3.3.2 Rural Context
The level of development in rural contexts ranges from minimal (no development) to light (a few structures). Most land is used for outdoor recreation, agriculture, farms, and resource extraction. Unincorporated areas may include a few residential and commercial structures. Building setbacks are typically large but can taper near intersections and crossroads where development is present. Population densities are low. Speed expectations for drivers are higher, with infrequent driveways or intersecting roads and few slowing or turning vehicles. Examples of typical rural areas are shown below.
Typical characteristics are:
- Few houses or structures;
- Widely dispersed residential, commercial, or industrial land uses;
- Long-distance bicyclists using highway shoulders:
- Large building setbacks; and
- Undeveloped land, farms, large outdoor recreation areas, or low densities of other types of development.
Figure 3-4: Example Roadways in Rural Context
Source: Google Maps