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Unified Development Code

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1. Why does the City of Roswell need to change its zoning code?

Roswell’s zoning code needs to be updated because the current zoning code the City is using was adopted in the 1960s and 1970s and is outdated. There have been many amendments and overlays added to the code over the last 40 years that have created cumbersome and archaic zoning rules.

2. What is a Unified Development Code?

A Unified Development Code is a regulatory tool that integrates zoning, subdivision and design standards into a single, comprehensive set of regulations.

3. How is it different from the City’s current zoning code?

The UDC will be designed and formatted in a manner that the everyday person can readily understand…no more confusing government jargon.

4. What does the City hope the UDC will accomplish for Roswell?

The City is hopeful that the new UDC will make the community more economically competitive by increasing the certainty of the development process. It also hopes to create an improved user experience for applicants, neighbors, staff and elected and appointed officials.

5. What are the advantages of the UDC over the City’s current zoning code?

The current zoning code does not include all of the standards required for development. By combining these standards in the new UDC, and modernizing them, the City hopes to create an easier application and approval process. The unification of zoning, subdivision and design criteria ensures consistent application of City policy.

6. What are the disadvantages of the UDC over the City’s current zoning code?

The document may be longer, since it combines multiple existing documents.

7. How will the UDC help economic development in Roswell?

By providing clearer development regulations, the City will be able to attract more economic activity to the area.

8. How will the UDC help redevelopment of areas that need it in Roswell?

The UDC can encourage the redevelopment of existing properties by clarifying the rules that will apply, by streamlining permitting processes, and by providing the right types of incentives (such as reduced parking).

9. Won’t the UDC bring more apartments or apartment complexes into Roswell?

The UDC itself will not create new development. The new rules will be consistent with the recently-adopted Comprehensive Plan, ensuring compatible types of development which may include apartments.

10. Does the UDC affect the whole city or just certain areas?

The UDC applies to the entire City.

11. Will the UDC change the character of our community? If so, how?

The character of Roswell’s many stable residential areas will not change. The architectural and urban design standards included in the UDC are meant to create or enhance the distinctive character of the City. Where redevelopment is desired, the new UDC will help ensure quality development occurs.

12. Won’t the UDC allow developers to build whatever they want and the City will have no control over what they build? How can that be a good thing for Roswell?

Like any city rules, the UDC seeks to balance the desires of developers and existing residents and business owners. Since the City adopts the UDC, it has complete control over what developers are allowed to build. The new UDC will seek to make projects that match the community’s desires as expressed in the Comprehensive Plan easier to develop, and varying or ignoring those rules more difficult.

13. I live in a nice subdivision in Roswell. How is the UDC going to affect my neighborhood?

The UDC is not likely to have a significant impact in the stable residential areas. Much of the focus will be on the corridors and nodes noted in the Plan. However the UDC may provide additional options to deal with future housing demands.

14. Won’t the new UDC adversely affect the City’s infrastructure such as the stormwater system, sewer and water lines?

The UDC is intended to mirror the Comprehensive Plan which sets up the framework for density/intensity, along with infrastructure needs to serve development. The UDC follows after the Comprehensive Plan. With regard to stormwater, as more new development occurs, individual sites may provide enhanced stormwater controls, thereby improving the City’s ability to manage stormwater from other existing sites.

15. Roswell has a lot of run down strip centers. How will the UDC help improve these centers or will it?

The UDC can encourage strip center owners to redevelop or improve their properties by making available increased development opportunities and a wider range of uses on their properties. Rules for expansion of these sites will also ensure improvement of existing centers over time.

16. Roswell doesn’t have any upscale clothing stores to shop in. Will the UDC bring in higher end stores to Roswell?

While the UDC cannot guarantee the addition of upscale stores to Roswell’s existing retail portfolio, it can create conditions that are attractive to higher end retailers by ensuring high quality development.

17. How are the roads going to handle all the additional traffic that will be a result of this new code?

The new UDC will implement the Comprehensive Plan, which provides a city-wide approach to improving infrastructure in support of new development. In addition, new development will be encouraged to be bike and pedestrian friendly, allowing for reduced vehicle trips.

18. Will the UDC increase property values in the City?

The UDC itself is not responsible for property values; however, it can promote quality development, which in turn supports increased property values.