Objective 1

Protect elements and character of Dublin’s rural landscape

Development along on the city’s periphery is changing Dublin’s character. Commercial and residential growth is affecting the natural character and visual quality of agricultural and rural areas. While recommended as policy, laws and regulations should also address development standards that will protect rural character elements and designated roadway corridors. 

1. Implement Conservation Design… in appropriate locations and adopt planning practices and regulations that will result in high quality, more compact and varied housing. Conservation development patterns can preserve substantial open space, creating regional greenway networks and providing significant views from designated roads. 
2. Establish Roadway Standards… that will address the specific character types of designated corridors and require development to incorporate key design elements essential to maintain the existing scenic character of valued roads or to establish the future visual quality of a specified corridor (refer to the recommendations of the Hyland- Croy Road Corridor Character Study within the Northwest/Glacier Ridge Area Plan as an example). 
3. Encourage Landscape Restoration and Preservation… as part of the development review process to maintain areas of native plant communities and riparian corridors, where appropriate. New development should promote naturalized open spaces and plant communities that will enhance visual character.
4. Acquire and Preserve Key Sites… such as National Register farmsteads, woodlands or archaeological sites that significantly affect visual character. Policy decisions should prioritize acquisitions, and surrounding development must be carefully designed to protect the visual integrity of selected sites. 
5. Consider Scenic or Conservation Easements… as a means to preserve important open spaces and riparian areas along streams and rivers to protect vegetation, landforms and open vistas. 
6. Cooperate with Surrounding Jurisdictions… to establish mutual policies and development practices that will protect the desired rural character of Dublin and the agricultural roots of surrounding townships. Planning accords and joint policy agreements should be considered to mutually benefit all jurisdictions. 
7. Encourage Native/Naturalized Plantings… where appropriate along rural scenic roads in open spaces, setbacks and right-of-way plantings to enhance character and reduce long-term maintenance.

Objective 2

Promote a high quality residential and commercial built environment

Planning and architecture have been traditional cornerstones of Dublin’s success, and the desire to create a community that is well-built and timeless has been a focus of policy makers. The character and quality of Dublin begins with the Community Plan and has been largely shaped by the zoning process of Planned Districts that allow for flexibility in design and high quality standards that are not part of the Codified Ordinances. The adoption and implementation of the Bridge Street District and West Innovation District regulations provide another opportunity to incorporate quality architecture and design character within the city. Consideration of additional Code updates that clearly establish the standards that have defined Dublin will play an important role in ensuring that future development is consistent with long-term plans and the development quality that Dublin is known for. The implementation of these regulations go hand-in-hand with the establishment of an efficient and effective development process. 

1. Monitor Regulations… and make adjustments as necessary to ensure development meets the character and design expectations for the Bridge Street District, West Innovation District and Shier Rings TechFlex District. Determining how effectively the regulations address site design, building form, function and use, circulation and access, and how effectively the development review process functions, will highlight areas for potential modifications that will ensure the vision desired for these areas is fully achieved. 
2. Emphasize Area and Corridor Planning… as part of the review process to ensure that development proposals fit within the context of future plans for the surrounding area. Plans should be periodically reviewed and strategies should explain the goals and objectives for the planning area. Clear expectations for developers that are consistently applied by policy makers will ensure quality development that is coordinated and well-planned. 
3. C. Consider Additional Code Modifications… for areas outside of the Bridge Street District that encourage implementation of the land use principles in ways that are compatible with and improve upon the suburban development pattern found throughout the city. The modifications should encourage pedestrian-friendly design, integrate mixed uses, incorporate high-quality architecture and site design, utilize quality materials, and provide functional, interconnected green spaces, while being sensitive to the established neighborhood character within these areas of the city. Opportunities to implement these principles with infill development sites is encouraged. 
4. D. Encourage Public and Private Art… throughout the city to enhance the appeal of Dublin as a unique and desired community. Highly visible art should be encouraged to complement the built environment and to signify the City’s focus on design and culture. Focus should be placed on integrating art into capital improvements and assisting developers in incorporating highly visible art into development proposals where opportunities are available. 
5. E. Encourage Green Building… and other innovative building technology that will create a more environmentally friendly and cutting-edge architectural environment. Incentives to encourage the use of sustainable standards such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) endorsed buildings and modification of regulations to implement alternative building techniques should be strongly considered.

