This document discusses form-based codes and their advantages over traditional zoning. Form-based codes regulate physical development to achieve a specific urban form, focusing on building placement and design rather than land use. They address issues like urban sprawl and promote walkable, compact, and mixed-use development. Form-based codes create predictable physical results, shape high quality environments, and encourage independent development by multiple owners. They define a neighborhood's character and are easier for the public to understand compared to conventional zoning.

1. Form Based Codes
Huntington, VT

2. Transect Diagram

3. A Form Based Code…
• Regulates development to
achieve a specific urban form.
• Creates a predictable public
realm by controlling physical
form primarily, with a lesser
focus on land use, through the
municipalities regulations.
• Responds to the modern
challenges of urban sprawl,
the deterioration of historic
neighborhoods, and neglect of
pedestrian safety in new
development.
• Addresses the deficiencies of
conventional single-use zoning
regulations that discourage
compact, walkable
development.

4. Advantages of Form-Based Codes
• Are prescriptive
• Create predictable physical result.
• Shape a high quality built environment.
• Regulate development at individual
building or lot scale
• Encourage independent development
by multiple property owners, reducing
need for large land assemblies and
mega-projects.
• Define and codify a neighborhood's
existing "DNA.”
• Are easier to use by non-professionals
- shorter, more concise, and organized
for visual access and readability.
• Are easier for non-planners to
determine compliance.

5. Advantages of Form-Based Codes
“Form Based Codes allow the community to
decide what it wants to “be” rather than allowing
developers determine what it will become.”

6. Advantages of Form-Based Codes
• Eliminates the need for design guidelines and
more easily enforced
• Requires less oversight by discretionary review
bodies;
• Fosters a less politicized planning process;
• Saves time and money
• Shapes high quality public realm and promotes
healthy civic interaction.

7. Traditional Zoning Form-Based Codes
Overall Focus on form of
Use-based
Focus building, less on use
Regulatory Districts Districts and Streets
Approach Emphasis on uses; Emphasis on building
building placement form; relation to the
unpredictable public realm
Use Focus Single use districts Allows a mix of uses
Building Uniformity in Diversity in
Focus neighborhoods neighborhoods
Focus on architectural
Limited design standards
form & public spaces
Setbacks Build to lines
Focus on site - little Attention to the public
Street Focus
emphasis on right-of-way realm & streetscape

8. Form-Based Codes
ALLOW
• Mixed uses
• Diversity of housing options/housing types
• Moderately higher densities
• Street connectivity
• Multi-functional streets/boulevards
• Compact and walkable neighborhoods
• Creative Mix of Land Uses
• Hierarchy of Roadways to Create Places
• Residential or Mixed-Uses Along Arterials
CREATE
• Great places
• Multi-use roadways (pedestrians, bike, car, bus)
STOP
• Isolated Land Uses in Single Pods
• Maximizing Revenues by Maximizing Commercial
Uses

9. Will Form Based Codes dictate
style?

10. Building Envelope

11. SAME Building Envelope

12. Additional Benefits!
• Inter-connected Street Networks Between Neighborhoods
• Neighborhoods with Mixed-Uses Centers within Walking Distance of Most Residents
• Neighborhood Centers with Exposure and Access to Major Arterials
• A Variety of Residential Types
• Varied Densities
• Compact Design & Smart Land-use
• Transit enhanced
• Hierarchy of Streets/Reflected in Form & existing pattern
• Quality Places
• Lively and Vibrant Public Realm

13. Retail?

14. Connectivity

21. Understanding the Transportation and Land Use Relationship
The advent of the highway system . . .

22. Understanding the Transportation and Land Use Relationship
. . . moved the form of development from the pedestrian to the automobile.

23. Bone Structure

24. Bone Structure

25. The Bone Structure – Streetscape

26. Transportation / Land Use
Connection

27. The Size and Character of Road Influences the Quality of Built Environment

28. Quality
Of
Life
High Standard of Living

29. Low Quality of Life

30. Transportation Investment Change Land Use Patterns

31. Transportation Investment Change Land Use Patterns

32. Overcoming
The Fear
Of Change
The problems we
have created cannot be
solved with the same
thinking that created them …

34. No Network – BIG ROADS

35. Connected Network – SMALL ROADS

36. Providing capacity through roadway networks
Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities

37. Connectivity Options
Traditional Interior Perimeter Single Entry
400’ – 600’ 1000’ 1000’ – 2000’ None
400 – 600 400 – 600 400 – 600 None
All Streets Connectors Connectors (No
Fronted Fronted Walled Connection)

39. Capacity of Streets

40. Change the Land Development Regulations

41. Architectural Design:
• Details reflect local
character/history
• Variation in massing, façade,
bays
• Encouraged min. 2-3 story
Active ground-floor uses:
(large display windows, public
entrances, Building “fronts” on the
street)
On-street parking
(Makes street more
Pedestrian amenities: pedestrian friendly)
(crosswalks, wide sidewalks,
street trees, awnings)
Parking behind building
(With max. standards to limit size
and account for shared use)
Change the Land Development Regulations

42. Orient building to the street
Transit service ineffective
(Buildings too far from street,)
Development lacks
public space or
amenity (park/plaza)
Sidewalks do not
connect to buildings
Pedestrian hostile public
streets
Pedestrians discouraged Over sized parking lots
from walking to adjacent separate commercial
businesses buildings from streets
Create walkable neighborhoods

43. Orient building to the street
Streetscape improvements invite
pedestrians to public street
Access management minimizes
driveways and curb cuts
Create walkable neighborhoods

44. Orient building to the street
Private development accepts the
invitation and builds to the street
Windows and doors are located
along the street frontage to make
building “front” the street
Create walkable neighborhoods

45. Orient building to the street
New development
continues to build to the
street
Density and location of
buildings support public
transit
• Shared “park once”
environment is created Public/private park
improvements create a
valuable amenity
Create walkable neighborhoods

49. Corridor Design Guidelines – Corridor Specific Guidelines

50. Corridor Design Guidelines – Corridor Specific Guidelines

51. Corridor Design Guidelines – Corridor Specific Guidelines

52. Corridor Design Guidelines – Corridor Specific Guidelines

53. Capacity of Streets

54. Signage

55. 25th Moonwalk Anniversary