TASK 1: PROJECT INITIATION
TASK 1.1 Kick off Meeting

(Aug 19 2021)

At the start of the project, members from the Dover-Kohl team will meet with the Zoning Task Force and City staff to confirm goals for the planning effort, review base information needs, strategize on the public participation process, and develop a detailed schedule for the planning effort.

TASK 2: INITIAL REVIEW & ANALYSIS

Prior to beginning any code reform, a clear vision for the desired physical form of future development and/or preservation should be in place. Community involvement in the visioning process is an integral component to establishing an implementable code. Tasks z and 3 are designed to facilitate the flow of information and document the community-based vision which the code will implement.

TASK 2.1 REVIEW EXISTING MATERIALS

The team will begin with a thorough review of relevant previous studies and
plans to get quickly up to speed the DK&P team will identify areas where further input is needed to confirm or clarify the vision. We will supplement this review with an analysis of current or proposed development projects, proposed public infrastructure improvements, and a preliminary GIS analysis of existing conditions. Relevant background information (including GIS data, previous plans and studies, existing regulatory documents, and proposed development/infrastructure improvements) will be provided to the consultant team by the City. As part of the existing conditions analysis, Gridics can (optionally) input the City's existing regulations to ZonelQ and CodeHUB, which could be used to compare existing regulations to proposed regulations as part of future tasks.

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TASK 2.2 ZONING & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ANALYSIS

The DK&P team will review existing regulations that impact new development, including the Zoning Code and the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, with a specific focus on development approval requirements and procedures to gain a clear understanding of the existing regulatory structure. The purpose of this review is to inform subsequent recommendations to provide a smooth transition to the inclusion of form-based standards. The team's legal analysis will include an identification of potential barriers that will have to be surmounted to implement the type of Form-Based Code envisioned by this scope. This will include the legal requirements to ensure that design requirements are not void for vagueness, how design requirements can be made legally binding, whether approval of some projects can be accomplished through administrative permitting, and how the zoning code is amended procedural. These types of issues should be considered
and resolved to ensure the approval of recommended changes to local law. Findings from this analysis will be reported as part of Task 4.2.
TASK 2.3 COMMUNITY CHARACTER ANALYSIS The DK&P team will become familiar with the physical details of Kingston and its current and historic patterns of urbanism and architecture. DK&P will examine the network of streets, blocks and lots, building types, public spaces, neighborhoods, and building form. The analysis will include an examination of existing land uses, density, and urban design elements. An integral part to developing a Form-Based Code is the Synoptic Survey, which is a recording of existing dimensions such as setbacks, street width, and building height, to determine the urban design metrics of a place. During the site visit, the DK&P team will provide data sheets and conduct synoptic surveys of sample neighborhoods, documenting existing conditions though notes and
photographs. Additional surveys may be conducted during the week of the Charrette (Task 3). This analysis will form the basis of the Form-Based Code standards.

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TASK 2.4 IDENTIFY STAKE-HOLDERS & DEVELOP OUTREACH STRATEGY

The consultant team will work together with City staff to create a list of key individuals, local leaders and officials, community organizations, property owners, developers, and other stakeholders to include throughout the planning process. The identified stakeholders and organizations will be representative of a full spectrum of community interests. By identifying these key stakeholders, the consultant team will strategize with the City on the best mechanisms for outreach to individuals and groups. Specific efforts will be made to identify and use methods that will reach and actively engage a diverse representation of the community in the process. The consultant team will assist the City with the design of outreach materials to be used throughout the planning process, including flyers, postcards, and press releases to be distributed to the media and community organizations, among others. Materials will be provided in both English and Spanish. While the team will assist City staff with creating public awareness, it is assumed the City will be responsible for all mailings, legal
notifications, and distribution of public awareness materials. Dover-Kohl will also utilize the City's website in order to inform the community
of the public process, post project materials and keep people up to date on the planning process and how they can participate.

TASK 2.5 INITIAL SITE VISIT & STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS

Representatives from the consultant team will conduct a 2-day initial site visit for meetings and interviews as well as on-site analysis.
While on-site, the team will conduct Synoptic Surveys to document existing conditions and identify the unique elements of the City's "DNA" that can serve as a model for new development (see Task 2.3). The team will also conduct interviews with key stakeholders during the initial site visit to acquire local intelligence about the development climate, any obstacles to project objectives, community and business concerns. The interviews will be conducted one-on-one or in small focus groups with those who know or feel comfortable speaking in front of each other to provide the most reliable and confidential perspectives. (Additional meetings/interviews may be scheduled in the pre-charrette period, facilitated by local members of the Consultant team).

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TASK 3: PUBLIC DESIGN PROCESS

We recognize that changes in the built environment may be controversial we've found that education and a shared sense of authorship is key to creating consensus. Dover-Kohl has developed a charrette planning methodology that is inclusive by nature, well-suited for confirming, updating, or refining ideas from previous planning efforts, and designed to build consensus. Tasks are anticipated to include:

 

TASK 3.1 GENERATE NECESSARY BACKGROUND MAPS

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The team will use background information provided by City staff as well as information gathered during the initial site visit task to produce base maps for the Charrette. Data needed to create the base maps will include color aerial photographs at a suitable scale, and ArcView GIS (or similar) base data.

