HomeMy WebLinkAboutCoding ToolsCoding Tools City of Iowa City
South District FBC
2Introduction to Form-Based Codes
Introduction to Building Types 3
Introduction to Missing Middle Housing 4
Introduction to Frontage Types 5
Additional Resources 6
Iowa City —Coding Tools
1Overview of Zoning Codes
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SECTIONOverview of Zoning Codes 1
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Zoning already regulates Iowa
City, the recommended option
for how to zone South District
is Form-Based Coding.
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Conventional Zoning
•Focuses on the separation of uses and is
nearly silent on physical form and
character.
•Is unresponsive to existing
walkable places.
•Uses blunt tools like Density + FAR,
offering low predictability.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Form-Based Coding
•Is focused on physical form + character
and the public realm.
•Is specifically for walkable
neighborhoods and centers.
•Uses actual building elements +
terminology tailored to the
community’s expectations offering high
predictability.
PD (Transactional)
•Focuses on the details of a specific
project with little consideration for
adjacent or future development.
•May or may not be responsive to
walkable place.
•Uses blunt tools like Density + FAR,
offering low predictability and requiring
the neighbors to review each project.
What types of codes are out there?
Photo Source: Shutterstock
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What tools do these codes use?
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Conventional Zoning
•Zoning focused on separation of uses.
•Density, Floor Area Ratio (FAR),
maximum height, lot coverage,
minimum off-site parking.
•Several rounds of review or hearings to
compensate for lack of clarity or
direction in the standards.
Form-Based Codes
•Zoning focused on making a physical
environment with a certain character.
•Important land development standards,
creates intended physical environment.
•Building types with a form, footprint, +
massing requirements.
•Select elements to shape streetscapes.
•Civic Space + Sign Types coordinated
with each physical environment (zone).
PD (Transactional)
•Specific site plan that may or may not
suit future developers if unbuilt.
•Density and FAR.
•Negotiated enhancements better
façade materials, increased setbacks in
some areas to justify reduction in site
planning standards.
Photo Source: Roofingcontractor.com
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Unintended consequences of these codes
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Conventional Zoning
•Auto-dependent environments.
•Long commutes because of the
segregation of uses.
•Contentious development process –
low predictability of built outcomes.
•Typically more resistance from
community as more as the project is
built.
•Weak support of transit services.
PD (Transactional)
•Primarily auto-dependent
environments.
•Long commutes because of the
segregation of uses, but sometimes
used for a walkable development.
•Contentious development process –
low predictability of built outcomes, but
sometimes walkable development.
•Typically more resistance from
community as project is built.
Form-Based Codes
•Pedestrian-oriented environments.
•Variety of commute lengths because of
more choices through variety and
proximity.
•Simple development process –high
predictability of built outcomes.
•Typically low to no resistance as more
of the project is built.
•Support of transit services.
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That’s why we implement Form-Based Codes
Iowa City —Coding Tools
•
Executed Vision
•Proactive community visioning.
•Keep what is already great about the
place. Make each new investment
contribute in precise ways that are
compatible for the place.
•High quality public realm.
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SECTIONIntroduction to Form-Based Codes 2
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Form-Based Codes begin with
a high quality of public realm
and offer high predictability
about built form.
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What is a Form-Based Code (FBC)?
A Form-Based Code is…
”a land development
regulation that fosters
predictable built results and a
high-quality public realm by
using physical form (rather
than separation of uses) as the
organizing principle for the
code… It is a regulation, not a
mere guideline.”
Form-Based Code Institute
Iowa City —Coding Tools
T4 Neighborhood Character
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FBC –Principles
•Emphasis
Mixed-use and mixed housing types
Building form –it is as important as land use
regulations.
•Public Realm
Greater attention to streetscape, design and role
of buildings.
•Standards
Intentionally based on context or desired context.
