Gateway Mixed Use Zoning Amendments

In November 2016, the City’s Housing Committee issued a report, which the City Council adopted, recommending zoning amendments to increase the supply and diversity of housing stock in the City. The recommendations identified three initial areas of focus: 1) along the Lafayette Rd commercial corridor and sites along Route 1 Bypass and Outer Market St; 2) both sides of Mirona Rd; 3) the I-95 Exit 7 Area.

The Housing Committee’s report identified a number of general recommendations for each of these areas including allowing an appropriate mix of residential uses, encouraging a mix of land uses, and providing incentives for workforce housing. In addition, the Committee also recommended that any zoning amendments include standards for the design and scale of new development in these areas.

Working with independent planning consultant, Ted Brovitz, the Planning Department prepared proposed zoning amendments that responded to the Housing Committee’s recommendation. Primarily, the proposed amendments included the creation of new zoning districts that apply formed-based zoning principles similar to what was recently adopted for the Character Districts for the Downtown and West End.

On June 5, 2017 the City Council voted to refer the proposed amendments to the Planning Board for review and recommendation. The Planning Board public input and review process consisted of work sessions, a survey, and public hearings. On September 21, 2017, the Planning Board voted to recommend that the City Council enact the proposed amendments to Articles 4, 5A, and 7 and to adopt a new Article 5B Gateway Mixed Use Zoning Districts (as amended based on discussion by Planning Board) to City Council for approval.

Documents

• Planning Director’s Memo (June 19, 2017)
• First Draft Chapter 5B Zoning Amendment (June 5, 2017)
• Maps of Proposed Zoning Districts (August 10, 2017)
• Second Draft Chapter 5B Zoning Amendment (August 17, 2017)
• Third Draft Chapter 5B Zoning Amendment (August 24, 2017)
• First Draft Table of Uses Changes (June 19, 2017)
• Summary of Survey Responses (August 24, 2017)
• Fourth Draft Chapter 5B Zoning Amendment (September 12, 2017)
• Second Draft Table of Use Changes (September 12, 2017)
• Complete Revised Draft of Proposed Gateway Mixed Use Zoning District Amendments (September 19, 2017)
• Final Revised Amendments Recommended to City Council for First Reading (September 26, 2017)
• Revised Amendments for City Council 2nd Reading (November 13, 2017)
• Revised Amendments for City Council 2nd and 3rd Reading (December 4, 2017)

Project Schedule