[0:02] thank you for taking the time to join us for a brief presentation on cramerton's

[0:05] future land use plan

[0:09] this presentation provides an update to the process to develop the plan

[0:13] we will share the highlights of the draft future land use and conservation

[0:16] map while giving you a glimpse into some conceptual illustrations that further

[0:20] explain the ideas reflected in the map

[0:26] so where are we in the process

[0:30] we are more than halfway through we have completed the discovery phase

[0:34] and on the next slide i will tell you a bit about what we learned from you

[0:38] wrapping up phase two we are seeking any additional input you might have to help

[0:43] us shape the plan right now we are beginning the last

[0:46] phase during which we will draft policy recommendations and supporting

[0:50] strategies and we will prepare the draft plan report for your review

[0:55] the first community meeting and the corresponding survey many of you told us

[0:59] about the types of development you want and expect to see in the future for

[1:03] example you like the idea of housing in the form of single-family homes cottages

[1:08] and attached units that are part of mixed-use development you also let us

[1:13] know what you value what's special and worthy of conservation

[1:17] including the older neighborhoods you also let us know what you think is

[1:21] not appropriate in cramerton in the future

[1:25] we also asked which goals in the previous plan are still valid today

[1:30] those shown in bold got the most support

[1:36] taking all the input into consideration as well as constraints and opportunities

[1:41] due to market conditions infrastructure investments and

[1:44] environmental features we examine the possibilities for

[1:48] positive change in the community while conserving and leveraging the assets

[1:52] that make cramerton cramerton the most significant features of the

[1:57] town is the south fork river corridor as the spine that connects the whole

[2:01] community it serves as the focal point in an asset upon which the town can

[2:05] build its brand an outdoor recreation destination and a vibrant community

[2:11] this framework conveys that broad concept of linking destinations that

[2:15] each have their own mix of uses and distinct character as well as a variety

[2:20] of open spaces from nature preserves to parks and civic greens

[2:25] community is where many of these opportunities

[2:28] are and can be concentrated an enhanced downtown can be complemented

[2:32] by other river oriented development and connected by greenway trails and

[2:37] blueways to each other and to the rest of the cramerton community

[2:42] the proposed future land use and conservation map acknowledges

[2:46] development that exists today and will be conserved over the long term such as

[2:50] the older neighborhoods situated in a manner that creates

[2:53] positive relationships and transitions future development is intended to

[2:57] complement existing development and introduces uses that expand job

[3:02] opportunities as well as things to do in town and ways to age gracefully in

[3:07] community with more options for housing close to retail and services

[3:13] ideas for new development and redevelopment are expressed with place

[3:17] types that indicate opportunities for a variety of desired housing shops

[3:21] restaurants workplaces and recreation

[3:27] the first to encompass the range of open space types found in the town today as

[3:32] well as those the residents have expressed a desire for through recent

[3:35] park and recreation planning efforts

[3:40] this map shows the locations of existing and potential future facilities

[3:45] not including those that would be built as part of a new neighborhood though

[3:48] those would ideally be linked to the larger system of open space

[3:54] policy ideas include bolstering the town's brand

[3:57] maximizing visual and physical access to the river

[4:00] connecting all types of open space with greenways that connect to the regional

[4:04] network and conserving the natural assets that contribute to the beauty of

[4:08] the area while maintaining water quality and important wildlife habitats

[4:15] living in cramerton are people of many ages backgrounds and abilities

[4:20] here the town has an opportunity to conserve the older neighborhoods while

[4:23] accommodating new housing that appeals to families moving in as well as younger

[4:28] generations and empty nesters who might prefer lower maintenance and easy access

[4:33] to shops dining recreation and entertainment

[4:36] attached housing types are suggested for areas within downtown and new mixed-use

[4:41] nodes where multi-modal transportation network can form to support such

[4:45] development

[4:48] this map displays the proposed locations for four residential place types

[4:53] many represent existing neighborhoods reflecting the character that exists

[4:56] within each today

[5:00] policy ideas include maintaining the character of neighborhoods through

[5:03] changes that are consistent in scale with existing features

[5:07] encouraging a mix of residential types in new neighborhoods for

[5:11] multi-generational living and ensuring the viability of desired commercial

[5:15] mixed-use centers with the integration of higher density housing

[5:21] commercial and mixed-use development can come in many forms and include different

[5:25] mixtures of uses and amenities the place types described for cramerton

[5:29] include one that is uniquely downtown the core

[5:33] pockets of neighborhood retail are distributed in a manner that ensures

[5:36] local serving shops and services are within easy walking and biking distance

[5:41] of existing and future neighborhoods two other types of mixed use development

