Design standards are being altered to incorporate input from citizen surveys and focus groups regarding their visual preferences.
City leaders hope a study that is under way now will set the tone for private development in Kingsport for the next 20 years.The information is drawn from "visual preference" surveys and focus groups in which more than 1,000 residents participated.Dr. Kathleen Beine, former president of Kingsport's Neighborhood Council, spearheaded the effort."The whole reason I began this in 1998 was as a gift to the community," she said, adding that the idea was to build upon and enhance what the community already had in place."I care a lot about Kingsport and the vitality of the community - for the business people in addition to the desirability of the community as a place people want to live," she said."Appearances do count. You have to look at what can distinguish you."
Thanks to Jeff Fleming
FULL STORY: Review now under way will change the face of Kingsport

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions