The Iowa City Planning Commission approved a rezoning amendment that will allow new missing middle density and implement a form-based code for the city's South District. The city could expand the concepts as it expands the city in the future.
"Iowa City's long-term plans to rezone and develop 900 acres of land in the South District have passed the Planning and Zoning Commission, setting the stage for a broader debate about new development with the City Council in early October," reports George Shillcock.
The Iowa City Planning Commission approved both an amendment to the South District Comprehensive Plan and an amendment adding form-based standards for new development. The former amendment also "follows form-based standards," according to Shillcock.
Supporters of the zoning changes "are hopeful these changes could be a boon for new affordable housing, population growth and development in the South District, and in other parts of the city in the future," reports Shillcock.
A previous, paywalled article introduced the concept of missing middle housing as an tool for housing affordability. Plans to add form-based code elements to the zoning for the South District have been under consideration for years, according to a July 2019 article by Zachary Oren Smith (not paywalled).
According to Shillcock, Iowa City could expand the use of form-based codes to unincorporated parts of Johnson County targeted by the city for annexation.
A separate article published by the Congress for the New Urbanism, published after Shillcock's coverage, also shares the news of the South District form-based code.
FULL STORY: South District zoning changes move forward. How would new development affect the current neighborhood?
Kingston, New York Goes 100 Percent Form-Based for its New Code
Kingston recently adopted a form-based code, taking the rare step to entirely replace its old zoning code with form-based standards while also repealing parking requirements and allowing accessory dwelling units and missing middle housing.
Iowa City Hopes Zoning Amendments Will Increase Housing Supply, Diversity
Iowa City is planning ahead to ensure that housing supply keeps up with housing demand.
Missing Middle Housing Reforms Coming to East Tennessee
With the cost of housing around Knoxville, Tennessee rising, elected officials and political candidates are looking for new ways to allow residential density.
‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland
Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.
Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny
The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.
Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?
New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?
700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah
A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.
More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus
Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.
Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says
Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
