With Form Based Codes; the words used to describe their scope are the key to understanding their use.
Form Based Code regulations are completely authoritarian; both in formulation, and in administration. Its planning advocates use the term “community” with the same sincerity as a dictator speaks of “the people.”
I was not able to find single instance of Form Based Code guidelines that recommend meaningful public participation as part of the regulatory process. The New Urbanism [like the Urban Colonialism that is destroying rural America] is an example of rulership, not partnership.
Form Based Code advocates always stress the great power it gives authorities to decide how people will live; a power without public control or oversight: it’s like signing a blank check.
Here are a few examples that give a glimpse of the iron fist inside the “community friendly” glove. [Something to think about before your municipality rushes to adopt Form Based Code regulations.]:
“A form-based code is a regulation, not a mere guideline, adopted into city, town, or county law . . . a powerful alternative to conventional zoning” — formbasedcodes.org
“They 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.” — formbasedcodes.org
“Not to be confused with design guidelines or general statements of policy, form-based codes are regulatory, not advisory.” — formbasedcodes.org
“It has the most regulatory “teeth”—compliance is required.” — Wikipedia
“Form-based codes have emerged as a powerful tool for city planners” — Caroline Cournoyer, Better Zoning through Breaking Old Codes
“with appropriate enabling legislation, form-based codes can be contained within a planning document called a “specific plan,” which can completely override the zoning ordinance for a given geographic area.” — Wikipedia
“If the architects could understand that they’re part of a larger effort of placemaking, and it’s not just a restriction like any old code . . .” — Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk
What a world of arrogance in a few words: anyone who so dismissively refers to the result of centuries of human accommodation and reconciliation as “any old code”; has either a dangerous lack of understanding of people herself, or a fear of the “disorder” that results from human complexity. Save your Lego logistics for the plastic figures.
Form Based Codes are the powerful new tool that authorities can use to answer “I don’t want it” with “you have no choice.”
In case you’re wondering what this New Urbanism aberration has to do with rural communities; Tompkins County’s urban planners have “identified” development nodes in rural towns throughout the county — resettlement and control will spread from there.
