North Carolina's Success With Design-based Coding

"In Macon County... land-use planning is a love-hate relationship... A comprehensive land-use plan floated last year was shelved as opponents called it too restrictive and an infringement upon private property rights. That plan was the third in 10 years that had been presented... without success... Basic principals of design-based codes also include creating great public spaces and streets that are multi-modal and pedestrian friendly... Such codes encourage creativity and personal expression and discourage bland, cookie-cutter architecture... One of the ironies of design-based codes is that they often are in conflict with what current town ordinances require."