For Auburn residents, it is time to understand and to appropriately apply form-based codes.
Auburn’s FBCs speak to “Downtown City” (T-5.2), “Downtown Center” (T-5.1), “Downtown Neighborhood” (T-4.2), and “Mainstreet ” (T-4.1.). The FBC concept was developed and utilized in consideration of compact urban interests to recognize unifying neighborhood characteristics and to encourage maintenance and stabilization.
People can search “form-based planning” online for more information on FBCs.
FBCs “divide a community into different districts based on character and . . . urban design.” FBCs “use physical form as the organizing principle, with less focus on land use.” FBCs are “written to enable or preserve a specific urban form.”
Auburn FBCs are narratively and illustratively detailed. Such can be compared to Auburn’s existing pattern of growth as fostered by responsible land use zoning and public infrastructure expansion. Such has been essential recognizing Auburn’s 64-plus square miles of land and water resources. Auburn’s current FBCs do not address less urban and suburban residential development. These neighborhoods need to be justly considered under one or more additional FBCs.
Auburn’s City Council is considering a proposal to rezone 1,687.41 acres of land stretching out along Court Street and Lake Street to T-4.2 (Downtown Neighborhood). Certainly Auburn’s “downtown” does not extend beyond Park Avenue. Even residents along Court and Lake inside Park to the top of Goff Hill don’t consider themselves in a “downtown neighborhood.”
T-4.2 is a “square peg,” which does not fit a large portion of the 1,687.41 acre “round hole.”
Bob Hayes, Auburn
Send questions/comments to the editors.
