[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