Springfield Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project
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Transcript of Springfield Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project
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7/30/2019 Springfield Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project
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Springfield Zoning Ordinance
Modernization Project
Office of Planning and EconomicDevelopment
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Objectives of the Zoning
Modernization Project:
Expand Role of Site Plan Review
Provide clear direction for land uses categories, zoningdistricts and definitions
Implement structure and format improvements
Employ traditional neighborhood development standards
Encourage and foster better pedestrian access
Address 21st century home business uses
Employ new and flexible parking standards
Modernize the current ordinance not completed since 1971
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Citizen Advisory Committee
(CAC)
Formed to advise the Office of Planning & EconomicDevelopment on policy issues relating to zoning
CAC comprised of diverse stakeholders including civicgroups, business leaders, developers, regional planningagency, legal experts, and local boards and officials
Technical sub-committee formed in the summer of 2008 tofocus on unresolved issues
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Process To Date
Project began March 2006
Over 20+ CAC meetings comprising over 1,000 total person- hours
Two (2) full public meetings (Hall of Fame) Four (4) citywide neighborhood meetings Public review draft circulated for 45-day comment period in July 2008 Several meetings with business groups (Sign companies, MassMutual, Baystate Medical, Chamber of Commerce) Public review draft was presented to the Planning Board and City Council in June 2009
Since 2009
Four (4) City Council Sub-Committee meetings Over fourteen (14) individual meetings with the Development Group Presentations completed to the Chamber of Commerce, Live Well Springfield, Partners for a Healthier Community,
Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Numerous internal meetings with staff, City Council and consultant Draft was presented to the Planning Board and City Council in September 2012
Since 2012
One (1) City Council Sub-Committee meeting Two (2) individual meetings with the Development Group where a mutual agreement on all outstanding issues was
reached
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Summary of Proposed Changes
Modernization of Ordinance
New structure is morelogical, easier to navigate,
and follows state-of-the-artzoning practice
ConsolidatedUse Table
Use Regulations for all
districts in one place Consolidated Dimensional
tables
Building height, lot size, anddensity in one place
Reorganizedfrom 22 to 13Articles
New structure based upon
standards and process ratherthan districts
Organization is typical ofmodern zoning codes
Expanded Referencesincludedetailed Table of Contents andIndex
Structural Changes
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Illustrations Used to help the
reader understand
the words Definitions
Updated andexpanded to provideclarity
Accessory Building
Principal
Building
Clarity and Readability
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Index
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Use Table
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Procedural Changes
Tiered Review New Tiered Review system links review process to project scale
Simple projects reviewed by staff, more complex reviewed byPlanning Board or City Council
Current proposal has been modified to only have three (3) levelsof review as opposed to four (4):
Tier 1: Administrative (staff) Site Plan Review
Tier 2: Planning Board Site Plan Review
Tier 3: City Council Special Permit
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Signs
Sign Standards Illustrations added for clarity
More defined terms
Introduction of dimensionaltables
Clear approval criteria for signsneeding special permits(Overlay District)
S I G NS I G N
BB
AA
Display Area = A x B
If Illuminated: Display Area = C X D
Display Area = A x B
If Illuminated: Display Area = C X D
CCDDS I G N
B
A
Display Area = A x B
If Illuminated: Display Area = C X D
CD
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Riverfront District (RF):
Combine several existing districts into one comprehensive district
West Columbus Urban Renewal District to become overlay zone
Business B-1: (Corporate Campus)
Provide zoning options for professional campus office for corporate headquarters (i.e.Mass Mutual, Baystate Medical, etc.)
Industrial Mixed-Use (Ind MU):
Encourage re-use of older industrial sites such as older mill buildings by allowing awider range of mixed uses, including residential
Business D: (Regional Shopping Center)
Provide distinct zoning district for the city's larger regional malls
Open Space (OS): Provide a comprehensive zoning classification for city owned parks and open spaces
Casino Overlay District (COD):
To facilitate the location of licensed casinos and casino complexes with the City ofSpringfield
Proposed New Zoning Districts
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Other Proposed Changes
AdditionalChanges/Benefits:
Introduction of new green measures
(new landscaping requirements,presumptive parking requirements,pedestrian oriented developments,etc.)
Expanded opportunities for homebased businesses
Encourages mixed-use development(business on first floors, residences
above)
Clearly defines procedures andtimelines
Brings the document into the 21stcentury, while building upon the Cityshistoric development pattern
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Major Revisions/Edits
Reduction of delay period from 180 days to 90 days
Removal of the Planning Board Special permit level of review thus reducingthe Tiered Review levels from four (4) to three (3)
Revisions to historic review language
Revisions to required parking locations
Minor updates/revisions to Use Table Minor revision to entire document to reduce perceived subjectivity
Introduction of additional Community Garden regulations and introduction ofMarket Gardens
Revisions to Site Plan Review/Special Permit review criteria
Revisions to Flood Plain Overlay District
Introduction of Casino Overlay District
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Comments & Questions
For more information contact:
Office of Planning &Economic Development
70 Tapley Street
Springfield, MA 01104
Telephone: (413) 787-6020
Full Document may be viewed at:http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/