Development Process
The origin of integrated transportation and land use planning efforts in Huntersville can be traced back to 1994 and the formation of a committee of citizens to lead a strategic update of the 1989 Huntersville Community Plan. The committee completed its work in June 1995 with a plan that included a future vision statement for Huntersville and a series of strategies to implement the goals of the plan. Recommendations from the 1995 Community Plan set the stage for the complete re-writing of the Huntersville Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, adopted in 1996, that reflect the principles and practices of “Traditional Town Planning.”
Unlike conventional zoning where land uses are separated into distinct districts and dimensional regulations (i.e. height, setbacks) govern the placement of buildings, Traditional Town Planning promotes a mixture of land uses (e.g. residential, commercial, office), the provision of functional open space, interconnected streets, and emphasizes the “form” of structures and how they integrate with one another.
By allowing a mixture of land uses and establishing a network of connected streets, it becomes possible to significantly increase the efficiency of the transportation network.
Community Design Elements
Acknowledging that streets are the most prevalent public spaces in Huntersville, the Zoning Ordinance requires they be inviting areas and integral components of community design. Key elements of the Ordinance are:
- Streets are to be the focus of buildings and all buildings will generally front a public street.
- Commercial on-site parking is to be located to the side and rear of buildings. On street parking is desirable on public streets.
- Streets will be lined on both sides with trees and sidewalks.
- Streets are to be interconnected within developments and with adjoining development to form a network.
- As the most prevalent public space, streets are scaled to the pedestrian.