Street design standards. The Buena Vista Street Design Standards must be met all by all streets requesting zoning approval within designated districts. The physical definition of streets and other public spaces are essential to the quality of place for the neighborhood. Streets are considered to be interlinked public spaces that should be designed to be safe, comfortable, and interesting to the pedestrian. Obviously streets must also adequately accommodate automobiles, but not at the expense of the pedestrian, accessibility, or openness.

A.

General standards.

1.

An engineer licensed in the State of Virginia shall design all streets.

2.

Streets that will be dedicated to the city shall be built to VDOT standards.

3.

All streets shall be built along the traditional rectilinear grid pattern of City of Buena Vista and have interconnected streets (no streets may end in a cul-de-sac). Exceptions to this standard may be granted on a case-by-case basis where topography prevents this street pattern from being implemented. In cases where topography prevents a traditional rectilinear street grid from being implemented, it is still required to have interconnected streets.

4.

All new streets, except alleys shall be lined with trees

5.

Street vistas. All streets, except alleys should frame vistas of core areas, public buildings, parks, and/or other natural features. Any street that terminates should do so at significant buildings or places. Because the property at the end of a street vista becomes the centerpiece of the urban street fabric, its design must be considered by more carefully.

6.

On-street parking is required on all streets, except alleys and thoroughfares.

7.

In alleys, utilities (power lines, telephone, cable, etc.) may be above ground. All other streets and roads shall have all associated utilities (power lines, telephone, cable, etc.) buried below ground.

8.

All new intersections within the neighborhood shall have the pattern of a sidewalk bulb stamped into the asphalt everywhere that there is on street parking. This is a matter of stripping and no a matter of actual elevation changes in the street cross-section. The use of a true, elevated sidewalk bulb is not required. This bulb pattern flares out into the parking lane. While it does not encroach upon the traffic lanes, it does provide a visual hierarchy between pedestrian and car.

9.

All streets, except alleys shall have curb and gutter on both sides of the roadway and be designed to flow into a stormwater management system that is approved by the city.

;

B.

Materials. Materials shall provide a nonmonolithic texture, color, and pattern for the pedestrian. Additionally, the sidewalks and crosswalks shall exist in contrast to the road surface. For example, given a standard black asphalt road surface, the sidewalks and crosswalk surfaces could be continuous brick, cobblestone, or stamped, dyed asphalt. Alternatively, the surfaces could also be a more monolithic material such as asphalt or concrete, if the materials above are used to articulate the pedestrian surfaces and create an appropriate pattern. An example of this would be five feet square concrete pads surrounded with brick pavers.

C.

Street types. In order to meet the diverse transportation needs of the neighborhood we recognize that several types of streets may be necessary or desired ranging from more pedestrian oriented streets to more vehicular oriented streets. Towards this realization, we have developed three street typologies, which are designed to meet these various needs. Over time it may be necessary to revise these prototypical streets or to add new prototype streets to this typology. All streets in subject to these regulations shall be designated to be one of the street types specified in this document. All currently existing streets (public or private) shall belong to the "Town Street" category until such time as the city changes its designation. No modifications to streets are required until such time as significant renovations, modifications, or construction is done to the street. If a landowner chooses to make significant modifications to structures along a street, the corresponding street improvements may be required by the city. When a new street is proposed, whether that street is public or private, it shall be designated to be one of the street types specified in this document and built to those standards.

1.

Thoroughfare; description. The intention for this street type is to handle increased traffic along major access roads running through a commercial area. It is envisioned that Beech Avenue and 29th Street West of Ridge Avenue could be expanded in the future to this type of street reviving the old historic downtown, mixed-use nature of these streets. The road would be a divided highway with each side of road having two travel lanes plus a parking lane.

Design Criteria

Thoroughfare street profiles

Thoroughfare plan view

2.

Town street; description. Typical neighborhood mixed-use street creates an intimate environment that maintains drive-by visibility to stores, businesses, and institutions. Wide sidewalks, limited curb cuts, street trees, awnings, and arcades should be used to encourage an active pedestrian environment.

Design Criteria

Town street profile

Town street plan view

3.

Pedestrian streets; description. The pedestrian streets have wide sidewalks with arcades forming a promenades, squares, and centers that identify offices, laboratories, lecture halls, student quarters, etc. While, mixed-use development is encouraged throughout the neighborhood, it is envisioned that the institutional district will generate a high-density population that mostly pedestrian. The pedestrian street requires the incorporation of appropriate locations for bike racks in addition to parking. While the use of landscaping is required, it may be located at both sides of the street, or in the center creating a common.

Pedestrian Street with Commons Design Criteria

Pedestrian street profile

Pedstrian street plan view

Pedestrian Street Without Commons Design Criteria

Pedestrian street profile

Pedestrian street plan view

4.

Alley; description. Buena Vista has a rich street grid network of consisting of both streets and alleys. In all future development this network, including the alleys shall be continued. Alleys provide access to individual parcels. By placing garages and utilities along the alley, the street is both safer and more pleasant.

Design Criteria

Alley street profile