BUILDING BETTER

TOWNHOUSE COMMUNITIES
 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Chair
Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Vice Chair
Joseph C. Gale, Commissioner

Montgomery County Planning Commission Board Members

Steven Kline, Chair
Dulcie F. Flaharty, Vice Chair
Robert E. Blue, Jr.
Jill Blumhardt
David L. Cohen, AICP
John J. Ernst, AIA
Scott Exley
Charles J. Tornetta
Pastor John West

Montgomery County Planning Commission

Jody L. Holton, AICP, Executive Director
Michael M. Stokes, AICP, Assistant Director
John S. Cover, AICP, Assistant Director
Matthew Edmond, AICP, Section Chief: Transportation Planning
Scott France, AICP, Section Chief: County Planning
Drew Shaw, AICP, Section Chief: Environmental Planning

From Vision to Reality

 CONTENTS
Introduction
How to use the guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Evolution of the townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Townhouse trends in Montgomery County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Impacts of townhouse communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Townhouse Design Elements

Street pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Open space and recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Pedestrian circulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Garages and driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Landscaping and street trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Front yard areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Architecture and building massing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Best Practices
Require street trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Recommend alleys in townhouse designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Consider preferred alternatives when alleys are not feasible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Examine right-size parking requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Articulate façades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Create a connected system of sidewalks and trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Naturalize stormwater management BMPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Create recreational opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Appendix
Recommended plantings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
 Building Better
Townhouse
Communities

iv // Building Better Townhouse Communities

 INTRODUCTION
Townhouse developments are a common housing type
in Montgomery County, both as higher density infill
projects in older boroughs as well as large-scale new
development in suburban townships. Townhouses are
an attractive housing choice for many. They can be more
affordable than single-family detached homes in the
same community and have reduced home maintenance
responsibilities. As predominant trends in townhouse
development have evolved and as townhouses have
become an important housing choice within the county,
recent developments have provided valuable examples
of how design features and amenities make townhouse
neighborhoods desirable places to live.

Introduction // 1
 Creating great townhouse commu- this design guidebook to focus atten- goals focused on providing diverse
nities involves smart design choic- tion on good townhouse design and housing choices and the need to
es and successful integration into to make recommendations on how enhance community character and
the surrounding neighborhoods. municipalities can adopt solutions to protect neighborhoods. It also rec-
All townhouse developments, re- create vibrant, healthy communities ognizes connected communities and
gardless of size or location, benefit that address the goals established vibrant economy as important goals
from careful attention to site plan- in Montco2040: A Shared Vision, to connect places with trails and focus
ning, design, and architecture to Montgomery County’s comprehen- development. Recommendations in
ensure successful projects that meet sive plan. The goals established in this publication are consistent with
the needs of residents and provide the plan, adopted in 2015, form the other design guides and model ordi-
long-term value to the community. basis for this publication. The Montco nances prepared by MCPC and were
The Montgomery County Planning 2040 plan recognizes sustainable developed based upon numerous
Commission (MCPC) has prepared places as a key theme with supporting site visits to townhouse communities
in Montgomery County and surround-
ing communities. The findings from
New townhouse communi-
Connected Communities these visits were discussed with other
ties can be better designed to planners, developers, architects, and

GOALS
achieve and implement the municipal officials to gain a deeper
understanding and appreciation of
goals of the county’s compre- the realities of designing and con-
hensive plan structing townhouse communities.
• Trails and greenways
connecting multiple places
• Vibrant downtowns and
destinations accessible by
everyone
S GO
AL A
GO

LS
Sustainable Places Vibrant Economy
• Opportunities for
healthy lifestyles • Focused development
• Diverse housing choices • Flexibly adapting
• Enhanced community to changing market
character conditions

2 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

How to use the guide
This guidebook is directed toward
municipal officials and staff, planning
commission members, developers, This
realtors, and other people involved first
in the design of great communities. section
It is intended to serve as a primer on provides
some of the major design elements an overview
of townhouse developments and of townhouse
the impact design decisions have on development in Mont-
the overall look and function of the gomery County, looking at historic
community. The guidebook offers and current development patterns
design recommendations to maximize and their impact on a community.
the aesthetics and functionality of The second section explores how
townhouse developments. It allows typical design elements influence
users to pick and choose the recom- the overall quality and success of
mendations to help create zoning a townhouse community and the
and land development ordinances impact of design decisions on the
that achieve community goals. built environment and resident ex-
perience. This section is offered to
enhance the user’s perspective of
townhouse development design.
The final section provides a variety
of design solutions for townhouse
communities while recognizing that
every community and development
site is unique.

Introduction // 3
 Evolution of the townhouse
The term “townhouse” is derived of horizontally attached housing built the public and private lawn areas to
from the style of attached housing in multi-unit complexes increasingly ensure uniform maintenance. New-
units maintained by members of the found in suburban communities. er townhouse developments favor
upper class in eighteenth-century The defining distinctions between unlotted housing units while some
London. Families owned homes in townhouses and other attached older townhouse communities give
the city in addition to their estate or multifamily forms of housing is homeowners full responsibility for
homes in the country—literally a that townhouses consist of multiple the maintenance of their lots. In the
“town” house.1 These homes were floors and have their own outside suburbs, townhouse communities
distinct from other attached housing door as opposed to having only have acquired a recognizable design
in cities of the time by their size and one level and/or having access from style that blends features original
grandeur and were meant to serve a common hallway. Townhouses, to the urban setting with traditional
as a single-family home rather than especially in suburban settings, are single-family detached residential
house multiple tenants. This style typically limited to between 3 and developments. In early townhouse
of housing made its way to North 8 units in a building row whereas communities, parking was often es-
American cities and took on different rowhomes can sometimes extend tablished in common parking lots near
terms depending on the city location, across entire city blocks without each unit. Later townhouse develop-
building material, and size or quality a break in the façade. Most town- ments incorporated separated blocks
of home. Attached homes are referred houses are individually owned, and of detached garages or carports that
to as “brownstones” in places like the property can either be limited to homeowners could also purchase.
New York and Baltimore, derived just the home itself where the lawn By the 1990s, it became common
from the dominant building material area is owned and maintained by a to provide separate driveways for
used, and as “row houses” in places homeowners’ association (similar to each unit and increasingly almost all
like Philadelphia, as a reference to a condominium form of ownership), developments included an attached
the long rows of attached homes or the property could also include one- or two-car garage. The inclusion
that occupy entire city blocks. In the lawn area belonging to that lot. of attached garages has also meant
the latter half of the twentieth-cen- Even when lotted into private lots, that many new townhouses have
tury, the term “townhouse” became homeowners’ associations often increased in height from 2 stories
a marketing concept to describe have responsibility for landscaping to 3 stories.
uniquely designed suburban forms
1
Stewart, Rachel. The Town House in Geor-
gian London

