Urban infill is defined as new development that is sited on vacant or undeveloped land within an existing community, and that is enclosed by other types of development. The term “urban infill” itself implies that existing land is mostly built-out and what is being built is in effect “filling in” the gaps. The term most commonly refers to building single-family homes in existing neighborhoods but may also be used to describe new development in commercial, office or mixed-use areas.
Prescriptive steps towards implementation:
- Identify area(s) within the community that seem to be subject to inappropriate infill development or those areas that perhaps aren’t dealing with infill development just yet but are in need of measures to prevent inappropriate infill in the future
- Work with municipal staff and officials and the community to craft new regulations designed to control development within those areas
- Keep the controls limited, focusing primarily on building height, building setbacks and lot layout
- Test proposed regulations by mock- designing a development from start to finish as if it were to be built according to the regulations, then analyzing whether the design meets the community’s goals
- Use existing staff and officials to provide additional commentary and reports on the proposed changes
- Prepare staff and officials for the administration of the proposed changes
- Adopt proposed policy changes utilizing the standard process for the municipality
RATIONALE
Urban Infill is gaining in popularity as intown or close-in locations become more attractive to prospective home buyers, and office and retail tenants. Municipalities are also encouraging the practice of infill as it is more efficient to use existing infrastructure and services than it is to extend infrastructure and services farther afield, Infill development can also help a community achieve or sustain thresholds of population density necessary for amenities such as park space, community services, retail establishments, and affordable housing. Moreover, in communities where undeveloped, run-down, or vacant properties are eyesores or safety hazards, infill development can remove the blight of these properties. Finally, many urban infill lots have remained undeveloped because they are the least desirable lots to build on due to size, undesirable locations, topographical restraints, or environmental contamination (brownfields).
EFFORT REQUIRED
The implementation of infill development is the responsibility of both the municipality and the development community.
Municipality
Local governments must ensure that their codes and ordinances facilitate practical and desirable urban infill development where it is appropriate. Left uncontrolled, urban infill development can negatively affect adjacent property or even the community as a whole. Municipalities can control the size, scale, setbacks and use of urban infill to eliminate potentially negative impacts.
Development Community
The local development community must embrace urban infill development as an alternative to greenfield development as a feasible way to build new residential and non-residential buildings. This requires coordination with local government staff to identify sites with the most potential and related funding opportunities. New development in built-out communities also often requires more intentional communication and facilitation among neighbors and adjacent property owners.
BENEFITS
- Removes the eyesore and safety concerns associated with undeveloped or vacant property
- Allows communities to achieve or sustain population density thresholds that are needed to attract certain amenities (parks, community services, retail)
- Can be an effective tool for increasing supply of more affordable homes efficiently
RISKS
- If not properly managed by local governments, can adversely affect adjacent properties or the community as a whole
- Can contribute to the tearing down of historic building tin order to make way for new development
- May contribute to displacement of residents of homes that are being bought for tear-down and redevelopment
- Can lead to investor speculation and corresponding dramatic increases in property values
ACTION AGENT(S)
Planning Department, Economic Development Department, Building Department, Mayor and Council/Commission, community organizations
COST
Urban infill can be addressed successfully by a municipality at a relatively low cost through targeted code changes that address issues like building height, building setbacks, and lot coverage.
Urban infill is defined as new development that is sited on vacant or undeveloped land within an existing community, and that is enclosed by other types of development. The term “urban infill” itself implies that existing land is mostly built-out and what is being built is in effect “filling in” the gaps. The term most commonly refers to building single-family homes in existing neighborhoods but may also be used to describe new development in commercial, office or mixed-use areas.
Prescriptive steps towards implementation:
- Identify area(s) within the community that seem to be subject to inappropriate infill development or those areas that perhaps aren’t dealing with infill development just yet but are in need of measures to prevent inappropriate infill in the future
- Work with municipal staff and officials and the community to craft new regulations designed to control development within those areas
- Keep the controls limited, focusing primarily on building height, building setbacks and lot layout
- Test proposed regulations by mock- designing a development from start to finish as if it were to be built according to the regulations, then analyzing whether the design meets the community’s goals
- Use existing staff and officials to provide additional commentary and reports on the proposed changes
- Prepare staff and officials for the administration of the proposed changes
- Adopt proposed policy changes utilizing the standard process for the municipality
RATIONALE
Urban Infill is gaining in popularity as intown or close-in locations become more attractive to prospective home buyers, and office and retail tenants. Municipalities are also encouraging the practice of infill as it is more efficient to use existing infrastructure and services than it is to extend infrastructure and services farther afield, Infill development can also help a community achieve or sustain thresholds of population density necessary for amenities such as park space, community services, retail establishments, and affordable housing. Moreover, in communities where undeveloped, run-down, or vacant properties are eyesores or safety hazards, infill development can remove the blight of these properties. Finally, many urban infill lots have remained undeveloped because they are the least desirable lots to build on due to size, undesirable locations, topographical restraints, or environmental contamination (brownfields).
EFFORT REQUIRED
The implementation of infill development is the responsibility of both the municipality and the development community.
Municipality
Local governments must ensure that their codes and ordinances facilitate practical and desirable urban infill development where it is appropriate. Left uncontrolled, urban infill development can negatively affect adjacent property or even the community as a whole. Municipalities can control the size, scale, setbacks and use of urban infill to eliminate potentially negative impacts.
Development Community
The local development community must embrace urban infill development as an alternative to greenfield development as a feasible way to build new residential and non-residential buildings. This requires coordination with local government staff to identify sites with the most potential and related funding opportunities. New development in built-out communities also often requires more intentional communication and facilitation among neighbors and adjacent property owners.
BENEFITS
- Removes the eyesore and safety concerns associated with undeveloped or vacant property
- Allows communities to achieve or sustain population density thresholds that are needed to attract certain amenities (parks, community services, retail)
- Can be an effective tool for increasing supply of more affordable homes efficiently
RISKS
- If not properly managed by local governments, can adversely affect adjacent properties or the community as a whole
- Can contribute to the tearing down of historic building tin order to make way for new development
- May contribute to displacement of residents of homes that are being bought for tear-down and redevelopment
- Can lead to investor speculation and corresponding dramatic increases in property values
ACTION AGENT(S)
Planning Department, Economic Development Department, Building Department, Mayor and Council/Commission, community organizations
COST
Urban infill can be addressed successfully by a municipality at a relatively low cost through targeted code changes that address issues like building height, building setbacks, and lot coverage.