Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
11 <br />SECTION 2 -- Unified Development Ordinance Work Program Attachment 4.1 <br />INTRODUCTION: <br />The work program identifies the process that will be utilized by the Orange County <br />Planning Department for the development of a Unified Development Ordinance (hereafter <br />'UDO'). <br />During the budget process the development of the UDO was discussed and it was <br />determined that a general reformatting and the creation of a better framework and some <br />minor rewrites would be possible given budget and staff constraints. The ultimate goal is <br />to complete everything noted below but it will be done in phases. <br />PURPOSE AND GOAL: <br />The overall purpose and goal of the project is to: <br />1. Make existing land use regulations more customer - friendly and easier to <br />understand, <br />2. Eliminate existing contradictions and inconsistencies within the various <br />development definitions and review standards, <br />3. Combine all existing land use regulatory standards into one (1) central <br />document (i.e. Zoning, Subdivision, Economic Development, etc), <br />4. Note where we could streamline and enhance the development review process, <br />5. Update outdated graphic examples of development principles /concepts, <br />6. Begin to modernize the zoning districts and permitted land uses, and <br />7. Revise existing development regulations to encourage redevelopment in <br />targeted areas that is consistent with the County's planning and development <br />goals. <br />One of the most frequently cited concerns raised by property owners, developers, and <br />County staff is that the current land use development regulations (i.e. Zoning, <br />Subdivision, Economic Development District, Erosion Control, etc) are difficult to <br />understand and not very customer friendly. <br />One major issue is that the County's existing zoning ordinance and subdivision <br />regulations are separate documents but make continuous reference to various <br />development standards /limitations that are contained within each document. This creates <br />frustration for those attempting to review all relevant regulations impacting a development <br />project, as they have to continuously refer back and forth to both documents in order to <br />ensure compliance. <br />The modern thinking, and preferred trend among local governments, is to combine zoning <br />and land development regulations into one consolidated development code. Most <br />communities adopting this approach find a unified document that organizes all relevant <br />procedures and development regulations in an intelligent and logical format makes the <br />rani iintinnc more customer - friendly. <br />Attachment 4.2 <br />