4 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Introduction // 5
Townhouse trends in Montgomery County
Throughout the postwar suburban due to a desire for more affordable common use elements, such as rec- Since the Great Recession, there has
building boom in Montgomery Coun- housing during a time of double-digit reational trails, were incorporated been a dramatic rise in the number of
ty, single-family detached houses inflation and recessionary conditions. to accommodate various lifestyles. proposed townhouse developments
and garden apartments were the The county saw townhouses emerge Common maintenance of landscaped in Montgomery County. Single-family
most prevalent form of new hous- as an increasingly common housing elements was a new trend well suited attached units have averaged around
ing. People seeking these types of style. To differentiate from the urban for townhouse developments. As a 1,000 units per year over the past
homes often left the city to escape row house, townhouses were often result, many new townhouse devel- five years compared to an average
more urban forms of housing such proposed as part of new innovative opments were the first communities to of 500 units per year for single-family
as the Philadelphia row house. In the cluster or planned residential forms establish homeowners’ associations. detached housing. This is in stark con-
1970s, housing preferences shifted of housing in which open space and trast to the five-year period from 2000

Number of Housing Units Built 1996–2016

1996 25% Since the end of the recession,
1997 6%
1998 32% single-family attached and
1999 27% multifamily housing units have
2000 24% become the dominant form of
2001 20%
2002 25%
housing built in the county,
2003 19% averaging 66% of the total
2004 22% number of units built
2005 29%
2006 33%
2007 23%
2008 29% Townhouses + Duplexes
2009 27% (Single-Family Attached)
2010 22%
2011 34% Houses
2012 46% (Single-Family Detached)
2013 37%
2014 28% Apartments + Condos
2015 32% (Multifamily)
2016 23%
Proposed Development 2016

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000

6 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

to 2005 when the average number Impacts of townhouse and resulting fiscal demand com- facilities, is maintained by the home-
of proposed attached housing units pared to single-family detached de- owners’ association and is not the
per year was just under 1,000—half communities velopments. Though every residential responsibility of the municipality.
that of detached housing units. For municipalities, townhouse de- development is different, most of The fiscal impact on the local school
While townhouses often have been velopments are potentially advan- the common infrastructure in many district also can be attractive. The
a more affordable housing choice, tageous because of their limited townhouse communities, including average townhouse unit accounts
with pricing between single-family impact on municipal infrastructure roads and stormwater management for fewer school children than the
detached homes and multifamily single-family detached home, al-
units, over the past two decades Comparison of Attached versus Detached Housing Units though existing townhouses tend
a strong luxury townhouse market to have more children per unit than
has grown with units in price ranges Median Price School Kids new townhouses. This increase may
Single-Family Attached

comparable to larger single-family be because many new construction

detached homes. In 2016, the median $336,875 .21 School Kids units are purchased by people over
(1 in every 5 households, new)
price for new attached housing units 65 or by young couples with no
was greater than the median price for school-aged children. A typical new
existing single-family detached units. single-family detached unit will have
$216,000 (existing) .41 (1 in every 3 households, existing) more children per unit than an existing
single-family unit. This is because
$449,990 .93 School Kids existing single-family detached units
Single-Family Detached

(1 in every household, new) are more likely to have empty nesters,

while new single-family detached
units are more likely to draw families
with school-aged children.
$315,250 (existing) .55 (1 in every 2 households, existing)

Introduction // 7
8 // Building Better Townhouse Communities
 TOWNHOUSE
DESIGN ELEMENTS
The following section describes common design ele-
ments in townhouse communities in Montgomery County.
Though townhouse communities may be different, each
of the design elements are integral to the overall site
design. The reader will come away with a thorough
understanding of how design trends, zoning require-
ments, and site-specific considerations influence the
final housing product, overall site design, and general
feel of the community. The following elements and their
impacts on the appearance and function of the devel-
opment are reviewed:
>> Street pattern
>> Open space and recreation
>> Pedestrian circulation
>> Parking
>> Garages and driveways
>> Landscaping and street trees
>> Front yard areas
>> Architecture and building massing

Townhouse Design Elements // 9

Street pattern
Generally, townhouses are built in a street system characterized by court-
yards, curvilinear roads, or a grid system. Though these are the basic street
pattern elements found in most townhouse communities, mixtures of these
three street patterns may be incorporated into any one townhouse devel-
opment project. The type of street system used in a development is based
on the proposed density, size, and shape of the parcel, topographical or
environmental constraints, relationship to surrounding development, and
the final housing style of the community.

Curvilinear
This street pattern is typically found
in suburban-style developments on
large tracts of land. Townhouses are
arranged along horizontally curved
streets with larger blocks. Depend-
ing on the roadway alignment and
topographic conditions, townhouse Grid
Courtyard buildings can vary in length so that Gridded street systems are often
Typically found in older townhouse the same development may have found in more dense urban locations
communities, courtyard street pat- 3-unit buildings or up to 8-unit build- where the development is an infill
terns are comprised of a main road- ings. This street pattern is effective project or in new neotraditional-style
way system feeding short streets in sloped areas and can offer varied development. Townhouse units are
terminating in a courtyard surrounded sight lines depending on how curved configured at parallel or right angles
by townhouses on all sides. The the roadway is designed. Longer to other buildings. This type of street
courtyard area is often used for townhouse buildings may result in layout requires flat conditions and is
shared parking and incorporates irregular driveway lengths along very conducive to rear alley access. If
landscape features like central greens curved streets, especially for end alleys are included, on-street parking
with trees. Courtyards create quiet units. Guest parking is often provid- can be used for guest parking. Build-
neighborhood pockets with limited ed in rows of parking stalls placed ing size and shape can remain very
through traffic and a shared sense throughout the development along uniform in this type of street pattern.
of community with other neighbors the roadway.
in the court.

