Streetscape design addresses elements that create pleasant, desirable street scenes that define a community’s character. The most easily identified streetscape features include street trees and other landscaping in sidewalk cut outs, planter strips (the narrow areas between the curb and sidewalk), right-of-way easements (the often wider areas between the back of sidewalks and private property lines), medians, City gateways and entries into the City from major streets. However, neighborhood places such as plazas, mini-parks along City streets, and trails where amenities such as “street furniture” (benches, trashcans, etc.) or public art are located are also a part of the City streetscape. Less obvious streetscape features include bus stops and their associated amenities such as shelters, benches and informational signs. Functional elements such as sound walls and planting associated with right-of-way walls or fences, as well as the irrigation systems and drainage systems used to maintain the streetscape areas, are all considered a part of the streetscape.
Streetscape improvements can have positive benefits to the natural environment. The reduction of paved areas with landscape treatments can increase groundwater recharge, as well as reduce the amounts of grease and oil transported to streams. They can help slow surface runoff from storms and reduce soil erosion and sedimentation of streams. Select tree species can help create habitat and food for birds and animals. Improvements may also be designed to create special conditions to protect threatened plants that would not otherwise exist in an urban setting.
(Ord. 559 § 7 (Exh. B § 1))
The Design Standards and Guidelines for Streetscape Elements document is organized into the following articles:
A. 
Article IX-B, Streetscape Design for Vehicular Zone.
B. 
Article IX-C, Streetscape Design for Pedestrian Zone.
The vehicular zone includes the area of the public right-of-way within the curb-to-curb cross-section of the street that is occupied by travel lanes, parking lanes, and any medians, traffic circles, etc., that occur between the curbs. The pedestrian zone includes the outer portions of the right-of-way that flank the street, including sidewalks and any adjoining plazas and parks. While the character and function of these two zones are closely connected, the guidelines in this chapter have been organized by zone to facilitate their use.
The standards and guidelines in this chapter apply to neighborhood collector streets and local streets associated with new development within the City as well as qualifying modifications to existing development. These streetscape concepts are intended to provide design professionals, property owners, residents, staff, and decision-makers with a clear and common understanding of the City's expectations for the planning, design and review of development proposals in University Place. If a conflict exists between these standards and guidelines and any streetscape designs adopted pursuant to a specific area plan, the specific area plan standards and guidelines shall prevail. The standards and guidelines in this section are also intended to supplement the street design standards and specifications in this chapter.
(Ord. 559 § 7 (Exh. B § 1))
Bulb-outs:
Bulb-outs extend the sidewalk or curb line out into the parking lane of a street to effectively reduce the street width. These measures greatly improve pedestrian crossings by reducing the crossing distance and improving the ability for pedestrians and motorists to see each other. Curb extensions also can help reduce turning speeds at an intersection and provide additional space for curb ramps and/or level sidewalk landings where space is limited. Bulb-outs are only appropriate where on-street parking exists; curb extensions should never reach into travel lanes, bicycle lanes, or shoulders.
Design guidelines:
These minimum guidelines or recommendations are intended to guide the design of streets. Where conditions are not specifically addressed in the guidelines, it is the responsibility of the proponent to show that the proposed design solution meets the intent of the most closely related guidelines.
Median:
The area of raised paving or planting running down the center of a street, separating the directions of traffic.
Multi-modal circulation:
Refers to the circulation systems that involve multiple systems including: pedestrians, bicycles, automobiles, buses and other various forms of transportation found in University Place.
Multi-use paths:
An off-road hard-surfaced path, that may be separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier, which has been designated, or designed and designated by the City for public use for human-powered travel or movement.
Paseos:
Are private or public pathways that are designated for pedestrian use, and where appropriate can serve as an outdoor space for outdoor dining, public art, retail space and other activities deemed suitable by the City.
Pedestrian refuge:
Pedestrian refuges are raised islands with minimum dimensions of four to six feet wide and eight to 12 feet long, which are placed in the center of the roadway separating opposing lanes of traffic. Pedestrian refuge islands are particularly suitable for wide two-way streets with four or more lanes of moving traffic traveling at higher speeds. They are particularly useful to persons with mobility disabilities, very old or very young pedestrians who walk at slower speeds, and persons who are in wheelchairs.
Pedestrian scale:
The proportional relationship between an individual and his or her environment.
Right-of-way:
The boundary of public ownership of the street. The area between private property lines is generally referred to as the public right-of-way.
Standards:
Minimum/maximum requirements based on quantifiable criteria.
Streetscape:
The visual character of a street as determined by elements such as structures, access, greenery, open space, view, etc. The scene as may be observed along a public street composed of natural and manmade components, including buildings, paving, planting, street hardware, and miscellaneous structures.
Traffic calming:
Refers to various design features and strategies intended to reduce vehicle traffic speeds and volumes on a particular roadway.
Xeriscape:
A landscaping method that employs drought-resistant plants native to the region in an effort to conserve resources.
(Ord. 559 § 7 (Exh. B § 4))