Brockton planners introduce form-based zoning plan for station areas; committee postpones decision

Rob May, director of planning and economic development for the city of Brockton, and consultants introduced a proposed form-based code on Tuesday evening, saying the measure would guide development around the city’s three MBTA commuter-rail stations and produce a more predictable urban form.

"I am very happy to be here, at your invite to, start a long conversation on form based code," May told the ordinance committee. The consultants described form-based code as focusing on how buildings relate to streets and one another rather than primarily on permitted uses.

The presentation, led by Emily Innes of Innes Associates and Paola Ramos Martinez, explained that form-based zoning emphasizes the physical form of buildings, walkability and mixed uses. "In form based code, what is important is the physical form of the building," Ramos Martinez said. The consultants said the code is intended to protect existing residential neighborhoods while enabling mixed-use, walkable development along main-street corridors in locations such as Campello, downtown, Montello, Troutbrook and what the presenters called Lovettburg.

Supporters said form-based regulations make design requirements clearer and can streamline permitting for desired projects. May said the planning team has held dozens of public meetings and expects the work to be iterative: "We know that there are going to be amendments to our proposal. We ourselves have some language changes that we would like to initiate after reviewing it. But at this point in time, this is just a kickoff conversation."

Several committee members pressed for more public outreach and clarity on where the new code would apply. One councilor noted that Brockton is largely built and asked whether the city has enough developable land to make form-based code effective. May and the consultants said the initial focus would be on corridors and specific neighborhoods rather than on single-family districts, and that in places the code would make existing, older building patterns conforming to new regulations rather than forcing change.

Committee members and staff also discussed timing and next steps. The consultants said they would provide the presentation slides to councilors and work with staff to answer follow-up questions. The ordinance committee then voted to postpone further action and return the item to a future ordinance committee meeting at the call of the chair so councilors can review materials and schedule additional public outreach.

The committee did not adopt the code or any ordinance text at the meeting; staff and consultants will return with revised language and additional materials before any formal vote.