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nize every proposed project. In addition, the ad-
<br />ministration and procedures need to build in the
<br />right type of flexibility. Flexibility from the current
<br />standards is seen as general relief. Flexibility in
<br />a good FBC is seen as topical and always relates
<br />to the physical form and character of the vision
<br />that's being implemented.
<br />Make FBCs Part of Your Economic
<br />Development Strategy
<br />With the growing demand for walkable urban
<br />places, urbanism should be an important part
<br />of every community's economic development
<br />strategy. In a December 2010 Planning maga-
<br />zine article titled "Sarasota's Smart Growth
<br />Dividend," Peter Katz and Joe Minicozzi, AICP,
<br />discussed the economic benefits of compact
<br />urban development compared to sprawl, draw-
<br />ing on research from several cities and coun-
<br />ties across the country. For example, according
<br />to Minicozzi, suburban -style big -box stores
<br />yield about $51,00o in tax revenue per acre
<br />to the city of Asheville, North Carolina, while
<br />an average six -story mixed use building in
<br />downtown pays more than $25o,000 in taxes
<br />per acre to the city. A form -based code is.the
<br />ideal zoning tool to promote compact, urban
<br />development.
<br />Conclusion
<br />Form -based coding is a paradigm shift in zoning
<br />to create more walkable, sustainable places.
<br />Don't be intimidated. Start small, and let the ap-
<br />plication of FBCs grow. Be sure not to hesitate to
<br />bring in assistance because form -based coding
<br />requires a new skill set.
<br />TIPS FOR SELECTING A FORM -BASED CODE CONSULTANT
<br />1. Questions to ask about a firm's FBC experience:
<br />• Which of your FBCs use form as the organizing principle? Explain
<br />how and why the particular system was chosen.
<br />® How were the form -based zones locally calibrated?
<br />• Do your FBCs use or rely on design guidelines?
<br />® How do your FBCs relate to and plug into existing codes?
<br />Do your FBCs replace the underlying base zones? If not, what
<br />status do the underlying base zones still have?
<br />• How do you differentiate between regulatory and illustrative
<br />drawings in your codes?
<br />• Explain how thoroughfare standards have been included in your
<br />FBCs.
<br />• Explain how multiday charrettes were integrated into your past
<br />coding efforts.
<br />• Did your code change zone boundaries or use the existing zone
<br />boundaries?
<br />• What zone standards did you find that were obstacles to creating
<br />good urban projects/infill, and what did you replace them with?
<br />2. Process/Approach checklist for proposed approach (allows all
<br />proposals to be compared equally):
<br />4, Use form (physical character) as organizing principle ratherthan use.
<br />4- Photograph local or regional precedents for building types,
<br />frontage types, and form -based zones/transect zones.
<br />• Conduct a micro -scale analysis/DNA sampling of local precedent
<br />areas.
<br />® Hold a multiday design charrette to test or further develop the vision.
<br />® Replace underlying base zones with form -based zones.
<br />4. Create refined/simplified land -use tables.
<br />• Revise parking requirements and design parameters.
<br />• Revise residential open space requirements.
<br />• Determine if landscape requirements are necessary.
<br />• Rewrite administration and procedures provisions for the FBC area.
<br />• Determine conflicting regulations for standards that are specific to
<br />uses.
<br />® Vet thoroughfare standards with city engineers, public works staff, or
<br />state department of transportation staff (if applicable).
<br />• Assess and redefine boundaries of existing zones as they are re-
<br />placed with form -based zones.
<br />• Use three-dimensional graphics to illustrate flaws in existing devel-
<br />opment standards.
<br />a Use maps to analyze connectivity, the figure ground plan, and the
<br />larger context (e.g., pedestrian sheds).
<br />• Prepare detailed illustrative plans with building footprints (using
<br />pedestrian sheds as walkability basis).
<br />• Provide a clear way that the FBC will plug into and relate to the exist-
<br />ing zoning code.
<br />VOL. 3o, NO. 6
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<br />ZONINGPRACTICE 6.13
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