Objective 3

Reinforce existing and establish new community focal points and gathering places

Creating locations and spaces where people can gather and have a sense of communal togetherness is extremely important to the identity and character of a city. Focal points can include public parks, recreation facilities, mixed use areas, defined open spaces, plazas, neighborhood commercial areas and community gateways. Residents have expressed that Dublin’s open space and bike path systems alone do not promote interaction and civic attachment. The creation of visual focal points can highlight architecture, but it is the physical location, pedestrian access and interaction of people that builds community. Historic Dublin is one example where the architectural character and charm can facilitate a pedestrian-friendly environment, especially along roadways to minimize traffic and pedestrian conflicts. 

1. Emphasize Historic Dublin… as the traditional center of the community by adopting an implementation plan to maintain and enhance the mixed use pedestrian environment that makes the District unique. Encourage the integration of gathering spaces such as patios, plazas and public greens along with uses that will encourage pedestrian movement, such as civic facilities. Create a more pedestrian-friendly environment through streetscape and traffic improvement measures. 
2. Use the placement of civic buildings and public spaces… throughout Dublin as a catalyst to spur the development of gathering spaces, create community identity and facilitate public activity. This is especially important in Historic Dublin, where civic uses can play an important role in contributing to pedestrian activity that will add to the liveliness of the district. New civic buildings should be located near private development wherever possible, providing an opportunity for employees to walk to shopping, dining and other nearby destinations instead of driving. Were applicable, adopted area plans should be used as a guide to ensure the creation of such locations as part of the development process. 
3. Encourage Public Events… within identified locations to create formal opportunities for people to interact. Emphasize space programming of locations that will encourage neighborhood gatherings and social interaction. 
4. Co-locate Public Facilities… such as schools, libraries, fire stations and recreation centers to create community activity centers that will bring families and different user groups together in one location. 
5. Emphasize Major City Parks… such as Coffman Park and the planned riverfront park in the Bridge Street District as key community focal points that serve as destinations for the city as a whole. Consider the co-location of municipal or other public uses that establish these open spaces as prominent locations for major public gatherings and civic activities. These and other community parks should be linked together as part of a continuous public greenway system, providing access by foot and bicycle from all parts of the City. 
6. Enhance Pedestrian Connectivity… to gathering places to facilitate easy pedestrian use. Evaluate current public spaces and buildings and encourage the completion of key pedestrian connectors to surrounding residential and commercial users. 
7. Focus on Design Details… of public and semi-public spaces to create comfortable places that will facilitate congregation and conversation. In particular, developers should be encouraged to integrate buildings, art, public spaces and sitting areas as an integral component of project design.

Objective 4

Preserve and Establish Critical Viewsheds and Vistas

Views of prominent natural features and aesthetic areas are an important element of Dublin’s character and can provide a significant sense of openness to complement development. Insensitive site development, particularly along roadways with visual character, can be detrimental to the overall aesthetic feeling of an area. City regulations should be modified to address the preservation or creation of views and vistas as part of the development process by encouraging projects to integrate viewsheds as part of good design. 

1. Establish Inventories and Develop Regulations… to chart important landscapes and views that are valued by the community as a means to establish expectations during the development process. Development standards should integrate important viewsheds into proposed projects. 
2. Require Site Design Standards… for new developments along designated roads that incorporate well-designed views onto internal open spaces and architecture while appropriately screening development. 
3. Acquire Key Properties or Obtain Easements… as a means to preserve the most important views and vistas within the city. Properties and easements can be utilized in conjunction with sensitively placed development to preserve key viewsheds. 
4. Enhance Access to the Scioto River… and other significant natural features as important connections between nature and the community.Visual as well as physical access should be maximized. Emphasis should be placed on creating publicly accessible connections to the river from Historic Dublin; infill and redevelopment opportunities in the northeast portion of the Historic District should incorporate prominent vistas to the river corridor and provide direct access points to the river bank. Opportunities to create pedestrian connections across the river to a new riverfront park should be pursued.

Objective 5

Develop a consistent graphic identity for Dublin and for important destinations within the city

Dublin has long been known for its high community standards and attention to details. Signs are an important component of the character and identity of a community, and requirements have resulted in tastefully designed signs that are informative to motorists and pedestrians. It is important to ensure consistent design in public signs and wayfinding to ensure that Dublin’s destinations are clearly marked. 

