Key Questions Addressed as Charrette Gets Underway

Opening night presentation helps set expectations and goals

January 31, 2007 - "There's one thing about Lawrence," noted Mayor Mike Amyx, welcoming a packed house to the Wednesday-night opening presentation of Lawrence's SmartCode charrette. "We always have discussion. We love to talk and we expect the best in what we do. That's why, as we look at a new code, one of the things we're going to demand is that it's the best it can be."

Examples of excellence are apparent in Lawrence already, said Susan Henderson, principal in the PlaceMakers consulting group and leader of the charrette team. "You already have many of the things we attempt to create in the communities where we work. You have something to preserve. Wonderful historic fabric. The city on the hill. You have the urbanity and you have the open spaces."

All of which, stressed the Mayor, create a unique identity that must be "retained and maintained."

And so began the evening's discussion of why PlaceMakers is in town and why the SmartCode they're contracted to produce is an important tool in accomplishing that goal.

"You've put a lot of effort into preservation of your downtown because you value it," said Henderson. "But what about the things that are being built now?"

Henderson explained PlaceMakers' charge is to design, with citizens' help over the next week, a code based on principles of traditional neighborhoods. It will prescribe infill development and new communities that feel more like Lawrence neighborhoods everyone loves - compact, walkable, and diverse. Unlike conventional codes that separate uses, the SmartCode focuses on form - the appropriate types of buildings, frontages, setbacks, etc., depending on where parcels are in a regional landscape.

"We believe form matters," said Henderson, "and we believe the SmartCode will help you produce places that, 50 years from now, your children and grandchildren will be determined to preserve."

The SmartCode is intended to mesh with existing regulations, including the city's comprehensive plan and its recently enacted zoning ordinance. To make the SmartCode less contentious, said Henderson, PlaceMakers usually recommends that it be an optional "overlay," a parallel code to existing zoning. Developers can choose which code they prefer.

"Some people will be skeptical at first," she said. "That's perfectly normal. But others will see the value and choose to use it. And if they're successful, the market will follow."

To that end, she continued, one of the things the city should consider, is a range of incentives - including fast-track approvals - in order to get developers to try a traditional neighborhood design instead of conventional suburban approaches. But that will be a matter of policy decided upon by citizens and their elected officials.

Even before the charrette began, PlaceMakers team members were soliciting hopes and concerns from Lawrence residents. Among the questions, said Henderson, were these:

-- Where do you come in?

Answer: "The process is absolutely meaningless without public involvement," said Henderson. "We feel very fortunate because there's already a tremendous public dialog here in regards to growth. We hope to see that continue this week."

-- What can you do?

Answer: "Download the sample code from our website and review it," said Henderson. "Attend the meetings and give input because the code is only as good as you make it. The code will evolve with your involvement. If you can't attend, you can comment online. And finally, owners of the land in the planning areas and the neighbors adjacent to those properties, you're the ones most impacted by this process. So please attend and contribute."

-- Does the SmartCode limit when and where growth occurs?

"The direct answer is no," Henderson. "But it does concern itself intimately with patterns and intensities of growth."

Following Henderson's introduction of the charrette process, the capacity crowd broke into separate groups at tables to discuss the six specific target areas assigned by the city.

These sites are:

Downtown
19th & Haskell
23rd and Louisiana
25th and Iowa
West of K-10
South of Wakarusa
(Download detailed site maps in our Maps & Resources section)

Following the table discussions, a representative of each group took to the podium to present their discussions. For summaries of each presentation, click here.

The charrette continues today. See the schedule for all the daily details.