TommyMo

form based zoning could require below grade parking. in theory, nashvilles version of form-based zoning should encourage below grade parking because by building above grade parking the developers are losing a floor of leaseable space. Even FAR based zoning where above grade (but not below grade) parking counts against your FAR could strongly encourage below grade parking. But, i agree with the prior comment that because below grade parking costs are so high, rents would have to increase significantly and land would need to be scarce before one could afford to build below grade parking. One way Nashville could encourage below grade parking is to abate property taxes on any below grade garage.

NoChesterHester. I don't think one can make a blanket statement that form-based zoning is far superior to using FAR. I think that form-based zoning can be superior IF AND ONLY IF the "form" isn't so limiting that it stifles good architecture. In the case of Nashville's form base code, because in many areas of downtown one is limited to 10-20 floors by right, it encourages short squatty buildings. I agree that larger wider floors are generally more cost effective to construct, but tenants also value good views and attractive architecture and if Nashville's code didn't penalize taller thinner buildings we would have a much more attractive skyline.

Thank you. I also understand that there are some cut-off points where if an apartment or condo developer builds above a certain # of residential floors, the costs to construct really start to rachet up. The examples that have been pointed out to me are buildings like 1212, Adelicia, M Residences (Lennar), Aertson and Element Music Row where they all seem to be around 17-19 residential floors (some above a garage). It has something to do with the type of air conditioning system theycan use as long as the residential floors arent taller than 170-200',

from the developers that I have spoken to, Nashville's zoning discourages good architecture because density is regulated by # of floors where other cities regulate by total square footage of building as a % of total land size. And when developers ask Nashville Metro for additional floors, Nashville Metro expects the developer to include affordable housing which blows up the developer returns. So, instead of asking for more floors, the developers build within the approved # of floors and add square footage with a wide footprint.