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Form-Based Code and Ministerial Review

Marin County Form-Based Code

The Marin County Form-Based code is a thing of beauty. In addition to being a great code for Marin, it is also a valuable teaching tool, for us to read and learn about what a good form-based code can be. Includes samples of the specifications for one neighborhood type, the Core Main Street, somewhat corresponding to Arcata's Gateway area.
Building Height

The Gateway Code (Form-Based Code) – THIRD DRAFT from Ben Noble, February 2024

This is the 3rd draft of the "Gateway Code" -- the form-based code for the Gateway Area Plan, as delivered from the City's consultant Ben Noble. Dated January 31, 2023. This article contains the 3rd draft, the 2nd draft from September 2023, and the 1st draft from June 2023.
Building Height

Gateway Code form-based code – September 22, 2023 version — What’s changed

Reading time:  15-30 minutes. -- The second draft of the Gateway Code (form-based code) came out on September 22, 2023. This article compares the details of this draft as compared with the June 5 1st draft. There is much that is missing. This Gateway code is in need of much work. In my view, it is inadequate, and will lead to sub-standard results. 

Sherri Starr — Tuesday, August 22, 2023 — Please consider form-based code for specific blocks, especially alongside the L St path

Please consider form-based code for specific blocks, especially alongside the L St path. Please zone appropriately for this small town. Please respect existing homes’ right to solar access when setting standards for setbacks and step-backs. Please insist that Staff provide us with the 3D modeling that has been paid for. --- Keep in mind - zoning doesn’t get housing built. Favorable economic conditions gets housing built. No matter how easy you think zoning will make development, if developers can’t make money on their development, they won’t build.

Siddiq Kilkenny – August 4, 2023, to Alex Stillman for her approval of the Gateway Form-Based Code — but she can’t vote on it.

A letter written to the single City Councilmember Alex Stillman expressing support for her approving the "Gateway Form Based Code." In actuality, Councilmember Stillman has to recuse herself from discussion or voting on the Gateway Area Plan.
Building Height

Former Commissioner John Barstow: Building Height, the Form-Based Code

John Barstow served Arcata on the Planning Commission and the earlier Design Review Committee for 30 years. He retired in October, 2022. He favored a four-story building height and was not optimistic about the Community Benefits program. He also recognized that "The development of the Form-Based Code is really the hard part of this process."
Affordable Housing

Draft Gateway Form-Based Code yields very little Inclusionary Zoning homes

The long-awaited initial draft of the Form-Based Code finally arrived. As promised, it does contain requirements for Inclusionary Zoning in the Gateway Area. *** Unfortunately the Inclusionary Zoning requirements are ridiculously low. To even call this "inclusionary zoning" is a stretch. This would be laughable except that this is a such serious matter -- and so important for the people of Arcata and for the future of Arcata.

Colin Fiske – June 12, 2023 – Comments on Draft Gateway Area Form-Based Zoning Code

The best practice for creation of a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is to build to the edge of the sidewalk or pedestrian zone. Although similarly unclear, maximum allowable setbacks in the code are also far too large. If this is read to allow “pedestrian-friendly” building to be set back up to 25 feet from the sidewalk or pedestrian zone, it will create a distinctly pedestrian-unfriendly environment.
Form-Based Code and Ministerial Review

Redwood City Downtown Precise Plan – Form-Based Code

Redwood City's Downtown Precise Plan includes Form-Based code and Planning Commission review. It all took 4 years to develop. The Form-Based Code can serve as a model for Arcata.
Affordable Housing

The draft Form-Based Code: First Impressions

A letter to Arcata's City Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners: This draft Form-Based Code has about 40% of the information and code that is needed for a good Form-Based Code. It fails to provide for the intents and interests and purposes of the Gateway Plan. It does not fulfil our needs.
Building Height

The Form-Based Code – draft from Ben Noble, June 5, 2023

This is the initial draft of the Form-Based Code for the Gateway Area Plan, as delivered from the City's consultant Ben Noble. Dated June 5, 2023. This entire Form-Based Code draft is 58 pages.

