[Massplanners] [External] Form Based Codes - a few quick research questions

[Doug Landry]

Amy - Smart Growth America’s Center for Zoning Solutions is doing excellent work related to Form-Based Codes and other zoning innovations.  Kingston, NY, just won the center’s 2024 FBC Award:

<https://www.linkedin.com/posts/douglas-landry-b942384_2024-fbc-award-winner-centering-equity-by-activity-7280689277116547072-CmWm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios>
[1734525979040.jpeg]
Douglas Landry on LinkedIn: 2024 FBC Award Winner: Centering equity by prioritizing community needs -…<https://www.linkedin.com/posts/douglas-landry-b942384_2024-fbc-award-winner-centering-equity-by-activity-7280689277116547072-CmWm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios>
linkedin.com<https://www.linkedin.com/posts/douglas-landry-b942384_2024-fbc-award-winner-centering-equity-by-activity-7280689277116547072-CmWm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios>




Doug Landry, AICP
Associate Principal | Vice President
LANGAN
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA  02114
(617) 285-6111

On Dec 15, 2024, at 1:28 PM, Amy Dain via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:


Hi Mass Planners:

I'm working on a report about the use of zoning tools to affect the design and aesthetics of buildings and neighborhoods. I've got a short section on form-based codes. I'm interested in your experience with form-based codes, and your feedback.

I know that Somerville, Brookline, and Bridgewater have adopted variations of form-based codes, with Brookline and Bridgewater including them in their MBTA-Communities zoning. I know some others have adopted "form-based-light zoning", including regs on roof dimensions and maximum building footprint.

What other communities have adopted form-based codes in MA?

How have these worked in practice? Challenges and successes to report?

Do they make a positive difference in design outcomes?
Have they facilitated more efficient permitting, or not?
Have property owners/developers reported ease of use of the codes?
Have there been problems in adoption and implementation?

How different are form-based codes from conventional as-of-right zoning? Is the main difference the specification of more dimensions than just setbacks and height and min lot size? Have form-based codes been adopted with or without density limits (units per acre or units per building)?

How important is the inclusion of diagrams for form-based codes -- is that a key part of the innovation in zoning practice?

I have found the promotional language around them vague... about regulating form instead of use... but I am not sure the key innovation is really that they don't regulate use... aren't the tables of use regulations still in effect with the form based codes, consistent with conventional zoning?

Are there other questions I should be asking about them, that I have left off from this list?

Thank you for sharing your insights!!

Also, I am happy to chat if it is easier for you to share the information verbally! Name a time, and I will give you a call!

Amy Dain
Dain Research
--
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