Streamline Zoning Research with Powerful Tools
Table of Contents - Research Aids
Integrated Tools and Features Support Swift, Accurate Research
Discover research tools created by planners, for planners
While every planner knows the importance of due diligence research in preparing a report for a proposed plan or development, they are also keenly aware that the information gathering process can be complex, disjointed and time-consuming.
Simply gathering, compiling and formatting base information to populate a staff report may require multiple documents, maps and databases. When this is done for every planning case for every agenda, it amounts to a considerable amount of time.
As former planners for towns, cities and counties across the United States, we’ve experienced this for ourselves. With all the technology out there, it just shouldn’t be that hard.
We searched high and low for useful tools that would make research easier, but found nothing worthwhile.
So, we challenged our technology team to create tools that would be useful on an everyday basis!
The suite of research tools on the enCodePlus platform were purpose-designed to address the research challenges planners, zoning administrators, site selectors, due diligence researchers and applicants face every day.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
If you’ve ever written an ordinance, your starting point is to research best practices of nearby and other communities. A Google search is usually involved, too. This takes time to search and scroll to find related and helpful language.
Our Research Assistant provides instant access to a database of more than 3,500 ordinances from jurisdictions across the country.
Use the strategies and structures of these ordinances to model your own. Type keywords to review links to dozens of other local government ordinances. Search all 50 states or narrow the criteria by state or population. In a few minutes, your research is complete and you can begin writing.
CONTENT ASSEMBLER
Zoning, subdivision, sign, landscaping, lighting, stormwater and other chapters – whether independent or part of a unified code – all include standards that are relevant to different districts and development types.
Finding the required provisions can be a chore. Often, important provisions are overlooked.
The Content Assembler links and pre-packages all provisions related to a certain district, process or topic into a single document. Print, download or share it with confidence. Save time and avoid oversight of the fine print.
Explore the Content Assemblers for Littleton, CO, and Birmigham, MI.
DEFINITION LIBRARY
A shared understanding of terms is important when drafting ordinances. An undefined term may yield conflicting interpretations, resulting in misunderstandings or even legal challenges.
All ordinances include definitions. While many are the same or similar, others are unique and warrant special wording. Writing definitions from scratch is an art. This is why most look to other ordinances for examples.
Our definition library includes more than 50,000 terms. And it’s still growing! They come from municipal and county governments and even state and federal statutes. This is a can’t-do-without resource for ordinance updates, amendments, and rewrites.
Think of the definition library as a linguistic compass, aligning everyone to standardized meanings.
Searching high and low for consistent definitions?
MEET THE DEFINITION LIBRARY!
Our definition library is the largest and most comprehensive listing of planning and zoning definitions that exist for use by local government staff. Tap into this resource for your next project.
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