Listening Sessions: Guiding Principles and Unified Development Code New Castle County, Delaware March 2015
AGENDA Introduction: Who We Are Work Program and Schedule Guiding Principles Discussion Project Goals Issues that Need to be Addressed
White & Smith, LLC Over 120 projects in 35 states Project Management, Strategy, Code Drafting Mark White, Esq., Director Loudoun County, VA Hillsborough County, FL San Antonio, Texas UDO Los Angles CA Development Code Frederick, MD Land Management Ordinance
Clarion Associates Prime Contractor: Project Management, Strategy, Code Drafting Craig Richardson, Esq., Director Don Elliott, FAICP, Director, Director Stephen Sizemore, Esq., AICP, Senior Associate Pete Sullivan, Senior Associate Leigh Anne King, Principal Over 120 comprehensive code rewrites 2013 National APA Implementation Award, Philadelphia Zoning Code 2012 EPA Smart Growth Award, Portsmouth Zoning Ordinance
WORK PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE Revised Unified Development Code I. Background Analysis II. Early Products Draft Guiding Principles Short-Term UDC Amendments Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District Economic Development Districts Development Standards Placemaking Streamline Procedures
WORK PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE Revised Unified Development Code (cont.) III. Transportation Management IV. Additional Amendments New Districts - Process Revisions & Other
WORK PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE Revised Unified Development Code New Castle County 2014-2015 2016 January February March April May June July August September October November December January February March April May I. Background Analysis II. Early Products Guiding Principles Streamline Procedures, Economic Development Districts, Neighborhood Preservation Placemaking / Development Standards III. Transportation Management IV. Development Process / UDC Amendments / New Districts
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Principles to guide land development process (rezonings, variances, special use permits, and preliminary subdivision plats) Provide clear expectations for development options Address: Building design Site design / context Project Foundation for Guiding Principles Comprehensive/Corridor/Area Plans Land Use Action Plan Public Input
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: MAJOR GOALS AND POLICIES Conserve & Enhance Existing Neighborhoods Require Community Benefits & Amenities Ensure Quality Design and Community Form Expand Housing Choices Manage Transportation - Congestion Create a Sustainable Economy Revitalize Corridors Vibrant & Healthy Communities
Stable Residential Neighborhoods GUIDING PRINCIPLES: CHARACTER AREAS Mixed Residential Neighborhoods Corridors Centers
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: ELEMENTS OF CHARACTER AREAS Character Purpose Future Land Use Category Zoning Districts Building Design Site Design Amenities
PROJECT GOALS User Friendliness and Streamlining Protect Neighborhood Character Support New Jobs Modernize Development Standards Placemaking Sustainability
USER-FRIENDLINESS AND STREAMLINING User-friendliness and streamlining Early input Logical organization Extensive use of graphics, flow charts, illustrations Efficient review procedures Better outcomes
Use Type R M 12 RH 22 VG N M U C M U R M U D M U RESIDENTIAL USES Dwelling, duplex P P Dwelling, multi-family P* P* P* P* P* Dwelling, single-family attached P P P P P P Code Types
A Variety of Contexts
Traditional / Euclidean Key Elements Proscriptive Use-based Districts Dimensions Development standards Subdivision regulations Administrative procedures Enforcement, penalties Definitions
Negotiated Zoning Standards Standards range from general to specific Typically requires: Improved design quality Natural resource protection Open space Adequate public facilities May allow increased density
P aranoia U D ncertainty elay
Performance Zoning - Standards FAR Lot Area/Open Space Ratio Buffering/Landscape Resource/Tree Protection
Form-Based Code Building, lot, and frontage types Dimensional and placement standards Short use lists Infrastructure ( public realm ) design standards
Hybrid Zoning Site Use Bldg Development Potential Lot Size Density Setbacks Height Open Space Design
PROTECT & ENHANCE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER Neighborhood Preservation District Designation / eligibility Processes / neighborhood preapplication meetings Building / site design standards
PROTECT & ENHANCE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER Transitional- Neighborhood Compatibility Standards Scale Site Design Building Design Spaces
SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Establish job rich districts Establish mixed of uses options Streamline development review process for desired projects Provide for flexibility by establishing tiered approach Add measureable standards to create more certainty
Transitional Standards Fences-Parking Orientation Uses Buffers Pathways Scale Civic Spaces Design Scale-Design Design-Orientation
MODERNIZE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Modernize development standards Parking Landscaping Lighting Corridor revitalization Buffers & transition areas Walkability / complete streets
Guiding Principles What is your definition of a successful new development or redevelopment in New Castle County? What elements of site and building design do you want to continue? What elements do you want to avoid? Where should the County prioritize Jobs? Preservation? What new elements do you want to add?
Neighborhood Conservation What kinds of non-residential development are an asset to residential neighborhoods? Where should the County focus on Building scale transitions? Green space transitions? What neighborhood amenities are important to you?
Economic Development What regulatory incentives should the County provide to encourage employment-focused development? What tradeoffs are you willing to make to facilitate economic development?
BREAKOUT SESSIONS