A regulating plan and form-based code has been developed in conjunction with each vision area plan. These vision areas are embedded in a city-wide Development Code as form districts.
DRAFT Development Code (including form districts) (7.8 MB)
What is a Form-Based Code ? A land development regulatory tool that places primary emphasis on the urban form, the relationship of buildings to each other, to the street, and to open spaces—rather than a code that is based primarily on land use.
De-emphasizes use and density.
Recognizes uses may change but the building remains.
Encourages mixed use and a mix of housing types.
Relies on design concepts and patterns intended to preserve the best of the community, creating more livable environments and spaces.
Achieves compatibility of uses through design and orientation, instead of strict land use separation.
Gives more attention to the streetscape and the design of the public realm.
AND is based on a design focused public participation process.
The base principle is that design is more important than use. Simple and clear graphic prescriptions for building height, how a building is placed on site, and how building elements are used to control development. Form-based codes are proving to be particularly adept as regulating new infill development in existing residential areas to respect existing character/context and prevent new out-of-scale development. Form-based codes support mixed use neighborhoods with a range of housing types by focusing more on form, size, and placement of buildings and parking, and less on land use and density.
For additional information see the following:
Form-Based Code Fact Sheet (PDF)
Form-Based Code Institute (web link)