A “Form-Based” Approach to Development

From the 2004 Marquette Community Master Plan

Our Vision:

• “Marquette—The premier livable/walkable winter city in North America.”

Our Goals:

•Create and preserve viable, livable neighborhoods

•Develop an historic and diverse downtown

•Create an efficient, functional, and connected transportation system

•Make Marquette a walkable community

•Foster economic diversity, and a family sustainable workplace

•Promote Marquette’s all-season quality of life as a premier Winter City

•Protect Marquette’s natural resources

No lack of effort or regulation…

Current Zoning in Marquette

But this is what happens with traditional zoning

Is this livable, walkable, or

vibrant?

Our current zoning ordinance offers very little protection against inappropriate development.

Is this what we want for our future?

Traditional Zoning

District “X”

Requirements:

•Use•Dimensions

Creating “the Form envelope”…

how could we have

THIS?

What are Form-Based Codes ?

•A technique for regulating development in order to produce a specific urban form

•F-BCs create a predictable public realm by regulating physical

form primarilyand use secondarily

•According to the timeless principles of urban design and form

“urban” vs “suburban”

This old industrial building, with rather simple detailing, is a pretty successful commercial establishment... there is also some office space in the upper floor.

At least 4 stories above grade, with a mix of commercial, office, and residential use.

This is a mix of old and new buildings... notice the subtle entrance to the parking structure enclosed within this block.

At least 5 stories above grade here... again, a mix of uses

Imagine some of the upper floors of this building being condos/apartments (i.e., permanent

residents)

Imagine some of it being a hotel (i.e., visitors to our city)

Better yet, imagine some of the units being relatively small, to include a more "affordable" population in the area, where their view isn't of the water, but towards the city

An excellent inclusion of public space with the shops and other uses in the building behind this area.

The old blends with the new… form is everything in making it appealing and successful

It gives one an impression of a city that has a history, yet knows where its future is.

How can we learn from a great (new) local example…

… and fill the missing gaps in our downtown?

How can the downtown be extended to the lower harbor in a manner that looks urban, not suburban?

How can the diversity of the area, and the profitability of the development, be maximized by prescribing form?

"First, we shape the buildings...

afterward, the buildings shape us“

~ Winston Churchill