The following “White Papers” were created to further discussion and research on key topics to be addressed in York County’s Unified Development Ordinance.  Please click on the title of each white paper to review. 

Open Space Preservation White Paper
The strategic preservation of open space throughout a community is a critical component of quality sustainable growth.  Open space is a necessary element to achieving multiple community goals, including maintenance of rural heritage, the provision of active and passive recreational space, preservation of habitat, erosion control and sustained water quality.  The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is an important tool for both proscribing and creating incentives for the preservation of open space.  Good planning, and strong policies for open space preservation are essential to providing a well-connected and strategically located open space network.  This “Open Space Preservation White Paper” considers the building blocks, best practices, and innovative strategies that are being pursued by local governments to preserve open space. 

Connectivity White Paper
Connectivity is a measure of how well a roadway or pedestrian network provides route alternatives between origins and destinations.  In recent years, the importance of well connected places has increasingly been emphasized in planning policies, recommendations, and regulations.  The “Connectivity White Paper” describes the benefits of increasing connectivity, standards used to increase connectivity, the unique aspects of enhancing pedestrian connectivity and the experiences of other communities who have sought to increase connectivity through regulation. 

Mixed Use White Paper
The separation of commercial, office, residential and other uses, known as Euclidean style development, specifically has been justifiably associated with traffic congestion, limited connectivity, reduced levels of civic engagement, the rise of obesity among Americans, and increased air pollution.  In response to these outcomes, the value of mixing land uses has become apparent and is being championed in many communities.

Mixed-use development can meet the housing needs of homeowners with various income levels, reduce dependence on the automobile, and better integrate the public and private sphere around common public spaces that enhance the sense of place.  While mixed-use development is based in traditional neighborhood design, , it must fit coherently into the realities of an automobile-based economy.  The lead factors contributing to the success of mixed-use developments include location, the right mix of uses, and proper integration with the built fabric of a community.  This “Mixed Use White Paper” provides an overview of proven strategies and innovative approaches for mixed-use development.