Archive: Around Town

About 25 residents turned out last week to participate in a planning workshop that could impact the future look of Lansing.  A group of students from Cornell's Design Connect program elicited input and gave a presentation on 'Form Based Planning'.  The idea is that design regulations are applied to specific areas of a municipality to insure a predetermined look to an area.  It differs from traditional zoning in that it is very specific and in many cases more restrictive.  Form based zoning code is a regulation, not a guideline, so the result is predictable-looking building that could shape historical districts, town centers, or established neighborhoods.  This could potentially give Lansing a tool to shape parts of the township.

As residents walked into the Town Hall they were asked to write down ideas for things they would like to see or preserve in the Town.  Citizens wrote the things they love about the township, things they would like to see developed, and improvements to the Town they desire.  This was followed by a presentation, after which residents broke up into smaller groups.  Examples were shown from communities that have used form based code.  Pictures of design types were displayed for residents to choose their preferences.


Last year Design Connect conducted a study of traffic in the Town.  This year Councilwoman Ruth Hopkins submitted an application for the group to look at future planning issues.  Projects the group takes on last for one college semester.  The session will be followed up with a report in December.

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