Ensure new development visually fits the community vision. University Parkway has different character areas along of the length of the corridor. In the very southern portion is institutional due to USI, in the next segment it is suburban residential with the subdivisions that have developed, and the northern section has a rural character containing primarily homesteads, large single-family lots, natural and stream corridors, and agricultural activities. Housing development is continuing north and USI is continuing to grow. The County has made an investment and expects some development, and it has undertaken this process to ensure that development is planned differently than any other area within Vanderburgh County. The County has experienced significant growth along Burkhardt Road that has led to numerous curb cuts, increased congestion, and development that could be found anywhere in the Midwest. To combat this for University Parkway, this detailed plan has been created and will need to be followed to ensure a poorly planned, suburban corridor isn’t recreated. • This plan should be adopted as an amendment to the comprehensive plan. While the comprehensive plan provides a high-level view of land use and development, this plan will serve as a detailed subarea plan that will augment and be used in combination with the Comprehensive Plan during the review of future development and rezonings. Additionally, the land use map for the corridor will replace the land uses designated in the Comprehensive Plan. • Residential development will continue to occur throughout the corridor. New development should be integrated and connected to existing and future amenities while addressing the development standards described throughout this section. Certain design characteristics should be considered when reviewing development. This includes compatibility of uses, consistency in density, preservation of natural features on the site, how visually appealing the design is coupled with the character of the development, incorporation of bicycle and pedestrian amenities, links to other trail and greenway systems, and housing typologies as described in this Section. Other design features that should be considered to ensure new development visually compliments existing character include using natural storm water options such as green infrastructure, using native plant species in landscaped areas and buffer yards, limiting building heights to preserve the rural scale of development, and establishing flexible design standards.
What is Green Infrastructure?
Green Infrastructure is an environmentally and cost-effective measure for stormwater management. Green infrastructure is often seen as expensive and cumbersome to maintain. However, there are several low maintenance/ cost methodologies which can be utilized. The first practice that should occur is preserving or mimicking the existing natural resources and systems to allow the natural systems to continue managing stormwater. Some practices include:
• Preserve and permanently conserve undisturbed forests, native vegetation, wetlands, etc.
• Conserve natural vegetated buffers along waterways and wetlands. • Design new development to avoid impacting the topography to limit the need for clearing and grading.
• Avoid developing in floodplains, steep slopes, wetlands, existing forested areas, etc.
• Cluster new development to allow for greater open space allocations. • Reduce impervious surfaces in new developments. • Riparian buffers are vegetated areas along bodies of water slowing runoff before it enters the stream to reduce erosion and reduce sediments in the body of water.
Many of these techniques for preservation and conservation are very affective at managing stormwater however, when these methods are not sufficient a development may construct stormwater infrastructure to mitigate a development’s runoff impacts. Some practices include:
• Vegetated open swales or filter strips with grass to slowly channel water offering it greater time for infiltration.
• Tree planting and tree boxes can provide a number of benefits like landscaping, water retention, and erosion control.
• Dry ponds that are designed to hold water during major storm events and allow water to discharge slowly. • Wet ponds which are permanent water bodies which collect water and act as a biofilter.
A green infrastructure guide for small cities, towns and rural communities. (2017).
Recommendations 46
