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COM MUNITYGRoWTH I N s T 1 T u T E Pequot of Evj.crii in Small T�auw PlcrrrrtirW I equot OLD BUSINESS—GROW ZONE DISCUSSION Agenda Item:6(c) Background Information and Discussion: At the February meeting we discussed Form-Based Codes (FBC) and the Planning Commission indicated that we should begin the process of preparing a FBC for parts of downtown Pequot Lakes. We have spent time since the last meeting photographing key parts of the downtown to stat the process of coding. The idea is that we will be working to code for development that is compatible in form with what is currently there. In the presentation we viewed last month, Andres Duany discussed grouping "big buildings wth big buildings, little buildings with little buildings", and that is what we would be seeking to do, as well as focus on how the building address the public realm. There are a number of different approaches to assembling a FBC. Those include: • Transect-Based Codes. This is the most common type of FBC. It regulates the transition from rural to urban by creating transects (zones)based on the physical intensity of development, the relationship between nature and the built environment and the complexity of uses within the zone. Since our FBC is going to focus on one area — the downtown — and not the urban/rural transition, we will not recommend using a transect-based code. • Building-Based Codes. This approach would regulate the form based on the type of building (eg. townhouse, single-family dwelling, retail establishment). This approach is recommended for small communities,but may not be applicable to an area that we anticipate will be developed with predominatly the same type of building (retail/office with potential accessory residential), but wth different spacial needs (fronting a park versus fronting an arterial roadway versus fronting a city street). We will also not recommend this approach. • Street-Based Codes. These are codes that focus primarily on the street itself and the way a building meets the street. It is recommended that this type of code be administered by a Town Architect that would oversee the physical parameters of the buildings. Besides not having a Town Architect, this approach seems to add more ambiguity to the process than it removes, which defeats much of the purpose of the exercise. • Frontage-Based Codes. The organizing principle of this type of code is regulating primarily how the buildings address the public realm. The emphasis is on the character of the public realm and leaves what goes on behind the frontage more flexible. Of these approaches, we have been focusing on developing a frontage-based code. At this point, we are proposing that it be created as an overlay zone, providing a voluntary alternative to the current DMU code. At the upcoming meeting,we will seek to do the following: 1. Review the purpose and intent of the proposed Grow Zone Overlay District. 2. Discuss the frontage-based approach. g. Review additional clips from the Andres Duany lecture. 4. View the photos taken of key areas in the downtown and discuss what parameters we should use to calibrate a FBC in downtown Pequot Lakes. Pequot Lakes Staff Report 6(c)-i March 19,2009