TERMS

 

Unified Development Ordinance

A Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) – sometimes called a “zoning code” or “land use code” – is a set of regulations that establish how development should occur. This includes zoning, the uses that are allowed in each zone, subdivisions, landscaping, signs, parking, lighting, and other topics to ensure that new development in Woodstock meets community expectations.

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Woodstock’s existing UDO is available online, here: 
https://www.woodstockil.gov/187/Unified-Development-Ordinance-UDO

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Comprehensive Plan

A Comprehensive Plan (sometimes called a “general plan,” or “community plan”) is a long-range planning document that looks at the relationships between land uses, infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, and community needs to guide how the community handles growth, development, protection of community assets, and provision of services. A Comprehensive Plan is used to:

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• Develop consensus on community visions and goals;
   

• Guide decision-making, local regulations, and capital improvement projects;
   

• Inform individual development approvals; and
   

• Open new funding opportunities and grants.

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Woodstock's Comprehensive Plan is available online, here:
https://www.woodstockil.gov/292/Woodstock-Comprehensive-Plan

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Implement/Implementation

Fulfilling Woodstock’s vision and goals – as outlined by the Woodstock Comprehensive Plan – requires implementation. That means using the tools that the City has to ensure the Comprehensive Plan is accomplished. One set of tools the City can use to implement the community’s goals for growth and development is the UDO.

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Regulations/Standards

Regulations and standards in the UDO generally describe the same thing – rules for what can be developed in which locations in the city. Additionally, the UDO includes development standards about landscaping, parking, fences, exterior lighting, and others that ensures that new development is a good neighbor to what is already there and minimizes impacts to the characteristics that make Woodstock special.

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Zoning

Zoning refers to the creation of districts within a community that establish different standards or regulations for what can or cannot be developed there. For example, a residential zone could allow a variety of types of housing and supportive businesses but restrict the development of land uses that the City thinks would negatively impact the health and safety of the people that live there. Different zones also often have different standards for the size and scale of buildings.

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Subdivision

Subdivision means the division or separation of a parcel of land into two or more parcels, lots, blocks, tracts, or sites. This is often required as part of the development process when a larger area of land is intended to be developed into a neighborhood with homes, businesses, and community amenities.

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FAQ’s

Why is Woodstock updating the UDO?

Following the successful completion of the Woodstock Comprehensive Plan and the ongoing update of the Downtown Master Plan, updating the current UDO will allow the City to implement the vision and goals of that plan. With clear direction from the Comprehensive Plan about how and where the community wants to grow, it’s important to have regulations that help make that a reality.

Updating the UDO could mean adding new standards to reflect new land use challenges and development opportunities, removing standards that work as a barrier to plan implementation, and updating other standards to reflect new technology and development trends. The key issues that will be addressed in the update will be identified in the UDO Assessment that will be completed in October.

 

Who’s involved in updating the UDO?

Everyone! Updating development regulations requires input from all kinds of people – residents, neighborhoods, businesses, non-profits, schools, retirees, the development community, other agencies and service providers, and many others.

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Updating the UDO doesn’t seem to impact me directly - why should I care to participate?

If you don’t own property or run a business in Woodstock you may think that the effort to update the UDO isn’t important. The reality is that everyone should care about the updated UDO! Here’s why:

The UDO influences what type of housing is available in Woodstock – whether you rent or own – and determines where different types of housing are allowed to be built. Although there are many factors that impact housing affordability, how much and what type of housing is built does impact the cost of housing (for you and future generations).
 

The UDO determines where commercial and industrial development occurs, which means that your ability to walk to a local business, how far you commute to work, and how easy it is for you to establish a business are impacted by what the updated UDO allows.

Think about the age of your house, a local business, and the roads that you drive on. Although some structures are new, many are more than 100 years old and even recently repaved streets are often much older underneath. Because the UDO impacts what development and infrastructure is built today, it will also impact where your children and grandchildren live, work, and get around. You should participate if you care about how Woodstock grows!

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Is this project different from the Woodstock Comprehensive Plan?

The Woodstock Comprehensive Plan is the City’s policy document that directs how and where the City expects growth and development to occur. The UDO is a tool for implementing the land use policies from the Comprehensive Plan through regulations. Additionally, the Comprehensive Plan is often referenced in the UDO to inform zoning decisions.

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Do I have to be an expert to contribute ideas?

Absolutely not! By living, working, owning land, owning a business, or caring about the future of Woodstock, you know so much about your community. Your input and ideas are vital to the success of the UDO. Whether you have just moved to the community or are a life-long resident, your perspective is important.

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How can I get involved or learn more?

Start by signing up for project updates here! We will keep you posted on upcoming events, meetings, opportunities to review and comment on UDO drafts, and other major announcements.