The Summit City Council approved an ordinance to increase downtown floor area ratio or FAR from 225% to 300%. In a 6 to 1 vote (Nov 5th meeting) council approved the ordinance drafted by the city planning board to permit property owners in the CRBD zone (downtown) an opportunity for additional development. The ordinance allows for the increase in FAR only if the property owner intends to add residential units to the upper floors.
The master plan re-examination committee and planning board had previously recommended the increase in FAR. However, the recommendation was linked to a downtown parking study and plan to increase downtown parking capacity.
A parking study is expected to be completed by Dec 2008 or Jan 2009. It is expected that the parking study recommendation will lead to an immediate parking solution for downtown.
08-2827 Amend DRO – Central Retail Business
(Increase Floor Area Ratio to 300%)
Tags: "summit downtown", CRBD, FAR, parking study
