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Phase 2: Process Improvement and Design Guidelines
Draft Design Guidelines Released
What are Design Guidelines and why are they necessary?
Every City has rules for how buildings are constructed – how tall, how far from the property, how much parking, etc. Taken together, all these rules create how a community looks and feels – its character. As part of those rules, some communities set standards for the appearance of developments, buildings, and landscaping--these are known as Design Guidelines. Design Guidelines do not describe exactly how buildings must look, but shows how they can be constructed in keeping with their surroundings and a City’s expectations for character and quality.
Development in Edwardsville is of good character and quality. The commercial corridors, downtown, and residential subdivisions all reflect attention to architectural detail, thoughtful site design, and attractive landscaping. To maintain this level of quality, the City is in the process of adopting Design Guidelines for new development (other than individual single family homes outside of a new subdivision). The Design Guidelines define a standard for development quality and how the City can work with builders to preserve its attractive built environment.
City Council Adopts Design Guidelines
At the January 19, 2021 City Council meeting, the Edwardsville City Council adopted Design Guidelines as an appendix to the Zoning Code. The Design Guidelines apply all zoning districts within the City and set forth objectives for site design, landscaping, and building design. The Guidelines are intended to support and sustain quality and character of Edwardsville's built environment.
Access the approved Design Guidelines here.
Read the Draft Guidelines here:
Everyone is invited to review the draft Design Guidelines and share comments. They can be found at here. Thoughts, questions, ideas, and responses should be sent to Emily Fultz, AICP at efultz@cityofedwardsville.com.
Virtual Open Houses
Please join us at one of our virtual open houses to discuss the Design Guidelines. These will be drop-in style virtual open houses, held via Zoom, where you can ask questions, share thoughts, and talk with the City and their consultant about the Design Guidelines. Virtual Open Houses are scheduled as follows:
Thursday, September 10 at 2:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/94373700443?pwd=dFhmaHNCd1VZYVVlKzJLdUJXUDBhQT09
Meeting ID: 943 7370 044
Passcode: 66830
Join by Phone / Dial by your location:
+1 312-626-6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646-558-8656 US (New York)
+1 301-715-8592 US (Germantown)
+1 346-248-7799 US (Houston)
+1 669-900-9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253-215-8782 US (Tacoma)
Tuesday, September 15 at 10:30 a.m.
https://zoom.us/j/94074447203?pwd=Y1doalNuSC9ObWN4SHRtVjJnZXhRQT09
Meeting ID: 940 7444 7203
Passcode: 263048
Join by Phone / Dial by your location:
+1 312-626-6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646-558-8656 US (New York)
+1 301-715-8592 US (Germantown)
+1 346-248-7799 US (Houston)
+1 669-900-9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253-215-8782 US (Tacoma)
Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/94613681557?pwd=MzFoRE1nQ09VMmRJUlZuemlDOFNKdz09
Meeting ID: 946 1368 1557
Passcode: 721930
Join by Phone / Dial by your location:
+1 312-626-6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646-558-8656 US (New York)
+1 301-715-8592 US (Germantown)
+1 346-248-7799 US (Houston)
+1 669-900-9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253-215-8782 US (Tacoma)
Next Steps
After public input is obtained, the document will be updated and a refined version sent to the Ordinance Committee as a first step toward adoption.
Phase 2 Kickoff Meeting
Phase 2 of the Zoning Code Update will kickoff with a facilitated workshop at a Special Joint Meeting of the City Council, Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, and Zoning Advisory Group. The workshop is open to the public will take place as follows:
Location: Marquee Room (2nd Floor) of the Wildey Theatre, located at 252 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL
Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Supplemental Information
Prior to the April 3 Kickoff Meeting, please take a moment to review the City's processes for development, zoning entitlement, and building permits.
Phase 2: Process Improvement and Design Guidelines
Phase 2 of the Zoning Code Update will consist of two elements: (1) an evaluation and update of development related processes (e.g. PUD Process, platting procedures, etc.) and (2) an evaluation of design quality throughout the City and the development of design guidelines and/or a design review process for commercial and multi-family properties. The conversation on these topics will be framed around the following questions:
Development Process Improvements
- What aspects of the development process do the different actors (e.g. council, commissions, staff, developers, engineers / architects) find add the most value to the project and the community?
- What aspects of the development process do the different actors find add the least value?
- In what aspects of the development process do residents and neighboring property owners participate and find the most opportunity for input?
Design Quality / Design Review
- What existing buildings and/or developments are most attractive along commercial corridors?
- What makes them attractive (signs, landscaping, architecture, building materials, etc.)?
- Where in Edwardsville should design review standards be applied?
- How important is building appearance - does it support economic development?
- What level of development review is appropriate in preserving character - how much is too much?
The facilitated workshop will generally address the questions and topics described above. Any member of the public who has thoughts on these topics is encouraged to email Emily Fultz directly at efultz@cityofedwardsville.com or contact her by phone at (618) 692-7535.