COWEE FINAL PRESENTATION

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• COWEE FINAL PRESENTATION
• June 23, 2008

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What Got Us Here?
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PURPOSE

• To organize and accelerate access to
  state-of-the-art tools and processes that foster
  responsible land use decisions in western North
  Carolinas mountain region.

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LANDSCAPE CHANGE DATA
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County Commissioner Insurance Broker Banker Resta
urant Owner Realtor Student Contractor Social
Worker River Guide Developer News
Editor Teacher Economic Development
Director Energy Company Representative Grocer
Forest Ranger Sawmill Operator Conservationist 2nd
Home Owner BB Owner Congressman Town Council
Member Hospice Nurse Planning Board Member CDO
Director Marketing Consultant Professor Gun Shop
Owner Farmer Retiree/Volunteer

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TOP TEN ISSUES

• How can mountainside and ridgetop development be
  done responsibly, safely, and in a visually
  sensitive way?
• How can new development respect the character of
  local landscapes?

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TOP TEN ISSUES

• How can water quality be protected?
• How can the regions natural beauty and open
  space be protected?

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TOP TEN ISSUES

• How can quality jobs be created and sustained?
• How can quality, affordable housing be created?

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TOP TEN ISSUES

• How can the regions infrastructure keep up with
  the rate of growth?
• How can farmland and local markets for food be
  protected and enhanced?

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TOP TEN ISSUES

• How can natural resources be protected?
• How can growing communities remain respectful of
  local cultural heritage?

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The Charrette
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Charrette Principles

• Work collaboratively
• Design cross-functionally
• Use design to achieve a shared vision and create
  holistic solutions
• Work in detail

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Case Study Cowee Valley

• Sustaining Community in the
• Cowee Valley

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Central Question

• As development pressures gravitate to the
  valley, how will the community grow in a manner
  that sustains the transformative experience of
  Cowee its history, scenic beauty, environmental
  quality, kinship/community life, local economy?

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Cowee Planning Process

• Analyze Historic Patterns of Settlement and
  Landscape
• Develop Concept Plan(s) Strategies
  Conservation / Development / Transportation /
  Local Economy
• Evaluate Specific Sites for Conservation and/or
  Development
• Test and Refine Concept Plan(s) by Designing
  Illustrative Projects
• Define Appropriate Architectural Character and
  Vocabulary

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1 Analyze Historic Patterns of Settlement and
Landscape Settlement
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Transect for Conservation Development

• Identify and take out of consideration lands
  already owned or protected by governmental bodies
  or conservation land holdings
• Identify natural features for conservation
• Identify cultural features for conservation/
  preservation
• Establish preferences for development in
  remaining areas that contribute to the historic
  patterns of the community

S-1 Preserved Open Space S-2 Reserved Open
Space S-6 Infill/ Redevelopment S-4 Controlled
Growth Sector S-5 Intended Growth Sector S-3
Restricted Growth Sector Neighborhood
Centers Village/Town Centers Key Corridors
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S-1 Preserved Open Space S-2 Reserved Open
Space S-6 Infill/ Redevelopment S-4 Controlled
Growth Sector S-5 Intended Growth Sector S-3
Restricted Growth Sector Neighborhood
Centers Village/Town Centers Key Corridors
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Land Suitability Analysis
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• Denote Permanently
• Preserved Areas

• 50 Riparian Buffers
• Delineated Flood Plain
• Federal and State Land
• Conservation Easements

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2a. Targeted Conservation Natural

• Primary ridge-tops
• Slopes gt30
• Highly erodible soils
• Prime wildlife habitat
• Endangered/ sensitive plant communities
• Soils not stable for septic (not shown)
• Areas prone to landslides (not shown)

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2b. Targeted Conservation Cultural/Economic

• Agricultural Lands
• (dark brown)
• Viewshed from Cowee Mound
• (orange)

• National Register Properties
• (not shown)
• Locally significant properties
• (not shown)

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3. Suitable Areas for Development
1/2 mile radius from Rickmans Store
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4. Areas for Infill/Redevelopment
1/2 mile radius from Rickmans Store
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Development Patterns

• Context Sensitive Patterns of Human Settlement
• Township, Hamlet, Neighborhood, Village, Town

Image by DPZ Company
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Image by DPZ Company
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Image by DPZ Company
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2 Develop Concept Plan(s) Strategies
Conservation, Development, Transportation, Local
Economy, Community
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Cowee Infill

• /- 50 new dwellings
• Studio/small business space
• Snow Hill Mtn Inn Spa
• Community Center
• Public greenspace trails

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Cowee School Property Enhancements
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School Property Enhancements Reuse Concepts
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NC 28/Cowee Scenic Byway

• Advantages
• Context Sensitive Design
• Light Footprint Enhancements
• Multi-Modal
• Access Historic Sites
• Preservation
• Process
• Nominate for State Byway Designation
• Perform Corridor Management Plan
• Seek National Scenic Byway Designation
• Community-Driven

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Principles of Context-Sensitive Design

• 1 Reinforce Support the Natural Built
  Environments
• 2 Reinforce Culturally Historically
  Significant Elements
• 3 Create Safe Attractive Roads
• 4 Support Multiple Uses Users of the Roadway
• 5 Enhance Quality of Life through Facility Design

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Cowee Gateway

• Landscaping
• Stormwater Best Practices
• Gateway Signage
• Visitor Kiosk
• Possible Church Expansion
• Cottage Dwellings

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The Transformative Experience
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The Cowee Mound
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3 Evaluate Specific Sites for Conservation
and/or Development4 Test and Refine Concept
Plan(s) by Designing Illustrative Projects
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Historic District Infill
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Affordable Housing-Rural Setting
Conventional
Cluster
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Craft Village
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Infill along NC 28
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Wastewater Treatment The Living Machine
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Wastewater Treatment The Living Machine
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Snow Hill Inn Spa
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5 Define Appropriate Architectural Character and
Vocabulary
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Normas Porch
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Contemporary Vernacular
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Key Priorities

• Preserve the History/Culture
• Sustain Cowee Valleys Timeless Scenic Beauty
• Sustain the Valleys Rich Biodiversity and
  Natural Features
• Sustain Kinship, Neighboring, and Community Life
• Sustain Community Economic Systems

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Next Steps

• NC 28 Corridor Study for Scenic Byway
• Continue to work with County re future of Cowee
  School
• New Uses for the Rickman Store
• Comprehensive Cultural/Historic Landscape Plan
  including the Cowee Mound
• Encouragement of New Housing
• Plan for Pedestrian River Access
• Programs/Initiatives for Building Community

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Next Stepsthe Toolbox
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The Toolbox

• How to Use this Manual
• Purpose Introduction
• Community Planning
• Site Building Design
• Protecting the Environment
• Sustainable Transportation

• Preserving Community Character
• Open Space Conservation
• Housing
• Farmland Preservation
• Economic Systems
• Appendix A Case Studies
• Appendix B Model Ordinances

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www.mountainlandscapesnc.org
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