1.2.1 Rural Town Context

These are areas with low development density but diverse land uses with commercial main street character, potential for on-street parking and sidewalks, and small setbacks. This is a transition zone, with density changes signaling an increase in vehicular activity and landscape complexity, usually found at community and town entries. A visual transition also occurs due to the smaller setbacks, bringing the focus inward to the community.
Since travel speed and setback distance have lessened, less dramatic color and form contrast may be used to achieve the desired results as shown in
Figure 1-2
. To create effective design features with the rural town context, landscape strategies should reinforce the transition edge, while focusing the driver’s attention on increased activity:
  • Colors should draw attention to key views;
  • Form and texture changes effectively identify community entrances; and
  • Plant material massing may be used to enhance specific views and to screen others.
Rural Town Context