A new guide has been released for use with Dane County communities: Best Practices Residential Zoning Code: Evaluation Guide to Address the Dane County Housing Crisis.
The Dane County Regional Housing Strategy (RHS) Housing Advisory Committee has identified the practice of updating zoning ordinances as a top priority to help address the housing crisis in Dane County. To support this effort, the Best Practices Residential Zoning Code (BPRZC) Guide was developed as a practical tool to help municipalities evaluate their current residential codes. Eight cities and villages served on the Advisory Committee to guide its development. The BPRZC includes a checklist and spreadsheet to help organize and facilitate thoughtful analysis and discussion of local zoning practices.
The focus of this BPRZC Guide is on addressing the extreme housing supply shortage and affordability crisis. It should be viewed as a tool to bring forward a wider variety of housing types, help to increase affordability, a more efficient use of land, and improve housing access and equity in Dane County. There are 3 sections:
Part 1 Zoning Evaluation Checklist
Part 2 Model Districts, Definitions, and Guidelines
Part 3 Guide to Streamlining Housing Approvals