These first four images of downtown Sebastopol are what most people think of when they think of downtown. Most of these buildings were built in the early 20th century, before Sebastopol adopted a zoning code. The ones that were built later did follow the same development pattern which has the buildings starting right behind the sidewalk and filling the lot from side to side. This is good urbanism, whether it be in a small town or big city. The storefronts provide a comfortable interesting environment for pedestrians. Destinations are close to each other to make walking convenient. The block is scaled to the pedestrian. This is the pattern of development for cities large and small for millenia.

 

Contrast these next images which are of downtown buildings that were built after we adopted zoning codes which dictate what can be built where, and how those buildings can sit on a property. And most importantly, how much parking is required for each different use.

The lower images are an erosion of the good pattern of develpment that was established prior to the adoption of our zoning code. They lack visual interest and an engagement with people walking past on the sidewalk. You generally want to walk past theses properties as quickly as possible. All of that parking makes everything more spread out which also hurts walkability. There is another way. A way that city’s have been developing for thousands of years. But we seemingly have forgotten how to do it. All in the guise of needing to control what gets built where, and how.

We need to revise our zoning code to require buildings downtown to extend to the front and side property lines. And we need to eliminate minimum parking requirements, especially downtown. That will allow future development to be more pedestrian friendly and help downtown be a place to love.