The second volume of the Community Investment Toolkit, Innovative Design and Development Codes is for local governments. It covers adapting codes to reduce costs of development projects as well as the regulatory framework that enables development.
Topics include:
- public realm transitions to pedestrian-scaled, mixed-use environments
- density and use transitions to integrate mixed-use in centers and corridors
- code flexibility so developments fit within the context of an existing community
- transition zones to enable new mixed-use developments to complement existing single-family neighborhoods
- parking management to reduce congestion and demand for parking, and improve the design of a center or corridor
- visualization tools to analyze whether zoning codes enable the desired development forms and help citizens understand how development projects can enhance local communities
- neighborhood involvement tools for developing design and development codes
Presentations
From a 2008 workshop in Portland to highlight the successful application of the tools in the guide:
Rob Matthews, architect and director of design services with Portland’s Myhre Group, focuses on how to make graceful physical transitions from suburban development patterns to a higher density, more urban, pedestrian-oriented character.
Mark Hinshaw architect and director of urban design with Seattle’s LMN Architects, focuses on use of concise design codes to encourage compact communities and more flexible design standards. He also discusses how cottage cluster developments provide a transition from higher to less dense urban form and an affordable housing option.
Dennis Burns with Carl Walker, Inc., a structural engineer and parking consulting firm in Kalamazoo, Michigan, focused on implementing a multi-pronged parking strategy: how to design and finance parking structures, manage parking, and reduce parking demand. Burns also discusses green practices associated with parking.