[5:46] may have larger service areas that extend beyond the town and may serve as

[5:50] destinations in the region oriented toward the existing and planned

[5:55] highways or the river these other two centers are intended for

[5:59] both residential and non-residential uses including employment uses

[6:04] the organization of each is around open space amenities to create positive

[6:08] transitions between uses and support a variety of civic and recreational

[6:13] activities this map shows the locations of existing

[6:18] and proposed centers

[6:23] policy ideas include setting downtown apart from the other centers

[6:28] as it is and will continue to be the focus of civic life and programmed

[6:32] activities for the whole community other policies emphasize the

[6:36] concentration of various uses and nodes for the efficient use of real estate and

[6:40] allocation of infrastructure capacity and development design that brings open

[6:45] space in its many forms to the forefront

[6:50] lastly two types of employment areas have been defined for cramerton

[6:55] one is intended for office and light industrial uses that can blend

[6:58] compatibly into the development pattern in the community the other accommodates

[7:03] heavier industrial uses that exist today are expected to remain in town for the

[7:07] foreseeable future both are described to include supporting

[7:11] uses to ensure the long-term viability of such employment concentrations

[7:17] two employment place types are shown on this map

[7:20] note their relationships to existing and planned transportation corridors

[7:26] policy ideas include leveraging investments in transportation

[7:29] infrastructure to attract desired employment and recruiting businesses

[7:33] that align with the town's brand

[7:37] again this is the composite map that brings together all proposed place types

[7:41] into a single view or vision for the future of the town

[7:48] some of you may be wondering what does this really mean for development in the

[7:51] future what will it look like and what will

[7:54] mixed use include to further explain the intent of each

[7:57] place type three focus areas were selected and illustrations are being

[8:02] prepared to depict a potential future condition

[8:05] more work must be done to complete the illustrations that will be included in

[8:09] the plan here we are providing a preview each is

[8:13] a work in progress these illustrations reflect ideas we

[8:18] have heard during the process more importantly they help define the

[8:22] principles of good design and inform development decisions so that the

[8:26] elements and supporting infrastructure of actual development accomplished the

[8:30] intent of the plan

[8:35] enhancements to downtown would help make it more of a destination

[8:39] in addition to commercial uses changes in terms of a better town green that can

[8:43] support programs as well as informal gatherings more efficient parking and

[8:48] better circulation are

[8:52] suggested such changes could support civic and cultural events farmers

[8:57] markets social gatherings more dining and improved recreational access

[9:05] riverview mixed use is one of the proposed place types development and

[9:09] redevelopment of these sites should take advantage of visual and physical access

[9:13] to the river to create new destinations in town to be enjoyed by the residents

[9:18] as well as people from outside the community

[9:20] here the illustration reflects a study of organizing shops restaurants offices

[9:26] and civic uses around a central plaza or courtyard that is angled to optimize

[9:31] views of the river the core area is flanked by proposed

[9:35] residential units and connects to nearby neighborhoods in downtown via future

[9:40] greenways this is not a development the town will

[9:43] build instead it communicates an opportunity

[9:46] that can be supported should the owner or owners of a riverfront property

[9:50] choose to develop or redevelop their land

[9:55] the illustration when completed will be refined to conceptually depict a

[10:00] greenway that follows the river and connects into the center of development

[10:03] where shops and restaurants spill into the common area designed for a variety

[10:07] of outdoor activities

[10:12] the proposed catawba crossing could present an opportunity for the town to

[10:16] have a southern gateway at its future future intersection with south new hope

[10:20] road this facility opens up a new route into this part of gaston county and a

[10:25] chance to introduce some employment uses that may benefit the town as well as the

[10:29] county this illustration represents an initial

[10:33] look at how several place types could come together it explores the

[10:37] organization of both residential and non-residential uses to leverage the

[10:41] improved access while creating complementary transitions into existing

[10:45] development several ideas for improvements to this

[10:49] scheme are already being contemplated

[10:53] like the other illustrations it too is in draft form and subject to more

[10:57] changes to adequately support the recommendations

[11:00] for this southern gateway opportunities for neighborhood retail institutional

[11:04] uses offices flex space housing for people of many ages and recreational

[11:10] uses are being considered

[11:15] the project team will proceed with the next steps to get the town closer to the

[11:18] completed plan document which will contain guidance the town needs to begin

[11:23] implementing the community's vision for the future

[11:28] our next steps are to gather more feedback refine the details of the plan

[11:32] with that feedback and prepare the plan report

[11:36] again thank you for your interest and your input that you give to shape the

[11:40] plan into a meaningful vision for the future of kramerton

Cramerton Land Use Plan Update: Community Meeting #2

Transcript