•Public Spaces
Design-focused, informed by existing conditions.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
House-Scale vs. Building-Scale Buildings
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FBC –Organizing Principle
•The Transect
The Natural-to-Urban Transect
categorizes a spectrum of natural to
urban contexts in six Transect zones
(from the most rural T1 to the most
urban T6) and is prominent
organizing principle within
Form-Based Code practice.
Form-Based Codes replace zoning
and are not merely design guidelines.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
T6
Natural
Urban
Natural
Rural
Sub Urban
General Urban
Urban Center
Urban Core
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FBC –Required Components
1.Regulating Plan
Map that assigns the code’s zoning districts and various
standards to physical locations and individual parcels.
2.Building Form Standards
Regulate the physical and spatial interrelation-ships
between buildings, and public + private spaces.
3.Frontage Type Standards
Positively shape how a building interfaces with the
public realm.
4.Civic Space Standards
Regulations for individual civic spaces and their public
realm elements.
5.Thoroughfare Standards
Specifications to individual streets and their elements
coordinated with the public realm.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
14'-0"
Curb-to-curb
Right of way
7'-0"9'-0"
Parking Travel
Sidewalk
14'-0"
7'-0"9'-0"
ParkingTravel
Sidewalk
72'-0"
6'-0"8'-0"6'-0"8'-0"
44'-0"
6'-0"
Bike
6'-0"
Bike
N.S N.M N.L MS.M MS.L
Casual seatingA. Description
The main facade of the building is set back from the
front building site line with a porch enchroaching into
the front setback. The resulting front yard is typically
small and can be defined by a fence or hedge to
spatially maintain the edge of the street. The porch
may be single-story or two-stories, is open on three
sides, and all habitable space is located behind the
building setback line.
B. Size
Width, Clear 8' min.
Depth, Clear 6' min.
Height, Clear 8' min.
Finish Level above Sidewalk 18" min.
Stories 2 max.
Path of Travel 3' wide min.
Distance between Porch and
Sidewalk
5' min.
Depth 12' min.
C. Miscellaneous
Projecting porches must be open on three sides and
have a roof.
In zones where porches are allowed, a projecting
porch is an allowable encroaching element.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A projecting Porch that matches the symmetry of the house
40.14.090.D Porch: Projecting
Setback Line Setback LineROW ROWStreet Street
C
D
B
A projecting Porch on the front creates a space for seating
and a platform for decor.
B F
A
ROW / Building Site Line Setback Line
Key
F
General Note: Photos on this page are illustrative, not
regulatory.
E
G
Key T# Allowed T# Not Allowed
40.14.090.D
Administrative Draft: November 201840.14-58 | Chapter 40 - Davis Downtown Zones
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FBC –Required Components (1 of 5)
Regulating Plan
A map that assigns the code’s zoning districts and
various standards to physical locations and
individual parcels.
Why this map?
It goes beyond Conventional Zoning’s information
on use and height, and identify intended physical
character and the zoning needed to generate it.
Different from Conventional
Zoning because….
The map documents the intentions of the
community vision by coordinating the various
elements of each place to zoning and standards
made to generate each place.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Regulating Plan with Planned Thoroughfares
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FBC –Required Components (2 of 5)
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Building Form Standards
Regulations for the physical and spatial
interrelationships between buildings, public space,
and private spaces.
Why these regulations?
To go beyond Conventional Zoning’s information on
building height and envelope, and articulate the
footprint, scale, and placement of different types of
buildings depending on the context.
Different from Conventional
Zoning….
To provide a variety of built form while encouraging
physical compatibility. This is especially important in
low-to-moderate intensity neighborhoods where
most if not all buildings are detached and have visible
yards.Example of T4 Neighborhood Character
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FBC –Required Components (2a)
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Building Form Standards:
Lot Size + Building Types
Why?
To coordinate the variety of building types in each
zone with the lot width and depth that make each
type function effectively.
How?
Translate building footprint size and any on-site
open space needs into standards for each type.
Then coordinate each of the parameters of each
zone to ensure physical compatibility.
