Corridor Improvement Program: Introduction

The Design Guidelines are part of the St. Charles Corridor Improvement Program. Initiated by the City of St. Charles in spring of 2001, the program is a unique and promising way of encouraging residents and business owners to provide better landscape. The Design Guidelines pursue three basic objectives as they look at a site by assessing the presence or lack of certain components.

Objective 1:

Landscaping can accomplish a wide variety of aesthetic goals such as screening and framing parking lots, property edges, and buildings. It has been said that good landscaping is not noticeable when, in fact, the opposite is probably more true. Viewers may not be able to put their finger on exactly what they are reacting to when they see poorly executed landscaping. They just know it is not quite right. Nonetheless, people do seem to appreciate landscaping when it is done well . Indeed, landscaping often sends a message about the nature and quality of the venture located on a property. Conversely, a poorly maintained, declining landscape sends a message to people that is often less than positive.

Objective 2:

Landscaping can also help achieve more than just aesthetic goals. It can improve the safety and comfort of people, lower energy demands, and increase property values. For commercial enterprises, in particular, the value of landscaping can be very tangible. Well-planned landscaping can improve the financial performance of commercial entities and business throughout St. Charles. Well installed and properly maintained site improvements at a business or commercial site can provide its own form of advertising and branding for the venture. Such improvements can entice or influence users and viewers in terms of their perceptions of the venture.

Native plant species often have less stringent planting requirements and flourish better than introduced and exotic species. The Design Guidelines endeavor to establish a landscape design vocabulary that encourages the use of plant communities that are native and appropriate for the Fox River Valley. Consequently, many native species appear in the lists assembled in Appendix 3. Some of these are plants that flourished in the St. Charles area prior to settlement.

As the name suggests, the Design Guidelines are not requirements. They recommend standards of excellence and appropriateness. In some instances, grant funding is available to offset the costs incurred by new landscaping improvements. The Design Guidelines are based on practices that will work. They will have a beneficial impact on St. Charles businesses, residents, and visitors for years to come.

Community Development Department (630) 377-4443