Form-Based Code Pitched for Sale of Commercial Campus in Connecticut

Owners of a 173-acre office campus in Simsbury, Connecticut are hoping that by adopting a form-based code as a guide for potential redevelopment of the site, potential buyers have more reason to pull the trigger on a deal.

1 minute read

August 10, 2014, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. and the town of Simsbury have entered a pivotal phase in the insurer's efforts to sell its sprawling Farmington Valley office campus on 173 acres at 200 Hopmeadow St.," reports Gregory Seay.

"The town, after months of collaboration with The Hartford, its listing broker, CBRE-New England, and other land-use advisers and town residents, recently approved a form-based code that ensures whoever acquires all or part of the site designs and builds on it in a way that maximizes its value to them, users and the town, realty and land-use experts say."

One of those land use experts is Scott Polikov, founding principal of Gateway Planning Group of Dallas, which is advising The Hartford on the sale. Polikov is quoted in the story: "This is breaking new ground in terms of using a design process to calibrate form-based code so that the business interest of the property owner and the public's interests are brought together…'' 

Monday, August 4, 2014 in Hartford Business Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

4 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

5 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

6 hours ago - Cities Today