Agenda - 05-15-1990 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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II. THOROUGHFARE PLANNING PRINCIPLES Typically, the urban street system occupies 25 to 30 percent of the total developed land in an urban area. Since the system is permanent and expensive to build and maintain, much care and foresight are needed in its development. Thoroughfare planning is the process public officials use to assure the development of the most appropriate street system that will meet existing and future travel desires within the urban area. The primary aim of a thoroughfare plan is to guide the development of the urban street system in a manner consistent with changing traffic demands. Through proper planning for street development, many costly errors and much needless expense can be averted. A thoroughfare plan will enable street improvements to be made as'traffic demands increase, and help eliminate un- necessary improvements. By developing the urban street system to keep pace with increasing traffic demands, a maximum utilization of the system can be attained that will require a minimum amount of land for street purposes. In addition to providing for traffic needs the thoroughfare plan should embody those details of good urban planning necessary to present a pleasing and efficient urban community. The location of present and future population, commercial, and industrial enterprises, affects major street and highway locations. Conversely, the location of major streets and highways within the urban area will influence the urban develop- ment pattern. Other objectives of a thoroughfare plan include: (1) To provide for the.orderly development of an adequate major street system as land development occurs; (2) To reduce travel and - transportation costs; (3) To reduce the cost of major street improvements to the public through the coordination of the street system with private action; (4) To enable private interests to plan their actions, improvements, and development with full knowledge of public intent; (5) bus I nessesethroughtlongarangesadvancenplanningp and for major street improvements; (6) To reduce environmental impacts such as air pollution, resulting from transportation; (7) To increase travel safety. 9