Building footprint
Pedestrian access, on-site open spaceLot Width and Depth
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FBC –Required Components (2b)
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Building Form Standards:
Building Placement
Why?
To ensure that each building not create adjacency
issues and to generate the overall physical
character of attached or detached buildings, or
both.
How?
Through standards for side and rear setbacks
along with standards for where to place the front
and street facades while allowing for creativity
(façade zone).
Setbacks and Building within Façade Zone
Building PlacementPhoto Source: Google Maps16 of 50
FBC –Required Components (2c)
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Building Form Standards:
Building Form
Why?
To ensure each building fits into the overall scale
of each place/environment.
How?
Through standards for how high the ground floor
needs to be raised, the height of ground floor and
upper stories, and by measuring height to the
highest eave to incentivize taller stories. Overall
height is also measured.
Building height
Building height configurations
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FBC –Required Components (2d)
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Building Form Standards:
Parking Placement
Why?
To ensure that the intended physical character is
supported by locating the parking in the
appropriate place(s).
How?
Through parking access and setback standards
coordinated for each zone.
Parking location
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FBC –Required Components (3 of 5)
Frontage Type Standards
Why these regulations?
Regulations to positively shape the public realm.
Frontages are on private property*, and are the
essential connection between the buildings and the
street.
*Except for Gallery and Arcade types which project
over the public sidewalk.
Different from Conventional
Zoning because….
Conventional Zoning doesn’t have such standards
and depends on architecture, street trees and
landscaping which don’t always produce a great
public realm.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
N.S N.M N.L MS.M MS.L
Casual seatingA. Description
The main facade of the building is set back from the
front building site line with a porch enchroaching into
the front setback. The resulting front yard is typically
small and can be defined by a fence or hedge to
spatially maintain the edge of the street. The porch
may be single-story or two-stories, is open on three
sides, and all habitable space is located behind the
building setback line.
B. Size
Width, Clear 8' min.
Depth, Clear 6' min.
Height, Clear 8' min.
Finish Level above Sidewalk 18" min.
Stories 2 max.
Path of Travel 3' wide min.
Distance between Porch and
Sidewalk
5' min.
Depth 12' min.
C. Miscellaneous
Projecting porches must be open on three sides and
have a roof.
In zones where porches are allowed, a projecting
porch is an allowable encroaching element.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A projecting Porch that matches the symmetry of the house
40.14.090.D Porch: Projecting
Setback Line Setback LineROW ROWStreet Street
C
D
B
A projecting Porch on the front creates a space for seating
and a platform for decor.
B F
A
ROW / Building Site Line Setback Line
Key
F
General Note: Photos on this page are illustrative, not
regulatory.
E
G
Key T# Allowed T# Not Allowed
40.14.090.D
Administrative Draft: November 201840.14-58 | Chapter 40 - Davis Downtown Zones
Frontage Type: Porch
Frontage Standards
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FBC –Required Components (4 of 5)
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Public Space Standards
Why these regulations?
To provide a variety of destinations and public
gathering areas in support of neighborhoods and
center.
Different from Conventional
Zoning because….
These Civic Spaces are in addition to natural open
spaces and are sized and designed to the different
sizes of neighborhoods and center, where
Conventional Zoning sees open space primarily as
general acreage.
Civic Space Type: Pocket Park/Plaza
Simplified diagrams
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FBC –Required Components (5 of 5)
Thoroughfare Standards
Why these regulations?
To coordinate each block and its buildings with
each type of thoroughfare to ensure that the
thoroughfare supports the intended physical
character and pedestrian-oriented environment.
Different from Conventional
Zoning because….
Conventional Zoning typically does not coordinate
with the blocks and lots each thoroughfare passes.
