While form-based zoning codes are becoming more popular with municipalities as a successful way to grow strategically, the Easton Planning Commission paused adoption of a form-based zoning code last week, choosing instead to keep the town’s comprehensive plan flexible while calling for further study of zoning reform.
Form-based zoning focuses on how buildings look and how they relate to streets, sidewalks, and public spaces, rather than on the land’s primary use. Local advocates believe this approach can create streets that are easier to walk on, set clearer guidelines for developers, and help new buildings better fit into the surrounding neighborhoods.
During the discussion, the commissioners, including president Philip Toussaint in our Spy highlight, noted that the idea has merit but warned against locking Easton into a single zoning model or a fixed timeline, with several members noting that adopting a form-based code could take years, require significant public education, and cost.
The commission ultimately decided not to include form-based zoning in the comprehensive plan and not to set an adoption deadline. Instead, the plan will call for studying zoning reform after adoption, leaving open the possibility of form-based, hybrid, or other approaches
This video highlight is approximately five minutes in length.
2 Responses
I think it’s vitally important to preserve the historic character of a place, which necessarily includes architectural styles. I would suggest that an emphasis on the vernacular style of local architecture be incorporated into the designs of any new building being added to an area. Dramatic differences between buildings, whether residential or commercial, can be very disruptive to the cohesive look of an area. Without an effort to maintain the “nature” of a neighborhood or town, the character of that place can be lost forever.
Form-based code isn’t being proposed as a “silver bullet” or the “code du jour.” It’s a practical tool that has been used successfully in towns and cities for decades. Traditional use-based zoning often produces exactly what residents don’t want: unpredictable design, auto-oriented outcomes, and projects that require endless variances and negotiations to get something sensible approved. Yes, adopting a form-based code is ambitious, but our current code already carries major hidden costs in time, inconsistency, administrative burden, and uncertainty for residents and property owners alike. And in a town focused on infill, those costs show up financially: when the rules make good infill difficult or risky, we get fewer projects that fit our community vision, redevelopment becomes harder to do well, and we end up leaving value on the table—underused lots, underperforming properties, and missed opportunities for housing and local business growth in a way that complements Easton’s character. That directly contributes to a weaker tax base than we could have with clear, predictable standards that encourage reinvestment where we already have infrastructure. We’re already paying the price for inaction right now. The status quo isn’t free—we’re paying for it with unpredictable outcomes that chip away at Easton’s character.
https://talbotspy.org/letter-to-editor-protecting-what-makes-easton-easton/