10 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Open space and recreation
Open spaces and parkland can play an important role in the lifestyle of the
townhouse resident and serve as the recreation and play areas for homes
with limited to no private lawn. Many municipalities require a percentage
of the tract area to be set aside as open space. Typically, this open space
requirement is met through perimeter buffer areas, stormwater facilities, or
in environmentally sensitive areas such as stream corridors, steep slope
Recreation areas and
areas, or wooded areas where development is restricted. More active types
playgrounds
of open space in townhouse developments include walking trails, gathering
Many townhouse developments have
spaces, central greens, recreation areas, and playgrounds. playground facilities for children. A
few developments contain other
forms of active recreation such as
tennis courts and swimming pools,
although this is increasingly less
common in newer development
proposals.
Central greens
Central greens serve many purposes
depending on their size, topography,
and density and types of plantings.
Walking trails Large, flat, mowed fields, often times
With an increasing emphasis on placed prominently in a development,
walking as a healthy lifestyle habit, can provide space for informal sports
walking trails are a popular feature in or for dog walking. Heavily planted
all types of developments. Trail net- Gathering spaces or landscaped greens can serve as
works, especially through naturalized Gathering spaces are often placed a focal point within a development
open space areas, provide a respite in the development at prominent and enhance views from adjoining
from the urban form and provide houses, particularly if little or no
locations near intersections and focal Natural areas
on-site recreational opportunities points, such as around shared mail- landscaping is present in front of
for walking, jogging, or even biking. individual homes. Central greens are Larger, more naturalized open space
boxes or in central greens surrounded
Typically, these are paved with widths often found in courtyard-style devel- areas are often reserved along stream
by houses. These spaces include
of 6 feet or wider. If trails are to be opments, and guest parking is often corridors and in wooded areas. They
improvements, such as seating areas
used for bicycles, they are generally provided around the green space. help to provide stormwater manage-
and gazebos, and feature attractive
8 feet or wider. Trails can serve as ment and serve as buffers between
landscaping. Grills, outdoor picnic fa-
part of the townhouse development’s adjoining land uses.
cilities, or dog parks may be included
pedestrian circulation system and in gathering areas.
also connect with other trails and
sidewalks within the surrounding
community.
Townhouse Design Elements // 11
Pedestrian circulation
Townhouse communities have the potential to be active, pedestrian-oriented,
walkable communities because of the density of homes and people. They also
pose unique challenges to pedestrian safety due to driveways and parked
cars overlapping the pedestrian right-of-way. A complete pedestrian circu-
lation system involves sidewalks, pathways, and crosswalks to provide safe
access from all housing units to desired locations within the development:
mailboxes, recreation facilities and open space amenities, guest parking,
and community centers. Additionally, the pedestrian system allows safe
access to locations outside of the development including existing sidewalk
and trail systems, nearby schools, parks, retail stores, and transit facilities.

Sidewalks connect residents to community destinations such as mailboxes.

Sidewalks are the core element in a ments because of driveway curb cuts.
safe pedestrian circulation system. In developments with front-loading
Sidewalks are either directly adjacent driveways and no verge, the sidewalk
to the curb and roadway or separated surface may be angled because of
from the roadway by a verge (mean- driveway curb ramps.
ing a grass strip). Verge widths vary Trails are a positive asset in town-
greatly, from 2 feet to upwards of house communities and provide
8 feet. Verges are beneficial in creat- important links in safe pedestrian
ing a buffer between the pedestrian systems in addition to recreation
and moving traffic along the street. opportunities for healthy lifestyles.
They also serve as a location to plant Townhouse developments use
street trees, which provide shade trails to provide pedestrian access
along sidewalk networks, increasing to neighboring developments, com-
pedestrian comfort and improving the munity destinations, or open space
appearance of the front yard area. areas within the tract. Trails are often
On-street parking also creates a buf- wider than sidewalks and paved of
fer between pedestrians and moving macadam or gravel, as opposed to
traffic, although on-street parking is concrete.
often limited in townhouse develop-
Painted crosswalks provide increased visibility for pedestrians.

12 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Parking
Providing sufficient parking in townhouse communities is a major design
issue that can shape the overall layout of a development. The amount and
location of parking in a development is often an important consideration to
municipal officials during the review of a new townhouse proposal. Most
municipal zoning codes require a minimum number of parking spaces for
each housing unit, ranging from 2 to 3 parking spaces per dwelling unit,
to accommodate resident and guest parking. Some municipalities count
garage spaces toward the parking requirement, but many do not, as it is
Courtyard-style developments align parking in front of homes.
recognized that garages are often used for storage. The location of driveways
and garages and availability of on-street and off-street parking are largely
dependent upon the street system within the development.

In townhouse developments without

driveways, parking for residents and
guests is often accommodated in
shared central parking, typically in a
courtyard setting and/or on the street.
In these courtyards, spaces may be
reserved for each unit and marked
with signage or pavement markings.
Other developments meet off-street
Rear-loading garages create opportunities for on-street parking.
parking requirements with driveways
in front of the homes with or without
garages. Most new townhouse de-
velopments include garages with
driveways at the front of the house.
The location of guest parking for
developments is often provided in
common parking lots around cen-
Perpendicular parking stalls are located off of main roadways.
tral greens or landscape islands or
in dispersed rows of perpendicular
parking stalls placed along main road-
ways throughout the development.
In developments with alley-loaded
garages, guest parking is provided Front-loaded garages result in driveways
by on-street parallel parking. that occupy the majority of the building frontage.

Townhouse Design Elements // 13

Garages and driveways
The placement of garages and driveways in townhouse developments can
significantly impact the visual aesthetic of the building façade, front yard and
streetscape design, pedestrian safety, street tree placement, and availability of on-
street parking. There are many possible driveway configurations for townhouses:

Front-loaded One-car garage, one-car driveway

Front-loaded garages and driveways Single-width driveways 10 to 12 feet
are typically found in developments wide provide access to a single-car
that utilize courtyard or curvilinear garage. Depending on the length of
road networks. Because of the layout the driveway, one or two additional
of the driveway curb cuts, limited cars can be parked in the driveway.
space is available for street trees Single-width driveways typically
or on-street parking. Utility lines are consume less than half of the front
often laid underneath narrow grass yard, leaving space for underground
strips between driveways in front utilities and some landscaping.
yards, further limiting landscaping
options.
One-car garage, two-car driveway,
paired
Two-car-wide driveways allow two
cars to park side by side. This con-
figuration consumes most of the front
yard area leaving a limited green
strip, typically used for underground
utilities. In some cases, a small land-
scape area will exist in front of the
front door.

Two-car garage, two-car driveway

Two-car garages are typically paired
with an 18- to 20- foot-wide driveway.
This enables access to both sides of
the garage and parking of at least
two vehicles within the driveway.
On-street parking is not feasible and
landscaping is limited.

14 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Rear-loaded Rear-loaded attached garage
Townhouses that have rear-load- Two-car garages are paired with
ed garages are often paired with two- car driveways located in the rear
a gridded street network. Alleys of townhouses. This configuration
are required for townhouses with allows for landscaping and street
rear-loaded garages. Townhouse trees in front yards and architectural
buildings are oriented facing a road- elements such as front porches. Cars
way with on-street parking or facing are removed from the pedestrian
the front of another townhouse row right-of-way, and on-street parking
where a landscaped common area creates flexible guest parking.
is provided. Utilities to rear-loaded
townhouses can follow the alley,
existing streets, or the front yard. Rear-loaded detached garage
Two-car detached garages create
enclosed backyard space for patios
and decks in the rear of townhomes.
Limited driveway aprons require cars
to park fully in the garage or utilize
on-street parking.

Townhouse Design Elements // 15

Landscaping and street trees
Landscaping is an important element that contributes to important ecological
functions and the overall attractiveness and appeal of a community. Landscap-
ing provides color and accent to buildings, creates buffering along property
lines and around utilities, improves stormwater control and air quality, and
provides shade for homes, cars, and pedestrians. Landscaping choices in
townhouse communities are very important to soften the density of buildings
and roadways and to create privacy for residents.

Street trees Property buffers

A continuous network of street trees Berms and planted buffers have
within townhouse developments cre- been installed around many town-
ates an overhead canopy, a pleasant house communities to minimize the
streetscape, and a walkable environ- sight lines of the townhouses from
ment. In many developments, street adjoining development and to buffer
tree plantings are limited because noise and views of roadways by town-
the location of driveways and utilities house residents. This is particularly
prohibit their planting in verges and important where rear yard decks face
front yards. Street trees are there- major streets. Many buffers consist
fore grouped together on the ends of evergreen plantings, which hold
of building rows rather than evenly their leaves year-round, contributing
spread throughout the community. If to an established appearance soon
trees are present in front of homes, after development is completed.
they are often located in the middle
of front yards at a rate of about 1 tree
per 2 to 3 townhouses. Townhouses
without front-loading driveways of-
ten have a greater number of street
trees, either in the front yards or in
the verge.

16 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Internal screening
Due to the density of townhouse
communities, it is often important
to use landscaping to create privacy
for homeowners, such as using tree
buffers to separate back decks.

Central greens
Central greens provide a break in
housing rows and create a visual
focal point that can provide a front
view of greenery for every home and
screen parking areas. Central greens
are also used for stormwater control
and can be planted with bioswales or
rain gardens. Larger neighborhood
open space areas can have minimal
landscaping to provide open lawn
Overall yard and space for recreation. Landscaping open space
foundation plantings The choices in landscaping open
The selection of ornamental trees and space and recreation areas depend
shrubs in the front yard is important upon function. Landscaping of these
to complement building architecture areas may provide boundary defini-
and present a unified look. Yard and tion and privacy by screening views
foundation plantings also help to and noise. Landscaped buffers can
define the front doors and help to be particularly important along trails
easily identify individual residences. or recreation spaces located near
housing units.

Townhouse Design Elements // 17

Front yard areas
The front yard area of any development defines the overall aesthetic and
Utility lines are located in green
feel of the community. Front yard design is dependent upon the placement strips between driveways, limiting
and width of driveways, the overall size and architecture of the townhouse landscaping options.

building, the internal road network, pedestrian amenities, and landscaping.

Front yard setbacks, referring to the area between the front edge of the side-
walk to the front façade, typically range from 18 to 25 feet to accommodate
driveways and sidewalks, although the setback can be greater for end units
along curved roadways. Townhouses without front yard driveways typically
Front porches enhance pedestrian-
have shorter setbacks of 10 to 15 feet. These developments are also more friendly front yards.
likely to have porches, enhanced landscaping, and street trees in front of
the home, which create shade and beautify the front façades.

Driveway widths greatly impact front located. Single-car-width driveways,

yard design. Double wide driveways especially when paired together, can
often take up most, if not all of the create larger combined front yards
available space in the front yard, where utilities and landscaping can
effectively limiting landscaping and be co-located.
street trees. Some green space can Where sidewalks are included in the
be included between driveways in
development, they are always located
the form of a grass or gravel strip, but
in the front yard. Most municipalities
are often used for the location of un-
derground utilities. Utility companies require sidewalk widths of at least 5
prefer the utility lines run underneath feet. Sidewalks may either be adja-
grass strips rather paved driveways cent to the curb line or be separated
for ease of future maintenance and from the roadway by a verge. Street
repair. Utility providers also require trees or other vegetation may be
isolation distances between trees located in the verge depending on
and larger shrubs and utility lines driveway widths and utility location.
to prevent root damage and limit
access impediments, thus restricting
tree placement where utilities are

18 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Architecture and building massing
Townhouse developments can take on many architectural forms and vary
Front-loaded garages protrude
based on the topography of the site, targeted buyer preferences, parking away from the main façade and
requirements, and the surrounding community. Well-articulated buildings become the prominent architectural
feature.
provide visual interest and definition that lends cadence to the streetscape.
Most townhouses have relatively flat façades with some minor articulation
between the units to define each individual home, such as a staggered build-
ing façade. Articulation within the building façade—meaning variation in the
look and structure often achieved through the inclusion of porches, porticos,
Multiple building materials add
balconies, bay windows, roof lines, and building material type—is important visual interest to façades and create
in townhouse buildings because of the dominant width of the façade. individuality among townhouse units.

Older townhouses without attached and prevents the creation of a long

garages are typically 2-stories high narrow hallway. It is also common to
while townhouses with attached ga- see front doors located on the side
rages are often 2.5 to 3 stories high. of the house for end units.
Building materials are typically brick, Municipal zoning ordinances typically
siding, masonry, or a combination. permit a density of 5 to 8 dwelling
With variation of the building mate- units per acre for townhouse devel-
rials and color, further delineation of opment, and anywhere from 4 to 8
each unit can be achieved. Common units in a row per building. Longer
in townhouse units with attached rows of townhouse units require a
garages is a prominent garage that greater diversity in building articula-
protrudes beyond the front door in tion to reduce the monotonous look
the building façade. Front doors are of too many units attached in a row.
either recessed into the façade or
may have a small porch or portico to
provide shelter from the elements.
This design is largely due to the
dimensions of the interior floor plan

Townhouse Design Elements // 19

20 // Building Better Townhouse Communities
 BEST PRACTICES
The overall look, feel, and function of a townhouse com-
munity is dependent upon the interaction of individual
design elements. Incorporating certain features, such as
street trees and rear-loaded garages, into townhouse
developments can be a challenge in part due to site to-
pography, utility needs, cost considerations, or ordinance
requirements. However, there are creative solutions.
Innovative site design, flexible approaches to zoning, and
increased diversity in parking configurations and housing
mixes can create attractive townhouse communities. By
incorporating these best practices, future developments
in the county will better meet the changing needs of
residents and retain long-term value.

