RULES FOR BETTER ZONING

Presented byJohn A. Houseal, AICP

Principal of Houseal Lavigne Associates

AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION – CHICAGO METRO SECTION

APA‐‐‐‐CMS August 2010 PROGRAM

A Planner's Toolbox: Creating Better Codes

A Better Way…

�Are there basic “rules” that we

should follow when creating and

updating zoning codes?

A Better Way…

YES

A Better Way…

�How can we do a better job

of updating and creating

zoning codes?

8 Rules for Better Zoning

� Rule #1:

Zoning is NOT Planning

� Rule #2:

Try not to be reactionary

� Rule #3:

Identify the problem and what you are

trying to achieve

� Rule #4:

“Test” the Validity of the “problem”

� Rule #5:

Generate ideas for consideration

� Rule: #6:

“Test” the Validity of the “solution” –

Counterfactual analysis

� Rule #7:

Communicate graphically

� Rule #8:

Keep it Simple

(or as simple as you can)

RULE #1:

ZONING IS NOT PLANNING

RULE #2:

TRY NOT TO BE REACTIONARY

RULE #3:

IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND

WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO

ACHIEVE

RULE #4:

“TEST” THE VALIDITY

OF THE “PROBLEM”

RULE #5:

GENERATE IDEAS FOR

CONSIDERATION

RULE: #6:

“TEST” THE VALIDITY

OF THE “SOLUTION”

– COUNTERFACTUAL ANALYSIS

RULE #7:

COMMUNICATE GRAPHICALLY

RULE #8:

KEEP IT SIMPLE (OR AS SIMPLE AS YOU CAN)

THANK YOU