1. Establish City-wide Graphics… that create a clear identity; one that is responsive to the community’s character and expectations. Designs should be easy to read and incorporate a timeless style. 
2. Consider Gateway Sign Designs… as an important identifier for the City. Gateway signs should be consistent and easily recognized as visitors and employees enter the corporate limits. 
3. Implement Special Packages… for directional and informational signs in unique areas such as Historic Dublin and other neighborhoods within the Bridge Street District, and in other business districts throughout the city . Wayfinding through the provision of unique sign and graphics packages should be implemented to assist motorists,pedestrians and bicyclists.

Objective 6

Create a positive image for Dublin, especially at gateways

One of Dublin’s missions has been to innovate; to set itself apart from surrounding cities and maintain itself as a community others wish to emulate. Interchanges, roundabouts, bridges and points of entry into Dublin are important to establish a distinctive and positive first impression for visitors. While these features are important to the community, strong efforts should be made to implement gateway elements and identifiers that are unique, but incorporate a basic palette of consistent elements. A change in development character should also be considered as an effective means of identifying gateways into the city. 

1. Establish Unique Design Elements… that clearly signify entry into the community, create identity and can be recognized as components of Dublin’s character. Signs and landscape features should express a clear message that is memorable, but timeless, and elements such as stone work, public art and other details that are signatures of Dublin’s character should be integrated. Gateways should be coordinated with surrounding development and transportation improvements, and necessary rights-of-way should be obtained to ensure that features can be implemented and properly maintained. 
2. Emphasize Landscape Design… that highlights Dublin’s commitment to landscaping and open space features. At entry points in rural areas, features may focus on green space and open views, while at developed locations design may emphasize a more formalized urban appearance, including public art features and hardscape elements.
3. Incorporate Signature Architecture… at key gateways to the city to enhance formal entry features. Architecture, associated landscaping and site design should provide a clear sense of identity at Dublin’s entry points. 
4. Use Public Art… as a key element in gateway features to enhance the overall image, add uniqueness and draw attention to cultural aspects of the community. 
5. Develop Guidelines and Standards… that establish basic and common elements for gateway features that will assist in the implementation of signature designs in conjunction with development proposals at identified locations.

Objective 7

Protect the character of road corridors and streetscapes, by maintaining and reinforcing the scenic qualities of the City through road improvements and future construction. 

Rapid expansion and subsequent development pressure in many areas are changing the unique character of many of Dublin’s picturesque roads. Regulations should address the need to preserve the important qualities of major road corridors. While greater setbacks promote open space along scenic arterials, a balance is needed with other open spaces and adjacent development to maintain the quality of life for residents. In the future it will be critical to coordinate the design of roadways and open spaces to ensure Dublin’s high standards while limiting long-term maintenance costs. Many of Dublin’s roads have different character types and unique sets of design elements that should be protected. Strong emphasis should also be placed on targeting and establishing tomorrow’s “scenic” road corridors (refer to the Transportation Chapter for more information on roadway character). 

1. Consider Design Alternatives… for future road construction and widening projects in areas that will better correspond to intended character types. Road designs, where appropriate, may integrate alternate elements such as curbless designs, swale systems or other options that may blend with surrounding open space corridors in a cost-effective and visually appealing manner (refer to the recommendations of the Hyland-Croy Road Corridor Character Study within the Northwest/ Glacier Ridge Area Plan as an example). 
2. Establish Design Requirements… for private development to complement public road improvements. Where applicable, encourage building and landscape practices that will cluster development, provide ample green space, create vegetative buffers and maintain vistas along scenic roads. 
3. Target Future Roadway Character… within the framework of adopted area plans that look beyond existing road segments with scenic qualities. Plans should identify areas where corridors can be improved in the future to provide consistent roadway character. 
4. Encourage Utility Location Standards… along designated corridors to bury above-ground utility lines when scenic roads are widened or otherwise improved. City standards currently require the burial of utilities within new development; however, existing lines usually remain along important roadways and should be addressed when possible to ensure the character of Dublin’s major roads is maintained. 
5. Promote Native and Naturalized Plantings… where character-appropriate along roads in open spaces, setbacks and right-of-way plantings to enhance character and reduce long-term maintenance. 

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