Springfield Zoning Ordinance Revision Project

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame April 25, 2006 Planning and Economic Development Office Sponsored by a grant from the Office of Commonwealth Development

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Agenda – April 25, 2006

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

Project Team

 City of Springfield  Planning and Economic Development Office  Building Department  Legal Department  Consulting Team 

Chris Eaton

Eaton Planning 

Joel Russell

Joel Russell Associates 

Rick Taintor

Taintor & Associates, Inc.

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Tim Heron

Purpose of Project

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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 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 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 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 Places

We are here     

Project 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

Zoning 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 Conditions and Ordinances  Springfield’s Zoning Districts       Residential Commercial Industrial Riverfront West Columbus Special (flood, design overlay)

Springfield’s Vulnerabilities – related 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 Residential

Existing Residential

Residential Infill

Existing Commercial Districts

 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 Districts

 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 Example

Neighborhood Commercial Example

Typical Commercial Development     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 Parking

Commercial Streets and Parking

Commercial Streets and 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 Parking

Sign Regulations

 We will be looking at the Sign provisions in the ordinance and revising and updating this important section

Next Steps

  Public Meeting   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

Contact the City

For more information: Philip Dromey, Deputy Director Springfield Planning & Economic Development 70 Tapley Street Springfield, MA 01104 Telephone: (413) 787-6020

Your input is important

  Fill out survey form and leave at Welcome Table Watch the Planning and Economic Office Website for updates: http://www.cityofspringfield

mass.com/COS/planning/