Zoning and Neighborhood Design

1. Zoning and Neighborhood Design

2. What are zoning and neighborhood design, and how do they work together? • Zoning is a set of community laws and regulations that divides a community into various zones, and specifies what kinds of building, development, and economic activity can take place in each zone. • Neighborhood design refers not only to the design of buildings, but to the design of the neighborhood as a whole. • The type of zoning a community adopts can greatly shape the design of neighborhoods subject to that zoning.

3. Why use zoning and neighborhood design to influence the physical structure of your community? They can guide public spending toward the appropriate places by putting money into projects and improvements most needed and wanted by neighborhood residents. They can foster economic and racial/ethnic diversity. They can foster social interaction and mixing among neighbors, and among neighborhood residents from diverse backgrounds, leading to more community involvement and more effective problem solving. They can make the chores of daily life easier and more convenient.

4. They can provide health benefits from walking and biking. They can create ease of travel and independence for everyone. They can provide easy access to jobs. They can afford residents savings on transportation. They can produce environmental benefits. They can foster development that’s energy efficient and environmentally responsible. They can lead to more profit for developers, and more reasons for them to invest in affordable housing.

5. They can create a better commercial environment. They can make for a physically and aesthetically more pleasant neighborhood. They can foster safer and more secure neighborhoods. They can enhance neighborhood quality of life.

6. When should you use zoning and neighborhood design? When a zoning code is being revisited or developed. When a community strategic planning or neighborhood planning process is in place. When a major development that could change the character of the neighborhood is proposed. When a community or neighborhood development effort is under way. When a community or neighborhood appears to be in a downward spiral. When a neighborhood is in the midst of, or threatened by, changes in population.

7. Who should use zoning and neighborhood design? Residents. Neighborhood business owners and professionals (i.e. those who make their living in the neighborhood, although they may not live there). Industries with facilities in the neighborhood. Those with financial interests in the neighborhood (landowners, developers with current plans). Neighborhood health and community service providers.

8. Civil servants – police, firefighters, etc. Local government representatives and agencies that serve the neighborhood – city councilors, state representatives, municipal recreation agencies, public transportation, etc. Cultural organizations with a venue or base in the neighborhood – museums, libraries, performing arts centers. Educational institutions, both public and private. Neighborhood houses of worship.

9. How do you implement zoning and neighborhood design? Reach out and recruit stakeholders. Solicit stakeholders’ ideas about the ideal future for the neighborhood. Hold a series of public meetings where stakeholders can discuss their initial ideas and develop a shared vision for the neighborhood. Flesh out the vision statement with outcome goals. Generate concrete objectives tied to specific actions to achieve outcome goals.

10. Prioritize the lists of goals, objectives, and recommendations. Identify the necessary zoning changes. Implement the necessary zoning changes. Choose a neighborhood design committee or other body to coordinate the effort. Keep in close contact with everyone involved in changing the physical structure of the neighborhood. If necessary, work with the municipality and developers to attract businesses and residents to the neighborhood.

11. Encourage neighborhood events, use of new bike and walking paths, public transportation, etc. Deliver regular progress reports to the neighborhood on work toward specific objectives and goals. Revisit the neighborhood plan regularly and revise it as needed. Maintain momentum indefinitely.