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town has made minor adjustments to the policies and point
<br />awards, but the basic structure of the ordinance remains intact.
<br />He indicated that the system is too labor-intensive for the 30 to
<br />50 major permits issued each year.
<br /> FlagstatTs ordinance, adopted in 1991, used traditional
<br />zoning for developed areas but employed the Kendig model for
<br />areas still vacant. According to zoning administrator Mark
<br />Young, the approach has been satisfactory thus far, although the
<br />staff has made some minor revisions. Young indicated that staff
<br />must interpret some requirements to provide for flexibility in
<br />application. However, this is an almost universal need in the
<br />zoning game, performance-based or not.
<br />
<br />Conclusions
<br />This survey suggests .that the once-heralded promise of
<br />performance zoning is being fulfilled more through specific
<br />applications than dramatic changes in zoning approaches. An
<br />increasing number of planners have become familiar with the
<br />performance concept and measures. Applying them to
<br />traditional zoning formats provides some flexibility in
<br />determining uses as well as design and other factors. Although
<br />camouflaged by adaptive zoning.management, performance
<br />zoning is alive and well.
<br />
<br />versatile than tennis or basketball courts. Therefore, groups
<br />of children may be more inclined to congregate around these
<br />facilities for considerable periods of time. Proponents of the
<br />Sport Courts feel this is precisely the reason to have one in
<br />the yard. Concerned parents can keep a close watch over
<br />their children and the friends 'they associate with.
<br /> Still, many residents feel such facilities are more appropriate
<br />in a public setting. One Naperville councilman commented that
<br />Sport Courts have aesthetic problems that surpass backyard
<br />swimming pools. Local officials tend not to agree but still want
<br />to reconsider how these facilities are regulated. Historically,
<br />community planners would consider such a facility a detached
<br />accessory use, much like a tennis court or pool.
<br /> Naperville's chief planner, Jerry Dudgeon, says that Sport
<br />Courts in his community will probably retain their status as
<br />detached accessory uses. Any change will come in the form of a
<br />text amendment for lighting the facilities. Naperville's detached
<br />accessory uses are restricted to a rear yard, may be located a
<br />minimum of five feet from the lot line, and maintain a floor
<br />area ratio of less than 25 percent of the backyard, or 480 square
<br />feet, whichever is less. A meeting is planned with the president
<br />of Sport Court of Northern Illinois to determine how best to
<br />handle the issue. Michad Davidson
<br />
<br /> Sport Court
<br />.Controversy
<br />
<br />A new recreational facility characteristically called a Sport Court
<br />has transformed some suburban yards into virtual city parks. The
<br />courts, wl',ich consist of a concrete pad covered with soft rubber,
<br />have become somewhat of an indulgence for active backyard
<br />enthusiasts. Sport Court of Northern Illin6is, which manufac-
<br />tures and installs the facilities, discovered an emerging market in
<br />the Chicago area and hoped to install 40 such courts in 1997.
<br /> Grid marks and lines painted on the courts permit a myriad
<br />of recreational uses, ranging from hopscotch to hockey. The
<br />courts also include equipment for basketball, volleyball, tennis,
<br />hockey, in-line skating, and skateboarding. They range in size
<br />from 900 to 35,000 square feet and can cost a homeowner up to
<br />$20,000.
<br /> A suburban family in fast-growing Naperville, Illinois,
<br />recently installed the community's first Sport Court.
<br />Nuisance' factors associated with the facility prompted
<br />neighboring residents to circulate a petit!on calling for the
<br />city to deny the homeowner a permit. The courts come
<br />equipped with overhead lights and are a mecca for
<br />neighborhood children. Unlike swimming pools, they have a
<br />considerably longer playing season and are much more
<br />
<br />Zoning News is a monthly newsletter published by the American Planning A.~ociasion.
<br />Subscriptions arc available for $50 (U.S.) and $65 (foreign). Frank S. So, Executive Director;
<br />William IL Klein, Director of Research.
<br />Zoning News is produced at APA. Jim Schwab and Mlke Davidson, Editors; Shannon
<br />A~'msteong. Chris Burke, Fay Dolnick, Sanjay Jeer, Megan Lewis, Marya Morris, Martin Roupe,
<br />Jason Wiuenbetg. Reporters; Cynthia Che~ld, A.uhtant Editor; Lisa Barton, Deslgn and
<br />Production.
<br />Copyrlght ©1998 by American Planning A*sociatlon, 122 S. Michigan Ave., SuiTe 1600,
<br />Chicago. IL 60603. The American Planning Associatlon has headquarters ofllcea at 1776
<br />Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036.
<br />All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
<br />any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
<br />storage and retrieval system, without petmisdon in writing ~'rom the American Planning
<br />A~5ociation,
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<br />
<br />Call for
<br />Information
<br />
<br />Zoning News is seeking information concerning the training of
<br />planning commissioners. Materials should include effective
<br />training processes, special techniques, and implementation of
<br />training programs. This material will be used in a future issue of
<br />Zoning News covering this topic. Please send information to
<br />Marty Roupe, Research Department, APA, 122 S. Michigan
<br />Ave., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603-6107, or fax to him at
<br />312-431-9985.
<br />
<br />Natural Landscaping for
<br />Public Officials: A Source Book
<br />US EPA and the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission,
<br />Helen Tsiapas, US EPA, Region 5, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., AE-17J,
<br />Chicago, IL 60604. 81pp. 19)Z Free.
<br /> Looking for an alternative to conventional landscaping? ~his
<br />source book discusses the benefits of natural landscaping,
<br />including water conservation and pollution control. It also
<br />explains the basic principles of natural landscaping and the
<br />feasibility of using it successfully with midwestern climates and
<br />soil types. It provides ways for local officials to encourage the
<br />growing trend of natural landscaping, offers tools and
<br />techniques, and provides direction to other sources of
<br />information and expertise. Finally, the source book identifies
<br />methods to avoid both poorly implemented natural
<br />landscaping and local governmental problems. Although
<br />geared toward the Midwest, the same principles of planning
<br />and implementation can be applied to natural landscaping
<br />efforts around the country.
<br />
<br />--/ff
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