Table 1, Characteristics of Centers, is intended to help describe the centers strategy and how it should be implemented. This table addresses a range of types of mixed use centers that may exist or be developed throughout the region. It includes land use and transit characteristics that are specific to different types of centers, as well as characteristics that are generally appropriate for any type of mixed use center. Many factors will influence the development of centers and the rate and nature of growth will vary from center to center. The guidelines for density included in this table are intended to provide goals for intensified development of centers over the next 20 to 30 years.

TABLE 1: CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTERS, Future Density and Transit Characteristics for Types of Centers

URBAN CENTERS				TOWN CENTER
Minimum Gross Density	Regional Center 80 employees /acre 20 households /acre 300,000 employees	Metropolitan Center 50 employees /acre 15 households /acre 30,000 employees	Urban Center 25 employees /acre 10 households /acre 15,000 employees	15 employees /acre 7 households /acre 2,000 employees
Minimum Transit Service	Fast and frequent high capacity transit and other forms of transit	Fast and frequent high capacity transit and other forms of transit	Fast and frequent high capacity transit and other forms of transit	Local bus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS Safe, connected bicycle and pedestrian facilities are directly accessible to center activities, including transit. A network of streets created pedestrian-scaled block sizes and increase route choices. Parking supply and cost are linked to transit service and density. Where higher density and good transit service exist or are anticipated, the supply of parking is reduced and the cost increased. Central gathering places and open spaces, such as parks, plazas and landscaped areas, are included and located to be accessible and complement other land uses. Buildings are designed and located to support walking through techniques such as: (1) orienting front building entrances toward and near the street, (2) including active uses such as retail and display windows at the street level, and (3) including pedestrian-scale architectural features (such as building trim or canopies).

Table 2: Description of Centers

VISION 2020 describes three types of centers: Urban Centers, Town Centers, and Manufacturing/Industrial Centers. These center types reflect and build upon the range of centers that exist in the region today, and are based on local and countywide growth management planning that has advanced and begun to implement VISION 2020.

Urban Centers

Urban Centers are locations which include a dense mix of business, commercial, residential, and cultural activity within a compact area of up to 1.5 square miles. Urban centers are targeted for employment and residential growth, excellent transportation service -- including fast and convenient high capacity transit service -- as well as investment in major public amenities.

The Regional Center and Metropolitan Centers are the most dense and diverse urban centers and function as the region's primary hubs. The Regional Center includes three urban centers that comprise the Seattle core area: the central business district of Seattle, Capitol Hill/First Hill, and the Seattle Center. The regional center is the central Puget Sound region's most significant business, cultural, governmental, residential and recreational center. It is the core of the central Puget Sound region, and fulfills a national and international role. It is the largest, densest and most diverse of the centers and includes day and night activity.

Metropolitan Centers function as anchors within the region for a high density mix of business, residential, public, cultural and recreational uses, and day and night activity. They are characterized by their historic role as the central business districts of the major cities within the central Puget Sound region, providing services for and easily accessible to a population well beyond their city limits. Metropolitan centers may also serve national or international roles. Examples include the central business districts of large cities such as Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma and Bremerton.

Town Centers

Town Centers are local focal points where people come together for a variety of activities including business, shopping, living and recreation. These centers may include the core of small-to medium-sized cities, and may also be located in unincorporated areas such as Kingston. Often, town centers include a strong public presence because they are the location of City Hall, "Main Street", and other public spaces.

In the future, Town Centers will be characterized by a compact urban form that includes a moderately dense mix of locally-oriented retail, jobs and housing that promotes walking, transit usage and community activity. Town Centers will be developed at a higher density than surrounding urban areas to take advantage of connecting transit centers. Small scale forms of intensification such as accessory housing units and development of vacant lots and parking lots help achieve the qualities of centers while preserving neighborhood character. At a minimum, Town Centers are served by buses and ferries which connect them to other centers and the regional high capacity transit system. Examples include the central business districts of cities such as Kirkland, Sumner and Mill Creek, and Kingston.

Manufacturing/Industrial Centers

Manufacturing/Industrial Centers are major, existing regional employment areas of intensive, concentrated manufacturing and industrial land uses which cannot be easily mixed at higher densities with other uses. To preserve land at these centers for manufacturing, industry and related uses, large retail uses or non-related offices are discouraged. Provision of adequate public facilities and services, including good access to the region's transportation system, is very important to the success of manufacturing/industrial centers.

<< Back        Next >>