| Chapter 12 Exercise:
Cartwright Farm Development ProposalThe following is information that can be used for the Cartwright Farm Exercise, found on page 167 of the book, Planning and Community Development, (Tyler and Ward, 2011).
Cartwright Farm Study The following section discusses the 6 points included in the Cartwright Farm Exercise. These can be used for class discussion or student research.1: One-lane bridge
The one-lane bridge has become a real problem for increased traffic on Station Street crossing the river and heading south. A basic reconstruction of the bridge has been included in the city's Capital Improvements Program. (See Exercise 16 on page 213 of the book.) With the Cartwright Farm proposal, a major rebuilding of the bridge will certainly be necessary almost immediately. 2: Traffic
With the rebuilding of the bridge to carry two lanes, traffic will increase across the river and load the downtown streets even more. It may be necessary to remove on-street parking in the downtown and allow two-way traffic on all streets. Easier access might also encourage more development south of the downtown, increasing traffic even more to Biltmore Avenue. It may eventually be necessary to build a new street from an intersection next to Feldt's to the street on the west side of the Biltmore Commercial District. Perhaps a better long-term choice would be to plan for a new crossing of the river at an optimal location for further growth.3: Public schools
There are plans for a third elementary school in the city, although the final location has not been determined. Although the new high school/middle school complex was located just outside the west boundary of the city, the new elementary school will be located within the city's boundaries. (The map of the city shown in Appendix A, page 222, shows the city's boundaries.) The proposed development and the number of children in Elly's Mobile Home Park suggest the best location for a new school would be in this vicinity, although other sites should also be evaluated.4: Funding
A capital improvement project such as bridge reconstruction would need external funding. Students could research external funding sources. Since this is a local street state funding might be more difficult to obtain. Perhaps a major bond is necessary to see it through. (Bonds are discussed on page 212 of the book.)
It should be recognized there are other municipal costs with a project like the one being proposed. With increased population, all types of city services must increase. Hopefully, these costs will eventually be recovered through increased revenues from property taxes and user fees.5: Zoning
On page 232 of Appendix C, the city's zoning map indicates the Cartwright property is zoned AG, Agricultural District. This zoning will likely need to be changed, based on the density and other considerations of a proposed plan. Students should review the other zoning categories and evaluate which would be most appropriate for a development. (Assume it is similar in density to that proposed in Chapter 4 for the northwest corner of the city; see page 67.) It might be appropriate to have students develop a mixed-use plan for the site.6: Flooding
Exercise 12 in Chapter 12 (page 171) describes how to read and evaluate contour lines. As suggested in Exercise 12, the downtown district and the Cartwright Farm are located in low-lying areas subject to occasional flooding. Although it would be difficult and expensive to address this problem in the downtown, a new project on the Cartwright Farm should deal directly with this issue in its plan. Students could be asked to come up with ideas on how to have new development on higher ground. |
