Hickory, North Carolina

Land Development Regulations 
   

For the City of Hickory, Duncan Associates drafted new land development regulations. The first task focused on organizational issues, including identification of information sources and establishment of project goals. The initial task also served as a forum for addressing substantive issues to be explored during the actual code drafting. Data and information needs, including ordinances, plans, studies, maps and other related documents and records, were identified. Existing zoning, subdivision and landscaping regulations were reviewed as were adopted land use policies. An early meeting with staff was held to discuss project organization,

communication, public participation, logistical issues and findings from preliminary document review. Interviews were conducted with small groups, public officials and key stakeholders (e.g., neighborhood activists, business leaders, attorneys, architects and engineers) to gain an early understanding of important local issues. A report was prepared that describes key regulatory issues to be addressed during the project. The issue list will be expanded and revised as the project proceeds. The drafting process was split into two distinct stages in order to aid in the review of the material with staff and stakeholders. The first stage addressed administrative and procedural provisions and focus on review and approval procedures; the role of review and decision-making bodies; and administration and enforcement matters. The second phase addressed substantive code provisions and focus on those portions of the regulations containing substantive standards, including zoning districts, use regulations, dimensional standards, off-street parking requirements, nonconformity provisions and other similar standards.

Period:    March 1999 - March 2001               Contact:     Tom Carr
Team:      Duncan Associates                                           Community Development Director
               Woolpert Associates                                        704.323.7412