Conventional Zoning treats Thoroughfares as car
areas and does not typically adjust for the context.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
14'-0"
7'-0"9'-0"
14'-0"
7'-0"9'-0"
32'-0"
60'-0"
A
FG H IICEDC
BB
Thoroughfare Name: CS-82-22-TR-BL (Marina Way)
Lane Assembly
Traf fic Lanes 2@11’
Bicycle Lanes
Typical 6’-0” Cycle Track
@ Transit Stop 5’-6” Cycle Track
Parking Lanes None
Central Median/Turn Pocket 1@14’
Cycle Track Buffer
Typical 4’ Rolled Curb w/ 3’
Painted Buffer
@ Transit Stop 7’-6”
C
C
D
E
F
G
H
Public Frontage Assembly
Frontage Type Commercial street
Drainage Collection Type Curb and gutter
Planter Type 4’x4’ Tree well
Landscape Type Trees @ 30’ o.c. avg.
Lighting Type Post or column
Walkway Type 10’ Sidewalk
Curb Type Square
I
Application
Movement Type Low
Design Speed 30 mph
Overall Widths
Right-of-Way 82’
Pavement 2@11’
C
A
B
Chapter 4: Development Standards
4-76 | Richmond Bay Specific Plan
T4 Neighborhood Character
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FBC –Optional Components
1.Building Type Standards
House-Scale, Block-Scale, size, footprint,
units per building.
2.Block Standards
Maximum block length and perimeter.
3.Architectural Standards
Façade composition, specific elements, style.
4.Sign Standards
Variety of sign types based on the zone.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Simplified diagrams
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FBC –FBC Scales of Application
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Downtown Davis Richmond Corridors Vallejo
Site Specific
This type of code applies
Form-Based Zones and standards to
one area in a community.
Example: Downtown
Multiple Sites
This type of code applies
Form-Based Zones and standards to
several areas in the community.
Example: Downtown and 3 Corridors
Citywide
This type of code applies
Form-Based Zones and standards to
some of the community and applies
conventional, use-based zoning to
the other areas of the community.
Example: Entire City
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SECTIONIntroduction to Building Types 3
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Building Types provide a
palette of built form and
housing options to best
articulate neighborhood
design and physical
transitions.
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Why include Building Types?
•Provide a clear + predictable range
of outcomes and expectations for
neighbors /builders.
•Better articulate transitions in scale
and intensity.
•Avoid density, max height, + F.A.R.,
which are blunt and unhelpful in
neighborhoods.
•Directly identify allowed + not
allowed in each context.
Iowa City —Coding Tools Photo Source: Shutterstock25 of 50
Building Types
Iowa City —Coding Tools
(4-6 units)(3-12 units)(6 to 30 units)(6-20 units)
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Building Types
House scale
A building that is the size of a house
and set apart from other buildings with setbacks.
These buildings range from the smallest houses
to the largest houses in a community.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
(4-6 units)(3-12 units)(6 to 30 units)(6-20 units)
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Building Types –House Scale
Multiplex Large (6 to 20 units)Townhouse (Small)
Duplex/Triplex Multiplex Small (4 to 6 units)
Cottage Court (3 to 12 units)Courtyard Building (6 to 30 units)
House (Small/Medium)House (Large)
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Building Types
Block Scale
A building that is individually as large as a block, or
individual buildings collectively arranged along a street
to form a continuous façade as long as
most or all of a block.
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Building Types –Block Scale
Lined Building Tower
Townhouse (Large)Main Street Building (Small)
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Main Street Building (Large)
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SECTIONIntroduction to Missing Middle Housing 4
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Missing Middle Types are
House-Scale buildings that
range from duplexes with only
two dwelling units to courtyard
buildings to small apartment
buildings with multiple
dwelling units.
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What is the situation?
•75 –85% households without
children by 2025.
(US Census Bureau)
•Need smaller houses, and
more of them.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
It’s time to rethink
and evolve, reinvent and
renew.”
—Urban Land Institute
What’s Next Photo Source: cellcode.us32 of 50
What is Missing Middle Housing (MMH)?
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Missing Middle Housing is a range of multi-unit or clustered housing types compatible with single-family
homes. They are compatible with small homes that help meet the growing demand for livable communities.
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MMH –Characteristics
•Located in walkable contexts.
