The development will achieve a build-out density of 7.4 units per acre through the implementation of the current design plan. These units are in the form of single-family detached homes, townhomes and rowhouses sited throughout different portions of the development.
The diverse mix of housing types has allowed the development to achieve a compact and consolidated form that will promote the development’s sustainability.
The residential portions of the development surround the commercial core that helps to increase access from the dense residential areas. The side-setbacks of the single-family homes have been reduced in order to promote higher-density development and the residences have been located closer to the road as well.
The homes are not modest in size, but with the reduction of lot sizes and setbacks the development is able to achieve a level of density that will promote long-term sustainability for the community.
The location of the lake and related trail system have allowed the designers to create a consolidated form of development that utilizes pedestrian connections to both the open space system and commercial core and enhances the development’s overall density.
Diversity of Use
Carpenter Village provides residents with a diverse mix of housing types and a mixed-use core that will feature office and retail space. While the housing types available offer a range of diversity from single-family detached homes to multi-family options, the affordability of these units detracts from its ability to foster a broad overall economic diversity.
Even though the entry-economic level for homeownership in Carpenter Village is slightly higher than most developments, the design is still able to achieve a comprehensive and complimentary use of the land within the development.
Another factor that will determine the ultimate sustainability of the development, is whether or not the developers will be able to successfully convince businesses to locate in the commercial core. Currently the commercial core features only a small arts and crafts shop and a single office on the second floor.
The development plan calls for the addition of coffee shops, a restaurant and possibly a small village grocer, however the developers have been unsuccessful in finding occupants for the 110,000 square feet of available space.
The well-designed open space system adds to the overall diversity of use for the community. Access to the 22-acre lake via walking and bicycling trails greatly increases the complimentary nature of the land-use plan.
These trails are accessible on foot form all portions of the development as well as from the smaller community open spaces within the development. The combination of all of these diverse land-uses help to ensure that Carpenter Village will achieve a higher level of sustainability throughout its life.
Extent of Use
Carpenter Village is bounded on the north by Morrisville-Carpenter Road and Carpenter Lake to the south. The architecture of the residential portions of the developments provides the eastern and western edges of the development.
The clearly defined edges of the development help to create a contained and consistent extent of use within the development.
The preservation of natural areas on the edges of the site has allowed the designers and developers to increase the sustainability of the development. The siting of the residential uses in close proximity to the commercial core of the development also contributes to the contained nature of the community.
The development plan does call for future expansion of the community to the north side of Morrisville-Carpenter Road. If this future expansion does in fact take place, this will threaten the overall sustainability of the development with regards to achieving a contained and consistent community.
The residential development on the north side of Morrisville-Carpenter Road would be separated from the core of the development and would exist outside the boundaries of the contained development.
“The ravage of scenic country roads has become a very serious matter in recent years; for as the city spills over into rural areas, the scenic roads are invaded not only by home owners but also by commercial and industrial establishments.” -Charles A Glover
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