 

TASK 3.2 CHARRETTE (MULTIPLE DAYS)

On a mutually agreeable date, the Consultant team will conduct a 6-day Charrette. The use of the Charrette provides a collaborative forum to bring all parties together and focus on a common goal. The hands-on nature of the workshops and the opportunity to interact with differing perspectives allows issues to be identified and resolved. The format and activities of the Charrette will be tailored in close consultation with the City to obtain the best possible community and stakeholder input. City staff, the Zoning Task Force, elected officials, key stakeholders, and members of the public will be involved throughout the week at various meetings, workshops, and presentations.
The following events will likely be part of the charrette:

 

KICK.OFF EVENT & HANDS ON DESIGN SESSION

On the first day of the charrette, Dover-Kohl will lead a Kick-off Event, featuring a "food for thought" presentation that summarizes relevant portions of previous planning efforts, and outlines tasks to be accomplished during the charrette week. The presentation will include a review of precedents from peer communities, demonstrating successful strategies in use land use regulations to shape sustainable, livable communities. The session will be designed to have multiple opportunities for participation by attendees, which may include group
discussion, keypad polling, and written input. A Hands-on Design Session will be conducted as part of the Kick-off Event.
Participants will gather around tables to explain and draw their ideas. Each table will have a facilitator to assist participants in the design exercises; DK&P has team members available to conduct table exercises in English or Spanish. Tables may focus on different neighborhoods of the City. Activities will be designed to gather input on the design elements that will part of the Form-Based Code, such as: what is the desired height and massing for new buildings; how do buildings relate to the street; what are the street design details; where are new street connections needed; and how is infrastructure like parking and stormwater handled. At the end of the workshop, a spokesperson from each table will repoft the findings and major points to the larger assembly. The goal of the Hands-on Design Session is to forge a consensus on the desired form and character of future development in the study area.

OPEN DESIGN STUDIO

Following the Kick-off and Hands-on Design Sessions, the DK&P team will set-up an Open Design Studio for the duration of the Charrette. The team will work on-site to integrate the information gathered through initial analysis with the input gained during the opening workshop to confirm and illustrate the community vision while continuing to gather input. Key stakeholders, members of the Zoning Task Force, and City staff will be invited to stop in throughout the week as new ideas emerge, to give feedback and to check on the evolution of draft code concepts; the studio will be open for members of the community to stop in as well.

 

The following work is anticipated to be completed at the on-site studio:

. Technical / Stakeholder Meetings. While working on-site, the team will schedule various technical meetings with City staff and officials, property owners and neighborhood groups, and other key stakeholders. These meetings will allow the team to receive immediate and focused feedback on the in-progress ideas, and assist in the team's continued understanding of the physical and organizational forces that are shaping the City.

. Draft illustrative Plan. During the week, the design team will create a Draft illustrative Plan that reflects the input from workshops,  charrette participants, technical experts, and the team's preliminary analysis.The Plan will illustrate street connectivity and development intensity; focus areas will be chosen to illustrate hypothetical building footprints (identifying specific properties for infill or redevelopment), the vision for new public spaces, parking and transportation improvements.

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. Project Visualizations. Words alone fall short of describing the experience of being in a place. People need to see what their ideas really mean when pen is put to paper in order to understand the options and opportunities that exist in their community. Perspective drawings
and "before and after" visualizations of key areas and design concepts will demonstrate the possibilities for future development, allowing
charrette participants to evaluate the proposed "change-over-time,"
provide quality feedback, and generating interest in plan ideas.

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Street Design Concepts. Key elements of potential future street designs (such as lane count and widths, pedestrian and bicycle
facilities, plantings and streetscape design, and right of way widths) will be illustrated; a street typology matrix will show appropriate
street types in specific Iocations and contexts. This work will become the basis of the FBC's Street Standards. This work will be done in
coordination/ with input from local technical experts (such as DOT, municipal agencies, and City staff).

Code Testing. A member of the Gridics team will attend z days of the Charrette, to test preliminary code ideas on key sites. Massing models will be generated to show basic parameters of the potential zoning such as setbacks, height, and building form.

 

WORK IN PROGRESS PRESENTATION (COMMUNITY MEETING)

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At the conclusion of the Charrette, the consultant team will present the Charrette work at a "Work-in-Progress" presentation. At this presentation, the team will present ideas generated to date including plans and illustrations that describe the community vision, and preliminary draft FBC ideas. During the Work-in-Progress presentation, keypad polling will be utilized to generate real-time survey results and opinion polls from members of the audience. Keypad polling can help us understand if the plan and code concepts are on the right-track.

