Form-Based March 2009 v3

Introducing… Form-Based Codes: What are they, and how can they improve Baltimore’s Zoning Code Neighborhood Design Center Mark Cameron, Executive Director Department of Planning Thomas Stosur, Director Laurie Feinberg, Project Manager City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Agenda Three Goals for the evening 1. Summary Presentation – What is TransForm Baltimore. 2. Present information on FormBased Codes 3. Discuss its possible application to Baltimore City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor What is TransForm Baltimore? TransForm Baltimore: The Zoning Code Rewrite is a Department of Planning initiative that is called for in LIVE-EARN-PLAY-LEARN, the City of Baltimore’s Comprehensive Master Plan for 2007-2012. City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor TransForm Baltimore will: REVIEW Fall 2007-Winter 2008 -Diagnose the existing Zoning Code REWRITE 2009- Re-write the zoning code, with guidance from national team of consultants, to develop new tools and improve zoning categories. REPLACE 2009- Introduce a Draft Zoning Code and Map 2010- Adopt a new Zoning Code City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Why TransForm Baltimore? • The current Baltimore City Zoning Code is a law that was enacted in 1971 and has not been comprehensively evaluated or updated since then. • TransForm Baltimore is a key step in the implementation of our newly adopted comprehensive master plan, LIVE-EARNPLAY-LEARN: A Business Plan for a WorldClass City. City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Why TransForm Baltimore? By rewriting the zoning code we will create better tools to: • • • • City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Support and guide City developments and investment, Enhance and Protect neighborhood character, Strengthen retail districts, and Promote job growth. Summary of Zoning and Land Use Recommendations from the Comprehensive Master Plan • • Ease of Use – brief and user friendly Flexibility – reflect historic patterns while adapting to contemporary development needs Update Use Categories – reflect modern land use practices Design Standards – creating and preserving quality places Parking Standards – encouraging transit oriented development and reducing dominance of automobiles • • • City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Zoning Code Re-write team • Citizens of Baltimore • Department of Planning Staff • Other City agency staff including, Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, Zoning Enforcement, Law Department and others • Consultant Team – Lead by Camiros LTD, Chicago, with Cho Benn Holback, Architects, Rachel Edds, Planning, Lisa Harris Jones, legal • Zoning Advisory Committee – appointed by Mayor Dixon City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Zoning 101: What is zoning and what is its purpose? Zoning is a tool local governments use to regulate the use of land and buildings. A Zoning Code is a law passed by local governments regulating the size, type, structure, nature and use of land or buildings. Zoning also regulates such things as parking and signage. City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Zoning 101: What is zoning and what is its purpose? • To protect the general health, safety and welfare of our citizens. • To create stability and predictability within zoning districts that allow a range of compatible uses and building types. • To establish the uses and allowable size of a structure within a zoning district. City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Zoning 101: How does zoning affect me and my neighborhood? • Applying zoning regulations is the first step in determining what is allowed to be built on a property. • Zoning helps determine what uses are permitted within the area, as well as the size and types of buildings that could be built in the future. City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor With the Rewrite of the Zoning Code, how can we create….. this not this With the Rewrite of the Zoning Code, how can we create….. this not this With the Rewrite of the Zoning Code, how can we create….. this not this With the Rewrite of the Zoning Code, how can we create….. not this this Current Zoning Code USE + BULK REGULATIONS + FORM Form is the 3-dimensional character of buildings and how they shape the public realm People relate to places City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor One means for creating and preserving quality places is with Form-based Zoning Codes Method of regulating development to achieve a specific urban form. Form-based codes set out to shape a community through building types and street standards that accentuate the public realm. Form-based codes can provide better regulations and more predictability City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor In addition to use, bulk regulations, and type, form-based codes: • Define position, massing, and design of the building on its site and relative to its neighbors • Describe the character of buildings, streets, and open space City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Ventura, CA Form-based codes incorporate key elements that define the character of buildings and enhance the public realm • • • • • • • • • Building placement Height / massing Top / base treatment of building Façade expression Fenestration Materials Location of parking Signage Streetscape (new construction) City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Similar elements as found in PUDs and Urban Renewal Plans Palo Alto, CA Examples from Baltimore • • • • • Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello URP Charles North URP Howard Park Business Area URP Washington Village URP East Highlandtown URP Single-story structures should not be introduced in blocks containing 3-story structures… (Charles North) Building setbacks shall follow the historic setback pattern on the street… the roofline of buildings shall be compatible with other houses in the row (CHM) Solid or permanently enclosed or covered storefronts are not permitted (Howard Park + CHM +Wash Village) New construction at mid-block locations should be positioned on the site so as to be compatible with adjoining structures and avoid presenting a “gapped tooth” appearance to the block façade. (Charles North) City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Form-based codes might include: • • • • Building to the zero-lot line / edge of sidewalk Maximum and minimum height restrictions Locating parking to the rear +sides of buildings Maximum set backs that are consistent with neighboring buildings Limiting the number of curb cuts Inclusion of building elements that enhance the public space (awnings, cornices, etc) Special features / increased height to mark commercial corners Nashville, TN • • • City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Where has it been adopted or is being considered? • • • • • • • • • • City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Nashville, TN Cincinnati, OH Denver, CO Louisville, KY Birmingham, MI Tulsa, OK Albuquerque, NM Miami, FL Fort Worth, TX Ventura, CA Examples from Elsewhere Fort Worth, TX City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Examples from Elsewhere Birmingham, MI City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Examples from Elsewhere Albuquerque, NM City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Examples from Elsewhere City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Riverside, IL How might Form-Based Codes be incorporated into Baltimore’s Zoning Code? • • • Replace the Zoning Code Create Overlay Areas Hybrid Zoning Code Maintain use components and incorporate design language and graphics into the various zoning designations and districts City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Where might Form-Based Codes be used? Single family residential Rowhouse infill + additions Downtown Neighborhood commercial Waterfront Mixed-use development / TOD City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor Rowhouse neighborhoods Cornice Rhythm of windows and doors Street trees Steps / base Rowhouse neighborhoods Cornice Height of building compatible Clearly defined base w/ steps Create a rhythm of windows / doors Locate entrances on primary street front Neighborhood Commercial Scale 2 – 4 floors in height Defined first floor retail Parking on street or in rear Street trees / lights Storefronts primarily glass Neighborhood Commercial Parking on side or in rear 2 – 4 stories Hold corner – greater height possible Clear separation between first and upper floors Primary entrances on street Mixed-Use Projects / Transit-Oriented Development West Baltimore MARC Large-Scale Projects / Transit-Oriented Development West Baltimore MARC Discussion Questions / Concerns City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor How can you get involved in TransForm Baltimore? Read the full report - INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ZONING CODE REWRITE Share the ideas you saw tonight with your community associations and send us their feedback. Email plan@baltimorecity.gov Attend the Form-Based Workshop on May 16 tentatively scheduled at the Neighborhood Design Center, 1401 Hollins St. Sign-in tonight to be on our email as well as mailing list for updates and more information. Follow our web site http://www.baltimorecity.gov/government/planning/ for new information and updates. City of Baltimore Sheila Dixon Mayor