HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 04 09 Informational 102 City of Winter Springs Town Center Code Recognition
COMMISSION AGENDA
Informational
X
Consent
ITEM102
Public Hearings
Regular
April 09, 2012KSRS
Regular MeetingCity ManagerDepartment
REQUEST:
The Community Development Department, Planning Division, is informing the City
Commission of the nominations of the re-write of the adopted Town Center District Code
for several state and national awards.
SYNOPSIS:
On March 12, 2012, the City of Winter Springs City Commission unanimously adopted the
re-write of the Winter Springs Town Center District Code. The Code is a holistic and
innovative approach to implementing New Urbanism principles in the Winter Springs Town
Center. This re-write was completed in-house by the Winter Springs Community
Development Department, with an estimated cost savings of $75,000 to the City 's taxpayers
and was completed within seven (7) months from the City Commission's directive. Staff
has received numerous letters of support from the New Urbanist Community. Staff has
received calls from two private design firms and the City of Montgomery, Alabama
requesting reference copies of the Code for use in their planning and code compilation
activities.
CONSIDERATIONS:
The City’s Town Center District Code was originally written by Dover-Kohl in 2000 and
was one of the first form-based codes adopted in the State of Florida and in the United
States. This code was originally written as a “street-based code” where building standards
are tied to street types. When some of the limitations of the street-based code became
evident, Dover-Kohl and city staff presented a workshop to the Winter Springs City
Commission on August 1, 2011 recommending a re-write of the Town Center District Code
utilizing a transect based approach while preserving several of the existing elements in the
Informational 102 PAGE 1 OF 3 - April 09, 2012
original code. The re-write was completed in-house by the Winter Springs Community
Development Department.
Staff is very proud to announce that we have nominated the code for numerous state and
national awards. We have made a point of highlighting the codes key urban design
conventions that are being applied in order to create a palate of squares, parks, and street
types that form the heart of the City of Winter Springs. The code will serve as a model
of "cutting-edge" New Urbanist development that can help other communities throughout
the United States design long-term, sustainable communities. Whereas the code is not
a "one size fits all" model, it contains key New Urbanist principles that are applicable
throughout the United States. To date, the Town Center District Code has been submitted
for nomination for the following awards:
Congress For The New Urbanism - Florida - 2012 John Nolen Award
.
This prestigious award provides the opportunity to recognize an outstanding body of
work that upholds examples of performance and achievement to which all New
Urbanists may aspire.
Florida Planning &Zoning Association - 2012 Outstanding Public Study Award
.
This award is given for an outstanding public report, study, written document,
ordinance, planning analysis, etc.
Florida Planning & Zoning Association - 2012 Outstanding Public Development
Award
. This award is directed toward public "brick and mortar" projects.
Florida Planning & Zoning Association - 2012 Innovation Award
. This award is
given for an innovative public or private project or development which is unusual
and/or ahead of its time.
Florida Planning & Zoning Association - 2012 Design Excellence Award
.
This award is given for a development plan which exhibits superior form and function.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this report.
COMMUNICATION EFFORTS:
This Agenda Item has been electronically forwarded to the Mayor and City Commission,
City Manager, City Attorney/Staff, and is available on the City’s Website, LaserFiche, and
the City’s Server. Additionally, portions of this Agenda Item are typed verbatim on the
respective Meeting Agenda which has also been electronically forwarded to the individuals
noted above, and which is also available on the City’s Website, LaserFiche, and the City’s
Server; has been sent to applicable City Staff, Media/Press Representatives who have
requested Agendas/Agenda Item information, Homeowner’s Associations/Representatives
on file with the City, and all individuals who have requested such information. This
information has also been posted outside City Hall, posted inside City Hall with additional
copies available for the General Public, and posted at five (5) different locations around the
City. Furthermore, this information is also available to any individual requestors. City Staff
is always willing to discuss this Agenda Item or any Agenda Item with any interested
individuals.
Informational 102 PAGE 2 OF 3 - April 09, 2012
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests the City Commission receive and review the information provided in this
Agenda Item.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Informational 102 PAGE 3 OF 3 - April 09, 2012