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1. What is Planned Development?

Chapter 21.16A of the Zoning Ordinance establishes the Planned Development (PD) Zoning District Overlay. An overlay district provides further regulation of land use and development within the primary zone categories. Overlay zone regulations apply in addition to the base or primary zone regulations (R1 PD, C2 PD, and M PD, are all examples of zones with a PD overlay.

Purpose

The purpose of a Planned Development is to provide the Planning Commission with the opportunity to allow for innovation and flexibility in the design of residential, commercial, and industrial projects than would otherwise be afforded through strict adherence to the prescribed development standards. By providing for innovation and flexibility, it is envisioned that projects will be designed on a case-by-case basis in order to ensure that each project uniquely fits it's site and it's setting.

Modification of Development Standards

Modification of certain development standards for new projects can only be allowed if there would be greater public benefit provided than would otherwise be achieved. The development standards that may be modified through approval of a Planned Development are:

• Building height limitations.
• The descriptive, non-numerical grading standards of the R-1 Zoning District regulations for properties located with the R-1 and Hillside Development Districts. Such modification(s) can only be approved if it can be demonstrated that such modification(s) will still preserve the integrity of the existing topography and the basic landform of the site and will meet the intent of preservation of natural resources and/or conserve/provide for open space.
• Minimum lot sizes, minimum lot widths and depths that are required by the base zoning district if such modification is necessary in order to cluster lots to preserve natural resources.
• Minimum setback requirements.
• Provide flexibility to modify specific public improvements such as width and location of parkways and sidewalks when such limitations do not adversely affect public safety.
• The types and intensities of allowable land uses can be limited through a Planned Development.

2. What is a Development Plan?

Municipal Code Section 21.23B.030 (A) lists the types of projects that are subject to a Development Plan review. There are some minor differences in the findings required for a project located in the Planned Development Overlay District (link to findings) and the findings for a project that requires a Development Plan approval. Either way, the application is called a PD and allows for flexibility in design as listed under the description for a Planned Development (link).

Projects Subject to Development Plan Requirement

The following are projects that are subject to the Development Plan requirement:

• Development Projects (All Types) subject to Environmental Review. 
  • Any development application, even a Minor Site Plan which normally could be approved by the Development Review Committee, must be approved by the Planning Commission as a PD application if it does not qualify for a categorical exemption from environmental review under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act.) (future link to CEQA info).
• Any project that involves adding new multi-family residential units that will result in 5 or more units per lot (even if the first four units are existing and the project consists of adding a fifth unit to the lot) requires Development Plan approval and findings under a PD application. 
  • A Development plan approval is also required for any subdivision in a multi-family zone in which the number of units that could be developed is five or more.
• New Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Projects of 10,000 square feet or more (gross) require Development Plan approval and findings. 
  • Also, projects of less than 10,000 square feet if all necessary infrastructure has not been installed, all necessary dedications have not been made, or special conditions are necessary.
• Pre-grading
  • Pre-grading of a site without any accompanying development plans where the surface area to be graded is greater than 20,000 square feet requires Development Plan approval and findings to be made by the Planning Commission.