Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning

TO:	Mayor Highberger City Commission
FROM:	Community Design Committee
Date:	January 5, 2006
RE:	Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Parallel Code

The Community Design Committee has been working for a number of months to gather community support for a TND parallel code.  Such a code would be an optional parallel code to the existing Development Code. 

The new TND Code will encourage a more compact, transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use, diverse and sustainable neighborhood.  The Code should include the focused design of the public realm, a mix of supportable land uses, a density that encourages pedestrian activity and easy access to mass transit. 

In particular, a TND Code will:

• Regulate land uses based on design rather than use.
• User friendly and enforceable design guidelines.
• Enable innovative and creative site planning, building design and development.
• Clarify expectations by communicating requirements to all stakeholders.
• Contribute to a more efficient design review and entitlement process.

We hope to be able to hire a consultant that will assist the community in its efforts to write and adopt the TND Code.  A consultant will help direct charettes with community stakeholders to help define the vision for the TND Code.  Our goal is to have the parallel code in place in time to help developers have the option to build these kinds of projects as soon as possible. 

Attached to this memo is a draft copy of an RFP to solicit consultant services, TND Design Principles, and an example of a TND Code from Wyandotte County.