PROJECT BLUEPRINT REPORT NEW HANOVER COUNTY UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE

Transcription

1 PROJECT BLUEPRINT REPORT NEW HANOVER COUNTY UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE

2 BLUEPRINT REPORT Overview Analyze current regulations Identify changes necessary to update regulations and implement County plans Annotated outline of proposed revisions

3 BLUEPRINT REPORT PlanNHC Overview PlanNHC Goals Promote environmentally responsible growth Promote fiscally responsible growth Increase recycling and reduction of solid waste Increase public safety by reducing crime through the built environment Conserve open space for long term agricultural and rural uses Conserve environmentally critical areas Integrate multi-modal transportation into mixed land uses that encourage safe, walkable communities

4 BLUEPRINT REPORT PlanNHC Overview PlanNHC Goals (con t) Promote place-based economic development in the region that is tied to natural resources Actively promote high quality educational and diverse cultural opportunities for residents and visitors Preserve and protect water quality and supply Increase physical activity and promote healthy, active lifestyles Ensure NHC remains in attainment for air quality, in support of clean air and improved public health outcomes to support continued growth Increase access to affordable and convenient healthy foods

5 BLUEPRINT REPORT PlanNHC Overview PlanNHC Goals (con t) Provide for a range of housing types, opportunities and choices Revitalize commercial corridors and blighted areas through infill and redevelopment Link major natural habitats Conserve and enhance unique sense of place to attract individuals, companies, and organizations Use public infrastructure improvements to leverage private investments Support business success Support health promotion and disease prevention while minimizing debilitating effects of mental and physical disabilities Support workforce development and economic prosperity for all

6 BLUEPRINT REPORT Plans & Policies Link Link Regulatory Process to existing NHC Plans and Policies Wilmington-New Hanover County Comprehensive Greenways Master Plan Pathways to Prosperity The Garner Study Cape Fear Transportation Plan 2040 Parks and Gardens Master Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan Establish vision and strategy for creating a regional network of active transportation corridors throughout City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, and the local beach communities. Road map for NHC to see realistic economic vision to strengthen area s business climate, increase economic competitiveness, strengthen existing industries, and identify emerging industries to increase private investment, job creation and retention. Metropolitan transportation plan (MTP) to guide regional transportation priorities and actions. Evaluates projects and strategies to promote mobility and access for people and goods within the plan boundaries. Recently updated plan to address parks and recreation facilities future growth and provision of services. Guide to hazard mitigation activities. Protect life and property from future damages and economic losses that result from natural hazards. Small Area Plans Identify near-term strategies to address safety, mobility, and access.

7 BLUEPRINT REPORT Zoning Code Audit 1. Code is not well-linked to County plans and policies and may inadvertently prohibit good development 2. Code can be very challenging to navigate for regular citizens 3. Many specific standards are nested deeply within zone district regulations 4. Code includes subjective standards and ambiguous submission requirements 5. Negotiated review and approval process hinders predictable outcomes

8 BLUEPRINT REPORT Zoning Code Audit 1. Update definitions to remove regulations 2. Update non-conforming lot and use regulations (expansion, discontinuation, etc.) 3. Eliminate conditional use districts 4. Update table of permitted uses 5. Address performance residential standards 6. Update and create appropriate dimensional requirements (e.g. lot size, setbacks, height, FAR, etc.) 7. Update and clarify district regulations 8. Re-examine overlay districts functionality, uses, and standards 9. Clarify development plan process and submittal requirements 10. Update landscaping standards to modernize tree standards, buffering, fencing and screening, as well as applicability 11. Update parking lot landscaping 12. Clarify street yard landscaping and foundation plantings 13. Clarify temporary use standards 14. Update accessory/building use standards

9 BLUEPRINT REPORT Zoning Code Audit 15. Update and add to existing permitted use standards 16. Address waste facilities and demolition landscape landfills use standards 17. Update utilities and wireless communication facilities use standards 18. Update special use standards as well as provisions and review procedures 19. Update off-street parking and loading requirements 20. Create/update design standards for architecture and lighting 21. Update design standards for signage (permanent and temporary) 22. Update procedures for building and zoning permit review 23. Clarify zoning administrator, board of adjustments, courts, and county commissioners duties regarding zoning appeals 24. Amend application submittal procedures 25. Update vesting rights and development agreements 26. Update procedures for ordinance and text amendments 27. Update appeal procedures 28. Clarify legal provisions includes enforcement of ordinance/regulations

10 BLUEPRINT REPORT Subdivision Ord. Audit 1. Combine into single UDO article 2. Update definitions 3. Create update administrative procedures/consolidate sections 4. Clarify Sketch Plan process 5. Update Preliminary Plan procedures 6. Update Final Plat procedures 7. Create flexible general provisions 8. Address landscape preservation and provisions for open area/open space, parks and recreation. 9. Address blocks and alleys and conditions when they are warranted 10. Identify/clarify easement requirements 11. Analyze and update lot standards 12. Reference Master Street Plan 13. Implement traffic calming 14. Correlate street tree requirement with zoning landscaping requirements 15. Update provisions for sidewalks, trails, and bikeways 16. Combine enforcement of ordinance into UDO, include with zoning.

