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those frequently used permU conditions for zoning code
<br />standards.
<br /> Missine or vaeue r~ermit ~e uirements needlessl com licate
<br /> ..... ~q Y P
<br />zoning administration and a~te unfair to the public. If the
<br />approval of another department or agency is necessary, this
<br />should be noted and appropriately referenced·
<br /> Include all findings necessary to issue a permit. These should
<br />include general findings sucl! as consistency with the
<br />comprehensive plan or findiggs for a specific use or exception.
<br />Avoid vague or open-ended findings. Define the limits within
<br />which approvals are granted,r'for example, "The planning directar
<br />may reduce the required number of parking spaces by 20percent if
<br />the parking lot is to be used b.~ two or more users and the reduction
<br />can be supported with a park~g study that shows the peak parking
<br />demand to be tess than the total required spaces."
<br /> Be sure your zoning code;has provisions for planned unit
<br />developments (PUDs), a tool that gives the zoning code
<br />flexibility outside an otherw~e rigid set of standards. The extent
<br />to which variations from code standards are allowed should be
<br />clearly stated.
<br />
<br /> Writing Good Definitions
<br /> · Avoid regulations in definiiions.
<br /> · Use functional definitions,lfor~ example, "Dwellinff: Any building
<br /> or portion thereof, that con'ins hying facilities, including
<br /> permanent provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation,
<br /> for not more than one family. "Functional definitions eliminate
<br /> the need for an exhaustive~ist of uses, reduce the need for code
<br /> amendments, and will red,ce the need for a long list of uses in
<br /> each district.
<br /> · For use classifications, use$eneric definitions that encompass
<br /> two or more uses. Including an alphabetized table of these uses
<br /> is very helpful. For example:
<br /> Restaurants. Establishments~roviding prepared food and
<br /> beverages for consumption flit the premises. Restaurants
<br /> include, but are not limited, to: cafeterias; ice cream parlors;
<br /> coffee shops; sandwich shops;' dinner clubs; sidewalk cafes;
<br /> donut shops.
<br /> · In the general definitions, i:ross reference commonty used terms
<br /> to those used in the zonin~ code. For examp e, ".Gas station:
<br /> See "Automobile service stab'on."
<br /> · Group similar terms· For ~xample:
<br /> Lot line:
<br /> A. front. A lot Bne abutting a street.
<br /> B. Rear. A lot line, not Intersecting a ~ont lot line, which is
<br /> most closely parallel t[ the front lot line.
<br /> C. Side. A lot line that ~ not afl'one or rear lot line.
<br /> D. Street. A lot line abutting a street.
<br /> · Definitions used throughdut the code belong in the general
<br /> definitions division. Definitions used only in special sections
<br /> should be located in those:sections.
<br />
<br /> Definitions. Writing defir~itions requires careful judgment
<br />and experience. If overly br~}ad, use classifications may overlap
<br />or regulations become ambi[~uous. If strict definitions are used,
<br />a zoning code may lose its fle~' xibility.
<br /> Index. The final pages df any zoning code should include
<br />an index. Unlike a table o~ contents, the index will help you
<br />find all references to a subject or term. The use of computer
<br />"marking" throughout the~text will help in assembling the
<br />index. It should be as complete as possible and reference page
<br />
<br />numbers rather than sections. Use subcategories for terms
<br />like "dwelling" to include "unit," "single-family," and
<br />"multifamilv." Consider printing the index on a different
<br />color of paper.
<br /> Editing. Writing a new zoning code requires ongoing editing.
<br />However, final editing is different. In the effort to produce a
<br />code, often with last-minute changes made under deadline, it is
<br />easy to forget the bigger picture. Final editing does this through
<br />a "segmented" process, that is, separate edits for content, cross-
<br />referencing, procedures, format consistency, and spelling and
<br />grammar. The code should be initially edited for readability,
<br />preferably by someone unfamiliar with zoning. If your budget
<br />permits, hire an outside editor.
<br /> The numbering system should be inserted after final editing
<br />when it is known that future changes are not likely. All cross-
<br />referencing should be checked while the numbers are being
<br />inserted and afterward by other staff.
<br /> Spelling should be checked last. Do not rely solely on the
<br />computer's spell checking. The computer will not find a
<br />correctly spelled word that is used in the wrong way.
<br /> Printing and Binding. Standard white is the paper of
<br />choice. It's inexpensive, and pages can always be reproduced
<br />on a photocopy machine. Try colored paper for the design
<br />guidelines as a visual marker and to distinguish them from
<br />the regular zoning text. Avoid colored ink and fold-out
<br />sheets.
<br /> Preprinted tabs'should be used for every major division and
<br />should be printed on a heavier cover-stock paper. Tabs should
<br />include the division number and the full title. Different colors
<br />can be used to indicate the major code groups. Tabs allow
<br />instant access, a real plus when helping customers at your office
<br />counter. If tabs are not possible, staggered black marker strips
<br />on the edge of the page are an alternative.
<br /> Considering the zoning code's importance, it is astounding
<br />how little attention is paid to binding. Binding often includes
<br />rubber bands.,' staples, or a three-hole punch with no binder and
<br />a spring clip, all worthless for day-to-day use. Amendments are
<br />usually in their original ordinance form and stapled or paper-
<br />clipped together.
<br /> The best choices are plastic-comb or three-ring binders, the
<br />latter generally sold separately. Plastic-comb binders are
<br />inexpensive and allow the code to lie fiat, an absolutely
<br />necessary feature. However, if you plan to add pages.regularly,
<br />this will lose its appeal.
<br /> The three-ring binder is excellent. It is more expensive than
<br />comb binding but allows complete flexibility to remove and add
<br />pages.
<br /> Whether subsequent amendments should be published and
<br />made available separately or be inserted into the remaining stock
<br />of zoning codes is problematic. Ideally, the amendments should
<br />be inserted into the original and made available to the public as
<br />a single complete document. It is difficult enough to find
<br />information in a zoning code without having to check a stack of
<br />amendments for possible changes.
<br />
<br />Zoning Maps
<br />
<br />clarity is primarily a spatial rather than textual issue, attention to
<br />details will improve readability.
<br /> Most zoning maps are printed and bound as a separate
<br />document. Some are printe~l on a large sheet and inserted in a
<br />pocket at the back of the zoning code. Which method is used
<br />will depend on the size of the jurisdiction covered.
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