2010-032b Planning - Contract Professional Services Related to Orange County Unified Development Ordinance

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Issues Summary MODERNIZE THE APPROACH TO USE REGULATIONS The use standards in a zoning ordinance are important because they identify which uses go in which districts. The current ordinance uses a somewhat dated list-based approach to setting out the allowable uses by district Some of the districts are pyramided, that is, the uses allowed in a less intense district are also allowed in the next highest-intensity district It is suggested the new UDO include a new single summary use table that sets out the full range of allowable uses, the districts where they are allowed, the process under which they are authorized, and a cross-reference to any additional use-specific standards. We also suggest the UDO codify the allowed uses under a three-tiered use classification system that adds textual descriptions to clarify use groups at three different levels: • Use Classifications(broad general classifications such as Residential,Commercial, and Institutional), • Use Categories (major sub-groups within Use Classifications such as residential that are based on common characteristics,such as"Group Living"and"Household living"),and • Use Types (specific uses within the Use Categories such as "single-family detached dwellings", "multiple-family dwellings",and "townhome"). Many communities are moving to this use classification approach due to its more robust structure and flexibility. Appendix C of this report provides more detailed information about the proposed listing of use types compared to the town's current line up of uses. In addition, and as part of the conversion to the three-tiered use classification system, it is also suggested that obsolete uses be removed, and new uses (e.g., large retail establishments, internet cafes, etc.) be added. The revised standards will also include a procedure the town can use to classify new uses not already included in the list ADD NEW STANDARDS FOR ACCESSORY AND TEMPORARY USES The current zoning ordinance addresses accessory and temporary uses within each zoning district's standards. Modern practice suggests that use-specific standards for individual accessory or temporary uses should be set out by use type instead of by district We suggest the new UDO establish rules about how accessory and temporary uses may be developed, as well as new standards for each kind of temporary use in a stand-alone section.The new ordinance should also broaden the range of accessory and temporary uses to include new uses like major home occupations, stand-alone automated teller machines, portable storage containers,stand-alone ice vending uses,and special events like garage sales or block parties. IMPROVE DEVELOPMENT QUALITY The quality of development in Hillsborough, like many communities throughout North Carolina and the nation, is important to the town's economic prosperity and to the continued enjoyment of a high quality of life. This attitude underlies many of the town's goals and policies This issue was also expressed as an important goal in the code update by some of the stakeholders in interviews during the project kick-off meetings. One issue is parking requirements, another is landscaping requirements. In addition to the general goal of raising development quality, it is also desirable that development standards be quantifiable and measurable to the maximum extent practicable. Furthermore, the new ordinance should also clarify who has the responsibility of reviewing the site plan or subdivision applications for compliance with the standards. Development quality is largely addressed in the current zoning ordinance through basic requirements for parking, landscaping, buffering, and signage. Creation of this UDO is an opportunity to consider adjustments in standards such as: • Modifying parking standards, • Modifying landscape standards for parking areas, perimeter buffers,commercial sites,and requiring street tree planting, • Adding tree protection standards, • Adding open space set-aside standards, • Adding new exterior lighting standards, • Adding fence and wall standards,and • Adding new basic design standards for big box development, multi-family development, and community form. These will be discussed as the preparation of the UDO moves forward. Hillsborough,North Carolina Page 10 Unified Development Ordinance I Draft Annotated Outline November,2009