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Staff proposes points-based approach to city-center form-based code to encourage design diversity
Summary
Presenters proposed replacing rigid numeric building-envelope minimums with a points-based design-review system requiring a minimum score and category minimums to reward varied and higher-quality building design in city center.
Staff presenter introduced a conceptual policy to replace rigid numeric building-envelope standards in the form-based code with a points-based design-review approach. The presenter said the system would deconstruct building-envelope standards into categories (street interaction, facade articulation, roof profiles and civic amenities), require a minimum per-category score and a higher total minimum (a working number of 10), and thereby allow designers choice while ensuring broad performance. "The 1st policy proposal we have that emerged from this research phase was to recommend that the current building envelope standards... be replaced with something more flexible," the presenter explained.
Commissioners sought operational clarity about how scoring would be administered and how to make qualitative standards administrable under state law. Staff said the goal is to keep most review administrative by defining criteria clearly (numerical measures or illustrated definitions of elements like a "grand entrance") while preserving design choice. The commission asked staff to refine categories and bring examples and menu options for alternative compliance to future meetings.
