People to Watch: Murphy readies new zoning code

As the principal author of a new form-based zoning code for the city of Sarasota, Karin Murphy knows the prospect of change can be intimidating.

“I always try to picture myself in whatever area I’m planning for,” Murphy said. “What would it be like to live in whatever house — whether it’s Newtown, St. Armands, Arlington Park? I understand the scariness of coding.”

Murphy, the director of the city’s Urban Design Studio, is entering the final stretch of drafting the new building regulations. Three months into the third year of a three-year effort, Murphy and planning technician Briana Dobbs are hunkering down for the most intensive work toward producing the new code. Still, Murphy is preaching a message of transparency — and encourages residents to check in with questions or concerns. 

In 2013, the city hired Murphy and Andrew Georgiadis to oversee the creation of a new zoning code. The form-based code is designed to create more predictability in development for residents and builders alike. It prioritizes the physical design of a building over the planned use in evaluating projects, and it seeks to create more walkable and harmonious streets.

During the past two years, Murphy has met with representatives for neighborhoods throughout the city in an attempt to tailor the new code to address specific problems. Now, she’s working to synthesize the information she’s gathered — as well as a slew of older feedback and staff input — to produce a user-friendly code to guide the future growth of the city.

Murphy also wants to encourage the use of multiple forms of transportation. Creating a more diverse mix of uses near residential areas can create more walkable neighborhoods, and allowing higher density projects in appropriate locations can attract more users to public transit.

Some proposals from the studio have generated controversy among residents who feel the suggested changes are inappropriate for their neighborhood. Murphy wants arrive at a consensus for the best course of action, but that doesn’t mean that she’ll acquiesce to stakeholders against what she believes is her better judgement.

“Sometimes, I have to say, ‘I am listening to you, but I don’t have to agree with you,’” Murphy said. “I’m not the decision maker — I’m going to pull all this together, share your thoughts, share what my professional training has shown me, what my work in other cities has shown me.”

Murphy’s contract ends in October, creating a deadline for the completion of the code. The studio is working on the document in phases, reviewing its work with staff before releasing sections to the public and other officials for further review.

Murphy hopes the new code will address enduring problems facing the community in which she was raised. Even as the studio focuses intently on finishing the form-based code, Murphy invites curious residents to speak up now to ensure optimal results.

“My advice to them is to come to the studio,” Murphy said. “We need those feedback loops so we can say, ‘Did we get this right?’”