Urban Design Studio Hosts Open House Oct. 4

The Urban Design Studio (UDS), a new department reporting to the City Manager, will host an open house Friday, October 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Federal Building, 111 S. Orange Avenue.   With extensive input from the community, the two-member department will design a form based code for the City of Sarasota, which will foster predictable buildings and high quality public spaces. 

“Neighborhood participation is crucial to this initiative,” said Karin Murphy, Urban Design Studio Director.  “Ultimately, a form based code is a tool.  The quality of development outcomes depends on the quality and objectives of the community plan.  That’s why it’s so important for our neighborhoods to be engaged in this process.”

During the open house, residents will have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with Ms. Murphy and Andrew Georgiadis, Principal Urban Designer and UDS staff member, to learn more about this initiative.  The open house is the official kick-off of community conversations and public outreach which will continue throughout what is expected to be a three-year process to develop a form based code.

“The organizing principles of this type of coding provide a legal zoning framework that more consistently delivers walkable, mixed-use, and compact communities of lasting value that focus on the form and character of place,” said Ms. Murphy.  “It will be a significant undertaking to develop a form based code, but it will be a legacy project which will distinguish Sarasota as a great city.” 

Ms. Murphy and Mr. Georgiadis were part of a team that recently developed the new form based code for the City of Bradenton with widespread public input.

For more information about the Urban Design Studio and the open house contact Karin Murphy:  365-2200 ext. 3764.