Post on 29-Dec-2015
Springfield Zoning Ordinance Springfield Zoning Ordinance Revision ProjectRevision Project
Naismith Basketball Hall of FameApril 25, 2006
Planning and Economic Development Office
Sponsored by a grant from the Office of Commonwealth Development
Presentation Purpose of project Zoning 101 Issues being considered in revision
Residential Commercial Street and Parking Signs
Main objective tonight - your input on the project
Comments, Question and Answer period
Agenda – April 25, 2006Agenda – April 25, 2006
Project TeamProject Team
City of Springfield Planning and
Economic Development Office
Building Department
Legal Department
Consulting Team Chris Eaton
Eaton Planning
Joel RussellJoel Russell Associates
Rick TaintorTaintor & Associates, Inc.
Tim Heron
Purpose of ProjectPurpose of Project Clarity
Make the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulation easier to understand and use for:
residents businesses officials
Focus on the process and a better expression of community goals
Purpose of ProjectPurpose of Project Modernize the Zoning
Ordinance Simplify and clarify
zoning districts Address frequently
raised conflicting use issues (for example, regulation of auto uses)
Make improvements that enhance economic development opportunities
Springfield’s StrengthsSpringfield’s Strengths Cohesive Neighborhoods Wide variety of housing
styles Open spaces preserved
over time Good examples of mixed
uses Local redevelopment and
infill projects that fit into context of neighborhoods
How to maintain Springfield’s How to maintain Springfield’s
character?character? Traditional neighborhood design Efficient use of land in the city that avoids
sprawl Design that considers the view from the “public
realm” instead of from the individual “lot” Mixture of uses and housing styles Provide for different types of Transportation Regulations that are easy to understand and
follow
Create Successful PlacesCreate Successful Places
Project TasksProject Tasks March – April – Project kickoff, and
public outreach June 2006 – Audit Zoning Ordinances July to November 2006 – work through
draft of new Zoning Ordinance with Advisory Committee
December 2006 – present new Zoning Ordinance at public meeting
2007 – public review, comment and adoption process to be determined
We are here
Zoning 101Zoning 101 How does Zoning Work?
Establishes Districts Considers uses, impacts and scale
Height, density, and intensity Establish relation to public streets and adjacent
buildings Setbacks, lot size, landscaping, location of parking
Design and construction of buildings Building codes, historic architectural features,
signage
Review of Springfield’s Existing Review of Springfield’s Existing Conditions and OrdinancesConditions and Ordinances
Springfield’s Zoning Districts Residential Commercial Industrial Riverfront West Columbus Special (flood,
design overlay)
Springfield’s Vulnerabilities – Springfield’s Vulnerabilities – related to Zoningrelated to Zoning
Zoning uses and districts may not provide direction to development community
Lack of certainty about land use and permit process may inhibit investment
Commercial districts have little design consideration to match existing qualities
Little design guidance for “infill” redevelopment
Existing ResidentialExisting Residential
Existing ResidentialExisting Residential
Residential Infill Residential Infill
Existing Commercial Existing Commercial DistrictsDistricts
Current Zoning Districts: Business A – General Business Business B – Service Business Business C – Central Business (Downtown) Commercial A – Neighborhood Commercial Commercial P – Parking Lot
Mixture of uses allowed based on “cumulative” zoning
Existing Commercial Existing Commercial DistrictsDistricts
Hierarchy of Commercial not captured in districts Corner Store Neighborhood Center (X District) Community Center/Urban Corridors (State
Street/Indian Orchard Main Street) City Center (Downtown) Regional Shopping Mall (East Springfield Mall)
Neighborhood Commercial Neighborhood Commercial Example Example
Neighborhood Commercial Neighborhood Commercial ExampleExample
Typical Commercial Typical Commercial DevelopmentDevelopment
Long building with multiple tenants
Depends on number of stores, but frequently 7,500-10,000 square feet
Typically 2-5 tenants along a continuous facade
Fronted by a single bay of parking with additional parking in the rear in some cases
Commercial Streets and Commercial Streets and Parking Parking
Commercial Streets and Commercial Streets and Parking Parking
Commercial Streets and Commercial Streets and Parking Parking
Consider design and location requirements
Are parking rules too strict or too flexible?
Are parking rules requiring too many spaces?
Is shared parking encouraged/allowed?
What about parking for bikes?
Commercial Streets and Commercial Streets and Parking Parking
Sign RegulationsSign Regulations
We will be looking at the Sign provisions in the ordinance and revising and updating this important section
Next StepsNext Steps
June 2006 – Audit Zoning Ordinances
July to November 2006 – work through draft of new Zoning Ordinance with Advisory Committee
December 2006 – present new Zoning Ordinance at public meeting
2007 – public review, comment and adoption process to be determined
Public Meeting
Contact the CityContact the City
For more information:Philip Dromey, Deputy DirectorSpringfield Planning & Economic
Development70 Tapley StreetSpringfield, MA 01104Telephone: (413) 787-6020
Your input is importantYour input is important
Fill out survey form and leave at Welcome Table
Watch the Planning and Economic Office Website for updates:
http://www.cityofspringfieldmass.com/COS/planning/