PL599 : The Class : Creating Character : Using Focal Points : Using Focal Points

This is the eclectic section. I have placed some readings here that reflect requests as well as specific planning specialty areas. Pick a topic and good reading! Feel free to look at other topics as well.

If character is not to be achieved organically, some focus is used to provide a sense of place or recognizable traits.Sometimes the traits expressed are very obvious, like Solvang in California.and its architecture. Sometimes it's being known as "green." Often we go through towns that have a distinct "tourist" feel to them. Anything can be a focal point to build or maintain character around. As before, the residents should be involved in helping to select the focus or to choose the methods that aid in maintaining the character that is preferred. The readings of this Mod provide you with the choice of what you want to learn about.

Many times focal points are seen as pure economics. Although I agree with this some of the time, it is not always true. There are some very deep-seated values that residents have regarding the place they live. Sometimes we can combine the two. True ecotourism can give to values and economics. Historic preservation can do likewise. Both of these types of focal points also impact the future in a physical manner. There are ways to ensure the use of focal points. Money must be set aside for the creation or maintainance of character. CIPs, grants, ordinances, bonds, can be coordinated in an effort to create or maintain a sense of place. In some areas architectural review/design review is used stringently. Flagstaff has now passed commercial design review - and we hope it will also set parameters for affordable housing facades (no more ugly little boxes that look like subsidized housing!). Places like Sedona have strict building envelope guidelines to maintain the surrounding natural environment when development occurs.A big issue now is the lack of character or should I say out of place character of Big Box stores. Tucson has worked on zoning out big box stores. Gilbert put up such a fuss, Wal-mart stopped (super) Wal-mart plans. Chandler has been sued by Wal-mart over a proposed super store. There are more examples in California. (One reason for this is what happens to local stores- but a bigger concern for me is what happens when the regular Wal-mart closes down and is left idle as the new super store opens. Doing the Show Low-Pinetop-Lakeside drive in October, that's what really hit me.) And even here in Flagstaff and the county, issues have arisen concerning "big box" stores. During the past year Westcor dropped a Wal-mart superstore from its mall redevelopment plan. The city and Westcor have pulled in a national firm to redesign the mall area into a multi-use cohesive "place" (Eastgate) that will evoke pleasurable feelings. Even night lighting, as you may have read, becomes an issue here as we continue to grow. In addition to focal points, there is the creation of character and community. I am including information on alternative housing and design because that is the method by which many new residential areas (and some redeveloped) areas are choosing to identify themselves. They are creating communities of like-minded people.

Prescott Valley, for example has been working with both of these issues. I introduced this town to you earlier. During the 1990s the town searched for an identity and ways to change the perception of the town (by outsiders). There was no way it would be a Prescott. The differences are too great. The town had positives in affordability for families, passing bonds for education, and had land available. These positives were used in selecting foci. The town decided to do two things: 1.Create a town center and refocus the town internally rather than along highway 69 (design). This will provide a mixed commercial, residential, service center with pedestrian access. Very New Urbanism and family oriented. 2. Focus energies and money on recreation facilities. This actually comes from the original platted subdivision area (the older area in which I lived)of the late 60s. Recreation for families was noted in the original design. The facilities now in the town rival and in some cases are better than municipal facilities across the state. Teams come from across the state to tournaments (softball, soccer) and the fields are lit with just less than professional team quality lights. There's an amphitheater, and a great muni pool, and a "natural area" fishing stream. The recreation bent is continuing. More parks are planned. The town has also set aside land (with the Fains) and promised the county $2 million for the relocation of the county racetrack and fair from Prescott to Prescott Valley. Prescott did not ante up to retain these uses.

Things to think about...

Look at your own town. Is its character contrived, incidental, organic, maintained. What has changed over time?

How has planning aided or detracted from the town's character?

Are there areas of town or the county that design is a concern? Should design be a concern or should functionality and bottom-line economics be the real issue? Are the three of these issues in opposition?

To complete this Topic successfully, please complete the following activities in the order shown below:

TEXTBOOK READING: Reading

MAJOR ASSIGNMENT: Module 3 Write up

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