By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWarren County officials last week completed an overhaul of the zoning code, a massive project that began four years ago.The zoning code regulates the types of land uses throughout the unincorporated areas of the county.The last time the county zoning codes had been updated was 1994, Lynn Gluntz, planning and zoning administrator, said. According to census figures, the county’s population in 1994 was 21,223. In 2010, the number of county residents had increased to 32,513.The revised zoning code coincides with an update of the county’s master plan, so both documents reflect similar land uses.“We needed to address things that had occurred since 1994,” said Gluntz. “We needed to bring our codes into what we were seeing happening, not only within the county but the state of Missouri, and plan for potential growth. The whole point is to protect and plan for the citizens of Warren County.”The updated code includes the establishment of a new planned unit development (PUD) zoning classification.The new designation was approved by a 3-0 vote from the county commission following a public hearing. No one from the public attended the hearing.Gluntz said the county does not have a current development that would meet the criteria for a PUD. She said an example would be New Town, a planned community located in northeastern St. Charles County.The purpose of the PUD, which must be at least 15 acres, is to allow flexibility in site design, achieve more efficient use of land and to encourage green space.“This is for future growth,” Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage said.The overhaul required an enormous amount of time be spent on reviewing the existing code and updating it.Gluntz noted that 14 township hearings and numerous other public hearings were held to discuss the updated zoning revisions with residents in recent years. Many hours of preliminary work were conducted by the county commission, planning and zoning commission members, and Gluntz.Commissioners expressed appreciation for the work done by the planning and zoning commission and Gluntz to tackle updating the zoning code.“Lynn and planning and zoning have done a wonderful job,” Engelage said.Zoning code overhaul finalized by county