Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

It was years in the making, but Troup County has a new comprehensive Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Troup County Community Development Director Jenny Parmer gave a brief presentation on the new UDO during a final public hearing and second reading prior to adoption on Tuesday.

While the local legislation is a major change to the way things are codified overall, the new UDO does not come with sweeping changes. 

The purpose of the UDO is to establish a unified framework for zoning, subdivision and development regulations. The document streamlines and modernizes land use policies and reflects community values, state law and long range planning goals.

The UDO repeals and replaces four appendices in the Troup County Code of Ordinances: Appendix A, the zoning ordinance, Appendix B, airport zoning, Appendix C, subdivisions and Appendix D, the quality development corridor.

The appendices will be removed from the code and code of ordinances because those topics are now a part of the UDO.

Many public meetings and hearings were held to allow for input and review on the UDO over several years. As the document changed, drafts have been posted to the county website. 

“As major updates were performed, we received review and recommendations from county staff and legal counsel. The Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission submitted a tremendous amount of feedback over the years,” Parmer said.

The 472-page document was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners. The UDO will become effective Aug. 1. Staff requested the delay to clean up formatting or clerical errors and upload the document to Municode.

The delay will also allow for staff training and public education on any changes.

The final draft for the new UDO is available at  https://www.troupcountyga.gov/Content/Documents/planning/2023/UDO%20Final%20Draft%2011_23.pdf