The Legacy Master Plan and Design Guidelines
Carmel, Indiana
Client:
Pittman Partners
Duration:
2006-2008 Planning Process
Land Uses Program:
1,800 Dwelling Units
Parks and Open Space
Commercial/Business Core
Integrated Community Art Program
Pedestrian Friendly Streetscapes
Community Trail Program
Retail/Mixed Use
Services Provided:
Master Planning, Land Planning, Urban
Design, Economics Plan, LEED ND Criteria
Design, Design Guidelines
The Legacy Master Planned community is located 10 miles north of
downtown Indianapolis in Carmel, Indiana. This new, energetic, and
economically viable community will help support the incomplete suburban
neighborhoods that surround the property. The Legacy consists of 1800 units,
much needed parks and open space, connectivity to area amenities, and a
pedestrian friendly commercial/business core.
The vision for The Legacy was to plan and build a distinctive master planned
community that is set above the standard in the Indianapolis metropolitan
area. To accomplish this, Design Workshop crafted the Master Plan concept
and wrote the Pattern Book (design guidelines) which would govern the
implementation of the Master Plan to ensure it fulfills its vision.
The Legacy Pattern Book is a comprehensive guideline describing the
character style, dimensional relationships, and land use mix for the entire
community. This document addresses not only the residential lotting but also
includes the streetscape design for each road type, the landscape character for
each neighborhood, and the architectural styles acceptable for the community.
The Legacy Master Planned Community
Typical Street Cross-Section in Urban Core Pattern Book: Residential Patterns
19
Community Patterns • Neighborhood Residential
Neighborhood Residential Overview
The Neighborhood Residential district is designed as the traditional neigh-borhood
development (TND) model. It is purposely placed to the south
and east of the development in order to offer a variety in housing product
in the largest residential area of the master plan. The district contains a
mix of detached and attached dwellings with granny flats as applicable.
Traditional detached and attached, family oriented residential should
be placed adjacent to the existing elementary school with a clear and
safe pathway and a park system connecting it to the school. The goal is
to maximize the walkability to the elementary school for the neighbor-hood
children. CCRC is allowed in this district but should be carefully
located not to compromise the larger vision of The Legacy. Placing the
CCRC adjacent to the elementary school is strongly discouraged and
would go against the goals of the master plan.
The majority of the lots associated with the Neighborhood Residential
district are most likely rear loaded from an alley. This offers the op-portunity
to make a great streetscape scene with the homes and front
porches complimenting the sidewalk and street trees. Residential homes
that are front loaded should be designed with the front porch being the
dominant architectural element to embrace the streetscape environment.
Homes with large driveways and dominant garages will not be accepted.
On street parallel parking is provided in the proposed right of way cross
sections. All other parking shall be provided in the garages or driveways.
The neighborhood residential district should be organized in a traditional neighborhood development pattern, clustered around neighborhood parks.
In the concept master plan above, the north/south road network terminates into a neighborhood park which spills onto the elementary school.
This provides an organized, clear and safe pedestrian access for children to walk to and from school.
Typical cross section of a neighborhood residential street.