Route 132 Corridor Report - Cape Cod Commission

8. DESIGN GUIDELINES
Without an historic development pattern to follow in the study area, the
proposed design guidelines make an effort to establish patterns that build
on the existing streetscape character. Looking at existing features, the
character of Route 132 can be divided into three distinct sections. The
first area, Route 132 West (Area A), includes modest scale retail structures,
hotels and condominiums with moderate setbacks from the roadway
and landscaping between the buildings and the roadway. The second
area, Route 132 Center (Area B), is characterized by retail malls and other
large-scale retail uses with large parking lots directly adjacent to the roadway.
The third area, Route 132 East (Area C), is characterized by a mix of
small to moderate scale retail and industrial/utility uses in the approach
to the rotary with poorly defined curb cuts and access roads.
Looking at the broader study area, some portions of Bearse’s Way and
Route 28 should be treated similarly to areas on Route 132. The eastern
end of Route 28 is characterized by small scale office and industrial uses
and poorly defined curb cuts and should be treated similar to Route 132
East. The center portion of Route 28 is defined by the back side of the
large malls and some smaller scale retail on the south side. This area
should be defined more clearly as a pedestrian-oriented intersection that
can connect businesses on the south side of Route 28 with development
within the Mall property. Similarly, specific Design Guidelines to address
pedestrian connections and a link with the surrounding residential
neighborhoods should be developed for the intersection of Route 28 and
Bearse’s Way.
The design guidelines below address streetscape design issues and building
design issues in both the public and private realms, as well as on back
lots.
A. Primary Issues for Streetscape Design
z • Define the road edge -- with consistent landscape treatments
and pedestrian amenities. Street trees and landscape buffers
will define the road edge in some areas. Hard edge buffers such
as fences or low walls may be an appropriate solution along
the road frontage where parking is visible or buildings are set
too far back to create a sense of enclosure. Landscape strips
at least 2 to 3 feet wide should be provided between the road
september 2010 | route 132 corridor Report 57