The purpose of this design manual is to function as a visual guide for a prospective developer to use in the preparation of development proposals for the Town of Trappe. The manual illustrates adopted design standards and guidelines in the Trappe Zoning Ordinance, and is intended to demonstrate the design elements the community believes are desirable for the Town. The design features illustrated in the manual are intended to be used as guides for the developer; it is not required that these features be duplicated.

The design manual, adopted design ordinances and guidelines, and the Comprehensive Plan compliment each other and should be reviewed together when an applicant is preparing a development proposal for the Town. These documents will help the developer clearly see that the Town of Trappe expects development projects to be attractive, with good site planning, quality structural design, efficient and safe vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and with substantial and appropriate landscaping and open space.

The manual and ordinances are purposely broad to encourage creative design and innovative approaches to achieve the community character called for in the Town's Comprehensive Plan. The lack of specificity in these standards should in no way be perceived by the developer as an opportunity to promote a development that will not achieve the high expectations of quality community design, whether stated or implied, in the Comprehensive Plan. Conversely, the Town is open to new and creative proposals that support its design objectives.

All development should strive to preserve and enhance the unique character of Trappe's village image while integrating new development into the overall fabric of the community. The Trappe community expects every developer, large or small, to adhere to the design principles in this manual and in the Town's Zoning Ordinance.

The Town Commissioners and Planning Commission of Trappe expect that each incremental addition to the Town will be designed in a manner that is mindful of what has come before, and contribute to the achievement of overall community design objectives.

Peter Johnston & Associates, LLC    416 Goldsborough Street    Easton     Maryland    21601

Telephone 410.822.9630     Fax 410.820.5039    Email plj@peterjohnstonassociates.com