A document outlining the city\u2019s vision for future development will be ready for public comment in April.<\/p>\n
The city is in the middle of drafting a new code, called the Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO. This revision, a complement to the 2009 changes to the Comprehensive Plan, will affect all future development in the city, dictating rezonings, site plans and subdivisions.<\/p>\n
Code Studio, the city\u2019s consultant on the UDO project, provided a status report Tuesday at the City Council meeting. The plan is scheduled for a 60-day public comment period starting April 6.<\/p>\n
The new plan aims to update the code to more contemporary practices, ensuring growth is focused into mixed-use, dense areas instead of sprawl. Code Studio officials also said the new plan will be easier for the city and the public to understand.<\/p>\n
Mayor Charles Meeker said Tuesday the goal is to \u201ctake Raleigh into the 21st<\/sup> century.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of the 1970s or \u201860s or wherever we are today,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone knows our code is outdated. It\u2019s time for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n The documents will not include a map at first. A map of the new code is not part of the original scope of work and will be created six to 18 months after the new code is adopted. That point raised eyebrows from Councilman Thomas Crowder, who compared the zoning code to reading a French novel.<\/p>\n \u201cA map is what engaged the public in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan,\u201d he said. \u201cWhether it\u2019s part of the scope or not, it needs to be part of this process.\u201d<\/p>\n