Traffic/Sprawl
Examples and Resources
Size Cap, Boxborough, Massachusetts
Limits the size of retail buildings to 25,000 s.f. The town passed this ordinance because “this type of development was not anticipated during the initial development of the zoning bylaw…The board believes that in a town of our size and character, events that occur in our collective backyard affect…
Size Cap, Frankenmuth, Michigan
This proposed ordinance requires that “the floor area of a retail store, whether located in a single building, combination of buildings, single tenant space and/or combination of tenant spaces, shall not exceed sixty thousand (60,000) square feet.” To prevent a developer from building two stores…
Ballston, New York, Moratorium (2005)
Facing a proposed supercenter, the Town Board proposed and passed a moratorium on building and development for a six month time period with the option to extend the moratorium after the six months, if required, while the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee reviews the Comprehensive Plan.
Interim Zoning Prohibiting Shopping Centers (1996)
New Paltz, New York The town passed an “interim rescission” of its zoning code, to “encourage and regulate the development of the appropriate scale shopping centers consistent with the general goals and specific objectives of the newly adopted Comprehensive Plan.” The New Paltz Comp Plan said…
Fort Collins, CO. Zoning Moratorium (1994)
A city ordinance that allowed Fort Collins to establish a six-month suspension of the processing of retail superstores (stores 80,000s.f and bigger). Has the basic “whereas” clauses that could be adapted to other communities. The moratorium lays out its objectives, including “develop appropriate…
Core Area Design Guidelines Manual (1996)
The city of Eureka, California produced a manual on Design Guidelines to govern its core retail area, but also its waterfront area, residential, office, and industrial districts. The Guidelines include storefronts, building additions, streetscape design, signs, and a helpful glossary of terms. The…
Local Impacts Caused By Major Developments That Abut, Adjoin or are Adjacent to the Town (2000)
Mamaroneck, New York. This ordinance was drafted in response to a huge IKEA furniture store proposed for neighboring New Rochelle that was never approved. “Major development projects in areas that abut../.can result in substantial impacts to the streets and areas that surround them. The ordinance…
Skaneateles, New York, Joint Comprehensive Plan (2005)
Anticipating future land use pressures, Skaneateles’ key goal is “to protect those scenic and environmental qualities that distinguish this area and maintain(s) the local economic base.” Recognizing the phenomenon of sprawl, even in areas experiencing little population growth, the town seeks…
Town of Ballston, N.Y. Draft Comprehensive Plan (2005)
Citing obesity studies, safety issues, and quality of life concerns, Ballston makes the case for prioritizing pedestrians over cars in mixed-use zones. For other commercially zoned areas, the plan suggests a 60,000 s.f. building cap. It also specifies “performance standards for noise, light, vibration,…
Controlling the Development of Big Box Commercial Structures, Peachtree City, GA (2000)
This ordinance says that big box stores “increase the demands on local infrastructure…increases the negative impact on the surrounding areas…increases the rate of crime in these areas…and poses an even greater threat to the economic vitality of area…if such retail stores remain vacant.”…