Best Practices // 21
 Place housing units on central greens
Homes facing green space build a sense of community
and enhance a sense of safety.

Build active parks

Central greens provide areas for recreation and community
gathering. Amenities, such as playgrounds and seating, activate
the space and attract residents.

Line front yards and streets with street trees

Trees create canopies that provide cooling shade to pedestrians, homes,
and cars; beautify the streetscape; and reduce traffic speeds. They also
provide a buffer distancing pedestrians from moving traffic.

Pair front-loaded garages

Paired single-car-wide garages and driveways
consolidate green spaces in front yards for street
trees and landscaping.

Enhance architectural details

Articulated building façades, including
entrances, windows, garage doors, and
a mix of building materials, create visual
interest and a more varied streetscape.

Build community with porches

Front porches encourage interaction
between neighbors and help estab-
lish connected communities.

Naturalize stormwater management

Planted stormwater basins improve infiltration and water
quality. Bump-outs and verges offer opportunities for
bioswales or rain gardens.
22 // Building Better Townhouse Communities
 Recommendations for good townhouse community design

Provide pedestrian safety

Bump-outs define parking rows, shorten crossing distances for pedestrians,
and increase green space. Painted crosswalks at every street intersection
provide better visibility for pedestrians and slow drivers in the neighborhood.

Limit block size

Shorter blocks help to slow traffic and
limit building massing while providing
breaks between building rows.

Create a connected pedestrian network

All streets in a townhouse community should have
integrated and well-connected sidewalk systems
to provide access to internal site destinations and
connect to the larger community.

Permit on-street parking

On-street parking gives guests
and residents flexible locations
to park and slows traffic speeds.

Locate garages along alleys

Detached rear-loaded garages give private
backyard open space to homes and can
increase interior living square footage.

Integrate rear-loaded alley systems

Alleys provide access for rear-loaded garages to open up front yard
areas for landscaping and street amenities. Alleys should be narrower
than roadways and can be lined with pavers rather than curbing.

Best Practices // 23
There is no one-size-fits-all approach the potential impacts of that design community lies in the ways in which type of streetscape desired, other
to designing desirable townhouse on other design elements. The intent roadways, homes, landscaping, and design components will naturally
communities. Each development will is not that all future developments pedestrian connections are arranged. fall into place to support the overall
be unique to fit into the surrounding contain each of these components, This can be described generally as community vision.
community, adapt to site conditions, but rather developers and munici- the “streetscape.” By focusing on the
and be attractive to potential home palities can pick and choose from
buyers in that area. However, there this list to build better townhouse
are certain components that have communities in order to diversify the
been shown to create more attractive housing options for county residents
Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND)
communities that age well and contin- now and into the future. The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) grants munici-
ue to retain value for their residents. palities the power to establish standards and conditions for Traditional
The recommendations are ordered in
The following is a series of recom- Neighborhood Development (TND). The recommendations made in this
such a way as to prioritize the design
mendations that positively contribute design guidebook to provide common open space, community-building
components that have the greatest
to creating desirable townhouse architectural features like front porches, connected sidewalk networks,
physical impact on the overall health,
communities. Each recommendation and alley-loading garages to permit on-street parking, are all core tenets
safety, and general welfare of the
includes options for how the design of TND development.
community. The foundation of any
component may be implemented and

24 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Require street trees imposed by garage and driveway While street trees need to be suf-
placement, front yard setbacks, and ficiently close to the roadway and
Front yard landscaping is often limited in townhouse developments to roadway configurations. Where street sidewalks, canopy trees should be
accommodate utilities and driveways. Alleys, roadways, yards, and shared trees are located in the front yard used in front and rear yard areas and
area, they are often spaced too far in alleys to beautify the streetscape
open space areas all benefit from being planted with appropriately sized and apart to establish a uniform overhead and provide privacy. Alleys with very
spaced street trees and other landscaping. Careful consideration should be tree canopy. It is recommended that little greenery can appear very stark
street trees be spaced 30–35 feet and inhospitable because of the
given to how the development will age over time and how landscaping will on center to establish a sufficient amount of impervious surface. Land-
fill out into the planting area. Developments with well-designed street trees tree canopy to provide shading for scaping helps to soften the appear-
will ultimately have a continuous tree canopy along the length of the street. homes and sidewalks. Alternatively, ance of alleys both at alley entranc-
the creation of a tree lawn would also es and between the housing units.
Good landscaping creates a more aesthetically pleasing neighborhood, pro- serve to establish an overhead tree Landscaping in the rear of homes
vides cooling shade for pedestrians, homes, and parked cars, improves air canopy. This is only possible where with front-loaded driveways is also
driveways do not occupy the entire important for shading and privacy.
quality, and captures stormwater runoff to reduce flooding and trap pollutants.
building frontage. It is important to
Street trees are often missing from front yard areas because of the limitations pick a hardy species that will grow
well in a limited amount of space.
It is equally important to choose a Please see page 38 for a list of rec-
canopy tree that will provide a dense ommended plant species.
canopy once the tree is fully mature.

Street tree benefits and verge standards

� Benefits of street trees
• Cool streets and houses, reduces energy costs and watering
requirements for lawns.
• Increase property values, especially as the neighborhood ages.
• Soak up stormwater.
• Reduce driver speeds.
• Add wildlife habitat.

� Tree lawns and verges

• Located between the sidewalk and curb.
• Minimum width for optimal tree health: 8 feet.
• Additional buffering between pedestrians and traffic.

Best Practices // 25
 Recommend alleys in townhouse designs
Garage placement dictates driveway location, front yard setbacks, and oppor-
tunities for landscaping. It is one of the primary determinants of streetscape
appearance and overall community character. It is recommended that, where
feasible, rear-loaded garages should be utilized for townhouses.

