Harris County Unified Development Code Update Overview
The Harris County Unified Development Code Update kick-off meeting discussed the purpose, goals, and framework of the project. The update aims to streamline and consolidate land use, design, and development regulations into a unified document. This process involves public involvement and coordination with various planning documents to modernize zoning regulations and create a more user-friendly code for Harris County.
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Board of Commissioners Meeting March 3, 2020 HARRIS COUNTY HARRIS COUNTY UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATE Kick-Off Meeting: Unified Development Code Update
Agenda Project Overview Unified Development Code (UDC): Introduction Purpose & Goals Framework Benefits Process Overview Issues & Needs (Preliminary) Public Involvement Process Target Project Schedule 2 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Project Overview County Planning involves Policy and Regulations Comprehensive Plan, Board of Commissioners and Planning Commission sets Policy Intent for Future Land Use/Development Land Development Codes (zoning & development regulations) are critical tools in the broader Harris County planning process Guide monthly process of planning/zoning Coordinate with policy (Comprehensive Plan) Clearly communicate what is expected in development (Permitted uses, restrictions, lot & building standards, density, etc.) Unified Development Code (UDC) structure helps make regulations clear, user-friendly and accurate to policy intent 3 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Unified Development Code (UDC) What is a Unified Development Code? http://www.clipartpal.com/_thumbs/pd/education/book_blue.png http://www.downloadclipart.net/large/263-stack-of-books-design.png http://www.downloadclipart.net/large/263-stack-of-books-design.png Single document: Unified Development Code Zoning Ordinance Subdivision Regs Design Requirements PRD Ordinance Sign Ordinance Road Development Regs Flood Damage Prevention Public Utilities Wetland Protection Chattahoochee River Corridor Protection Soil erosion. Sedimentation, & Pollution Control Water Quality Control Aquifer Recharge Area Protection; Water Supply Watershed 4 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
UDC: Purpose & Goals Streamline & Consolidate: Compile land use, design, & development regulations into a single, unified document Logical organization Minimize redundancy Update & modernize zoning and development regulations Coordinate with other planning documents (Comprehensive Plan, etc.) To create a Unified Development Code Unified Development Code 5 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
UDC: Framework 6 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
UDC: Framework Logical organization: Organization of UDC Typical UDC Organization Article 1 Adoption, Purpose & Applicability Article 2 Use of Land & Structures Article 3 Restrictions on Particular Uses Article 4 Parking & Loading Requirements Article 5 Subdivisions & Planned Developments Article 6 Sign Regulations Article 7 Landscaping & Buffers Article 8 Environmental Protection Article 9 Project Design & Construction Standards Article 10 Erosion Control & Stormwater Management Article 11 Procedures & Permits Article 12 Appeals Article 13 Administration & Enforcement Article 14 Interpretation & Definitions What can I do with my property? How do I make plans for its development? What engineering and construction standards must I follow? What are the procedures for developing or using my property? How will the UDC be administered? 7 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
UDC: Benefits Eliminates Duplication Traditional approach: Numerous sets of regulations Results in repetition of standards UDC approach: Unified code approach uses cross-references 8 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
UDC: Benefits Eliminates Inconsistencies Traditional approach: Requirements sometimes appear in multiple locations Leads to variations among regulations UDC approach: States requirements once and then uses cross- references Provides consistency 9 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
UDC: Benefits User-friendly Written in plain English Use of tables and graphics Streamlined requirements Organization Fewer sections Logical order of sections Outline style for chapters, headings, & text Unique citation for every provision in the code Headings clearly identify contents of the section 10 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Process Overview Public Input (survey, meetings, workshops) Technical Analysis (ordinances & zoning map) Issues Identification Draft Document Review & Adoption 11 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Issues & Needs (Preliminary) Land Use/Zoning Policy Basis is Comprehensive Plan Maintain rural atmosphere Promote strategic growth Nodal growth in existing urban areas and at interstate exits; Avoid sprawl and inefficient use of land Accommodate senior housing (Fair Housing Act) Regulate new uses: Solar farms, wineries, breweries, tiny homes, short term vacation rentals 12 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Issues & Needs (Preliminary) Development Standards Evaluate Lot Standards Lot ratio requirements Minimum lot size Building setbacks; Distance between buildings Easements Clarify regulations for structures within R-O-W Clarify maintenance obligations Evaluate private easement regulations Signs Review for legal compliance, etc. 13 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Issues & Needs (Preliminary) Design Standards Road Development Road width; accommodate public utilities in R-O-W Curb & gutter requirements Ingress/egress threshold for new development Cul-de-sac regulations 14 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Issues & Needs (Preliminary) Design Standards Water & Sewer Utilities Address dead-end water lines Water capacity issues Codify sewer regulations Coordinate public sewer expansion & growth management Consider impact fees & stormwater utilities High Quality Development Encourage higher design standards for higher density developments (i.e., PRD) 15 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Issues & Needs (Preliminary) Process & Procedures Evaluate review and approval process for development applications Use of tables and graphics Add requirement for decommissioning bond & review maintenance obligations Evaluate application requirements Code Organization Replace outdated language and update definitions Reorganize & streamline 16 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Public Involvement Process Public Involvement Plan Steering Committee Focus Groups Guides public engagement activities Technical Analysis Issues Identification Draft Document Review & Adoption Public Meetings & Workshops Kick-Off Meeting Community Workshops Big Idea Meeting Review Meeting Open House Adoption Hearings 17 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Public Involvement Process Communication Tools Official Project Website It s live! https://harriscountyga.gov/update-of-the-countys- land-use-and-development-codes-official-project- page/ Community Survey Active between March 5th June 5th Online & hard copies available Access online survey via https://harriscountyga.gov Dedicated Project Email zoningcode@harriscountyga.gov 18 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
Project Schedule* Target Project Schedule Target Project Schedule Harris County Unified Development Code Update *The project schedule is subject to change as the project evolves. An updated schedule will be maintained on the official project website. 19 Harris County Unified Development Code Update
QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? Harris County Unified Development Code Update