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TASK 3.3 PRODUCE CHARRETTE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The compact, high-energy format of the Charrette is designed to make major advances in plan and code production; however, the DK&P team understands that the refinement of the concepts and work products will be needed. The following Work Products will be produced post-charrette:
. illustrative Plan. The draft concepts begun during the Charrette will be refined to best illustrate both short and long term development
prospects. The final product will be an illustrated physical urban design plan that can guide future development and physical improvements. The plan will designate development intensity and the appropriate mix of uses based an interconnected network of streets and blocks. Focus-area illustrations will illustrate potential building types (including civic buildings), parking areas, and public squares and open spaces. Context-specific complete street types will be identified and articulated in graphics and supporting narrative.

. Proiect Renderings will show key design concepts a minimum of four (4) renderings will be provided.

. Produce Charrette Executive Summary. The Charrette Executive Summary will be a concise, highly visual document summarizing the
charrette process and community/stakeholder input received; Synoptic Surveys for City neighborhoods; "big ideas" for land use, urban
design, and transportation concepts; and illustrative site plan and visualizations.

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TASK 4: DRAFTING THE FORM.BASED CODE
(TIMELINE: MONTH 3 TO 7)

Based on input received during the Design Charrette, the consultant team will create a draft Form-Based Code. The Code will be user-friendly, highly visual, and will serve to encourage future redevelopment in an organized manner and further the goals and vision established during the charrette. Our team will work closely with the City in determining the format and an outline of components to be included in the new Form-Based Code. Dover-Kohl's code-writing portfolio stands apart for its fluency with a full range of code formats, from street-type codes, building-type codes, and SmartCode calibration. The codes have been used in mandatory, parallel and floating-zone applications. Our range of experience allows us to identify the appropriate type of code for our clients and craft it to best meet their needs. Key components of the Code will likely include an Overview, Regulating Plan, Building Form Standards, Street Standards, Open Space/Landscape Standards, Ceneral Standards, and Architectural Standards, as described on the following
pages.

OVERVIEW I ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
The Overview will introduce users to the document, and will include an explanation of how to use the Code, the purpose and intent, definitions, and administrative procedures. lt will be written in clear, user-friendly language, to be easily understandable and by implementing staff and members of the public as well. The proposed administrative procedures will aim to streamline the approvals process, while also generating more predictable results. We will work closely with City staff to tailor the administrative procedures to meet the specific needs; for example, the process can include procedures for historic form review, variances, and administrative review for projects that meet certain criteria (see Task 4.2 for more information).

REGULATING PLAN
The Regulating Plan is a key component of a Form-Based Code; it is used to apply desired development characteristics to properties. The Regulating Plan may incorporate frontage types or transect zones as a method for prescribing specific development intensities, areas for open space and preservation, and other code standards to the existing or proposed network of streets. Each zone or frontage is defined by particular characteristics that correspond to regulations on the density, intensity, and character. These characteristics include
building placement or "build-to" locations, building massing, landscaping requirements, and sidewalk width and street details, all of which influence the make-up and vibrancy of a place.

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BUILDING FORM STANDARDS
The Building Form Standards describe the required relationships between new buildings and public spaces, incorporating such characteristics as the build-to Iocations, setbacks, building heights, ancillary elements, appropriate uses, and location of parking. The Building Form Standards will be based upon a study of precedent building types, on-site analysis conducted by the team, and the vision expressed by the community.

 

PUBLIC SPACE / STREET STANDARDS

Public Space / Streetscape Standards illustrate the physical conditions within the street, such as sidewalks, street trees, lighting, and parking. The Street Standards will seek to balance the needs of all modes of transportation, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. An applicability matrix will be developed to guide where a certain street type should be used, and a range of dimensions and specified elements by street type will be provided in tabular form to guide both new and retrofit applications. Public Space standards will include standards for the size and configuration of open spaces/civic spaces, and appropriate landscape patterns. These guidelines will incorporate best practices for resilient infrastructure and sustainable design.

 

GENERAL STANDARDS

The Code will also contain General Standards necessary to implement best practices in sustainable planning and design. An outline of materials for inclusion in the General Standards will be developed with input from City staff and key stakeholders during the charrette. Key sections we have found necessary in other communities include standards for parking, signage, lighting, and sustainable stormwater management techniques. The standards will be appropriate for varying contexts within the City including walkable, mixed-use environments.

 

TASK 4.2 CODE INTEGRATION

The consultant team will provide assistance with integration of the Form-Based Code to the existing regulatory framework. This will include a review of the existing zoning and land development regulations, and input from meetings with City staff. Based on this work and the analysis conducted in Task 2.2, the Legal team will consult on needed amendments to local land use regulations, review and approval processes, and any waivers or exemptions or other changes in local law needed to implement the Regulating Plan and associated standards. The team will work closely with the City to draft the administrative procedures of the Code, ensure the Code meshes with state and local legal requirements, provide input as to the applicability or need for changes to other existing regulations, and assist with determining an appropriate integration strategy. The team will also work closely with the City to develop a local Type 2 list, as permitted under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, to aid in the project approval process.