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INTRODUCTION
"It is the first
obligation of all building to place itself in relationship to the city."
Voltaire
A central location, finite boundaries, multi-modal
transportation access, economic opportunities, educational and cultural
facilities, natural and man-made recreational amenities and an array of
residential options combine to create, in Tempe, a setting for community
design and development unique in the region and state. By establishing
principles to guide elected and appointed officials, City staff, design
professionals and developers in the decision-making process, the City of
Tempe strives to maintain and enhance the quality of its built
environment, thereby enriching the lives of its citizens and guests.
Tempe exists as a forty-square-mile, land-locked
anomaly within the ever-expanding Phoenix metropolitan area. Together,
the Mill Avenue District, Town Lake Vicinity and University Environs,
constitute the historic and contemporary mixed-use, civic, educational
and cultural heart of the community. The built form of this enclave has
developed as an amalgam of styles, shapes, materials and details.
Although this "community core" has already experienced a substantial
transformation over the preceding three decades, it is on the cusp of an
even greater magnitude of change. Just as surely as Tempe, nee Hayden’s
Ferry, and Arizona State University, nee Tempe Normal School, were born
of humble origins in the latter part of the 1800’s, experienced slow,
modest growth from the turn-of-the-century until the end of World War
II, followed by explosive expansion in the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s,
they now face intensive infill and redevelopment. In the near future, an
expanding economy, introduction of the Light Rail line, Town
Lake-related development and the transformation of ASU into the "New
American University" will irreversibly alter the appearance and
experience of the community’s core area.
At this critical juncture it is imperative that a
point of reference, a "touchstone" document, be adopted to recognize the
area’s essential qualities, identify its distinctive characteristics and
envision its physical development. Rather than attempting to fix the
future with a set of static standards, these Community Design Principles
are intended to inform the ongoing [re]development of this portion of
the community, resulting in a high-quality built environment with a
special sense of place. Tempe’s General Plan 2030, Zoning and
Development Code, Historic Preservation Plan and Ordinance, Hayden Ferry
South Development Guidelines, Quality Initiative for Building and the
currently adopted building code; Arizona State University’s
Comprehensive Development Plan and Design Guidelines; Federal Aviation
Administration Guidelines and the Americans With Disabilities Act, among
other documents and regulations, currently exist to guide various facets
of development, while the Downtown Tempe Community’s [DTC’s] Design
Vision and other references provide additional information. These
Principles are not intended to usurp or conflict with these adopted,
accepted and/or familiar documents, but to complement and, where needed,
supplement, in order to facilitate the development of an exciting, safe
and sustainable built environment.
The Community Design Element of General Plan 2030
sets forth eleven Objectives toward realizing its goal of "developing
standards that will enhance the community’s quality of life for future
generations." Numerous implementation Strategies are also identified.
These Objectives, repeated below, may be considered the foundation for
the Principles that follow.
§ Create recognizable and usable places by
enhancing enclosure, connections, permeability and transparency
§ Provide focal points
§ Achieve diverse continuity
§ Encourage and enhance pedestrian movement
§ Respond to climatic factors and human
comfort
§ Provide opportunities for interaction and
observation
§ Encourage mixed-use designs
§ Encourage architecture that will withstand
changes in style and economy, enabling adaptive re-uses in the future
§ Promote sustainable concepts
§ Maintain or reduce lighting impacts on night
skies
§ Recognize and celebrate geographic
distinctions in architectural character
CONTACT INFO
Mark C. Vinson, AIA / AICP, City Architect
480.350.8367
mark_vinson@tempe.gov
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