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In this week's Tuesday Tidbits, we're covering Milton's Unified Development Code (UDC) project. Following a brief introduction to this planning and zoning initiative, we'll tackle this week's topic using a Q&A format. We think this approach will allow us to more easily break up complex technical information into easily read chunks of information. Right now, the goal is to introduce the initiative and prepare residents for future opportunities to provide public input.
INTRODUCTION
The City of Milton, in partnership with third-party planning experts from TSW and Pond & Company, both located here in metro Atlanta, is working to update and consolidate the city's various zoning and development regulations into a Unified Development Code (UDC). Many of our current regulations were carried over from Fulton County when Milton was incorporated in 2006. We are updating these regulations to:
- Better meet the needs of the Milton community
- Protect Milton's high quality of life
- Incorporate current engineering best practices
- Provide a more user-friendly set of development regulations
In addition, the UDC seeks to implement the stated goals and policies from the City of Milton's Comprehensive Plan, as well as other city planning documents. [All current and future planning documents are available on the City's website here.]
What exactly is a Unified Development Code?
A Unified Development Code (UDC) is a document that consolidates all development-related regulations including zoning requirements, subdivision regulations, design and development standards, and review procedures.
What are the advantages of implementing a UDC?
UDCs have several advantages over maintaining separate zoning and subdivision ordinances.
- First, it avoids overlapping, conflicting, or inconsistent requirements by providing one source for all standards and approval procedures.
- Second, a UDC is simpler for customers to use because they only need to become familiar with one set of standards.
- Finally, by integrating all types of development, the UDC offers a more flexible and comprehensive approach to design, which leads to a more consistent treatment of different types of development.
What does "simpler for customers" mean?
By simplifying the ordinances, we can eliminate conflicting or confusing language, utilize more tables and illustrations that clearly outline standards and approval procedures, and omit carryover ordinances from Fulton County that conflict with the Milton vision or contradict our current planning documents. (See links above to those planning documents.) It will also eliminate references to areas that do not apply to Milton such as landfills, transfer stations, quarries and surface mining. This approach benefits everyone including our residents, Milton business owners, city staff and developers, making it easier for everyone no matter the user. It doesn't just cover undeveloped property; it covers everything from noise ordinances to code enforcement (tall grass, junk vehicles...) to resident building permits (home improvements such as pools, guest houses, decks, etc.).
Are all Unified Development Codes the same?
No. UDCs are a tool to implement a community's vision for its future. In the same way that every community has its own unique zoning ordinance, no two UDCs are the same because every community is different. Rather, the UDC approach provides a framework for how to organize regulations, but does not determine what the regulations say themselves.
Will the UDC increase density?
No. The UDC takes our existing zoning regulations and ensures those are all consistently applied across the code.
How will city staff ensure that Milton's UDC meets our community's needs?
The City of Milton is committed to drafting its UDC in a transparent way that reflects the needs of the Milton community. Stakeholder interviews, a technical advisory committee, a stakeholder committee, and public meetings will all be used to help guide the process and ensure that Milton's UDC supports our city's quality of life. Check out our consultant's presentation
during the Aug. 14, 2017 City Council Work Session (presentation begins at 15:37 mark).
What's the process and how long will it take?
City staff anticipate the entire process taking approximately 15 months to complete. The process of preparing the UDC includes the following phases:
- Phase 1: Analysis. The project team (consultants & staff) will review various background documents and begin collecting feedback to help inform later tasks.
- Phase 2: Approach. The consultant will undertake a technical review and diagnostic examination of the all regulations affecting development in Milton, including information gathered during Phase 1, and prepare an evaluation memorandum outlining the major issues and presenting options for potential solutions. The consultant will also prepare an annotated outline for the UDC, indicating how the new code will be organized and to act as a roadmap for the code updates. At the end of this phase, City Council will be asked to approve the proposed approach.
- Phase 3: Code Drafting. The consultant will draft a new UDC for the City of Milton based on feedback from the city, the stakeholders, and the information presented in the Approach phase. The draft UDC will be publicly presented and vetted before beginning the official adoption process.
The City has organized a stakeholder committee to guide the UDC process. The committee is made up of various city officials and other key stakeholders--Planning Commission members, chairs of the Board of Zoning & Appeals and Design Review Board, community members and development members--who will provide project guidance and will focus on some of the technical issues associated with regulations. The committee is expected to meet regularly and will serve throughout the life of the project.
Up next week on Tuesday Tidbits: Milton's Tree Ordinance
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