Project Description
In light of growing local concerns about the inefficiency of recent development patterns, the Village of Rockton, Illinois worked with Batterman to educate concerned citizens on alternative forms of neighborhood development and to ultimately establish a more “environmentally friendly” approach to developing neighborhoods than the typical suburban subdivision. Using issue-based brainstorming events as well as a series of Image Preference activities, a consensus was reached to prepare a “Conservation Neighborhood Design” ordinance that stressed minimizing development impact by reducing road widths, lot sizes, and building footprints, and maximizing common open space, walkability, and connectivity to both the natural and built community.
Challenges/Solutions
As can be expected when introducing “new” concepts, there was skepticism from the community on how CND could be implemented in Rockton. Providing concrete examples of successful conservation neighborhoods in the region proved to be invaluable not only in explaining the details of these neighborhoods, but also establishing legitimacy.
Location: Rockton, Illinois
Client: Village of Rockton
Project Year: 2009 – 2010
Lead Batterman Staff: Ryan Garcia, AICP
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