Details:
Client: City of Snellville
Location: Snellville, Georgia
Status: Towne Center District Regulations adopted in November 2016
Highlights:
Description:
The Snellville Towne Center Districts were developed in late 2016 to implement key policy recommendations of the City’s 2003 Livable Centers Initiative Study, 2030 Comprehensive Plan, and Towne Center Master Plan. These plans aimed to create a mixed-use core for Snellville, but the City’s zoning regulations at the time did not allow for such development.
In order to support the development of the Towne Center TSW was retained as part of a larger Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) process to draft customized zoning regulations for the Towne Center Area prior to completion of the full UDO. The regulations, which were approved in December of 2016, were developed through a community-based effort, and guided the creation of two new Towne Center Districts, one mixed-use and one residential, that would be available for use within the City’s center.
The adopted districts include both design characteristic regulations and standards for allowed building types, building placement, and size. Both also include the creation of street grids and incorporates Form-Based Code elements in a user-friendly, easy to navigate, and graphically-oriented format. This approach ensures that the development of the Towne Center reflects the vision and values of the community, and provides a clear and consistent framework for development in the area.
The TSW’s customized zoning regulations allowed for the development of the Towne Center, which otherwise would not be possible under the existing zoning regulations. The development of the Towne Center is a significant step towards creating a vibrant and livable community in the city center, providing residents and visitors with a wide range of amenities, services, and opportunities for social and economic engagement.