The Character Area 1 plan was approved at the Dec. 9 Tempe City Council meeting. A Character Area helps to ensure that any development in the area is consistent with the existing character of the area and supports the preferences of the community on design and land use patterns and commercial characteristics.

Read the plan 

Coming Soon

The Character Area 3 Design Guidelines + Placemaking Principles are a synthesis of an extensive public outreach campaign, and presents a comprehensive and cohesive vision for the future of this dynamic area.

This plan is dedicated to all the many community members and organizations whose ongoing work and dedication continue to preserve and improve Tempe's quality of life. 

 Thank you!

 

Character Area 3
Design Guidelines + Placemaking Principles
Downtown Tempe, Rio Salado, ASU, NW Neighborhoods

Approved by Tempe City Council on June 7, 2018  |  Final Document

The 2015 Apache Community Placemaking public series which included area residents, students, stakeholders, and the business community has led to the creation of the Apache Principles contained in this Character Area Plan.

Tempe City Council adopted this plan to further the goals and objectives of the Tempe General Plan 2040, Land Use and Development Chapter, Community Design Element, Character Area Planning Section; and to provide an enhanced policy framework to guide area planning processes and land use decisions throughout the Apache area.

It is intended to be used by the following audiences to guide the vision, design, development, preservation, plan review, and public feedback processes: 

Area Stakeholders [Residents, Schools, Students, Non-profit Agencies, etc.]  Tempe City Council / Boards + Commissions / City Staff  The Business Community  The Design + Development Community By way of summary, the following elements serve as a framework to the Apache Character Area Plan –Placemaking Principles + Design Guidelines:

• The rich Mexican-American legacy of this area has deep roots which meaningfully inform local place names [see Placemaking Neighborhood Connections section: La Victoria, Escalante, Sotelo, Esquer, Don Carlos, Elias-Rodriguez, etc.] while providing authenticity to local placemaking.

• Apache Boulevard is one of the most authentic, unique, and diverse areas of Tempe. As the light rail corridor continues to grow and evolve, maintaining this palpable authenticity will be central to the identity and vitality of this area.

• Public Art plays an essential and prominent role, key to placemaking and Apache’s area identity. Public art projects need to be supported and encouraged to flourish through organic, grassroots methods. Feedback throughout the year-long Planning process continually reinforced the knowledge that art is inextricably woven into the cultural DNA and urban fabric of the Apache area.

• Preservation of Apache’s core neighborhoods [Carlson Park, Tomlinson Estates, Borden Homes, Hudson Manor, Alegre, Escalante, Victory Acres] is a key Planning goal to balance future growth along the light rail / mixed-use corridor. Transitions between these areas must be well-designed.

• The role of streets + alleyways as open space to engage the pedestrian experience and activate the ground floor [especially along Apache Boulevard, Old 8th Street, and University Drive] is essential to the economic success and livability of this area.

• A seamless patchwork of destinations supported by a healthy and vibrant mixed-use corridor / Light Rail Station Areas with a walkable ground floor is the central vision for the Apache Character Area.

Apache Character Area Plan  |  Placemaking Principles + Design Guidelines

 

Alameda  |  Placemaking Principles + Design Guidelines

The 2015 Alameda Community Placemaking public series which included area residents, students, stakeholders, and the business community has led to the creation of the Alameda Principles contained in this Character Area Plan.

Tempe City Council adopted this plan [Resolution No. R2016.xx] to further the goals and objectives of the Tempe General Plan 2040, Land Use and Development Chapter, Community Design Element, Character Area Planning Section; and to provide an enhanced policy framework to guide area planning processes and land use decisions throughout the Alameda area. It is intended to be used by the following audiences to guide the vision, design, development, preservation, plan review, and public feedback processes:

• Area Stakeholders (Residents, Schools, Students, Non-profit Agencies, etc.)
• Tempe City Council / Boards + Commissions / City Staff
• Business representatives
• The design and development community

By way of summary, the following elements serve as a framework to the Alameda Character Area Plan - Placemaking Principles + Design Guidelines:

• Preservation of Alameda’s core, Mid-Century, Post-War neighborhoods is the central Placemaking and Planning goal to balance future growth. Transitions between single-family and multi-family / mixed-use areas must be thoughtfully conceived and well-designed.
• Livability comes down to being able to age in place, which means designing communities with places for all ages.
• The role of shaded streets + alleyways as open space is essential to improve connectivity, bikeability, and walkability along Alameda’s main corridors, neighborhood collector streets, parks, schools, and commercial corners.
• Activating commercial corners [especially along Broadway Road and Southern Avenue] as vibrant neighborhood destinations is vital to the economic success and ultimately the quality of life throughout the Alameda Character Area.

The Southwest Tempe Character Area was adopted by the Tempe City Council on October 1, 2024.

The adopted Southwest Tempe Character Area Plan is available now. Learn more about the public involvement and plan drafting process at characterareas.tempe.gov.

Kiwanis / The Lakes | Character Area 7

Corona / South Tempe | Character Area 8