CITY COUNCILPROPOSED UDC ADOPTION

JUNE 8, 2015

2

GOALS: Code Update

Update, modernize zoning and development regulations Previously, piecemeal approach - typical of most

communitiesAlign requirements within and amongst regulationsFinalize and incorporate recent efforts (signs,

downtown)Support desired development patterns (comp plan,

Downtown/Buford Hwy corridor study)Need for ease of use and interpretation

3

GOALS: Code Update

Fulfill City of Duluth Strategic Vision To provide exceptional service through

innovative thinking, balanced growth and ethical effective processes

To create a vibrant, inviting and regionally recognized community with policies and procedures that fosters economic growth and investment

How? Proposed Unified Development Code

4

GOALS: Unified Development Code

ComprehensiveAmendableLegally soundEasy to use

Duluth UDC

20+

5

PRINCIPLES: Unified Development Code

Compilation:All land use/design/development regs

Consolidation:Organized by topicEliminates duplicationsStreamlines

Coordination:Revised for clarityRemoves contradictions

6

BENEFITS: Unified Development Code

Eliminates duplicationTraditional approach:

–Numerous sets of regulations –Result in repetition

UDC approach–Unified code approach uses

cross-references

7

BENEFITS: Unified Development Code

Eliminates inconsistencyTraditional approach:

–Requirements sometimes appear in multiple locations

–Leads to variations among regulations

UDC Approach–Stating requirements once and

then using cross-references–Provides consistency

“ ”

8

User friendlyWritten in plain EnglishUse of tables and graphicsStreamlined requirementsOrganization

–Fewer sections–Logical order of sections–Outline style for chapters, headings, and text–Unique citation for every provision in the code–Headings clearly identify contents of the section

BENEFITS: Unified Development Code

Downtown Plan

9

CBD

CPD-R

Proposed Concept Plans / Site Plans consistent with Illustrative Master Plan

Remove Buford Highway Overlay District (BHOD)

Existing building design standards apply

HC-1 (proposed)• South of Davenport• Allows auto uses• Additional landscape

screening

HC-2 (proposed)• North of Davenport• Prohibits auto uses

10

Buford Highway

RM District – Design Standards

11

Brick, stone, stucco, and/or lap siding (wood or HardiPlank)

Limit stucco and siding on side and rear (if visible from ROW) facades to 50%

Two-car garage (townhomes)

Signs

• Allowance of LED lighting• Simplify processes and

procedures (especially for downtown/CBD)

• Clear, concise, and consistent regulations

Signs

13

Conditional Uses

Conditional Uses eliminated as a category. Most have been converted to Special Uses• Considered by Planning Commission, and• Acted on by City Council

Some exceptions proposed, for example:• Banks with drive-in facilities allowed by right in C-1 • Art studios allowed by right in O-N

14

NAICS Codes

Principal uses tied to NAICS Codes• North American Industry Classification System (U.S.

Department of Commerce) • NAICS assigns classification numbers to businesses

and industries based on the primary business activity in which the company is engaged

• Business activity usually corresponds to land use type, and therefore can be easily assigned to appropriate zoning districts

15

NAICS Codes

Principal uses tied to NAICS Codes• Allows a more comprehensive list of uses; uses can be

broken down into additional subcategories • Specific prohibited uses can be identified• Interpretation is occasionally needed for an individual

use • Intended to provide better guidance for property owners,

businesses and City staff / officials• Intended to sync with occupational tax application

16

Planned Developments

17

Existing:

“Five types of Planned Development Districts shall be:PRD Planned Residential DevelopmentPOD Planned Office DevelopmentPCD Planned Commercial DevelopmentPID Planned Industrial DevelopmentPUD Planned Unit Development

Planned Developments shall be classified by the dominant use proposed for the subject property. If a mixture of three or more uses is proposed and/or no dominant use is clearly identified, then the Planned Development shall be classified as PUD.”

Planned Developments

18

Proposed:

“Five types of Planned Development Districts shall be:PRD Planned Residential DevelopmentPOD Planned Office DevelopmentPCD Planned Commercial DevelopmentPID Planned Industrial DevelopmentPUD Planned Unit Development

Planned Developments shall be classified by the dominant use proposed for the subject property. If a mixture of three or more uses is proposed and/or no dominant use is clearly identified, then the Planned Development shall be classified as PUD.”

Generally• Any land use may be allowed if use(s) can be shown

to provide an orderly relation and function to other uses in the development and to existing land uses, as well as with due regard to the Comprehensive Plan

• Land uses, dimensional requirements and design standards are proposed by the applicant and allowed upon approval of a master concept plan by City Council

19

Planned Unit Developments

TIME LINE

20

September 2013 – AMEC and Bill Ross & Associates hired to create the UDC

October 2013 – Planning Commission kick-off meeting December 2013 – First meeting regarding sign regulations January 2014 – Second meeting regarding sign regulations April 2014 – Planning Commission “Big Ideas Pt. I” presentation and

discussion May 2014 - Planning Commission “Big Ideas Pt. II” presentation and

discussion August 2014 – Initial rough draft of UDC released October 2014 – Preliminary draft presented to Planning Commission October 2014 – “Big Ideas Pts. I and II” & Preliminary draft

presented to City Council

TIME LINE

21

February 2015 – Updated UDC draft released April 2015 –Update on UDC and changes since

February draft presented to City Council; Changes placed on website

May 2015 – Final draft presented to Planning Commission requesting recommendation to

City Council; Planning Commission recommends approval May 2015 – Adoption draft released June 2015 – City Council meeting to formally adopt

Unified Development Code