Rear-loaded units install pedestrian-scaled architectur-

al features, such as front porches,
In general, it is easier to create an
to facilitate community interaction.
inviting, pedestrian-friendly street-
Pedestrians feel safer and more
scape if all garages and driveways
comfortable on sidewalks when there
are placed to the rear of the units.
are fewer cars and driveways to ne-
Driveways take access off of rear
gotiate and when there are windows
alleys, which provides green space
on the ground floor of buildings rather
in the front yard area and creates
than blank garage doors. Rear-load-
opportunities for street trees. Al-
ed garages also allow for on-street
ley roadway standards should be
parking which provides ample space
adopted to reduce alley widths and
for guest parking, instead of creating
curbing requirements and to estab-
separate parking lots.
lish greening standards. Reduced
roadway construction costs for alleys Rear-loaded garages work best in
make rear-loaded designs more developments that have gridded
feasible for developers and reduce street networks but can also be in-
the cost of the final housing product corporated in developments with
for home buyers. curvilinear street networks.
The absence of driveways in the front Road profiles for a rear-loaded alley design utilizing attached and
detached garages
of buildings creates opportunities to

Alley design standards

� Require alleys to be between 12-feet and 16-feet wide for one-way

traffic.
� Replace curbing with grass pavers to provide additional width
outside of the paved area.
� Provide 4-foot-wide driveway aprons for detached garages to
allow turning room but limit parking in front of garages.
� Establish greening standards to provide for trees in alleys for
shading and beautification.

26 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Attached rear-loaded garages
Rear-loaded garages create interior
space for a more defined foyer by
the front door rather than a narrow
corridor, as is common in front-loaded
garage designs. In order to provide
private outdoor space for each unit,
a back deck should be provided over
the driveway apron. Trees and other
vegetation should be provided in
the spaces between the driveways
to provide some privacy, greenery,
and shade in the alley area.

Alley-only access with walkup

front yards
Townhouses with rear-loaded
garages can have entrances that
face a shared courtyard with side-
walk access instead of a street.
This configuration eliminates some
streets to reduce the amount of
impervious cover while still allow-
ing for trees and pedestrian walk-
ways throughout the community.

Detached rear-loaded garages

Detached rear-loaded garages re-
quire deeper parcel sizes but pro-
vide the homeowners with a private
backyard area that may or may not
include a small deck or patio and
green space. Because the garage is
located outside of the units, homes
have more useable interior living
space.

Best Practices // 27
Consider preferred Pair driveways of adjacent units
to maximize green space
alternatives when
Paired one-car driveways provide the
alleys are not feasible opportunity to create larger blocks of
green space for front yard landscap-
Front-loaded units ing and also create enough distance
Where rear-loaded garages are not between driveway curb cuts to allow
practical, front-loaded garages may on-street parking.
be used. Driveways in front yard
areas should be minimized to the
greatest extent possible to enhance Build side-loaded garages for
landscaping and create a more pe-
end units
destrian-friendly streetscape. In any
instance where front-loaded garages End units can utilize side-loaded
are used, driveways should be paired garages, which provide more space
to consolidate front yard open space. for grouped landscaping at each end
The following design recommen- of the building rows.
dations can be implemented in any
combination to suit the specific site
constraints of a development:

Increase front yard setbacks for

tapered driveways
Longer front yard setbacks provide
the opportunity to taper driveways
which reduces apron width, mini-
mizes curb cuts along the sidewalk,
increases the available space for
street trees and allows for on-street
parking.

Mix rear- and front-loaded units

Mix rear-loaded units with front-load-
ed units within the development to
best fit site conditions and topog-
raphy. By mixing different housing
design types within a development,
potential home buyers have a great-
er diversity of housing options.

28 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Reduce front yard setbacks Parking for stacked
Limit driveway length to between 20 townhouses
and 25 feet to prevent cars from park- Since higher densities make com-
ing one behind the other, which can plying with design guidelines more
result in overhang onto the sidewalk. cost effective for developers, some
In instances where building rows are developers may want to consider
located along a curve in the road, including stacked townhouses as a
limit the number of units in a row in housing type in developments. By
order to maintain a consistent front creating a deeper unit—at least 36
yard setback and reduce excessively feet deep—a tandem two car garage
long driveways for end units. can be provided for each unit on the
ground floor. This innovative design
Alternate paving materials for alternative should only be imple-
driveways mented when rear-loading garages
are utilized since the entire first floor
To reduce the visual impact of asphalt façade of the building will need to
driveways, alternate paving materials be devoted to garages.
may be used including brick pavers,
stamped concrete, or porous asphalt.
Lighter colored materials help reduce
the amount of heat that is captured Recommended garage design standards
and released compared to black as-
phalt, and some pavers and porous � All front-loaded garages and driveways must be paired.
asphalt can contribute to stormwater
infiltration.
� Garages doors must occupy less than 70% of the first
floor façade.
� Garage doors must occupy less than 50% of the total
Other alternative parking building façade unless they utilize at least one of the fol-
scenarios lowing:
Other alternative parking designs • Incorporate architectural design features such as win-
include parking courts or under- dows or other decorative elements.
ground parking. These design • Are painted a color other than white to complement the
choices may be most suitable for façade.
infill developments on small sites
with limited street frontage where • Are recessed from the remainder of the front façade
alleys or front-loading driveways unless the front door contains a covered patio or portico
may be impractical. Underground structure or is accessed by a stairway.
parking is also an option, particularly • Contain a separate roof canopy to provide shading and
for redevelopment sites. definition from remaining façade.

Best Practices // 29
Examine right-size street parking should be encouraged
through provision of alley access for Parking standards
parking requirements rear-loaded garages, paired one-car
Visitor parking in townhouse com- front-loaded garages or a combina- � Reduce the total number of required parking spaces per unit
munities without on-street parking tion of front- loaded and rear-loaded to between 1.5 and 2.
is often located in grouped perpen- garages.
dicular parking rows or in parking � Allow garage parking spaces to count toward parking
lots interspersed throughout the site. requirements.
This configuration can be problemat- � Utilize on-street parking for guests and households that
ic as not all visitors are have more than two vehicles.
comfortable or able to
get from guest parking Average number of vehicles per
� Require on-street parking space size to be 22 feet long and
8 feet wide
locations to housing and
townhouse unit is 1.8 � Define on-street parking by creating bump-outs at intersec-
not all townhouses have
the same demand for U.S. Census Bureau tions and by striping individual parking spaces.
visitor parking. Unequal
dispersal of guest park-
ing can contribute to the percep-
tion of not enough parking spaces,
yet most townhouse developments
provide more parking than is nec-
essary. Throughout the county, the
average number of spaces required
per townhouse unit is 2.5 spaces
per unit. This number often results
in developments being over parked.
Additionally, many municipalities do
not allow garage spaces to count to-
ward parking requirements, which can
restrict creative and flexible parking
design solutions. A first step would
be to count at least one space within
a two-car garage toward the parking
minimum, if not both of the spaces.
The most efficient way of providing
convenient and flexible guest parking
is through on-street parking. Parking
lots within townhouse developments
can be prescriptive and limited, but
on-street parking is “on demand”
and available closest to where it’s
needed. Whenever possible, on-

