Consultants outline Newton County UDO rewrite; commissioners press to limit density in District 3

Consultants leading Newton County’s Unified Development Ordinance update told the Board of Commissioners on Monday that the UDO will be drafted to implement the county’s comprehensive plan and to give applicants and neighbors clearer, more predictable rules. "The unified development ordinance is the primary regulatory tool that the county has…to implement their comprehensive plan," said Brian Mabry, a consultant on the project.

The presentation reviewed the project schedule, stakeholder outreach from September and an assessment the consultants prepared in July. Mabry said the team will draft the ordinance in two modules: one covering zoning districts and land uses, the other covering development standards, subdivision standards and review procedures. He said the draft will use plain English, include tables and graphics for usability, and include appendices (for example, a plant list) that can be updated without a formal text amendment.

Consultants summarized common concerns heard during…