A2D2, at Last

continued

like how to harmonize large new buildings with existing smaller-scale structures. But to the disappointment of guideline advocates, the rules will be voluntary, at least at first.

Planning commission chair Bonnie Bona says she's "still very concerned about large sites and blocky buildings" if compliance isn't required. Fourth Ward council member Marcia Higgins, who steered the process, acknowledges the concern--but says that "if everything is mandatory, it can be so restrictive that you may not get anything [architecturally] new." Mayor John Hieftje notes that with an automatic one-year review built into the system, the rules can be revisited quickly if the voluntary guidelines don't work.

Update: City Council's public hearing and action on the A2D2 zoning changes and design guidelines have been rescheduled to Monday, November 16.   

[Originally published in October, 2009.]