Nestled in the Sierra Foothills, the proposed Mountain Springs Community is planned to provide an attractive blend of open space, recreational, residential, and commercial uses. With 48% of the community being comprised of open space and recreation Mountain Springs will maintain the rural character of the area. Open space green belts virtually surround the entire community providing a buffer between neighboring agricultural and developed lands.
The Community Plan envisions a series of smaller residential neighborhoods carefully laid out to address the diverse site conditions and adjacent uses. Lower density homes on larger lots are located on steeper terrain and near the perimeter greenbelt buffer surrounding much of the Community property and higher density homes on smaller lots are provided for in centralized locations in and around the existing golf course and new Village Center. Scenic vistas and riparian corridors are preserved in a significant amount of open space and community recreational options that create a natural landscape network that visually and physically links the components of the community together. This element identifies the physical characteristics and aesthetics of the Mountain Springs Community and provides basic design statements to establish the community form and visual character consistent with the natural beauty of the Community Plan.
The Mountain Springs Community Village Center is a central focal point of the community. It offers a mix of opportunities for housing, retail and business ownership and commerce, professional and recreational services, and civic establishments. The layout and centralized location of the Village Center within the Community Plan is both desirable and compatible with County historic development patterns and allocates sufficient land to provide for the mixture of uses as established in the County 1996 General Plan. The Village Center is intended to reflect a blend of rural small town and village qualities. The intent is to create a lively community center where people will choose to gather and socialize. Sidewalks should be welcoming, with special attention to paving, street furniture, street trees and lighting. Concepts for the Village Center incorporate a Village Green or community gathering area for community and local sponsored events.
Multi-story buildings may accommodate a mix of uses, providing retail and entertainment opportunities at street level and office, professional or even residential uses on the upper story. The shops and offices are intended to include: basic grocery and retail goods, restaurants, professional offices, hotel lodging, banking, and recreation related facilities. Mail delivery, postal services, educational opportunities, additional community amenities and services could also be incorporated. Specific uses in the Village Center will be incorporated as needed by the phased development of the Community residential and lodging uses.
