Zoning Reform and Code Writing

The city adopted a new unified development code in 2011. It defines and regulates uses based on broad categories, with select specific use types, and includes use-specific standards to minimize reliance on discretionary use permits. It is richly illustrated and uses tables to organize use permissions and dimensional standards.

Its purpose statements address consistency with the local comprehensive plan; encouraging economic development and prosperity; fostering the safe, efficient, and economic use of land, transportation infrastructure, and other public facilities and services; facilitating and ensuring the provision of adequate public facilities and services; providing for adequate drainage, reduction of flood damage, and maintenance of water quality; encouraging patterns of land use which reduce vehicle miles traveled; increasing public access to alternative modes of transportation; providing a reasonable balance between signage and visual clutter; minimizing adverse environmental impacts; improving the design, quality, and character of new development; fostering a more rational land-use pattern; encouraging the development of vacant properties within established areas; ensuring that development proposals are sensitive to the character of existing neighborhoods; and ensuring that development proposals are sensitive to natural features.