The Duluth City Council approved a unified development code in a 3-1 vote on June 8. Councilman Billy Jones was unprepared to vote, feeling he needed time to review the document. The UDC will replace the city’s existing zoning ordinance, development regulations, soil erosion, sedimentation and pollution control ordinance, sign ordinance and other conflicting ordinances and regulations.
Different zonings were problematic in downtown, and all have been consolidated into the Central Business District, according to city planner Rich Atkinson. The Buford Highway Overlay District had its own restrictions, and has been split into HC-1 HC-2, with added conditions. Design standards have been increased. Another big change has been the treatment of signage; for example, Duluth now allows LED readerboards.
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