4.0. PCSR 02-08-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The economic health and harmonious evolution of neighborhoods, districts, and corridors can be improved through graphic urban design codes that serve as predictable guides for change. Urban codes that regulate the design of buildings . and streetsihave been in existence since the archi- ,'tectVitruvius transcribed them in ancient Rome. Later, .' these practices were adopted by Renaissance Italy , when architects such as Palladio published their hand- books of building form and design. The first recorded use of public design guidelines was in Siena, Italy, in the 13th century, when elected official& sat in judg- ment upon buildings that were to line that city's streets and great pub- lic piazza. In North America, our development . regulations date to the Law of the Indes set forth by King Felipe II of . Spain on July 13, 1573. Their plir- pose was set forth as follows: "That . in- qrder that the discoveries and new . settlements and pacification of the land and provinceS;. that are to be discovered, settled, and pacified in the Indies be done with greater facility and in accor- dance with the service to God Our Lord, and for the welfare of the natives, among other things, we have prepared the following ordinances. " - Charter for the New Urbanism Fortunately, within the past two decades, progress is slowly emerging in this field. Beginning with "Performance Zoning" in the early 1980's, Zoning Ordinances are becoming more sophisticated in the requirements for new construction. t> ~. //~ ,~ .....~../~~~ Or. I..'~ .f<(/ '-[~" ,.7 {',...- . ,,~/ iu ~W _Dft. . '-~~ Isa 1'...kiJlj( LuIS ."Ilea. uf Btllk1iDg Most recently, a new model has emerged known as "Design'-Based Codes" or "Form-Based Codes." This evolution in the precision of community regulations have been largely attributed to the:rise of New Urbanism, a movement that has sought to improve the quality of the human habitat through design. Modem design-based codes seek to prescribe the physical design of buildings and infrastructure while permitting a greater flexibility in the use and activity. These codes recognize that many of our most cherished neighborhoods and downtownsw~econstructeddu~ ing a period before zoning. As such, these areas have been much more adaptable to changes in demo- graphies, retail trends, and technol- ogy (Le. telecommuting) than new suburban subdivisions with rigid Design-based codes are richly illustrated to convey key design standards found in the text setbacks, narrow use requirements, and overbearing restrictive covenants that typically promote monotony and predictability. r Buildings OprJling.1I !\Ired The regulations for new settlements and towns included specific criteria for the placement and design of the central plaza or square, the location ofdvic buildings, the size of urban, the dedication of public open space, and the segrega- tion' of noxious uses. , '. Tdday, our principal tools of regulating the growth of '\.':' Out communities are Zoning and Subdivision : : Ordinances. These tools, with their unyielding reliance , . on the strict segregation of uses, are highly inf~ior to our ancient codes in the creation of beautiful commu- nities. The key to the successful implementation of design- based codes is based on the following key elements: 1. Clear and concise standards 2. Style neutral 3. Easy to read format 4. Streamlined permitting