Form-Based Code
Form Based Code is a form of zoning that would be an alternative to existing building design guidelines and conventional zoning, particularly in the city’s entrance corridors. Form-based code focuses on the physical form of a building as opposed to the separation of uses (e.g. the land use designations of commercial or residential) as the basis for deciding what is appropriate in a given location.
Form-based codes allow a community to specify building mass, scale, detailing and public space standards up front for developers. Form-based codes can streamline what can otherwise be a protracted review process with discretionary reviews by staff and appointed officials (e.g. Board of Architectural Review).
Advocates of form-based codes believe they would clarify building requirements up front for developers and help ensure that building designs meet community expectations. By following the codes, developers would encounter a technical check list for their proposals as opposed to a negotiated design review.
Key events for Form-Based Codes in Albemarle County
2021
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors adopted a form-based code for the Rio Road Small Area Plan on September 1, 2021. [1]
2019
Albemarle County's Department of Community Development held a "Sidewalk Talk" on form-based code in order to begin the implementation phase for the Rio Road Small Area Plan. [citation needed]
Key events for Form-Based Codes in Charlottesville
2013
In August 2013, the city’s PLACE Design Task Force recommended City Council consider adopting “form-based codes linked to street standards and stream-lined, expedited site plan review and approval; and best practices in community engagement and visioning.” Download report
In October 2013, Alexandria-based firm Rhodeside & Harwell began a “$340,000 comprehensive study of public infrastructure on and around West Main Street…to suggest possible changes to that corridor’s zoning in the wake of several high-profile developments.”[2][3]
2014
In mid-2014 when the final appearance of the Flats at West Village on West Main Street didn’t match up to design renderings presented to City Council in late 2012, it sparked a review of the city’s existing zoning and design guidelines.[4]
2015
In March 2015, consultant Code Studio presented draft form-based code recommendations for West Main Street.
In May 2015 city council discussed the benefits of form-based codes in the context of development on West Main Street.[5]
2016
In March 2016, City Council approved the conceptual plan for the West Main Streetscape.[6]
In May 2016, Charlottesville officials recommended form-based codes be developed in a phased process for the city’s Strategic Investment Area.[7]
In September 2016, the Urban Land Institute sponsored a seminar on how Nashville adopted a form-based code. [8]
2017
On July 17, Council voted to allocate $228,000 to the Form Based Code Institute to rewrite a section of the zoning ordinance in the Strategic Investment Area. [9][dead link]
FBCI presented their work to the City Council and the Planning Commission on October 26, 2017. (Materials)
2019
A joint work session of City Council and the Planning Commission will discuss the draft Form-Based Code for Phase 1A of the Strategic Investment Area on August 15, 2019.
2020
Charlottesville City Council voted to table the proposal indefinitely. [10]
References
- ↑ Web. Actions - Board of Supervisors Meeting of September 1, 2021, Albemarle County, retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ↑ Web. Council wants more public input on streets review, delays on whether to hire consultant, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 4 Nov. 2014, retrieved 28 Aug. 2016.
- ↑ Web. West Main: Shared street, more green space, or a boulevard?, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 22 Feb. 2014, retrieved 28 Aug. 2016.
- ↑ Web. New apartment building raises questions about development process, Reuben Jones, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 24 Aug. 2014, retrieved 28 Aug. 2016.
- ↑ Web. Council wants more time to decide on West Main rezoning, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 24 May 2015, retrieved 28 Aug. 2016.
- ↑ Web. Council chooses path for West Main streetscape, partially approves rezoning, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 22 Mar. 2016, retrieved 28 Aug. 2016.
- ↑ Web. City Council, Planning Commission encourage form-based code for Strategic Investment Area, Tim Dodson, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 27 May 2016, retrieved 28 Aug. 2016.
- ↑ Web. Planner describes how “form-based” zoning changed Nashville, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, September 21, 2016, retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ↑ Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, July 17, 2017.
- ↑ Web. City Council shelves form-based code, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, February 5, 2020, retrieved February 10, 2020. Print. February 5, 2020 page A1.
External Links
- Form Based Codes Institute
- Charlottesville South Downtown (SIA-Phase 1A) Form-Based Code, DPZ Partners. March 28, 2019, revision v3.
- Charlottesville SIA Density, Parking, and Character Study, DPZ Partners. February 11, 2019.