minimize a project’s impacts on its neighbors (for example, by separating tall or bulky structures or retaining noteworthy site features), continue existing desirable patterns, or enhance the quality of existing districts.

The Streetscape
The streetscape guidelines are intended to help improve the character of Jamestown’s public space. It is especially important to acknowledge the signifi cance of streets as public spaces. The guidelines address issues raised by street-level uses, blank walls near sidewalks, and sidewalks and landscaping.

Architectural Expression
Guidelines in this section deal with the exterior elements of buildings— components that define the look of a building, such as roofs,windows, porches,
modulation and details. Guidelines for architectural elements encourage new development in established districts to complement neighboring buildings and consider how design gives a district identity. Rather than encouraging new buildings to mimic older ones, the guidelines suggest how new buildings can relate to their older neighbors by picking up visual cues from existing buildings and interpreting them in contemporary ways.

Public Amenities
Public streets, plazas, parks and other important civic spaces support public life, and represent a key component of successful urban places. These guidelines discuss how “place-making” features can lend a unique identity to certain areas. For example, gateways and other important public places can be marked with public art.

URBAN DESIGN
PRINCIPLES

The Urban Design Principles set the planning and design parameters for revitalizing Jamestown’s downtown.

The principles and the design guidelines will guide development that contributes to the renewal of downtown Jamestown.

1 Build on historic and other assets
to reinvigorate downtown.

2 Create development opportunities
that include a mix of uses supporting a more diverse downtown.

3 Create a vibrant public realm —
encourage active streets and lively
public spaces.

4. Work with businesses to make
physical improvements.

5 Create strong pedestrian links
between districts.

6 Create guidelines and review processes that promote implementation of the community’s vision.

Design Standards

URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

URBAN DESIGN
PRINCIPLES