Tuesday, July 1, 2025–9:40 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Work is continuing on a comprehensive update for the Unified Land Development Code for Rome and Floyd County.
The ULDC is a large document that regulates the use of land, the location and use of buildings and other site improvements, and the construction of public facilities and private improvements related to the development of land.
It was adopted in 2001 and has not had a comprehensive update since then, although there have been amendments over the years.
“The idea actually started, I believe, in 2019, and we went to city and county management and said this thing is getting old,” said Rome-Floyd County Planning Director Brice Wood. “It’s time to be modernized, and it has some issues with it.”
Wood estimates the update is about 50 percent complete.
“I believe we have done articles 1-3, and are currently working on 4,” he said. “We skipped and did the sign ordinance, which is article 5. So, that really just leaves the engineering standards and any sort of overlay districts. We’re chugging right along.”
So, why is having a ULDC important?
“Pretty much everywhere has one,” Wood said. Even if you do not have a zoning ordinance, you have a public works manual. This is unified in that both documents are in one place. So, even if you don’t have a zoning ordinance, you have something that tells you how streets should be built, and where curb and gutter are required vs. ditches. Zoning does have a beneficial role if you do it well. It helps protect quality of life, the environment, and property values. You name it.”
Wood added that there will be plenty of opportunities for the public to give input on the ULDC update.
“I believe we are required to offer a 60-day public comment period, and so, we will absolutely do that,” he said. “We are currently having a citizen committee meeting that, technically, anyone can show up to, if they want. That meets monthly.”
Wood hopes to have the process completed by the end of the year, and adoption of the ULDC after the first of next year.
Wood was a guest on Tuesday’s First News with Doug Walker on WRGA.