Draft "pattern language" for Flatwater Mews

Below are draft patterns that will be developed for the final report. We welcome your comments!

1. Site repair. The development strengthens and improves this part of Lincoln, and contributes significantly to the entire city’s vibrancy and success. In particular, it repairs weaknesses in this part of the city, and replaces undesirable features with attractive and livable amenities.

2. Live, work, play. The development offers many amenities for residents within its boundaries and access to nearby amenities as well, including recreation, shopping, and working. These amenities also “capture trips” and reduce the demand for transportation and infrastructure as well as emissions and other pollution.

3. Floodplain resilience. The development complies with local grading statutes, and uses elegant and creative solutions to do so. Homes and businesses are safe from flooding.

4. Connection to nature. The development offers ample trails and pathways for hiking and biking, including access to wetlands and other nearby natural areas.

5. Greenways. Some homes face onto beautiful green pedestrian spaces with water quality quarters within them. In some cases, these may be streams or canals. In some cases, low-speed streets or “woonerfs” may also be included.

6. Dispersed and equitable uses. The development may accommodate a small number of ballfields and other recreational facilities that are available for tournament play as well as for local residents who may live nearby. Activities may overlap and run at many different times of the day and month. Parking is shared and dispersed.

7. Connection to transit. The development is integrated with the public transit system, including a potential bus stop and/or loop shuttle system.

8. Main Street. There is a central street throughout the neighborhood which provides good access to the different areas. It is pedestrian-friendly and includes on-street parking.

9. Street Network. The streets are interconnected and do not terminate, except in short “mews” or clusters.

10. Pedestrian Network. There is a fine-grained pathway system with intersections no more than 300 feet apart in all directions. The internal pedestrian network connects to the external hike and bike system, for easy access to downtown and the university.

11. Scales of Community. The neighborhood is roughly organized into 1-acre blocks, 10-acre block groups, 40-acre “pedestrian sanctuaries” (see below), and 160-acre neighborhood areas.

12. Civic Edge. The edge of beautiful parks and common spaces should not be lined with private back yards, but with the fronts of homes sharing a public face.

13. Network of Parks. Every home is within 750 feet of a park or pocket park, including a mix of large and small parks.

14. Recreation Park. At least one park offers enough space for touch football, sport court games, and/or other impromptu sports activities.

15. Neighborhood Center. There is at least one area along the main street that contains a mix of shops, restaurants and commercial services. It is located prominently at a visible location, to attract users.

16. Garages on Alleys. Many homes have garages and additional parking on alleys. In some cases, these alleys also provide fire protection to the homes.

17. Pedestrian-Friendly Building Fronts. Buildings are close to the street, without parking areas in front (except in very limited cases). Where garages are oriented to the front streets, they are recessed, or else they are quite narrow, often with decks above.

18. Missing Middle. Many homes are rowhomes or apartments in an urban configuration, lining walkable streets with parking behind.

19. Live-Work Rowhouses. Some homes include the option for workspaces on the ground floor, facing the street. These may be shops, offices, accessory dwellings, or bonus spaces for the home.

20. Carriage Homes. Some garages include accessory dwelling units above them.