Garner, North Carolina

Unified Development Code
   

For the Town of Garner, Duncan Associates drafted a new unified development code. The first task focused on organizational and substantive project issues. Information sources and overall goals were identified and agreement was reached on several other project issues. It served as an initial forum for identifying substantive issues. The initial task consisted of a report that described substantive, policy, organizational and formatting changes to be included in the updated code. The report included a detailed analysis of changes suggested by participants during project meetings and a glimpse of

 the types of organization and format changes being proposed. Varying approaches to resolving issues raised were presented to determine the most effective approach for Garner. After completion of the report, it was presented to the steering committee and staff, Planning & Appearance Commission and Board of Aldermen. An initial draft of the new UDO was prepared that contained user-friendly techniques that ensured an easy-to-use code, including enhanced page layout and use of fonts, use of tables and matrices, and other improvements. Additional graphics will be presented and discussed in draft form during this task. It was important to use the UDO revision effort to be certain that efforts to improve the visual character of Garner are not stymied by outdated or obscure provisions of the UDO. The code draft was prepared in three modules, each covering about one-third of the draft text. After allowing time for staff and the steering committee to review each draft module, we attended meetings to discuss proposed revisions. Revisions to each draft module were made in response to comments and recommendations received from the Town. Based on comments received, a complete public review draft was adopted.

Period:     May 2000 - July 2003               Contact: Brad Bass
Team:      Duncan Associates                                  Community Development Director
               Michael Brough, Esq.                               919.772.4688
               Haden-Stanziale