§ 17.44.110. Residential community plan

A. Plan and Application. The owner or owners of any tract of land comprising an area of not less than one acre may submit to the planning commission a plan for the use and development of all of the tract for residential purposes, or for the repair and alteration of any existing housing development of an area comprising one acre or more. The plans shall be accompanied by an application for a residential community plan which is in accordance with the provisions of Section 17.64.060 of this title. A filing fee in accordance with the provisions of Section 17.64.070 of this title shall be submitted with the application.

B. Hearing and Action on a Residential Community Plan. Before the planning commission may act on an application for a residential community plan, it shall hold a public hearing thereon in accordance with the provisions of Sections 17.64.080 and 17.64.090 of this title. After the public hearing is closed, the planning commission shall either recommend approval, denial, or approval with conditions or modifications to the city council. After the planning commission recommendation has been received, the city council shall hold a public hearing thereon and shall make a final decision on the application. The city council shall follow the same notice and procedural standards for the hearing as required by the planning commission. Both the planning commission and city council shall base their decision on the following criteria:

1. The property adjacent to the area of the proposed community development will not be adversely affected by the proposal;

2. The property is adequately buffered or screened from abutting residential property;

3. The buildings shall be used only for single-family, two-family and multiple-family dwellings, and necessary accessory uses to the proposed development, such as recreation facilities, administrative offices, community halls, and chapels;

4. Sufficient area is reserved for open space or outdoor recreation;

5. There is adequate on-site parking available at a location which will not interfere with the residential use of abutting or nearby property;

6. Vehicular access is designed to minimize traffic congestion.

C. Approval. If the planning commission approves the community development plan, building permits and certificates of occupancy may be issued even though the use of the land, the locations of the buildings to be erected in the area, and the yards do not conform in all respects to the regulations of the zone in which the community development is located.

D. Conditions. The planning commission, in granting approval, reserves the right to place additional conditions that are consistent with the intent and purpose of this title. These may include, but are not limited to, buffers or screening, additional parking, number of access points, street dimensions or landscaping.

E. Standards. Properties which are to be developed under the provisions for a residential community plan shall comply with the standards for residential site-plan review as outlined in Sections 17.16.070(C) of this title.

F. Time Limit on an Approved Residential Community Plan. Authorization of a residential community plan shall be void one year after the date of approval of the plan unless the necessary building permits have been issued and substantial construction pursuant thereto has taken place. However, upon written request, the planning commission has the authority to grant an additional period, not to exceed one year, to complete the project.

(Ord. 273 § 5.110, 1998)