Zoning = Determining What Will Be
Zoning is the process of determining what will be in a given community. As a place making tool, zoning is best used when preceded by the Market result of what could be that has been refined into a plan preference for what should be. When a community has decided what should be, then the Zoning process ensures the plan will be implemented by setting up the regulatory framework for what will be.
We have written "Smart Growth" zoning legislation to ensure quality urban design elements within each municipality by allowing for, and incentivizing, mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly sustainable developments. The connection between economic development and zoning is not always readily recognized; but, in reality, zoning is a powerful enforcement tool for quality economic development through both mandatory and incentive-based regulations. We have experience in actually writing legislation, including all of the necessary elements of the built environment -- building forms, densities, site requirements, sidewalks, parking, loading, and urban design and architectural standards.