Rural Streetscapes
Much of Northern Lower Michigan has a rural character, and the design of streetscapes in these areas should augment the natural landscape.  As much as possible, developments should retain existing vegetation by limiting pre-construction clearing, protecting vegetation during construction, and planting herbaceous vegetation and other naturally occurring species following construction.  These approaches retain natural character and lower construction and maintenance costs along rural roadways.

Landscaping along rural streets should consist of shrubs, trees, or grasses - at least twenty (20) to fifty (50) foot strips - that complement the region's native vegetation.  Infrequently mowed tall grasses between the shoulder of the road and the centerline of adjacent roadside drainage ways promotes adequate drainage and visibility (refer to Critical Design Practices: Stormwater Control & Detention for additional information).  Natural shrub and meadow plantings can also be used beyond roadside drains to retain natural character while reducing construction and maintenance costs.

Unlike streets with high traffic volumes, which should have separate pedestrian and vehicular zones, rural roadways can include a wide, paved shoulder – approximately five (5) feet wide – to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle use.  Pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles can also share travel lanes on low-volume streets.  Encouraging consolidation of signs (e.g., one sign for multiple buildings) also helps protect rural streetscapes.

Urban Streetscapes
Just as the developed areas in the ten-county region vary, so do the urban streetscapes. Attractive urban streetscapes – whether in residential or commercial areas – are designed for pedestrians and motorists.  They include a landscaping strip between street and sidewalk to provide a good buffer between pedestrians and vehicular traffic, as well as pedestrian amenities such as conveniently placed benches, drinking fountains, recycling and trash receptacles, landscape planters, attractive signage, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and walkways and crosswalks incorporating different colors, textures, and materials.  Including building entrances, porches, balconies, decks and seating can aid the development of streets that encourage pedestrian activity, as these elements contribute to street vitality and safety.  In commercial areas, windows, canopies, and signs can enhance the vitality of the street.

Pedestrian - Vehicular Crossings
Pedestrian and vehicular intersections should be clearly marked and streetscape elements (e.g., landscaping, lighting, signage) located to ensure visibility of both pedestrians and motorists.  Whenever possible, pedestrians should have priority over vehicular traffic at crossings.  To increase pedestrian safety, local jurisdictions should encourage the design of streetscapes that provide pedestrians with the shortest distance to cross streets (e.g., bump-outs).

Unified Streets
Designing streets and neighborhoods that form a cohesive environment is essential to establishing pleasing streetscapes for both pedestrians and motorists.  On unified streets, buildings on opposite sides of the street have similar landscaping, setbacks, building character (e.g., mass, scale), and compatible uses.  When changes in use occur within a block it allows for a transition instead of an abrupt shift at an intersection.  Above all, streets should connect the various areas within the five counties instead of creating boundaries between them.

Street tree placement, roadway width, and sidewalks contribute to streetscape continuity and therefore pleasing environments for pedestrians.  Sidewalk design is a key component.  Incorporating special paving elements reinforces the pedestrian area and, at intersections, designates the point where drivers must yield the road to pedestrians (refer to Critical Design Practices: Pedestrian & Bike Circulation for additional information).  Including landscaping and pedestrian amenities (e.g., benches, trash cans, lighting, pedestrian furniture) encourages pedestrian activity.

Street Trees/Street Tree Survival
Street trees contribute to the character of our region’s communities.  Street trees promote a livable environment.  They provide shade and natural elements in urban areas, villages, and rural subdivisions.  Trees also reinforce and add scale to street edges, and those with large canopies can reduce the perceived width of streets with wide rights-of-way.  Trees enhance our region’s environmental quality: shade trees help reduce the urban heat island effect, as well as serve as an essential component in stormwater management.  In addition to their aesthetic and environmental value, trees and other landscape elements serve a practical purpose: they can provide a buffer between vehicular traffic along streets and pedestrians on sidewalks.

Street trees in developed areas face harsh growing conditions and live on average seven to ten years.  Structural soil is an innovative technique that can enhance street tree health and survival and thereby maximize a community’s investment.  Structural soil is a subsurface that meets pavement design specifications and provides for sustainable root growth, thereby increasing street tree health and longevity.

Benefits of Street Trees
Planting trees provides local jurisdictions a method for enhancing the visual quality of the community, as well as the environmental health of the region.  Trees also contribute to the real estate value of an area.

Well-placed trees can help reduce annual air-conditioning and heating costs by up to thirty (30) percent and twenty-five (25) percent respectively (USDA Forest Service).

Methods to Improve Street Tree Health
Street trees need two (2) cubic feet of soil for every square foot of crown projection (i.e., the areas under the drip line).

Replace soil in the entire future root zone and mound slightly for increased volume and drainage.  This approach insures vigorous root growth and long plant life.

Boring, instead of digging a trench, minimizes the impact burying utilities has on a site’s natural vegetation, especially trees.  It also provides a means of burying utilities on sites with existing infrastructure.