Fayette Alliance Supports B-6P ZOTA

As part of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan update, the Fayette Alliance commissioned nationally-recognized firm Lord Aeck Sargent to assess and analyze properties within the Urban Services Boundary and to identify underutilized properties that could be potential future development and redevelopment opportunities. Among other findings, this landmark study found that there are over 9,000 non-residentially zoned acres of redevelopment opportunities, primarily along our major corridors. This study confirms and expands similar analyses performed by the Planning Staff, who concluded that our major corridors are “vastly underutilized.”

Taking this fact into consideration, along with the changing nature of retail and commerce, the Staff proposed the amendments to the B-6P Zone to modernize the zone and enable greater redevelopment opportunities along our main corridors. A central focus of the 2018 Goals & Objectives is redevelopment of our major corridors and encouraging transit-
oriented/multi-modal transit development. The amendments support these and other Goals & Objectives.

The stated intent of the proposed amendments is as follows:

• Improve the economic base and tax structure of our community by creating a variety of employment and commercial opportunities while also increasing the supply and mixture of housing types along our major corridors;
• Encourage development and redevelopment along our major corridors that is community-minded and creates a sense of place while also protecting existing neighborhoods;
• Ensure safe multi-modal transit options through connectivity, mass transit efficiency, and proper infrastructure for pedestrian, bike, and other transit options.

To achieve the stated intent, the primary proposed amendments are as follows:
1. Elimination of minimum parking requirements;
2. Introduction of multi-family residential as a principal permitted use;
3. Provision of adequate infrastructure for all modes of transportation; and
4. Encouragement to “build up” by being granted additional lot coverage for meeting threshold floor areas.

Importantly, the amendments also provide protections for existing neighborhoods that abut or adjoin B-6P developments, including buffering and screening. However, the devil is in the details, and whether or not neighborhoods are provided necessary protections will depend upon each specific development plan and how the Ordinance is implemented.

The adopted 2018 Goals & Objectives prioritize context-sensitive design and preservation of neighborhood character. Additionally, the Goals & Objectives call for “early and continuous communication with residents.”

As we move into the implementation stage of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan update, Fayette Alliance looks forward to working together to ensure the proper policies are put into place to provide these critical protections.

The amendments have the potential to facilitate the kinds of innovative and sustainable developments our community desires and deserves. We applaud the Staff and the Planning Commission for hitting the ground running on implementing the 2018 Goals & Objectives.