New Development Code in the Works for Piqua, Ohio

A southwest Ohio city is updating its development code in response to a desire in the community to better protect the city's existing communities.

1 minute read

August 2, 2020, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Piqua, Ohio

The Hotel Fort Piqua was built in the late 19th century. | Susan Law Cain / Shutterstock

John Bush reports on the CodePiqua project in Pique, Ohio, which will generate a new development code and transportation plan for the city. 

The CodePique effort grows out of Piqua's previous Plan It Piqua Comprehensive Plan, which recommended a code update for the city to better implement the goals set forth in the comprehensive plan. 

"The purpose of the project is to put into place development standards that will promote neighborhood qualities that enhance existing developments and create a sense of a place. It also is meant to establish a new transportation plan that includes context sensitive standards for public right-of-way use and improvements," according to Bush. 

Piqua Economic Development Director Chris Schmiesing is quoted in the article saying that the city's current development code is too generic to reflect the built environment of the city. 

As for the transportation component of CodePiqua, Bush adds the following: "This initiative aims to help resolve many of the conflicts between modes of use, such as vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. It will also help serve as a basis for future decision making by the Piqua Planning Commission, City Commission and Transportation Committee."

The city contracted Austin-based planning and code consultant Code Studio to work on CodePiqua. More information on the project is available on Code Studio's website.

Sunday, August 2, 2020 in Dayton 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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

April 27 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

April 27 - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY