Zoning

Evaluation and Recommendations: Making the Code User-Friendly

One of the biggest challenges with Prince George’s current zoning ordinance is that it is outdated, lengthy, and confusing. The current zoning code is more than 1,000 pages long and is difficult to understand. The document lacks images or graphics that visually explain concepts to the everyday person.

Clarion Associates recommends that we
– Reorganize the written structure of the ordinance so that it is more intuitive to search,
– Use flowcharts to explain procedures making it easier for people to visual interpret the process.
– Modify the publication’s layout to integrate more tables and graphics makes the zoning ordinance easier to read and understand.

Evaluation and Recommendations: Best Practice Development Standards

It has been over 50 years since the last time the zoning ordinance has been comprehensively revised. During that time, the median household income about $7,000, and the average American home cost $24,600. Life has changed a great deal since the 1960’s. We have more use of technology, a greater need to preserve our open space and environment, and a growing population. Today’s needs call for a 21st Century Zoning Ordinance.

Clarion Associates recommends the new zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations incorporate best practices from across the country that address how to redevelop and revitalize the under used commercial corridors; provide regulations that will protect and sustain our communities; design guidelines that will improve connectivity and roads in our communities; and develop regulations that will protect our open space, agriculture, and farmlands.

Evaluation and Recommendations: Simplifying Zones and Uses

Prince George’s current zoning ordinance has more than 73 zone districts. Can you imagine trying to thumb through 73 zoning codes and regulations? It’s like reading a surgical manual on operation procedures and you have never been to med school!

Clarion has recommended that we consolidate and restructure our zones and regulations to 43. It’s a start…Zone consolidation helps support mixed-use, transit oriented development, and revitalization. Making sure we get the right growth in the right locations.

Evaluation and Recommendations: Aligning to Plan Prince George’s 2035

Plan Prince George’s 2035 is the blueprint for where and how the County grows over the next 20 years. The plan establishes goals, policies, strategies, and a new growth vision for Prince George’s County that will help direct new development to existing transit-oriented centers, focus public investment on our economic engines, capitalize on and maintain our infrastructure, strengthen our established communities, and proactively preserve our natural, historic, and cultural resources. “Plan Prince George’s 2035” identifies updating the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance as “the number one priority in order to begin to implement Plan 2035.”

Why are we Rewriting the Zoning Ordinance?

Can you imagine trying to read a 1,000-page document just to add a deck to your home? Well, if your answer is no, then you are not alone.

Many in the community agree the current Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision regulations are outdated, confusing, inconsistent, difficult to understand and use, and in some instances creates challenges to achieving the types of development County residents desire