11 BLUEPRINT REPORT Stormwater + Erosion Audit Stormwater 1. Reformat section and consider how it relates to other sections of code 2. Update definitions 3. Update purpose of regulations and County s role 4. Update regulations for new development and redevelopment Erosion Review for conformance with NC state requirements

12 BLUEPRINT REPORT Major Themes Focus on creating appropriate place types across the County Reinforce a sense of place in the county and help focus on multimodal development and walkability Overhaul mixed-use zoning Switch from emphasis on use to emphasis on structure Address design transitions between place types through development standards EXAMPLE PLACE TYPE

13 BLUEPRINT REPORT Major Themes Create a unified development ordinance and improve the document formatting, graphics, and illustrations Group like-with-like for uses, development standards, dimensions Use matrices and tables to make information easier to find Balance cross-referencing and useful redundancy Move some administrative material to administrative manual EXAMPLE CODE PAGE WITH GRAPHICS

14 BLUEPRINT REPORT Major Themes Modernize the zone district line-up and use allocations District % Acres District % Acres Airport Industrial (AI) 2.50 Planned Development (PD) 2.00 Airport Residential (AR) 1.18 Residential (R-7) 0.0 Business (B-1).36 Residential (R-10) 3.69 Highway Business (B-2) 1.89 Residential (R-15) Conditional Zoning District (CZD).01 Residential (R-20) Exceptional Design Zoning Dist. (EDZD).01 Residential (R-20S) 4.45 Light Industry (I-1) 1.27 Residential Agriculture (RA) 8.52 Heavy Industry (I-2) Riverfront Mixed Use (RFMU).03 Office and Institutional (O&I).41 Shopping Center (SC).01

15 BLUEPRINT REPORT Major Themes Modernize the zone district line-up and use allocations Review all current districts for County plan implementation, ease of use, long-term applicability; establish new line-up Establish County-appropriate approach for regulating structures Collect uses, analyze, and update Allocation across districts Level of review and discretionary approval Use-specific regulations/nc law Special, temporary, and accessory uses Coordinate as possible with Wilmington

16 BLUEPRINT REPORT Major Themes Create a standards-based regulatory process Include regulations that balance predictability and flexibility Articulate clear review and approval criteria Avoid customized code amendments for individual projects Unintended consequences Clarity/confusion Consistent treatment of all code users

17 BLUEPRINT REPORT Major Themes Raise the bar for basic site design Establish or update requirements for: Landscaping, buffering, and screening Parking Site layout Natural resources and environmentally sensitive areas Stormwater Mobility/connectivity Incorporate basic illustrations and graphics EXAMPLE GRAPHIC SHOWING SITE DESIGN

18 BLUEPRINT REPORT Major Themes Clarify subdivision standards and infrastructure criteria Update the subdivision approval process Incorporate all applicable design standards Fill-in gaps for any missing standards, update any outdated standards ALLEY-LOADED GARAGES

19 BLUEPRINT REPORT Major Themes Coordinate with Wilmington s processes and standards (as possible) Transitional zone districts at interface Matching/compatible Development standards Use standards Regulatory terminology Some similar review criteria NEW HANOVER COUNTY/ WILMINGTON ZONING

20 Keys to a Successful UDO Predictability Flexibility Community expectations Consistent and fair treatment Decision standards and criteria Clear, concise language Timely decisions

21 BLUEPRINT REPORT Proposed Organization Consolidation of content Simplification of style Consistent organization

22 BLUEPRINT REPORT General Provisions

23 BLUEPRINT REPORT General Provisions Section 14 Relationship to County Plans Include provisions connecting the land use regulations to the goals and policies of relevant County and regional planning documents Section 16 Relationship to Other Regulations State that land development regulations are intended to compliment other regulations (including state and federal law); more restrictive shall apply Section 18 Transitional Regulations Establish the method to resolve the status of properties with pending applications, recent approvals, and properties with outstanding violations at the time the UDO is adopted; also, note that violations prior to UDO adoption will remain violations