Fred Weis – May 25, 2023 – When will the Planning Commission review the Form-Based Code?

Two questions for Community Development Director David Loya. 1. When will we see the draft of the Form-Based Code?  A by-when date, please. 2. When is the Planning Commission scheduled to review and discuss this draft?  Dates, please. In connection: Will there be a time period of, say, a couple of weeks, between the time we see the draft FBC and the time it is discussed. Will the public be contributing to this discussion?
City Planning

Form-Based Code Workshop – February 23, 2023 – Streetscape, Mobility and Parking, and Privately-Owned Open Space Standards

This workshop was attended on Zoom by 26 participants, plus five members of the City Staff and the Form-Based Code consultant Ben Noble. -------- The public offered their viewpoints on the topics of Streetscape Design, Mobility and Parking, and Privately-Owned Open Space for a total of only 20 minutes. ------ This is not the way to have the community involved in helping to make decisions that will change the form and life in Arcata. 
Community Input

Fred Weis – February 22, 2023 – Planning Commission Form-Based Code study session is on-line

The Planning Commission study session of February 11 is on Arcata1.com. There is no City recording of this important study session. This was the first in-person meeting with our Form-Based Code consultant, Ben Noble.
Community Input

Fred Weis – February 16, 2023 – Using the AmeriGas block as a test site to develop a workable Form-Based Code

Ben Noble's orientation seems to be urban and modern. Frankly, I don’t think he’s the right man for the job here. ------ Here’s a proposal. Pick one site. Have a discussion among yourselves about what kind of Form-Based Code it would take to satisfy what you want to see happen on that one site. I propose the AmeriGas site – between 6th & 7th, between K and L. Here’s why.
Form-Based Code and Ministerial Review

Ben Noble – Form-Based Code Workshop – August 16, 2022

Video of the Form-Based Code presentation by Ben Noble, August 16, 2022. 1 hour 31 minutes. This was the 2nd presentation. With some questionable survey input from about 50 participants.
Chico CA

Meriam Park, Chico: Where Form-Based Code didn’t work out so well

Why the Chico Meriam Park development in Chico is a terrible example of Form-Based Code
For the Planning Commission & City Council

Ben Noble: Form-Based Code Presentation

A short article with a link to Ben Noble's Form-Based Code presentation, from June 29, 2022. You MUST see this if you want to know more about how the Gateway Plan will work. Includes a Table of Contents to jump to a specific section of the presentation.
City Planning

What makes a good form-based code?

Many form-based codes meander away from the fundamental principles that make them attractive in the first place. From the website of Smart Growth America.
City Planning

Ben Noble Form-Based Code presentation – June 29, 2022

Here is a one-hour presentation on what a Form-Based Code is, some background of its development, some examples nationally, some Northern California examples, and the nature of the Ministerial Review permitting process. 

Form-Based Code Overview

An assortment of articles on the Form-Based Code. Consultant Ben Noble's presentation -- transcription and improved audio track. MUST-SEE for an understanding of the Gateway plan.
- Overview

Form-Based Code – Selected Articles

Form-Based CodePresentations, Workshops, Documents Ministerial ReviewThe discussions on how it would be set up, and how it would work
City Planning

Suggestions for May 29, 2024: Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Code, General Plan, and EIR

To the City Council for the 1st public hearing at the Council on the General Plan, Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Code, and Program Environmental Impact Report. --- "As you must be aware, the Council is in a difficult situation here. You are being asked to approve a set of documents that are incomplete." With 5 very important topics suggested for review, and 5 other lesser but still very significant topics.
City Planning

Gateway Code: What is new — and wrong — in the “May 14, 2024, Version 5” version

This “May 14, 2024” version contains changes that the Planning Commission has never seen or discussed. It contains changes where the Commission said not to change. It contains inadequate changes for things that the Commission wanted changed. It's still missing many things that the Commission brought up and did not fully resolve. It has Inclusionary Zoning wrong. And still no planning for the L Street woonerf and linear park.
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