Gov. Jay Inslee and Washington State Dept. of Commerce Director Lisa Brown recently announced Smart Communities Award winners for 2020-21, including honoring the City of North Bend with the Smart Project Award for the City’s adoption of Form-based Code for its Downtown Commercial zone.
The award-winning North Bend Downtown Commercial Zone project included a new form-based code to ensure future redevelopment fits the character of the community and provides more housing options.
Form-based code is a land development regulation that fosters predictable built results and a high-quality public outcome by using physical form, rather than separation of uses, as its organizing principle. The new code was adopted by the City Council in June 2021.
Mayor Rob McFarland commented, “Thank you to the State for recognizing the important and innovative work of our Planning Department, led by Community and Economic Development Director Rebecca Deming. Her team strives day in-and-out to implement thoughtful policies to balance the need for jobs, services and housing while adhering to Growth Management Act mandates and carefully managing how North Bend grows.”
“It’s great to be recognized for the work done by the City,” said CED Director Rebecca Deming, “It wouldn’t be possible without the Mayor or the City Council. I’m looking forward to seeing the plan implemented and downtown growing as a social, cultural and entertainment destination.”
Launched in 2006, the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards program annually recognizes local governments and their partners for exceptional work in implementing the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) to shape future growth, economic vitality and quality of life in communities across Washington.
“I’m proud to showcase another impressive cohort of Smart Communities Award winners, each representing creative leadership and collaboration that will enrich these communities for years to come,” said Gov. Jay Inslee.
“These award winners model best practices that can easily be adapted by other communities,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “Their work demonstrates how thoughtful planning with robust public engagement can build shared vision and buy-in for meaningful action on important priorities and projects that strengthen communities.”
[Information provided by the City of North Bend]
