(A) The primary purpose of the Bridge Street District (BSD) zoning districts is to implement the Bridge Street District Area Plan for development and redevelopment of the Bridge Street District consistent with the directions articulated in the Community Plan (Bridge Street District Area Plan). This is with the full recognition that the Plan may be revised and acknowledging that the illustrations in the Plan are conceptual and not regulatory. The community plan identifies the Bridge Street District as the centerpiece of the city with a focus on historic and cultural acknowledgment, preservation and creation of outstanding open spaces, and the presence of mixed use districts. These features allow for a wider range of choices for housing and employment, create interesting places and walkable districts, and enable buildings of lasting, memorable and high quality architectural character that maintain Dublin's commitment to exemplary planning and design.
(B) The Bridge Street District zoning districts are intended to bring to life the five Bridge Street District Vision Principles by enhancing economic vitality; integrating the new center into community life; embracing Dublin's natural setting and celebrating a commitment to environmental sustainability; expanding the range of choices available to Dublin and the region; and creating places that embody Dublin's commitment to community.
(C) Specific purposes.
(1) More specifically, the purpose of the Bridge Street District zoning districts is to promote development that creates an emerging center for urban lifestyles within a walkable, mixed-use urban environment that will enhance central Dublin's image as an exceptional location for high quality business investment.
(2) These districts are further intended to create places that embody Dublin's commitment to community through the preservation of those areas having architectural landmarks and traditional design, creating complete neighborhoods, and providing designs that honor human scale in their details. In addition, the Bridge Street District will continue to serve as a center of community for current and future Dublin residents.
(3) The BSD zoning districts also provide a simplified, but thorough, development review process that provides a high degree of predictability and consistency. The process also sustains Dublin's reputation for high quality development while allowing BSD property owners to compete efficiently and effectively in the marketplace.
(4) Because the Bridge Street District Area Plan is a transformative redevelopment concept designed for long-term implementation, a secondary purpose of the Bridge Street District zoning districts is to allow property owners the flexibility to take advantage of new and innovative business opportunities that are consistent with the Plan.
(D) Principles of walkable urbanism. To advance the purposes of the Bridge Street District zoning districts as described in divisions (A) through (C) of this section, the following principles of walkable urbanism will serve as a guiding framework to be used in the review of zoning and development proposals subject to the requirements of §§ 153.058 through 153.066. Individual principles may not apply in all circumstances, but should be used where appropriate to ensure the requirements and standards of these zoning districts are applied in a manner that contributes to the creation of walkable, mixed use urban environments as envisioned by the Bridge Street District Plan. In addition to the development requirements throughout §§ 153.058 through 153.066 intended to support walkability in the Bridge Street District, § 153.065(I) contains specific requirements for creating safe and comfortable pedestrian-oriented development desired by the city and consistent with the principles of walkable urbanism.
(1) General principles. The designs of buildings, streets, and open spaces within the Bridge Street District should contribute to the creation of an urban neighborhood pattern of development, characterized by:
(a) Quality architecture and urban design emphasizing beauty and human comfort and creating a sense of place;
(b) Pedestrian-friendly design that places a high priority on walking, bicycling and use of public transit;
(c) Creation of interesting and convenient destinations within walking distance for visitors as well as ordinary activities of daily living; and
(d) Respect for the natural environment.
(2) Streets, parking and transit. Streets should be capable of accommodating multiple modes of transportation and should facilitate the creation of a public realm designed primarily for people, characterized by:
(a) Streets and blocks arranged to allow for comfortable walking distances, to disperse traffic and to reduce the length of automobile trips;
(b) A connection to and enhancement of the existing street network;
(c) A recognition of the role of buildings and landscaping that contributes to the physical definition of streets as civic places;
(d) On-street public parking wherever possible;
(e) Shared parking and other strategies to reduce the size of surface parking lots and enable efficient and creative site design; and
(Ord. 07-12, passed 3-26-12; Am. Ord. 91-13, passed 11-18-13; Am. Ord. 114-14, passed 12-8-14; Am. Ord. 78-17, passed 11-20-17)