30 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

 Articulate façades Individual units Townhouse units with rear-loaded
garages have greater flexibility to
Architectural articulation creates visu-
The overall architecture of a development can be a determining factor in include architectureal features ori-
al interest through a combination of
creating a desirable townhouse development. Townhouse buildings are large ented toward a pedestrian-friendly
architectural features. It is important
streetscape. Prominent front doors
structures with long façades and significant building massing comprised of not to create a cluttered façade by
and porches draw greater attention
adding too many conflicting architec-
3 to 8 units in a row. These structures can feel imposing if careful consider- to the house as a home and invite
tural details. By utilizing a combination
community interaction.
ation is not taken to create a well-articulated façade with visual interest and of building materials, colors, and
other façade features, townhouse
architectural details. Architectural concepts can be viewed at three levels:
units can appear as unique homes
the individual dwelling unit, the townhouse building, and the community. within a cohesive whole.

Recommended architectural elements

Varied roofline Window treatments Horizontal articulation

Offset façade Bay window Balconies

Front porches Exterior lighting

Varied color Dormers Foundation plantings
Varied building materials
Best Practices // 31
 Building row
Even though it is important for each
unit to appear as an individual house,
it is also important that all attached
units form a cohesive building. As the
number of units in a row increases
and the building becomes longer,
the need for a variety of architectural
features increases. A 2- to 4-foot
offset in the façade every 2 units (or
about 40 feet) helps break up the
visual monotony of long buildings.
Zoning ordinances should take care
to be flexible with these types of
requirements. In some cases, strict
architectural standards in zoning
ordinances can make it harder for an
architect to design a great looking, façades. Elevations are also useful to Community It is important to be flexible with
unique product. It is recommended demonstrate how the architecture of mixing requirements within a devel-
At the community level, potential
that all development proposals in- the proposed development will blend opment since not all developments
home buyers can benefit from be-
clude elevation sketches to show how in with or be complementary to the will be suitable for certain mix per-
ing able to choose from a mix of
the developer proposes to accom- existing community, especially import- centages. A good rule of thumb is that
housing units within the same de-
plish the effect of breaking up long ant in infill development scenarios. any development over 50 housing
velopment. Diverse housing types
units should have at least two types
within a development create a more
of units; any development over 100
visually interesting community and
should have three and so on. This
provide different products to suit
gives the developer greater flexibility
Architectural design standards diverse housing needs. Housing
to create a well-designed community
mix types can include single-family
and provides additional housing
� Require a mix of unit types in developments over 50 units. detached and multifamily units in
addition to townhouses—or a mix
choices for future home buyers.
The best townhouse community is not just townhouses!
of different types of townhouses
� Limit building rows to no more than 6 units to reduce the visual within a development, such as mixing
impact of a long and imposing façade. stacked townhouses with side-by-
side townhouses, or having a mix of
� Require 2- to 4-foot front façade offsets every other unit.
townhouses with front-loaded and
� Require a mix of building materials, window treatments, and rear-loaded garages.
protrusions to enhance flat façades.
� Require building elevation sketches with all land development
submissions.

32 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Garage design options designed with a single large door door rather than the garage, front Allow flexible density
or two single car doors. To provide doors should be designed with a
Garage doors have a significant im- While there is no “correct” density for
greater diversity in the façade ap- visually impactful feature such as a
pact on the overall site aesthetics townhouse developments, municipal-
pearance, one- and two-car garage portico, overhang, patio, or staircase,
and are a prominent building façade ities should take into consideration
units can alternate in a building row. and garages should be flush with the
feature when located in the front of the surrounding conditions of nearby
Garage doors often protrude away façade or slightly recessed into the
homes. In order to soften the visual development and the potential impact
from the rest of the building façade, unit so they are not as prominent
impact of garages, the doors can be resulting from new development
which increases their prominence, from the street.
colored to complement the façade including traffic and impervious cov-
materials and can include decora- while front doors are recessed or erage. Generally, municipal zoning
tive elements such as windows or located on the side of end units. To ordinances permit a density in the
paneling. Two-car garages can be draw greater attention to the front range of 5 to 8 dwelling units per acre
for townhouse developments. How-
ever, developers may need greater
flexibility in site density in order to
ensure that all site infrastructure im-
provements, landscaping, and archi-
tectural requirements can be made to
create a well-designed development
that will hold its value over time.
Infill developments in particular can
encounter unexpected costs when
the conditions of existing utility lines
are unknown. Ultimately, the proper
density for a given community will be
heavily influenced by factors unique
to the site conditions and surrounding
neighborhoods. Municipalities should
be flexible to allow increased densi-
ties on a case-by-case basis through
the use of conditional approval.

This recessed garage door draws greater focus Decorative elements, including paneling, windows, and complementary
to the main entryway. color on the garage, add visual interest

Best Practices // 33
Create a connected system of sidewalks and trails
All townhome developments should provide a complete pedestrian circulation
system to provide access within the entire development as well as to other
destinations outside of the development. This system should include sidewalks,
street crossings, and trails.

Sidewalks Crosswalks Road network Multi use trails

Sidewalks should be required on both Painted crosswalks and ADA-compli- Shorter roadways and blocks in court- Trails should be incorporated
sides of all streets with a minimum ant ramps with appropriate signage yard and urban grid developments throughout the open space system
width of 5 feet. To promote pedestrian should be provided at all intersec- ensure traffic speeds remain slow. where feasible. If the development
safety, sidewalks should be buffered tions, particularly near destinations Long, curved streets in some devel- is not located within proximity to
from the roadway by a 5- to 8-foot- that will attract larger volumes of opments may encourage speeding, external community destinations,
wide verge, preferably planted with pedestrians, such as connecting posing a safety risk to pedestrians trails can serve as pedestrian short-
street trees, to provide increased to central green areas, mailboxes, and bicyclists. Other traffic-calming cuts to increase the overall internal
separation between pedestrians guest parking, and other communi- measures, such as on-street parking, connectivity of the development and
and vehicles. ty amenities. Crosswalks will make speed humps, or chicanes, may be serve as places for passive and active
pedestrian crossing locations more warranted based on the roadway recreation. Where a trail is to be used
visible to drivers. configuration of the development. for pedestrians as a major access
route, consideration for accessibility
and lighting may be important.

