On July 18, 2012, the Plan Commission recommended that the following Form Based Regulations documents be used as 'Design Guidelines' only.  The underlying base zoning districts and the modified DR Downtown Overlay District will control as zoning regulations.

FORM-BASED REGULATIONS FINAL DOCUMENTS:

1.The set of plans, drawings, charts, and text titled "Village of Lake Zurich Planning Charrette" prepared by Torti Gallas and Partners, dated December 15, 2008, and numbered 1 through 23.

2.The "Lake Zurich Downtown Form-Based Regulations," (~20MB) prepared by Torti Gallas and Partners, dated December 15, 2008, and numbered 1 through 34.

3. FBR Overlay District Map

Definition of Form Based Codes:

A method of regulating development to achieve a specific urban form. Form-based codes create a predictable public realm primarily by controlling physical form, with a lesser focus on land use, through city or county regulations.

Form-based codes address the relationship between building facades and the public realm, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the scale and types of streets and blocks The regulations and standards in Form-based codes, presented in both diagrams and words, are keyed to a regulating plan that designates the appropriate form and scale (and therefore, character) of development rather than only distinctions in land-use types. This is in contrast to conventional zoning’s focus on the micromanagement and segregation of land uses, and the control of development intensity through abstract and uncoordinated parameters (e.g., FAR, dwellings per acre, setbacks, parking ratios, traffic LOS) to the neglect of an integrated built form. Not to be confused with design guidelines or general statements of policy, Form- based codes are regulatory, not advisory.

Form-based codes are drafted to achieve a community vision based on time-tested forms of urbanism. Ultimately, a Form-based code is a tool; the quality of development outcomes is dependent on the quality and objectives of the community plan that a code implements.

Form-based codes commonly include the following elements:

• Regulating Plan. A plan or map of the regulated area designating the locations where different building form standards apply based on clear community intentions regarding the physical character of the area being code.

• Public Space Standards. Specifications for the elements within the public realm (e.g., sidewalks, travel lanes, on-street parking, street trees, street furniture, etc.).

• Building Form Standards, Regulations controlling the configuration, features, and functions of buildings that define and shape the public realm.

• Administration. A clearly defined application and project review process.

• Definitions. A glossary to ensure the precise use of technical terms.

Form-based codes also sometimes include:

• Architectural Standards. Regulations controlling external architectural materials and quality.

• Landscaping Standards. Regulations controlling landscape design and plant materials on private property as they impact public spaces (e.g. regulations about parking lot screening and shading, maintaining sight lines, insuring unobstructed pedestrian movements, etc.).

• Signage Standards. Regulations controlling allowable signage sizes, materials, illumination, and placement.

• Environmental Resource Standards. Regulations controlling issues such as storm water drainage and infiltration, development on slopes, tree protection, solar access, etc.

• Annotation. Text and illustrations explaining the intentions of specific code provisions.

Check out the following links:

http://www.formbasedcodes.org/ (For more information and a checklist for Identifying and Evaluating Form-Based Codes)

An Introduction to Form Based Codes (A presentation made by Mahender Vasandani to the Lake Zurich Village Board, Plan Commission, and ZBA on September 20, 2008)

Form Based Codes: Implementing Smart Growth (Published by the Local Government Commission, Sacramento, CA)

For questions regarding the development of Form Based Code for Lake Zurich, you may call the Village Planner at (847) 540-1759.