Buffalo, NY, to overhaul current zoning in favor of placemaking

Buffalo, New York, is embarking on a $2.1 million overhaul of its antiquated zoning code, with help from Chicago-based Camiros Ltd. and Boston-based Goody Clancy Associates. “Considering that there has not been a major revamping of the code in 59 years,  this overhaul is an important step,” The Buffalo News said in May 3 editorial.

Camiros, as prime consultant, will write new zoning regulations, while David Spillane will lead Goody Clancy’s work on “the underlying planning and outreach,” according to David Dixon of Goody Clancy. Dixon told New Urban News the goal will be “place-making zoning,” which can “accomplish the goals inherent in form-based codes” while taking other local requirements into account.

The redevelopment vision “would trend more toward ‘green urbanism’ and, for the first time in decades, include a ‘walkability’ aspect,” the newspaper said in praising the effort launched by Mayor Byron Brown. The overhaul is expected to take about 18 months. Dixon said it’s not unusual for a city to have a very old zoning code. “Politically, in many cities, it’s been hard to touch” the zoning system in a concerted way because of the controversies it sets off, he says.