Planning Commission to consider finalized form-based code Mar. 7

The final draft of Cincinnati's form-based code has been completed and will be considered by the City Planning Commission during a special public hearing on Mar. 7.

Led by Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls, the Plan Build Live initiative launched in 2008 as a place-making effort to spur redevelopment in Cincinnati's neighborhoods by streamlining the permitting and approval process.

In late April and early May of 2012, a five-day city-wide charrette was held to integrate the public into the process. A four-day visioning process for the four neighborhoods that will begin implementing form-based codes, College Hill, Madisonville, Walnut Hills and Westwood, was held in late October and early November.

Form-based codes replace the City's traditional, land use-based zoning with an easy to understand, visually-based code that examines the relationships between building form, surrounding buildings, and the street. The codes are an attractive tool for neighborhoods that want to create, enhance, or maintain a mixed-use, walkable urban design.

A staff report detailing public comments, revisions, and recommendations should be available to the public later this week.

The Mar. 7 meeting will be held at 6 P.M. in Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 801 Plum Street.

Plan Build Live is funded by a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded in 2010.

Previous reading on BC:
$2.5M bond package to further Madisonville redevelopment plans (12/27/12)
New app lets users share impressions of City's places (12/20/12)
College Hill: Affordable development not 'highest and best use' (12/11/12)
Four neighborhoods, four days: Form-based code workshop moves to community level (10/26/12)
Form-based codes team presents charrette summary, 10 guiding principles (8/2/12)