Why Can’t We Make Zoning Simpler?
Zoning Practice — January 2018
By Lee Einsweiler
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Zoning is one of the most important tools cities and counties have at their disposal to control the form and character of new development. The trouble is that many current zoning codes frustrate efforts to build projects that appear consistent with the local vision for community growth and change. This includes impediments and barriers such as restrictive lists, lot area and setback standards that do not match the underlying development pattern, density restrictions that create exclusionary communities, and onerous processes that do not improve the quality of development.
This issue of Zoning Practice discusses historical and ongoing efforts to simplify zoning. It presents guiding principles for rethinking reform efforts and highlights a series of promising techniques for simplification.
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About the Author
Lee Einsweiler
Lee D. Einsweiler, Principal, Code Studio
Lee has been involved in planning, zoning and plan implementation in a variety of settings over the past 30 years. His emphasis has been on redevelopment activity in urban areas. Lee sharpened his skills in the preparation of zoning and subdivision regulations across the country, and has been personally responsible for over 50 code projects, including the complete revision and adoption of over 30 codes and the preparation of almost 20 form-based codes. His combination of conventional zoning know-how and new code approaches are rare in the profession, and his ability to facilitate the consideration and adoption of new zoning serves his clients well. Lee is a frequent speaker at state and national conferences. Lee holds a Master of Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning/Regional Analysis from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay.