From: dtasman@mccoy.NMSU.Edu (Dan Tasman)
Subject: Re: Town Planning Software Question
Organization: New Mexico State University
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 02:58:54 GMT

In article <1992Jul25.100545.11150@ausom.oz.au> rkay@ausom.oz.au (Richard Kay)  
writes:
> Background:
> 
> Down here in Australia the use and development of land is governed by
> statutory planning controls - generally at the Local Government level.
> Typically these controls are in the form of Planning Schemes which are
> comprised of a written document known as the "Ordinance" and the
> "Plan/s".
> 
> The framework of the Ordinance is fairly standard except for such
> variables as lot sizes, building setbacks,the range of uses allowed in
> particular zones etc. etc.
> 
> The Problem:
> 
> The organisation I work for is periodically required to update one of
> approximately thirty such documents, each of up to 100 pages in
> length. The documents are composed from a large number of standardised
> clauses, each one of which may or may not be included in any given
> document. The clauses are arranged in a numbered hierarchy within the
> document and contain many cross-references.
> 
> Presently, when a change (such as adding or removing a clause) is made
> to a document, considerable effort is expended updating
> cross-references to maintain the consistency of the document. It costs
> my organisation between $5,000 and $6,000 each time a document must be
> updated, and this typically occurs twice a year.
> 
> A more efficient means of creating and maintaining the above
> documents is required.
> 

Wow.

We usually don't have more then fifty or so printed copies of our zoning  
ordinance on hand, just in cass there's an amendment.  If we run out and  
someone asks for a copy of the code, we print off one on demand and later print  
more.

If there's an amendment or an update to the zoning ordinance (or any other  
planning ordinance, such as the sign or subdivision code), we pop the  
WordPerfect disk out of the file, insert or change what needs to be changed,  
and make a note of the amendment at the beginning of the code.  The old  
section, if it was changed, is filed for reference.  Cost ... about the time it  
takes the secretary to make the changes, probably around $10.
 
> One solution currently being investigated is the use of custom written
> computer software which will provide an interactive, user-friendly
> application to enable Local Government Authorities to write their own
> Planning Scheme Ordinances and allow us to update them easily when changes
> are made.
> 
> The software would allow my organisation to compose and maintain a
> master list of all the clauses which may occur in any of the
> documents. The clauses would be arranged in the master list in the
> hierarchy in which they will occur in the finished documents.

We're just entering all variances, Planning and Zoning Commission cases  
(including zoning amendments), planned unit developments, and other special  
actions into a Paradox 3.5 database.  Search for a keyword, and out comes the  
code amendment or deletion, with all the applicable information.  Eventually,  
we'll get sign and building permits into the database (They're on a different  
system) and they'll all be tied into our GIS. 

> The software would also enable the style and format of different
> clauses to be specified, and would allow cross-references between
> clauses in the master list to be created and removed. Furthermore,
> relationships between clauses may be defined where two clauses are
> recorded as being mutually exclusive, or two clauses are recorded as
> being dependent on both being present.

Paradox 3.5, or really any database program, should be able to do that if it's  
properly configured.  


> What we are talking about is a combined word processor, outliner and
> database that is, to some extent, programmable.

Haven't been that lucky yet.  We still have to refer to a hard file because  
there's only so much information you can pack into a computer database.

> The computer platform we are looking at is the Apple Macintosh because
> it is user friendly and should be fairly easy for non-computer types
> to get the hang of fairly easily.

Forget about compatibility with most of the GIS software packages out there, if  
you want to to data later on down the line.  We love the Mac, but most  
available software's on the IBM :(

> -- 
> | Richard Kay          | Telephone: (003) 36-2801      +61 03 362801 |
> | PO Box 1567          | Facsimile: (003) 36-2873      +61 03 362873 |
> | Launceston  Tasmania | Internet: rkay%ausom.oz@sol.cc.deakin.oz.au |
> | Australia       7250 | BE REALISTIC.............PLAN FOR A MIRACLE!|

--
   Dan Tasman                                       dtasman@dante.nmsu.edu
       ^^^^^^  <- No, I'm not from Oz.  Everyone asks, though                                                 
						    molson@rever.nmsu.edu
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