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Zoning Practice

Zoning Practice helps guide you as you write and administer smart development codes.

Zoning Practice coverIt's a fact. The zoning problem you're struggling with today has probably already been solved by somebody else. But how can you find out what's working without spending a lot of your valuable time?

Zoning Practice isn't just an interesting read. It's a toolbox chock full of information geared to inform and inspire, and to implement by planners for the purpose of smarter land-use practice.


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Current Issues

June 2013

Avoiding Common Form-Based Code Mistakes, Part 2

Most Euclidean zoning ordinances are based on a suburban paradigm of separating and buffering uses. As a consequence, many communities that want to promote walkable, urban environments are turning to form-based zoning. While proponents of form-based codes have been effective at explaining the benefits of shifting the zoning paradigm away from use, there are a number of potential pitfalls when developing a new code. This issue continues the previous month’s discussion of common form-based coding mistakes, this time focusing on how a lack of planning can undermine a form-based coding effort and taking a closer look at how use permissions and development standards need to be recalibrated to ensure that a new form-based code produces the desired results.

Author Daniel Parolek is co-author of the first comprehensive book on FBCs, Form-Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers. He is a founding board member of the Form-Based Codes Institute, and founding principal of Opticos Design, Inc., a California Benefit Corporation.

May 2013

Avoiding Common Form-Based Code Mistakes, Part 1

One of the biggest zoning-related stories over the past 10 years has been the rise of form-based zoning. While proponents of form-based codes have been effective at explaining the benefits of shifting the zoning paradigm away from use, relatively few communities have completely weaned themselves from conventional Euclidean zoning standards. This issue tackles some common misconceptions about form-based coding and highlights some common mistakes communities have made when trying to harmonize form-based coding concepts with existing regulations.

Author Daniel Parolek is co-author of the first comprehensive book on FBCs, Form-Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers. He is a founding board member of the Form-Based Codes Institute, and founding principal of Opticos Design, Inc., a California Benefit Corporation.

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The editors of Zoning Practice welcome proposals from outside contributors, including those who may be writing for the publication for the first time. Contributors need not be professional planners, but they should have superior knowledge of a subject of substantial potential interest to Zoning Practice subscribers.

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