Georgetown, Texas

Unified Development Code 
   

For the City of Georgetown, Duncan Associates consolidated its existing zoning, subdivision, signs and other development-related plans, policies and regulations into a new unified development code. Regulatory consistency with the City's award-winning Century Plan was a priority. The ability of the Century Plan itself to provide policy guidance for implementation on the various issues raised in the focus group sessions was also addressed. Team land use attorneys examined the regulations in light of changing practices nationwide, and across Texas. This included statutory provisions (both existing and

proposed legislation), and federal and state case law. Particular attention was paid to techniques for regulating development in the ETJ. An initial draft report was prepared describing key regulatory issues and problems in Georgetown. Each issue included a recommendation that provided guidance for inclusion of regulatory responses in revised plans, policies and regulations. Specific issues included; regulation of infill development in older neighborhoods; incorporation of traditional neighborhood development; incorporation of sustainability and "smart growth" issues; economic vitality issues; "Place-making" and "gateway" issues; recent annexation activity; ability to regulate ETJ development; opportunities for citizen participation in development decisions; compatibility of districts to existing development patterns; quality of urban design standards; conservation subdivision and other resource protection techniques; opportunities to guide growth through incentives; emerging planning/regulatory trends and issues; economic considerations of "new urban" development; flexibility of existing regulations; and barriers to provision of affordable housing.

Period:     April 2001 - April 2002           Contact:    Bobby Ray
Team:       Duncan Associates                                 Project Manager
                Wilbur Smith Associates                          512.930.2543    
                McDonald Associates                                
                Winter & Company