Westwood neighborhood in Cincinnati set to adopt form-based code

The Westwood Coalition hopes that Cincinnati’s Form-Based Code will help to revitalize the neighborhood’s historic business district. On Dec. 13, the Cincinnati Planning Commission unanimously approved a recommendation to adopt the city’s FBC in a portion of the neighborhood. The city council will consider the matter in a public hearing set for Feb. 10. If approved Westwood will join Madisonville, College Hill, and Walnut Hills as the fourth Cincinnati focus neighborhood to adopt the new FBC.

Opticos Design worked with the City of Cincinnati to develop the new Form-Based Code. In May 2012, Opticos led a citywide charrette to include the public and all of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods in the process. Later in the year, a neighborhood charrette was held for the four neighborhoods that had signed on early to participate, and help finance, the process. In May 2013, the Cincinnati City Council voted to adopt the new Form-Based Code, which puts physical form ahead of land use. It is designed to promote pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development while preserving the city’s historic charm.  For more on the story, see Opticos' blog.