Form Based Code Dictatorship

“Rise of the Evil Ones” – Form Based Evil – Green Space

It was in the late 50s when I ordered a civil war set from a comic book ad. There were an amazing number of pieces for the price; but the ad had drawings that showed the actual size, so I was reassured. A small cardboard box arrived. It contained the advertised number of pieces of the advertised size — in embossed, flat plastic with little feet to keep them from falling over.

It was my desire that had turned them into the unaffordable object of my dreams

More than half-a-century later; politicians are presenting monolithic regulations like Form Based Codes as solutions to the complexities of human interaction.

The only truth behind these presentations is that government will gain considerably more power in deciding how people will live. That it will be used for our benefit is only the product of our dreams.

“Rise of the Evil Ones” – Form Based Evil – Public Area

The best way to control the people is to have them control themselves.

Today’s society of privilege and hate uses both the carrot and the stick to make its donkeys carry the load: with a fear directed hate replacing all thought, and those privileged; climbing the backs of those who are drowning beneath them.

If you give up the protection of the individual against a government’s tyranny and oppression; then you give up that protection for all individuals — everyone. A “greater good” policy may be enacted against you, or your children. Actually, you can count on it.

Where are these “oppressors”?

They’re always here, fool!

With Form Based Codes; the words used to describe their scope are the key to understanding their use.

Form Based Code regulations are completely authoritarian; both in formulation, and in administration. Its planning advocates use the term “community” with the same sincerity as a dictator speaks of “the people.”

I was not able to find single instance of Form Based Code guidelines that recommend meaningful public participation as part of the regulatory process. The New Urbanism [like the Urban Colonialism that is destroying rural America] is an example of rulership, not partnership.

Form Based Code advocates always stress the great power it gives authorities to decide how people will live; a power without public control or oversight: it’s like signing a blank check.

Here are a few examples that give a glimpse of the iron fist inside the “community friendly” glove. [Something to think about before your municipality rushes to adopt Form Based Code regulations.]:

“A form-based code is a regulation, not a mere guideline, adopted into city, town, or county law . . . a powerful alternative to conventional zoning” — formbasedcodes.org

“They are keyed to a regulating plan that designates the appropriate form and scale (and therefore, character) of development, rather than only distinctions in land-use types.” — formbasedcodes.org

“Not to be confused with design guidelines or general statements of policy, form-based codes are regulatory, not advisory.” — formbasedcodes.org

“It has the most regulatory “teeth”—compliance is required.” — Wikipedia

“Form-based codes have emerged as a powerful tool for city planners” — Caroline Cournoyer, Better Zoning through Breaking Old Codes

“with appropriate enabling legislation, form-based codes can be contained within a planning document called a “specific plan,” which can completely override the zoning ordinance for a given geographic area.” — Wikipedia

“If the architects could understand that they’re part of a larger effort of placemaking, and it’s not just a restriction like any old code . . .” — Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk

What a world of arrogance in a few words: anyone who so dismissively refers to the result of centuries of human accommodation and reconciliation as “any old code”; has either a dangerous lack of understanding of people herself, or a fear of the “disorder” that results from human complexity. Save your Lego logistics for the plastic figures.

Form Based Codes are the powerful new tool that authorities can use to answer “I don’t want it” with “you have no choice.”

In case you’re wondering what this New Urbanism aberration has to do with rural communities; Tompkins County’s urban planners have “identified” development nodes in rural towns throughout the county — resettlement and control will spread from there.