Comprehensive Plan - Carbondale, IL

Adopted June 22, 2010City of CarbondaleStrategy 1: Refocus the zoning ordinance to emphasize the character and formof development in appropriate zoning districts.RationaleThe City’s zoning ordinance includes many of the elements necessary to achievegood development outcomes. However, there are many opportunities to repurposeand recalibrate appropriate zoning districts to achieve the intended character ofdevelopment without placing as much emphasis on land use. While use shouldremain a secondary consideration, the form and design of development may bemore important if the City is to achieve enhanced character.Actions and Initiativesa. Revise the district purpose statements to define the intended character of thedistrict, rather than general use types.b. Recalibrate and consolidate, where possible, each of the existing districts. Revisethe dimensional standards to produce the intended character. For instance,many of the districts have the same setbacks although the use types anddensities are quite different. The dimensions should be changed accordingly.c. Review and revise the lists of permitted and special uses in each district. Includedevelopment and performance standards that relate to the district character.d. Adopt a housing palette that includes the dimensional standards for a varietyof housing types. As a by-right planned development option, allow mixedhousing types subject to district density restrictions and appropriate buffering.e. Replace the land use intensity system with applicable performance standardsin each district. The intent may be retained only with much simpler standardsthat achieve better quality outcomes.f. For the purpose of procedural streamlining and to better focus the appropriatelocations of uses, restrict the types and numbers of allowable special uses. Forthose uses with performance standards, make them a limited use whereby theyare conditionally permitted subject to the standards.Figure 2.15 | ATTACHED HOUSING DESIGN CONCEPT2.38Multiple-family design standards provide certainty to the neighborhoodsince there are specific standards included in the zoning ordinance.Chapter Two