The document discusses a guide from the EPA called "Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban Zoning Codes" which provides 11 recommendations for revising local land development regulations to attract new businesses and residents. These include allowing mixed-use zones to minimize vehicular trips, reforming parking requirements, and designating preferred growth areas. The full 47-page report can be downloaded for more details on sparking conversation around the tools needed for local governments to update their zoning codes.

1. The Planning & Zoning Resource Corp.
(800) 344-2944
Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban
Zoning Codes
http://www.pzr.com

2. » Local authorities are always searching for ways to create communities
that attract new businesses, create jobs and are great (safe, healthy)
places for people to live and work.
» However, technology and consumer trends are changing very fast today.
New businesses are being created, and for local authorities it is often
overwhelming or impossible to keep up with evolving growth and
changes.
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3. » For such counties and cities zoning ordinances are old and get in the way
of achieving these goals.
» Many jurisdictions do not have the resources nor expertise to make the
necessary regulatory changes that will make their communities attractive
for new businesses and people.
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4. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has created a model or a set of
rules, which local counties can look at (as a starting point)
Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban Zoning Codes is
intended to spark a conversation about the tools and information local
governments need to revise their land development regulations.
http://www.pzr.com

5. Here are the 11 points in the above mentioned guide:
1) Allow or Require Mixed-Use Zones
2) Use Urban Dimensions in Urban Places
3) Rein In and Reform the Use of Planned Unit Developments
4) Fix Parking Requirements
5) Increase Density and Intensity in Centers
6) Modernize Street Standards
7) Enact Standards to Foster Walk able Places
8) Designate and Support Preferred Growth Areas and Development Sites
9) Use Green Infrastructure to Manage Storm water
10) Adopt Smart Annexation Policies
11) Encourage Appropriate Development Densities on The Edge
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6. 1 | Allow or Require Mixed-Use Zones
Municipalities generally create zoning districts, which regulate what
activities are permitted in different parts of the city.
The most common are -
• Residence Districts (Single-family, Two-family and Multiple-family District)
• Office Residence Districts (Neighborhood Office, High Density Office, etc)
• Commercial Districts
• Downtown Districts
• Industrial Districts
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7. » The report mentions that “This separation has made community
development patterns inefficient, forcing residents to drive longer
distances to get to their jobs, schools, shops, and services, which
increases traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.”
» Mixed land use is a possible solution, which integrates offices, retail and
residences so that vehicular trips can be minimized.
http://www.pzr.com

8. » It is not possible to discuss all the points mentioned in the PDF here, so
we encourage you to download this report (47 pp, 4.6MB) from here for
further reading.
» Please free to call our zoning experts for any kind of help your
organization may need.
http://www.pzr.com

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