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Mayor Miro Weinberger Invites Burlington Community to Jan. 13 Form-Based Codes Panel Discussion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2016
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

Mayor Miro Weinberger Invites Burlington Community
to Jan. 13 Form-Based Codes Panel Discussion

Event Will Focus on Growing Use of Form-Based Codes to Secure
Desired Land Use Outcomes Locally, in Vermont, and Nationally

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), and other partners invite the greater Burlington community to attend a panel discussion on January 13, 2016 from 6:30-8:00 pm in City Hall’s Contois Auditorium on form-based codes. The panel discussion aims to share information and perspective regarding the creation and use of form-based code development standards in local land use regulations. This conversation will feature Lee Einsweiler, a national expert on the creation of City land development codes who will speak about the rise and use of building form elements within zoning codes from a national context. Regina Mahony, Planning and Program Manager at the CCRPC; David White, Director of the Burlington Department of Planning & Zoning; and Andy Montroll, Planning Commissioner and Chair of the City’s Joint Form Based Code Committee, will also participate on Wednesday evening as part of a panel discussion.

“Across the country and the state, local governments are increasingly using form-based codes to achieve important community goals,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Wednesday night is an opportunity for Burlingtonians to learn more about this evolution in city planning as we move towards implementation of a form-based code for the downtown and waterfront.”

Background
The City of Burlington has considered a new form-based code for the downtown and the waterfront since the planBTV: Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan was unanimously adopted by the City Council on June 10, 2013. On October 20, 2014 the City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting “the proposed form-based code to promote and advance new infill development and adaptive re-use in the Downtown and Waterfront areas that reflects Burlington’s character and sense of place while taking advantage of limited opportunities for new development at modestly larger scales and densities where appropriate.” The resolution also created a joint committee of the Planning Commission and City Council to “inform and engage the public; to review and revise as necessary the proposed Downtown and Waterfront Form-Based Code; and to bring a final joint recommendation to [the City Council and the Planning Commission] for formal adoption.” 

The joint committee has conducted more than thirty public meetings on the draft form-based code and led a first work session with the full City Council and Planning Commission on January 4, 2016. The committee is expected to complete its work and submit the new code for adoption this spring.

More information about form-based code and the City’s work thus far can be found on the City’s website at https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/planBTV/FBC. Please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning at 802.865.7188 for more information.
 

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Press Release Date: 
01/12/2016
City Department: 
Mayor's Office