Springfield Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project

7/30/2019 Springfield Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project

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Springfield Zoning Ordinance

Modernization Project

Office of Planning and EconomicDevelopment


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Objectives of the Zoning

Modernization Project:

Expand Role of Site Plan Review

Provide clear direction for land uses categories, zoningdistricts and definitions

Implement structure and format improvements

Employ traditional neighborhood development standards

Encourage and foster better pedestrian access

Address 21st century home business uses

Employ new and flexible parking standards

Modernize the current ordinance not completed since 1971


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Citizen Advisory Committee

(CAC)

Formed to advise the Office of Planning & EconomicDevelopment on policy issues relating to zoning

CAC comprised of diverse stakeholders including civicgroups, business leaders, developers, regional planningagency, legal experts, and local boards and officials

Technical sub-committee formed in the summer of 2008 tofocus on unresolved issues


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Process To Date

Project began March 2006

Over 20+ CAC meetings comprising over 1,000 total person- hours

Two (2) full public meetings (Hall of Fame) Four (4) citywide neighborhood meetings Public review draft circulated for 45-day comment period in July 2008 Several meetings with business groups (Sign companies, MassMutual, Baystate Medical, Chamber of Commerce) Public review draft was presented to the Planning Board and City Council in June 2009

Since 2009

Four (4) City Council Sub-Committee meetings Over fourteen (14) individual meetings with the Development Group Presentations completed to the Chamber of Commerce, Live Well Springfield, Partners for a Healthier Community,

Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Numerous internal meetings with staff, City Council and consultant Draft was presented to the Planning Board and City Council in September 2012

Since 2012

One (1) City Council Sub-Committee meeting Two (2) individual meetings with the Development Group where a mutual agreement on all outstanding issues was

reached


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Summary of Proposed Changes

Modernization of Ordinance

New structure is morelogical, easier to navigate,

and follows state-of-the-artzoning practice

ConsolidatedUse Table

Use Regulations for all

districts in one place Consolidated Dimensional

tables

Building height, lot size, anddensity in one place

Reorganizedfrom 22 to 13Articles

New structure based upon

standards and process ratherthan districts

Organization is typical ofmodern zoning codes

Expanded Referencesincludedetailed Table of Contents andIndex

Structural Changes


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Illustrations Used to help the

reader understand

the words Definitions

Updated andexpanded to provideclarity

Accessory Building

Principal

Building

Clarity and Readability


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Index


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Use Table


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Procedural Changes

Tiered Review New Tiered Review system links review process to project scale

Simple projects reviewed by staff, more complex reviewed byPlanning Board or City Council

Current proposal has been modified to only have three (3) levelsof review as opposed to four (4):

Tier 1: Administrative (staff) Site Plan Review

Tier 2: Planning Board Site Plan Review

Tier 3: City Council Special Permit


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Signs

Sign Standards Illustrations added for clarity

More defined terms

Introduction of dimensionaltables

Clear approval criteria for signsneeding special permits(Overlay District)

S I G NS I G N

BB

AA

Display Area = A x B

If Illuminated: Display Area = C X D



CCDDS I G N

B

A



CD


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Riverfront District (RF):

Combine several existing districts into one comprehensive district

West Columbus Urban Renewal District to become overlay zone

Business B-1: (Corporate Campus)

Provide zoning options for professional campus office for corporate headquarters (i.e.Mass Mutual, Baystate Medical, etc.)

Industrial Mixed-Use (Ind MU):

Encourage re-use of older industrial sites such as older mill buildings by allowing awider range of mixed uses, including residential

Business D: (Regional Shopping Center)

Provide distinct zoning district for the city's larger regional malls

Open Space (OS): Provide a comprehensive zoning classification for city owned parks and open spaces

Casino Overlay District (COD):

To facilitate the location of licensed casinos and casino complexes with the City ofSpringfield

Proposed New Zoning Districts


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Other Proposed Changes

AdditionalChanges/Benefits:

Introduction of new green measures

(new landscaping requirements,presumptive parking requirements,pedestrian oriented developments,etc.)

Expanded opportunities for homebased businesses

Encourages mixed-use development(business on first floors, residences

above)

Clearly defines procedures andtimelines

Brings the document into the 21stcentury, while building upon the Cityshistoric development pattern


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Major Revisions/Edits

Reduction of delay period from 180 days to 90 days

Removal of the Planning Board Special permit level of review thus reducingthe Tiered Review levels from four (4) to three (3)

Revisions to historic review language

Revisions to required parking locations

Minor updates/revisions to Use Table Minor revision to entire document to reduce perceived subjectivity

Introduction of additional Community Garden regulations and introduction ofMarket Gardens

Revisions to Site Plan Review/Special Permit review criteria

Revisions to Flood Plain Overlay District

Introduction of Casino Overlay District


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Comments & Questions

For more information contact:

Office of Planning &Economic Development

70 Tapley Street

Springfield, MA 01104

Telephone: (413) 787-6020

Full Document may be viewed at:http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/

Springfield Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project

Documents

Transcript of Springfield Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project