Page 37 - San Marcos, TX Design Manual

A APPENDIX Design Guidelines

Section A.1.4.12 Connectivity Section A.1.4.13 Working with Topography

A. Overview. Excellent pedestrian access should be provided A. Overview. Many sites in San Marcos include topographical
between the public realm to a site and a building. A strong features that influence development opportunities. Where
physical and visual relationship between these elements possible, the design of a site should preserve and work within
enhances walkability. Connectivity is also enhanced by existing topography. Any regrading should maintain pedestrian
breaking up a large block to provide pedestrian access. and vehicular connectivity while minimizing potential negative
visual impacts of large retaining walls. A building should be
B. Guidelines. The following guidelines pertain to connectivity.
designed to step with the natural grade in order to minimize
1. Provide a physical pedestrian connection between a site long foundation walls that pedestrians must walk along. The
and the public realm. Appropriate options include: design of a building should ensure a connection to the street
through the use of windows and entrances.
a. A door that opens directly to a public space.
B. Guidelines. The below guidelines pertain to topography along
b. A walkway that connects a building to a public space with the supplemental examples in Table 1.13.
through a setback area.
1. Design a site to integrate with topography.
c. A plaza, outdoor seating area or patio that connects a
building to a public space. a. Use a series of landscaped terraces or stepped walls
where a taller cut or change in grade is necessary.
2. Provide public pedestrian access through a block (see
Figure 1.7). Methods include: b. Incorporate an existing topographic landform as a
natural or open space amenity.
a. A simple path connecting two streets through a block.
2. Orient a building’s primary façade along a level grade,
b. A pedestrian paseo integrated with an open space or where possible.
retail amenity that connects through a block.
3. Design a building to step with the existing topography of a
c. An alley that is designed to be shared by pedestrians site.
and automobiles.
a. Step building foundations to follow site contours,
when possible.
Figure 1. 7: Through-Block Connectivity
b. “Terrace” a building into a hillside to minimize site
Shared Pathway disturbance and create private outdoor spaces and
site features.
new
Development c. Step the first floor of a building along a sloped street

new to maintain a close connection to the sidewalk level.
Development
d. Maintain continuous upper floor plates by varying first
floor heights according to changes in grade.
Shared Pathway
4. Design façade elements to respond to changes in
topography.

a. Step building entrances to follow changes in building
foundations.

Open Space

A:38 San Marcos Design Manual

SHARED PATHWAY

SHARED PATHWAY