Meet Erik Bednarek

Erik joined The Cecil Group earlier this year as the Director of Landscape Architecture and Land Planning. His background and experience complement The Cecil Group's design staff and extensive landscape and streetscape portfolio. He was previously Principal of EJB Designs and a Landscape Architect for VHB. In addition to his previous work on public and institutional projects, Erik brings a diverse clientele and experience in landscapes for residential projects, homes, and commercial clients. You can read more about Erik's experience here and learn some fun facts about him below. 

• Favorite Food: Chicken Divan
• Clowns, love or fear?: Love them as long as they are funny and not hiding under my bed or in my closet.
• Who or what inspires your work?: Nature, exciting pedestrian environments and people who are thankful for what they have and passionate about what they do!
• Perfect day:Waking up with good health, a cup of fresh coffee, sunny and 75 degrees, overlooking the mountains of Stowe, Vermont and knowing my entire family is ok.
   

Project Update: Port Canaveral

In September the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved to spend $8 million dollars over three years for the design and construction of The Cecil Group team's Canaveral Cove redevelopment plan featuring a Port Authority Welcome Center and exhibit space, a pedestrian promenade to the waterfront and road and infrastructure improvements. The redevelopment plan aims to transform a primarily industrial and underused area of the Port into a regional destination. The centerpiece for the regional attraction will be the Canaveral Port Authority Welcome Center, which will provide information for local and regional attractions and activities and the exhibit space which will highlight the history of Florida and the Space Coast. The redevelopment plan will also enable future development in Canaveral Cove, such as retail shops, restaurants, and hospitality and maritime businesses.

Conventional zoning has traditionally focused on the segregation of land-use types, permissible property uses, and the control of development intensity through simple numerical parameters. Design guidelines can supplement conventional zoning but are typically advisory. Development quality, scale and uses allowed in a given area is dependent on a community's planning objectives translated through land use regulations including traditional zoning, subdivision, building, and public infrastructure standards.However, there is often a disconnect between the community's vision and land use regulations.Enter form-base code.

Form-Base Code (FBC) is a relatively new and innovative method of managing growth and shaping development to achieve a specific urban form and mix of uses as preferred by a given community. Unlike conventional zoning, FBC addresses both development and the relationship between public and private spaces.FBC creates a predictable public realm by including specific standards for the design of streets and open spaces, and focusing primarily on the physical form of development, with a lesser focus on building use.