Item 8: Ordinance Establishing Chambers Special Area Zone

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But what is the ETN neighborhood "character"? The most important thing to observe is that our neighborhood character is a dynamic, living environment that includes: · Residents and visitors · Houses and other structures · Streets,aIleys, and sidewalks . Cars and bicycles · Trees, gardens, lawns, and other plants · Domestic and wild animals The neighborhood character cannot be fully described, or well.understood, by just describing the structures. And preserving particular architectural elements, such as gabled roofs and porches, is far from sufficient to maintain stability and prevent erosion of the ETN neighborhood character. Residents of this area have identified the following elements and patterns that define the ETN neighborhood "character." Positive patterns: Defining the ETN neighborhood character . Residents o The character of the ETN is largely driven by residents with a sense of enjoyment of, and commitment to, their neighbors and the "homeyness" of ETN's typical dwellings and yards. o Many ETN residents have lived in the area for a long time, and many of the long-term and more recent residents have a sense of being settled in for an extended period. o It's important to understand the ETN character is not reflective of an intensely "metro" lifestyle where residents are more transient and minimally engaged with one another. The physical characteristics of the ETN, which we describe next, support and reflect residents' attitudes and way of life. · Streets, alleys, blocks, and sidewalks: o Streets and alleys are laid out in a grid pattern. o Most streets have a parking strip with the sidewalk between the parking strip and lot. o There is a generally continuous sidewalk network that's actively used by residents walking about the neighborhood and to and from nearby services (e.g., at Blair Island, Downtown, W. 18th Ave & Chambers Street). November 1, 2005 Chambers Revisited - Neighbors' Report 16