If all goes according to plan, the city of Buffalo should have a new zoning code on the books by the end of the year.
The process of rewriting the antiquated and confusing set of rules got underway in September of 2010.
The public will have a chance to weigh-in on the proposal in the coming weeks.
Brendan Mehaffy, Executive Director of Buffalo's Office of Strategic Planning, says the new guidelines will help investors, residents, and existing businesses have a better set of expectations about what fits in a neighborhood.
"The idea is to get rid of some of the historical conflict that's been out there," Mehaffy said.
"It should be a much faster, smoother development process."
Instead of having volumes of rules to sift through, the new system is a form-based code which supports walkable, mixed-use communities; protects and enhances Buffalo's historic character; and removes barriers to the creative reuse of vacant land and structures.
"There's a lot of good things that are happening in Buffalo. The mayor's objective is to facilitate all of this great energy and activity you see in the city at this point in time," Mehaffy said.
The community is encouraged to weigh-in on the plan either on-line or at the next Public Forum, April 10th at the City Campus of ECC.