“It’s important not to develop for development’s sake.”

Roswell’s Unified Development Code (UDC) is being created to streamline and clean up Roswell’s zoning.  We need this clarity, and we need to encourage redevelopment and development in Roswell.  However, we must focus our efforts on run-down areas and  consider the big picture of infrastructure, including traffic.  The UDC doesn’t do that.

Changes have been made to the UDC since this video was created, and changes will continue to be made right up until it passes.  Among those changes are a “backing off” of the tallest building heights — although heights of up to 6 stories are still permitted in the Historic District — and a lengthening of the timeline.  At this time, the UDC is slated for an effective date of March 11, 2014.

It’s a good thing that there is more time to look at the UDC.  However, big questions about impacts and infrastructure are still open.  If these issues aren’t addressed, it doesn’t matter how long the timetable is for review and adoption — it still won’t consider the big picture, and it still won’t be right for Roswell.