Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
issues Summary <br /> honing Orcig e Text <br /> A table of contents, index, cross-references, and headers and footers are referencing systems that can &MUp Armwrdment <br /> greatly enhance usability of fang documents such as the UDC. The table of contents is often the Review Prace= <br /> preliminary guiding tool that anchors the reader. Cross-references assist the user in identifying the relevant �c�e�M�din� <br /> regulations that apply to the articular use, development perm�� or development proposal. Headers and .v-'w - '4. N.,1P-A., P'T <br /> F j _d a 14.1. <br /> footers highlight the section number and topic an each page (e.g., "Sec. 1.�, Title"), a lowing a reader to <br /> n�co�r�e��d . <br /> quickly thumb through the UDC and find a section. ...: <br /> A more effective refereneing approach is to include a detailed master table of contents at the beginning of -'°`Pp��°"11&A-2,I-imq&b;the UDC and a table of contents at the beginning of each ar-t�cle. We also recommend adding an index of _ � <br /> topics at the end of the document,with headings and crags-references that serve as guideposts to direct the <br /> user to the particular topic of interest to the user. <br /> _ Rvsion of Pl=u and <br /> ��m����Iilustrate and Summan*ze Key Concepts = , <br /> P 4M.1'L,-j%.AR4' <br /> A'JLMM JWUP%jb_Wr1%8 <br /> Another way to make a code ucustomer-fri end ly" is through illustrations, graphics, flowcharts, and tables. <br /> The odd adage Na picture is worth 1,000 words"is certainly true when talking about cornmunicati ng zon;ng <br /> Cancepts. u strati vns, grap hi CS,flowcharts, and tables are also very he I fu I i n development codes because M- <br /> they convey information concisely hand in many instances more clearly}, eliminating the need for lengthy, P � -.�� : �u: .:- <br /> repetifive�ex�. - b k <br /> There is an opportunity toinclude gra 'ics and illustrafions to convey key concepts in the new UDO, such <br /> as required dimensional measurements (e.g., hvw to measure height). Graphics can also be used to <br /> illustrate preferred design concepts, such as parking space dimensions, harking lot landscaping, and other <br /> landscaping and screening requirements. <br /> Flow charts also add charity to specific procedural requirements and Urnelines, as well as explain the - ' =• • • • <br /> interrelationships between procedures. There are no flow Charts in the existing ordinance. Flow charts <br /> are becoming commonplace in modern development regulations because of their ease of use and their <br /> power to convey complex relationships. <br /> M lot <br /> Bayed on our experience in other J"urisdicfions, we have found summary tables can be very helpful in <br /> 'n inf rma i i � <br /> presentr g o ton succfn�tly and elimEnat�n�repetition and n cons�stent n o�vgy �Pia,Ravi w&„ildkig z <br /> CONSOLIDA EFIN E A ND UPDATE RE F!hlITIONS Sam ple process flow h fth <br /> Definifons are scattered in several sections in the existing ordinances. We recommend c art rom ano er <br /> consolidating all definitions into one article so at is easy for a user to find the meaning of terms in juns i ion <br /> one place and to reduce the chance of redundancies or conflicting definitions. We suggest rem <br /> locating the definitions to the last adcle of the UDO, sine it typically serves as a supplementary reference tool gather than a <br /> pr imary source of regulatory informatian. <br /> We also recommend the new code include new definitions of key terms, as well as the updating and modernizing of existing <br /> definifions, as appropriate. For example, terms such as buffer, xeriscape, manufactured home, and mobile home need, <br /> definition. All use types identified in the Code should be defined--a number of common uses in the existing ordinance are <br /> not described(e.g., multi-family residential, recreational facility,commercial use,and others), <br /> Finally, all definitions will be reviewed and will be written in plain English. <br /> CLARIFY REVIEW S NDARDS <br /> Many of the development review standards in the existing regulataons are in need of revision and clarification. <br /> There are also several unintended consequences in the current provisions that are resulting 'In development that is not <br /> consistent with the town's goals. <br /> Standards that are unclear invite different interpretation or application and create uncertainty for development applicants as <br /> well as staff and the public. Development standards should clearly establish the communolty'S goals for the development of a <br /> =Nib <br /> Hillsborough,North Carolina <br /> United Development Ordinance I Draft annotated outline Page 5 <br /> November,2009 <br />