Rohnert Park Municipal Code Art. XV Form-Based Codes for Special Areas

A. Intent and Purpose. The intent of this section is to continue implementation of the guiding objectives set forth in the Rohnert Park General Plan relating to compact urban form, increased connectivity between neighborhoods, designation of mixed-use and pedestrian-oriented centers, development of a variety of housing types within all neighborhoods, and development of a network of trails, parks and land use patterns that maximizes accessibility to parks and commercial centers.

B. Definitions. For the purposes of any land use regulations adopted pursuant to this article, the following definitions apply:

"Development Code" means a set of land use regulations adopted in conformance with the general plan that provide the standards for development. All actions and undertakings necessary for project planning, land acquisition, demolition, or construction of a project must conform with the regulations of the development code before approval. A development code is also known as a zoning code.

"Form-based Code" means a code that uses physical form (rather than separation of land uses) as the organizing principle. A form-based code is an alternative to conventional zoning. 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, correspond to a regulating plan that designates the appropriate form and scale (and therefore, character) of development rather than solely distinctions in land-use types.

"Regulating plan" means a zoning map or plan that delineate the boundaries of individual zones, transect zones, civic zones, special districts, and special requirements, if any, of areas subject to regulation by a form-based code.

"Transect zone (or T zone)" means one of several areas on a zoning map or regulating plan regulated by the form-based code. Transect zones are administratively similar to the land use zones in conventional codes, except that in addition to building use, density, height, and setback requirements, other elements are integrated, including without limitation private lot, building and public frontage.

C. Establishment of Form-Based Codes. In order to further the goals and policies of the general plan, the city council may adopt and amend form-based codes for planned development or specific plan areas identified in the general plan, or for other geographically discrete areas within the Rohnert Park Planning Area (sphere of influence) as may be specified by the city council. Such codes may provide for, among other subjects, the establishment of building design, site design, and other design-related standards that, once adopted, shall apply to proposed development or in any areas of the city subject to the codes. The codes may utilize regulations such as transect-based, form-based coding, with regulating plans or similar mechanisms prescribing appropriate land uses. Regulations may also contain project and site design principles relating to appropriate building types, housing mix, integration of land uses, pedestrian orientation, streetscape, and public spaces in the subject area.

D. Adoption or Amendment. The adoption or amendment of a form-based code, or the boundaries of any zones established by a form-based code or regulating plan, shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures outlined in Chapter 17.25, Article VII (commencing with Section 17.25.070) of this title.

E. Applicability. After a form-based code is adopted for a particular planned development or specific plan area identified in the general plan, or for any other geographically discrete area of the Rohnert Park Planning Area as may be specified by the city council, the building design and site design standards and any and all other land use and development requirements, standards, regulations, or other provisions set forth in such code shall apply to all development within the geographic boundaries established by and for the code notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary. Whenever the requirements, standards, regulations, or other provisions of a form-based code conflict with the requirements, standards, regulations or other provisions set forth in the Municipal Code, the requirements, standards, regulations, or other provisions in the form-based code shall govern.

F. Operation and Enforcement of Form-Based Codes. Any failure to comply with a requirement, standard, regulation, or any other provision set forth in an adopted form-based code shall constitute a violation of the Municipal Code. All such violations shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of any applicable local or state law, including without limitation Chapter 17.25 Article XIII (commencing with 17.25.130).

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 9-14-2010)