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/