•Compatibly-located with single-
family homes.
•Provide
small, well-designed units.
•Create a strong
sense of community.
•Foundation for
diverse housing options.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Carriage House: Dwelling over garage
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Missing Middle Distributed
Missing Middle distributed
throughout neighborhood.
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Missing Middle As Transition
Missing Middle as transition
between neighborhood and corridor.
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Missing Middle Connecting
Missing Middle connecting
a single-family neighborhood and a main street.
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Upper Missing Middle Attached
Upper Missing Middle attaching
to a main street, using the same scale.
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SECTIONIntroduction to Frontages 5
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Frontage Types provide a
palette of physical elements
that engaged each building
façade with the public realm.
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Why include Frontages?
•Provide a range of ways to
shape the streetscape
depending on the context.
•Articulate transitions from
one context to another.
•Ensure all buildings are
pedestrian-oriented and
ensure the ground floor
contributes visually to the
pedestrian nature of the
streetscape (no blank walls).
Iowa City —Coding Tools Photo Source: pgnimg.com40 of 50
Frontages
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Types
More PublicMore Private
Front Yard Porch: Projecting Stoop Dooryard Forecourt Shopfront Terrace ArcadePorch: Engaged Gallery
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Frontages Types
Frontages are important
from low-intensity to high-
intensity buildings and
physical contexts.
Each frontage type profile provides a classification
of form, description of the type, the transect zones
it’s typically found in, and its typical characteristics.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Frontage Type: Porch Projecting
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Relationship between Private + Public
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Private and Public Right-Of-Way diagram
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Frontage Types –More Private
Dooryard
Front Yard
Porch: Engaged
Porch: Projecting
Stoop
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Frontage Types –More Public
Shopfront
Terrace Gallery
Forecourt
Arcade
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SECTIONAdditional Resources 6
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Opticos is a thought leader in
Urban Design, Architecture
and Form-Based Coding.
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Additional Resources –Opticos Research
See our latest work and
thought leadership:
http://opticosdesign.com
Opticos Blog:
https://opticosdesign.com/blog/
Study up on
Missing Middle Housing:
http://missingmiddlehousing.com/
category/the-types/
Discover our progress in
published work:
Here at Opticos, we are always
moving our research forward.
Iowa City —Coding Tools 47 of 50
Additional Resources –Planetizen courses
Website –https://courses.planetizen.com/instructor/daniel-parolek
FBC 101 –Preparing a FBC
This course explores basic questions and
decisions to consider when preparing a
form-based code. It also covers the
different approaches to regulating urban
form and provides guidance for selecting
an organizing principle for your form-
based code. Finally, the course explains
the visioning and creating of a plan,
followed by drafting, testing, and
assembling your code.
Missing Middle Housing
Learn about Missing Middle Housing and
how to integrate these types into existing
neighborhoods.
FBC 101 –Legal Aspects
This course explores the legal issues of
creating and using a form-based code.
FBC 101 –Neighborhoods
This course introduces the essential
elements of neighborhoods.
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FBC 101 –Introduction
This course defines form-based codes,
explains why they were invented, and
distinguishes them from conventional
"use-based" zoning ordinances—all with
an emphasis on placemaking and
walkability. This course will provide an
overview of the development of form-
based codes, their mandatory and
optional component parts, and the
importance of making form-based
codes context or place-specific.
FBC –Using Building Types,
Part 1
Learn about building types in the
context of form-based coding and how
building types can be direct way to
achieve compatible and more
predictable built results.
FBC 101 –Learning How to Look
This course will teach you the skills to
appreciate and analyze the measures
and functions of good urbanism.
Frontage Types and Public Realm
This course reviews the 10 primary
frontage types and how each shapes the
public realm. This course focuses on
understanding the features and
distinctions of each type and in which
locations or contexts each is appropriate.
Iowa City —Coding Tools
Additional Resources –Planetizen courses
Website –https://courses.planetizen.com/instructor/tony-perez
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ThankYou.