Warren County, Kentucky

Joint Zoning Ordinance/Resolution
   

For the City County Planning Commission of Warren County, Duncan Associates analyzed and updated the multi-jurisdictional agency's Zoning Ordinance/ Resolution. The first phase of the effort consisted of a written diagnosis and analysis of the existing 40-year old joint zoning ordinance/resolution that guides growth and development within the County, Bowling Green and several other smaller cities. Originally adopted in 1958, the existing ordinance had been amended often. The intent of the initial diagnosis phase was to identify weaknesses and

shortcomings in the existing ordinance. Accomplishing this objective required two levels of analysis—one very "big picture" and one fairly mundane. First, it was important to identify the broader framework for planning and plan implementation in Warren County. Second, the evaluation was guided by the belief that public officials, developers and, indeed, all citizens are best served by development regulations that are easy to use, understand, administer and enforce. Vague, conflicting and cumbersome regulations are a frustration for all concerned and can be an obstacle to achieving established community objectives. Although rather mundane, a technical analysis can help to predict whether an ordinance is capable of accomplishing big picture objectives. The diagnosis indicated that the existing ordinance suffered from two primary organizational problems. The first was its rigid, outdated structure, with definitions up front and each zoning district as a separate Article. Relying on the existing structure meant that new topical issues (such as transmission towers) had to be inserted in between existing Articles.

Period:    December 1998 - December 2000              Contact:    Alice Burks
Team:      Duncan Associates                                                     Executive Director
                                                                                             502.842.1953