24 BLUEPRINT REPORT Zone Districts

25 Lot Area (min, ft.) Max Lot Coverage (%) Interior Abuttin g Street Density (min/max) FAR Height (feet, max.) BLUEPRINT REPORT Proposed Revisions Revise Zone District Line-Up Identify districts and standards necessary to encourage preferred growth patterns Purpose Statements Include in each zone district to provide policy instructions about the use and interpretation of each zone district Purpose statements provide a window for incorporating planning policy and description and provide guidance to staff and the code user to reasonably predict interpretation Section 22 Dimensions Consolidate dimensional standards (height, setback, etc.) for the various zone districts and supplemental regulations in one or more tables that are more compact and user-friendly Table NC Dimensional Standards Building Types Lot Setbacks (ft.) [1] Front (max) Side (min) Rear (min) Development Coverage (max.) Attached House 2, / Multi-Unit Dwelling 4, / Live-Work [2] 5, Commercial (up to 7,000 sq. ft. [3] total) Mixed-Use [3] Office [3] Civic [3] [1] NC abutting residential shall match the side yard setbacks of the residential district and provide a 20-foot rear yard setback. Notes: [2] Standards for new construction, the city may permit conversion of existing structures that donot meet these dimensional standards. [3] Must meet structure size and setbacks.

26 BLUEPRINT REPORT Use + Structure

27 BLUEPRINT REPORT Proposed Revisions Section 30 Permitted Use Table Include an updated use table organized from broad categories to narrow uses to make information easy to find Use organization includes: 1. Overall categories of use 2. General use types 3. Specific use types (singled out for additional regulation) EXAMPLE

28 BLUEPRINT REPORT Use + Structure Section 31 Structures Identify and define types of structures permitted in districts to influence long-term placemaking, such as areas where the County wants to encourage compact, walkable, mixed-use development Section 33 Special Uses Analyze and comment on SUP process; incorporate into UDO Section 35 Temporary Use Standards Update to collect all current temporary use regulations such as temporary farmer s market and add a more robust list of temporary uses Comply with Reed v. Town of Gilbert

29 BLUEPRINT REPORT Development Standards

30 BLUEPRINT REPORT PROPOSED REVISIONS Section 42 Connectivity and Mobility Address connectivity and access management between lots and streets, streets and streets, and overall neighborhood development Section 44 Landscaping, Screening, and Buffering Update and expand options in all three categories to address the different types of landscaping, screening, and buffering required by different development types Section 45 Building and Streetscapes Include standards addressing building and site design related to form, massing, and site placement not architectural design Section 48 Signs Update as necessary to conform to the requirements of Reed v. Town of Gilbert

31 BLUEPRINT REPORT Design and Improvement

32 BLUEPRINT REPORT PROPOSED REVISIONS Section 53 Stormwater Clarify, modernize, and built requirements to ensure regulations are capable of addressing continued growth and future weather and storm events in the region Section 58 Construction and Acceptance of Improvements Section 59 Improvement Guarantees Ensure current subdivision design and improvement standards are applicable and up-to-date for both sections Clarify the paperwork aspects of the subdivision process to ensure applicants and County staff are clear about requirements in both sections

33 BLUEPRINT REPORT Procedures

34 BLUEPRINT REPORT PROPOSED REVISIONS Section 61 Common Procedures Build on the information provided in Article 9 to create complete and consistent descriptions of the many processes applicable across multiple application types E.g., pre-application meetings, submittal requirements, fees, staff review, public notices, lapsing and extension of approvals, appeals, etc. Section 62 Specific Procedures Provide a detailed list of steps required for each type of application or permit request along with a process flow chart to help applicants understand process and decisions E.g., rezoning, amendments, planned development, subdivision applications, special use permits, floodplain development application, sign permit, tree removal permit, and others.

35 BLUEPRINT REPORT PROPOSED REVISIONS Recommending and Decision-making Bodies Consolidate and clarify roles of the review and decision-making bodies in review and approval procedures; establish clear lines of authority Violations and Enforcement Combine enforcement and penalty provisions from both zoning and subdivision ordinances and update as necessary Measurements and Definitions Clear definitions of important words, phrases, and uses for easier interpretation and administration of regulations Appendices Include information that is not necessary in the main body of the document

36 BLUEPRINT REPORT Next Steps Start drafting updated zone districts, use standards, and definitions Coordinating meeting with City of Wilmington County/public review draft of zone districts, use standards, and definitions