URBAN DESIGN: Views Visual + Examination View Obstructions of San Rafael VIEW OBSTRUCTIONS
Buildings and structures over 30 feet tall (shown in red), while they offer the advantage of higher density, may create considerable view blockage in the city.
Excellent Termini Poor Termini Height and Freeway View Obstructions r
The best sightlines in town terminate at older residential or civic structures and broad-leafed street trees. However, many views are cut off by tall buildings, particularly the new office park and the freeway.
PERCEPTUAL GATEWAYS
VIEWSHEDS & PANORAMAS
VIEW TERMINI
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The main views in town are: the large hill in Boyd Park northwest of downtown, the rolling hills that extend to the northeast of the Montecito neighborhood to Barbier State Park, the ridgeline to the south of town, and along Fourth Street and A Street.
SAN RAFAEL DESIGN STUDIO
Downtown
Strong Gateway
Industrial
Weak Gateway
Hillside
Potential Gateway
Canalfront
Pedestrian Bridge r
San Rafael has well established gateways into its parks, older hillside neighborhoods, and onto 4th Street from the east. Yet exits from the freeway into town lack definition and entrances from the west could be enhanced by a unified treatment.
CP 208: Plan Preparation, Spring 2009
Joseph Akman, Monica Altmaier, Erin Coppin, Christian Eggleton, Jennifer Gage, Brian Gould, Stephanie Hill, Jeffrey Hood, Jolee Hui, Mike Izzo, Eddie Janowski, Andrew Kreuger, Erin Machell, Troy Reinhalter, Taylor Reiss, Alexis Smith, Cathleen Sullivan, Nicola Szibbo, and Lucas Woodward