Corridor Improvement Program: Introduction
The Design Guidelines are part of the St. Charles Corridor Improvement Program.
Initiated by the City of St. Charles in spring of 2001, the program is a unique
and promising way of encouraging residents and business owners to provide better
landscape. The Design Guidelines pursue three basic objectives as they look at
a site by assessing the presence or lack of certain components.
Objective 1:
Landscaping can accomplish a wide variety of aesthetic goals such as screening
vehicles in parking lots and framing and beautifying buildings. It has been
said that good landscaping is not noticeable when, in fact, the opposite
is probably more true. Viewers may not be able to put their finger on exactly
what they are reacting to when they see poorly executed landscaping. They
just know it is not quite right. Nonetheless, people do seem to appreciate
landscaping when it is well done. Indeed, landscaping often sends a message
about the nature and quality of the venture located on a property. Conversely,
a poorly maintained, declining landscape sends a message to people that
is often less than positive.
Objective 2:
Landscaping can also help achieve more than just aesthetic goals. It can improve the safety and comfort
of people, lower energy demands, and increase property values. For commercial enterprises, in particular, the value of landscaping can be very tangible. Well-planned landscaping can improve the financial performance of commercial entities and business throughout St. Charles. Well installed and properly maintained site improvements at a business or commercial site can provide its own form of advertising and branding for the venture. Such improvements can entice or influence users and viewers in terms of their perceptions of the venture.
Objective 3:
Properly designed landscapes can also improve the quality of life for animal species that call the Fox River Valley their home. Through careful species selection and proper locations of plantings, the Design Guidelines encourages designs and installations that provide sustenance and attractive habitat for desirable animal species.
Native plant species often have less stringent planting requirements and flourish better than introduced and exotic species. The Design Guidelines endeavor to establish a landscape design vocabulary that encourages the use of plant communities that are native and appropriate for the Fox River Valley. Consequently, many native species appear in the lists assembled in Appendix 3 of the Corridor Improvement Design Guidelines Manual. Some of these are plants that flourished in the St. Charles area prior to settlement.
As the name suggests, the Design Guidelines are not requirements. They recommend standards of excellence and appropriateness. In some cases, grant funding is available to offset the costs of landscaping. The Design Guidelines are based on practices that will work. They will have a beneficial impact on St. Charles businesses, residents and visitors for years to come.
Text written by DLK Architecture
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Community Development Department
(630) 377-4443 |
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