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the daitv administration of the old zoning code through a
<br />collaborative group review process. Research the work. of other
<br />planning agencies for good examples, and determine if their
<br />approach is applicable. A caretul diagnosis of these problems
<br />should be prepared, and the team responsible (or the update
<br />should be charged with correcting them.
<br />
<br />Techniques for Better Readability
<br />Word Processi,g. Computers and word processing software are
<br />essential (or a major zoning code update. The speed, flexib ry,
<br />file management, and editing capabilities of word processing
<br />makes its use a clear choice. Most planning agencies now have
<br />this because J~ is a cos~-effectJve investment. Laser printing will
<br />help yield professional results.
<br /> Appearance of the Code. Overall appearance affects how the
<br />new zoning code is written and should be decided eariv on. A
<br />code should have a thematic look from cover to cover with
<br />uniX'lng elements consisting of its cover, paper color, type sD, lc,
<br />and text layout. A professional appearance will more likdy have a
<br />positive impact.
<br /> Some communities use the same cover designs, loges, and
<br />paper as the zoning code's companion documents, such as a
<br />comprehensive pian. This helps to establish a relationship
<br />between these documents. Gimmicks, however, undermine the
<br />confidence created by a simple, straightforward appearance.
<br /> Don't use brightly colored paper that will detract from the
<br />zoning code. Also, some colors do not photocopy well. Use a
<br />muted color cover stock and white paper for the text. Some
<br />codes use colored paper to separate certain sections.
<br /> General Organization. Start by grouping related provisions.
<br />The organization and order of zoning codes ,,,an',. but usually
<br />include general provisions, zoning district standards, special
<br />deveiopment regulations, administration, and definitions.
<br /> Grouping related t~rovisions will improve readabiiirv. Readers
<br />can find information quickiy if they know that specific provisions
<br />are grouped together. Some cities randomiy piace provisions in
<br />the code based on their order of adoption or `.vhere space permits.
<br />Finding regulations becomes difficult as readers must scan the
<br />entire code to be sure there are no other related regulations.
<br /> However, there are exceptions, h is easier to have certain
<br />special development standards and definitions in the same major
<br />division. For exampte, use of the term "home occupations" may
<br />occur onh, in the speciai deveiopment standards division on
<br />home occupations. It would be inconvenient to include this
<br />definition in the definitions division. Converseb,, the term
<br />"dwelling" may be found throughout the code, in which case its
<br />definition should be located in the definitions division.
<br /> Landscaping is a troublesome subject in most zoning codes.
<br />Should there be a special section for landscaping, or should
<br />landscaping provisions be located throughout the code? Many
<br />codes do both. It may be logical to have a general landscaping
<br />section applicable to all zoning districts and have specific standards
<br />applicable to a specific section. For example, there should be
<br />landscaping standards in the parking section because they are
<br />frequent})' used together. However, general landscaping provisions
<br />such as types of plant materials, irrigation, and maintenance that
<br />apply to both zoning districts and parking lots should be located in
<br />the code's special development standards division.
<br /> Another organizational issue invoh,es writing standards and
<br />procedural sequences that follow the same general order. ]f
<br />tables are used to show development standards for each zoning
<br />district, the standards should appear in nearly identical order for
<br />each zoning district, and the tables should have the same general
<br />
<br />design. Rezonings, variances, conditional use permits, and
<br />architectural review should also follow the same procedural
<br />sequences and use the same words to the extent possible. This
<br />wilt make it easier for staff to memorize procedures and will
<br />make procedural differences more noticeable.
<br /> Decide early whether to incorporate laws, regulations, and
<br />standards by reference or tn include the text of standards
<br />adopted by other governing bodies that affect zoning
<br />regulations. Some would argue that it is better to incorporate by
<br />reference because the taws or regulations being referenced
<br />frequently change. The guide here should be- common sense. If
<br />the outside regulation is used infrequently and is lengthy,
<br />incorporate it by reference onh'. Generalh'. it is better to
<br />monitor changes outside the local jurisdiction and amend the
<br />zoning code than to endure the inconvenience of having to use
<br />the zoning code in conjunction with other reference sources.
<br />
<br />Maior
<br />Division Description Examples
<br />
<br /> General
<br />Provisior~s
<br />
<br />Zoning
<br />D~slrict
<br />Regulations
<br />
<br />Special
<br />Developmenl
<br />Standards
<br />
<br />Administration
<br />and
<br />Enforcement
<br />
<br />Definitions
<br />
<br />Contains provisions
<br />apphcable lo the
<br />entire zoning cede.
<br />
<br />Includes alt zoning
<br />districl and overlay
<br />dist'nct regulations.
<br />
<br />Includes specific
<br />develo0ment stan-
<br />dards applicable to
<br />one or more uses
<br />or dislr~ClS.
<br />
<br />Procedural require-
<br />ments lot all
<br />administrative and
<br />legislative reviews,
<br />appeals, enforce-
<br />ment, and penalties.
<br />
<br />Definitions of lerms
<br />used throughout
<br />Ine zoning code.
<br />
<br />Tille; purpose; authorily;
<br />applicability of zoning code;
<br />estabhshment el zoning
<br />districts: rules of inter-
<br />pretation: severabihty.
<br />
<br />Agr¢cullural; resioentdal;
<br />commercial; industrial;
<br />hoodpiain overlay.
<br />
<br />Parking; signs; noncon-
<br />forming uses and struc-
<br />tures; home occupations:
<br />recycling facilities; bed and
<br />breaklast inns.
<br />
<br />Site p~an review: conditional
<br />use permits and variances;
<br />architectural review: zoning
<br />coda amendmenls and
<br />rezonmgs; filing el appeals;
<br />enforcement and revocation
<br />o~ permits and penalties.
<br />
<br />"DweDng unit," 'structure."
<br />"lot," "yard." Terms used only
<br />m the special development
<br />standarps (e.g., sign. salellite
<br />d~sh antenna, bed and ureak-
<br />fasL etc.) ShOUld be totaled
<br />only m lhose sections.
<br />
<br />Format. Format includes the adopted standard for the
<br />appearance of each page. A consistent format is easier to use.
<br /> Lega] publishing requirements often dictate page layout. The
<br />zoning code is usually part of an agency's general code, which
<br />may have an established format. Consult early with your legal
<br />counsel to see if changes in format are possibie.
<br /> If the esrablJshed format is unworkable, you may be relegated
<br />to keeping a separate "unofficial" version that would nor be
<br />codified in the agency's general code. in this case, a disclaimer
<br />in the unofficial version should state that the official version is
<br />included in the general code. An unofficial version lets the
<br />planning agency make formatting changes without having re
<br />formally amend the zoning code.
<br /> Format inciudes a number of elements that should combine to
<br />give each page an uncomplicated appearance. The most obvious Js
<br />
<br />
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