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A Warrant is a ruling that would permit a practice that is not
consistent with a specific provision of the Smartcode
Community Plan but is justified by its Intent.
1.2 Intent – The purpose of the code is to enable, encourage
and qualify the implementation of the following policies:
1.2.1 The Region:
a. That the region should retain its natural infrastructure and
visual character derived from topography, woodlands,
farmlands, riparian corridors and coastlines.
b. That growth strategies should encourage infill and
redevelopment in parity with new communities.
c. That development contiguous to urban areas should be
structured in the Neighborhood pattern and be integrated with
the existing urban pattern.
d. That development non-contiguous to urban areas should be
organized in the pattern of clusters, traditional Neighborhoods
or Villages, and Regional Centers.
e. That affordable housing should be distributed throughout the
region to match job opportunities and to avoid concentrations
of poverty.
f. That transportation corridors should be planned and reserved
in coordination with land use.
g. That green corridors should be used to define and connect
the urbanized areas.
h. That the region should include a framework of transit,
pedestrian, and bicycle systems that provide alternatives to the
automobile.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR REQUESTING A SMARTCODE WARRANT
1.2.2 The Community:
a. That Neighborhoods and Regional Centers (downtowns)
should compact, pedestrian-oriented and mixed-use.
b. That Neighborhoods and Regional Centers (downtowns)
should be the preferred pattern of development and that
districts specializing in single-use should be the exception.
c. That ordinary activities of daily living should occur within
walking distance of most dwellings, allowing independence to
those who do not drive.
d. That interconnected networks of Thoroughfares should be
designed to disperse traffic and reduce the length of automobile
trips.
e. That within Neighborhoods, a range of housing Types and price
levels should be provided to accommodate diverse ages and
incomes.
f. That appropriate building Densities and land uses should be
provided within walking distance of transit stops.
g. That Civil, institutional, and Commercial activity should be
embedded in downtowns, not isolated in remote single-use
complexes.
h. That schools should be sized and located to enable children to
walk or bicycles to them.
i. That a range of open space including parks, squares, and
playgrounds should be distributed within Neighborhoods and
urban center zones.
1.2.3 The Block and the Building
a. That buildings and landscaping should contributed to the
physical definition of Thoroughfares as Civic places.
b. That development should adequately accommodate
automobiles while respecting the pedestrian and the spatial form
of public space.
c. That the design of streets and buildings should reinforce safe
environments, but not at the expense of accessibility.
d. That architecture and landscape design should grow from local
climate, topography, history, and building practice.
e. That buildings should provide their inhabitants with a clear
sense of geography and climate through energy efficient methods.
f. That Civil Buildings and public gathering places should be
provided locations that reinforce community identity and support
self-government,
g. That Civil Buildings should be distinctive and appropriate to a
role more important than the other buildings that constitute the
fabric of the city.
h. That the preservation and renewal of historic buildings should
be facilitated to affirm the continuity and evolution of society.
i. That the harmonious and orderly evaluation of urban areas
should be secured through graphic codes that serve as guides for
change.
