| The Northampton Design Forum recently sponsored a presentation by Joel Russell entitled “An Introduction to Form-Based Zoning”. Joel’s talk described what form-based zoning is, why it has developed as a response to problems with conventional zoning, and how it can help a city become more sustainable. His presentation can be downloaded here. A description of the event follows: Joel Russell, a member of the Northampton Design Forum and the Zoning Revisions Committee, will present the talk. At its heart, form-based land use regulation is about designing the physical form of the City to encourage walkable mixed-use neighborhoods. Such neighborhoods reduce dependence on the automobile and create a comfortable public realm. Unlike conventional zoning, form-based zoning focuses more on the relationship between buildings and the streets and public spaces they shape. By allowing more flexibility of permitted uses, it creates more vibrant places and allows property owners more freedom to use their property in ways that respond to changing market demand. The presentation will also show how form-based zoning has been used successfully in Saratoga Springs, New York, a city of similar size and scale to Northampton. Joel Russell is a planning consultant and land use attorney whose practice has focused for over 20 years on drafting zoning ordinances that promote sustainability. He is one of the founders of the Northampton Design Forum and currently is Chair of the City's Zoning Revisions Committee. He has drafted several form-based zoning laws, including the one adopted by Saratoga Springs in 2004. If you are looking for an electronic copy of the Notre Dame studio group's final report, that can be downloaded here:
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