Item 5: Public Hearing on Ordinance Establishing Chambers Special Area Zone

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t' _. - - - -, I I I 1 I 1 I 1 1 I I I I I I I I Characteristic of the ETN. r- --()- - i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I \ I I I I I Characteristic of the ETN. This pattern also allows for the backyard to be used as private open space or for a small cottage dwelling. II r----' I I I I I I I I I I ( I I I I I I I I I I Discouraged. r----.., I I I I I I I I I I \ I I I I I I I I \ Not characteristic of the ETN. Discouraged. RELATIONSHIP OF HOUSE TO LOT, STREET, AND YARD Among the most important characteristics of a house are its position on the property, and the way it interacts with the street, the side yard, and the back yard. Houses in the ETN contribute to the character of the streets by being located toward the front of the lot and by having entrances and well-proportioned view windows facing the street. There is a consistent front-to-back orientation in the neighborhood. Side yards are for access and light, not for views. Front-facing windows allow residents to keep "eyes on the street." Residents can observe the goings on in the neighborhood, and help preserve neighborhood security. A house's facade is the face that the house presents to the neighborhood, and its "expression" determines the mood it creates in its environs. A facade with windows and a clear entrance engages or welcomes passers by. An austere facade, a hidden entrance, or a blank street wall turns a cold shoulder to the pedestrian, and stands out from the traditional buildings in the neighborhood. Front Building Setback The location of the main dwelling relative to the street side property line is a defining characteristic of traditional neighborhoods. Generally larger streets and larger and more expensive neighborhoods will have deeper setbacks. In the ETN the houses are generally set back between 10' and 25', with most around 20'. When building or altering a dwelling in the ETN it is important to look at the nearby context and determine