City of Gainesville Land Development Code Update and Form-Based Code

S&ME prepared an update of the City’s Land Development Code (LDC). This update incorporated form-based code principles (FBC) for the downtown and surrounding areas. The FBC update adhered to the Comprehensive Plan update, community-driven priorities, and existing neighborhood characteristics. In addition, the FBC includes numerous graphics, tables and maps that facilitate use, interpretation and enforcement. S&ME updated all other articles not only to incorporate the form-based code principles, but also to improve code organization, streamline regulations, and reduce the number of special zoning and overlay districts.

Part of the scope also included the extraction of regulations that would be better suited in a public works/engineering manual. S&ME is currently in the adoption phase, which will include workshops and adoption hearings. When adopted, the Form-Based Code and LDC revisions will establish a framework for the City to enable better development patterns, improve the quality of the built environment, foster pedestrian-friendly development and redevelopment, and give citizens, developers, builders, and property owners predictable standards by which to design and build.