Northeast Ohio Regional Retail Analysis
Executive Summary
Design Issues
Change in the retail marketplace is inevitable and brings about many new practices which make the consumer's life more easy and convenient. A balance must be struck between the interests and needs of the community and the retailer. Many communities have not determined what the planning vision and priorities of their retail districts should be and have not set up planning, design and zoning processes which will meet their needs.
Many local zoning codes provide for strict separation of uses, limiting the opportunities for mixed use development. All codes have minimum standards for lot size, parking, yards, etc., but few have maximum size standards which could help to insure a connectivity between uses and a more pedestrian friendly environment. Parking standards are designed to provide enough parking for the 20th busiest day of the year, meaning most of the time acres of required pavement are not being used.
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While established retail districts serve a variety of civic purposes in addition to providing shopping opportunities, many new retail developments have no public spaces, are devoid of interesting architectural features and lack pedestrian amenities.
With Americans spending more money but having less shopping time, retailing has become much more convenience-oriented and less a recreational activity. Consequently, the "sense of place" a person may experience in the design and human-scale elements in older districts is lacking in many new shopping areas. Although design is only one component of a successful retail district, it can give an area the unique features that distinguish it from other areas.
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