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<br />Overhauling Your Zoning Code <br /> <br />By V. Gail Easley, FAte? <br /> <br />Where, when, and how does a local government start to update its zoning code? <br /> <br />The purpose of this issue of Zoning Practice is <br />to provide a practical how-to guide to overhaul- <br />ing the zoning code. <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Land development regulations are as impor- <br />tant as comprehensive planning-sometimes <br />even more important. Both, however, are es- <br />sential to effective local growth management. <br />A comprehensive plan alo~e cannot ensure <br />that a community will realize its vision. For <br />decades, new and creative ways to regulate <br />development and implement the comprehen- <br />sive plan have been introduced. Despite this <br />trend, the zoning code remains the corner- <br />stone of most local government land develop- <br />ment regulations. Smart codes, form-based <br />codes, performance standards, and even the <br />familiar planned unit development are some <br />examples of best practices in land develop- <br />ment regulation. <br />At the same time, many local gif,Vern- <br />ments have zoning codes that are y~~rs, even <br />decades, old. these older zoning caoes often <br />contain none of the cqntemporarylegulatory <br />techniques. Officials and local citizens often <br />c", f. <br />wantto keep the familiar zoning:cope. Yet <br />they also want a more modern 8'nd "effective <br />set of regulations. To achieve this goal, plan- <br />ner~:must practice overhauling the zoning <br />code. <br /> <br />WHAT KIND OF OVERHAUL IS NEEDED? \" <br />The most effective processes begin with"the "" <br />end in mind. In order to identify the desired end <br />product, begin with a diagnosis. The project <br />may begin with the idea that only a few minor <br />changes-a tune-up-will improve the zoning <br />code. Through diagnosis, you may learn thatthe <br />problems are too great for just a tune-up. On <br />the other hand, you may start the project with <br /> <br />70 <br /> <br />, <br /> <br /> <br />the idea that the zoning code is headed forthe <br />recycling bin and should be completely replaced <br />with a new code. Through diagnosis, you may <br />learn that some parts are very workable if they <br />are adjusted to meet modern de~elopment <br />needs. More likely, you will flnd the expected <br />outcome is somewhere between minor tune-up <br />and complete replacement. The s~eps outlined <br />below include a diagnostic to help you refine <br />your initial idea of the outcomeand focus your <br />efforts on achieving the end product that your <br />local government needs. <br /> <br />WHAT STEPS ARE NEEDED AND <br />HOW CAN THE PROCESS BE EFFECTIVE? <br />Most planners are very familiar with a tradi- <br />tional planning process-collect and analyze <br />information, identify and evaluate alterna- <br />tives, select an alternative, assemble a plan, <br />adopt and implement the plan. This is fol- <br />lowed by an evaluation of the effectiveness <br />of the plan and an update-starting the cycle <br />over again. Overha"uling the zoning code <br />is similar, with "a significant exception. The <br />zoning code is tied to the plan as a primary <br />means of implementation. Further, the goal <br />is to overhaul a code that already exists, <br />meaning that you are not starting with a blank <br /> <br /> <br />. engineers <br />. surveyors <br />. builders and mntractors <br />. architects <br />o land-use and zoning attomeys <br />o owne"rs and developers of <br />large-scale projects <br />o major businesses and industries <br /> <br />o agricultural interests <br />o public schools, colleges, and universities <br />-environmental interests <br />. civic groups <br />. home owners associations <br />. elected officials <br />. citizen boards <br />. local government staff <br /> <br /> <br />ZONINGPRACTICE 12.08 <br />AMERICA PLANNING ASSOCIATION Ipage 2 <br />