Page 87 - EAZ PLan

83 Establishing a Landscape Language

General Site Considerations

As an area focused on the character of a natural landscape, designs for the EAZ are intended to sharply contrast with other areas of the Central Ohio Innovation Corridor. The Bridge Street Corridor is expected to facilitate very intense development patterns in a more urban character. Other portions of the COIC include more traditional suburban design character with setbacks, buffering and more formal, maintained landscaping. The EAZ is intended to foster more suburban-like development patterns that will complement the Bridge Street Corridor in a visually unique manner, given its location along the western edge of the city near open space and wetlands.

The context of the EAZ is a natural landscape with more traditional suburban

approaches to site layout. Planning considerations for development projects should include the following general components to foster a cohesive technology-focused employment area:

» » Industrial flex space and research manufacturing facilities should place office components in locations that can be prominently designed and visible from the public realm.

» » Employee and service parking should be located to the side and rear of buildings to limit visual impacts.

» » Service docks and loading areas, particularly those with large overhead doors should be placed to the side and rear (preferred) to limit visibility

from public streets. Shared service areas screened by architecture are also preferred.

» » Limited visitor parking may be placed in front of buildings, but should be screened by areas of links or low mow grasses and additional plantings to reduce visual impact and maintain focus on building architecture.

» » Primary entrances should be oriented toward and/or visible from the public street to enhance identity and wayfinding.

» » All facilities must provide bicycle racks to promote the area’s emphasis on bicycle access, walkability and alternative commuting.