34 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

 Naturalize stormwater more attractive. Smaller stormwater
Recommended sidewalk standards management BMPs
controls, such as rain gardens and
bioswales, can be built throughout
� Sidewalks should be at least 5 feet wide and buffered from the Stormwater management facilities
should be designed to be aestheti-
the community within curb bump-outs
at intersections and along verges.
street by a 5- to 8-foot-wide verge.
cally pleasing and well integrated into Fencing should only be used in cases
� All intersections should be connected with painted crosswalks. the overall landscape scheme. Storm- of steep elevation changes for larger
ADA-compliant ramps should be installed at all sidewalk cor- water basins should be naturalized to stormwater basins.
ners. the greatest extent possible, meaning
� Trails can be paved with concrete, macadam, gravel, or mulch. basins are planted with trees, shrubs,
grasses, and other flowering species.
� Trails should be 5 feet wide or 8 feet wide and paved if intend-
Planted stormwater basins improve
ed for use by pedestrians and bicyclists.
infiltration and water quality and are

Best Practices // 35
Create recreational opportunities
Open space and recreational opportunities are important aspects to building a
desirable community and should be incorporated into every townhouse devel-
opment where feasible. Because private yard space is limited, residents need
areas for movement, play, and outdoor recreation. Usable open space provides
safe places for recreation and communal gathering space for all residents.

Most zoning codes already require a the rear of homes. This space often As density increases, the total amount
percentage of open space in town- becomes appropriated as “private” of open space also increases. As a re-
house developments to be set aside backyard space. Residents may feel sult, a mix of housing units, including
as “passive” open space but may uncomfortable using the space or be stacked townhouses and multifamily
not specifically require certain site unaware it is public space. These units, might need to be incorporated
amenities such as centrally located kinds of open spaces could be ac- into the townhouse development to
playgrounds or picnic spaces that tivated by creating clearly visible achieve the density and still provide
create a more “active” use, often public access features such as a trail an adequate amount of open space.
designated as “neighborhood open network with signage that would pro- Infill developments with limited to no
space.” vide a more defined and accessible neighborhood open space should
Passive open space areas are often use of the space. connect to nearby community parks
laid out in such a way that makes their The percentage of open space de- and green spaces to provide recre-
use inefficient and inaccessible for fined as neighborhood open space ational opportunities for residents.
residents when open space is only should increase as the density of the
provided around the perimeter of townhouse development increases.
housing units and/or oriented toward

36 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Recommended open space standards

� 50% of total open space areas should be located in neighborhood

open spaces that are at least 15,000 square feet in size and
centrally located.
� Orient housing units to face neighborhood open space or
central greens.
� Maximize the recreation and aesthetic value of open spaces by lo-
cating them centrally whenever feasible. The size and location of
the central greens are dependent upon the size and topography
of the parcel.
� Consider scattering smaller neighborhood open spaces, gather-
ing areas, or “pocket parks” throughout a development as resting
places, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Best Practices // 37
APPENDIX
Recommended plantings

Street trees
Common Name Latin Name Comments Height Spread
Little-leaf linden Tilia cordata European species that is a good street tree for tight 50 ft 30 ft
urban spaces
‘Princeton’ American elm Ulmus Americana ‘Princeton’ Cultivar that is tolerant of Dutch Elm disease; classic vase- 60–75 ft
shaped street tree of New England and mid-Atlantic states
‘Green Vase’ Zelkova Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’ Urban-tolerant street tree; upright vase-shaped, bronze 50–60 ft 40–50 ft
fall color
‘October Glory’ Red Maple Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ One of many selected cultivars ‘Red Sunset’, ‘Sun Valley’;
native tree selections for red-orange fall leaf color and
vigorous growth
Thornless Honeylocust Gleditsia triancanthos inermis Recommended cultivar ‘Halka™’; vigorous growth, heavy cali- 40–50 ft
per, with a full symmetrical crown

Site element/privacy screen

Common Name Latin Name Comments Height Spread
American holly Ilex opaca Slow-growing native tree with great wildlife habitat value 40–50 ft
White pine Pinus strobus Native conifer with great habitat value 80–100 ft 40 ft
Japanese cedar Cryptomeria japonica Slender, pyramidal, evergreen conifer 40–60 ft
Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana Native evergreen they varies in size and color choose named 40–50 ft
cultivars for uniformity if needed. Valuable cultivars include
‘Burkii’
Thuja ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis Evergreen screen or specimen plant 75 ft 12–20 ft
‘Green Giant’

38 // Building Better Townhouse Communities

Yard and foundation planting (suitable for walkways/patio - small trees under 35 ft)
Common Name Latin Name Comments Height Spread
‘Okame’ Cherry Prunus X incam ‘Okame’ Ornamental Asian Cherry that produces pink flowers in spring 20 - 25 ft
and orange-red fall color. Other recommended Asian cherries
include Prunus X yedoensis - Yoshino cherry
Sweet Bay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana Small-medium flowering tree with fragrant flowers in June
‘Winter-King’ Hawthorne Crataegus viridis cv. Flowering tree with wildlife value 25 ft 25 ft
‘Winter King’
‘Autumn Brilliance’ Serviceberry Amelanchier X Multi-stem, early spring flowering small tree with wildlife value
‘Autumn Brilliance’
American hornbeam Carpinus carolinana Small, native tree with a spreading canopy 20 - 30 ft

Landscaped open space (suitable for large open space/central greens)

Common Name Latin Name Comments Height Spread
Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera Tall tree for open areas 40–80 ft 20–50 ft
Basswood or American linden Tilia americana Good for parks and streets 80–100 ft
tree
Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides Tough tree that is ideal for parks and large open spaces. It prefers 80–100 ft 20–40 ft
wet areas and produces handsome foliage and brilliant fall color
Chestnut Oak Quercus prinus Native woodland tree with great habitat value
Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor Large native tree that is adaptable to various soil conditions 65–75 ft
Red Maple cultivars- ‘October Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ A native tree known for its wide adaptability, red-orange fall leaf
Glory’ Red Maple color, and vigorous growth. Top cultivars include ‘Red Sunset’
and ‘Sun Valley’
Sugar Maple cultivars Acer saccharum ‘Fall Fiesta’ or Large native tree for woodland open space areas
‘Autumn Fest’
Willow Oak Quercus phellos Native tree to the mid-Atlantic that is adaptable to a wide range
of conditions including urban environments

Appendix // 39
40 // Building Better Townhouse Communities
Montgomery County Planning Commission
PO Box 311 • Norristown, PA 19404-0311
www.montcopa.org/planning

Printed October 2017