Nebraska InnovationZone Commission

Design StandardsFebruary 5, 2009

Project Schedule

Procedures Overview

• Design standards must be adopted• Procedures are individual to local community• 3 basic ways to adopt– Overlay district– Zone district– New section of zoning ordinance

• Need method to review project design• Need method to allow for creative design or

complex projects

Procedures: Overlay District• Placed “on top” of existing zoning• Adds new standards to specific

locations• Usually used downtown, corridors,

interchanges• Actions– Amend zoning ordinance to adopt

overlay requirements– Amend zoning map (rezone property)

to place overlay on existing districts

Procedures: Existing Zoning District

• Useful where there is site-specific zoning, e.g., highway commercial

• Design requirements in that district only– Can adopt in more than one district

• Actions– Amend zoning ordinance text to

adopt design standards

NZIC Phase 1 Plan

Procedures: New Section of Ordinance• Design Standards incorporated into

zoning ordinance, similar to parking and signs

• Can be made applicable to:– Uses (commercial, multifamily)– Locations (should be mapped)– Zone districts (any or all)

• Actions– Amend zoning ordinance text to

adopt design standards

Procedures

• Site Plan Review– Goal: process to review design– How it Works

• Applicant submits site plan• Staff reviews and approves

• Alternative Compliance– Goal: process to consider non-traditional design– How it Works

• Applicant submits site plan• Staff reviews and planning commission approves

Committee Questions

• Should the design standards only be applicable to new development?

• If we address redevelopment, what will trigger the application of the standards (usually a combination of size, % increase in size, and/or change in assessed valuation)

Committee Questions

• Is there any reason to draft standards for single-family detached development?

• Are there communities that do not have either the resources or the ability to undertake design review? If so, how can we help?

• Should there be an advisory body to help with interpretation of the standards?

Next Steps

• Steve – how did you decide to break-up the substantive standards? Please describe here