09-15-11 Planning and Zoning - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT SEPTEMBED'2.20l1 values and thus, asound neighborhood environment and stable residential tax base. The City can greatly enhance the quality oflife for its citizens by enacting ordinances and incentives to protect and enhance the integrity of its neighborhoods. Mechanisms to improve the quality afneighborhoods may include ordinances focused on neighborhood conservation; provision of improved or updated public facilities and services such as streets, sidewalks, trails, neighborhood parks, street lighting, drainage systems, pedestrian amenities, traffic control, neighborhood policing and fire protection; enforcement of codes and ordinances; providing support for the creation or the organization of qualified neighborhood organizations by providing technical assistance with private restrictions and/or conducting special neighborhood studies (including redevelopment and/or rehabilitation plans); providing funds for neighborhood improvements, and, generally investing or reinvesting inthe community's neighborhoods. One ofthe most effective ways 10protect neighborhood integrity bthrough the implementation of neighborhood conservation districts. As detailed later in this chapter, the existing neighborhoods that are envisioned as remaining stable over the 2O-yearplanning horizon are reflected onthe Future Land Use Plan as Neighborhood Conservation (NC). Within an amended zoning ordinance shso|& then be corresponding descriptions as to prevailing lot sizes, setbacks, floor area, and other criteria with by -right provisions allowing certain house or property improvements to enable (and encourage) reinvestment. The purpose ofthese NCdistricts |stopreserve neighborhood character and establish standards consistent with those at the time of development sothat nonconforming situations are not created. Actions and Initiatives 1) Identify established neighborhoods with cohesive character and community identity and create neighborhood conservation districts to protect and promote the existing neighborhood feel. In addition, aUmm for reasonable improvements inthese existing neighborhoods without cumbersome variance procedures. Include by -right standards for making improvements to buildings to ensure that they remain in character with the neighborhood and donot adversely impact the use and enjoyment of neighboring properties. 2) Consider an annual registration of neighborhood, home -owner, and tenant associations so that updated contact information can be maintained and used to disseminate important community -wide information (including such things as nearby development applications or rezonimgs, capital improvement projects, and applicable ordinance changes). 3) Consider formalizing aneighborhood-oriented planning program to: