Chapter 17.40 — RESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE (RPD) — Bellflower Zoning Code

§ 17.40.010. Purpose and Intent. ¶

The purpose and intent of the Residential Planned Development Overlay Zone is to provide maximum flexibility in the encouragement of creative, innovative, and quality new single-family (attached or detached) infill development, in the Single Family (R-1) Zone. The Residential Planned Development Overlay process is intended to be a voluntary procedure that a property owner would elect to enter. It should be noted that the Residential Planned Development Overlay Zone opportunity does not apply for Agriculture Estate (A-E) Zoned property. (Prior code § 19-8.1)

§ 17.40.020. Permitted Uses. ¶

All uses permitted, and/or permitted with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit, in the underlying zone to which the Residential Development Overlay Zone is applied, shall be permitted and/or permitted with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit as specified in the underlying zone. It is not the intent of the Residential Planned Development Overlay Zone to prohibit uses that are otherwise permitted or permitted with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit in the underlying zone. (Prior code § 19-8.2)

§ 17.40.030. Designated Residential Plan Developments. ¶

The Residential Plan Development Overlay shall be designated on the official zoning map and shall apply to property that has been designated with the abbreviation "RPD" appended to the base zoning district on the official zoning map. For example, a Low Density Residential Zone, or R-1, would show on the official zoning map as R-1 (RPD). (Prior code § 19-8.3)

§ 17.40.040. Development Plan Review. ¶

A. In addition to any other entitlement required by applicable law including, without limitation, the Government Code , all property designated as residential planned development overlay is required to obtain Site Design Review for any new residential development.
B. Development plans submitted for Site Design Review must conform with the development standards in this chapter only. A Site Design Review may not be used to consider any proposed changes in land use; ministerial permitting or review; or other deviations from the zoning regulations in this title.

(Prior code § 19-8.4; Ord. 1369 § 7, 1/28/19)

§ 17.40.050. Site Design Review. ¶

The Site Design Review process consists of the following:

A. Complete Site Design Review Application. The application for a Site Design Review must be made on forms supplied by the Director, and with the accompanying materials and exhibits as follows:
1. Fully Completed Site Design Review Application. A fully completed Site Design Review application together with an application fee in an amount established by City Council resolution.
2. Fully Dimensioned and Scaled Site Plan. A fully dimensioned and scaled site plan accurately identifying placement of all proposed development, existing site features (e.g., trees, driveway approaches, walls, fences, and similar items), and structures and improvements that are immediately adjacent to the project site. The called-out plan dimensions must be consistent with the indicated development plan scale.
3. Fully Dimensioned and Scaled Floor Plans. Fully dimensioned and scaled floor plans for each floor plan model proposed.
4. Fully Dimensioned and Scaled Building Elevations. Fully dimensioned and scaled building elevations for each proposed structure. The building elevations must show all building elevations. The building elevations must match the floor plans in detail such as the location of building openings (e.g., windows and doors). The called-out plan dimensions must be consistent with the indicated development plan scale. Building elevation plans must also call out building materials, window and door types, roof materials and similar items.
5. Material Board. A sample building material board must be submitted for the proposed development. Material board must contain sample building materials proposed to be utilized on the building exteriors. Materials samples must include, without limitation, roof material chips, stucco and plaster samples, texture coat samples, rock, brick or similar samples and proposed colors. The dimension of the material board cannot exceed a dimension greater than 11 inches by 17 inches.
6. Additional information, exhibits or materials as deemed necessary by the Director.
B. Site Design Review Approval Procedure. The following procedure will apply to Site Design Review applications made under this chapter. A zone change application to adopt the RPD Overlay Zone may be processed concurrent with the Site Design Review requirements as provided in this title. If no zone change is required to implement the provisions of this title, then a Site Design Review may be submitted as an individual application.
1. Recommendation to the Planning Commission. After evaluating the application, the Director will make a recommendation to the Planning Commission to either approve, approve with conditions necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare, or deny the Site Design Review application.

Planning Commission Review. Upon receipt of the Director's recommendation, the Planning Commission will review and evaluate the Site Design Review application. If the Planning Commission finds that the application complies with the findings stated in Section 17.40.060 , the provisions and intent of the Residential Plan Development Overlay Zone, and that such conditions as recommended by the Director are acceptable, the Planning Commission may recommend approval of the Site Design Review to the City Council. If the Planning Commission deems necessary, additional conditions, alterations of recommended conditions, or development plan alterations or revisions may be required.
1. City Council Review. Upon receipt of the Commission's recommendation, the City Council will review and evaluate the Site Design Review application. If the City Council finds that the application complies with the findings stated in Section 17.40.060 , the provisions and intent of the Residential Plan Development Overlay Zone, and that such conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission are acceptable, the City Council may approve the Site Design Review pursuant to the findings and conditions of the Planning Commission. If the City Council deems necessary, additional conditions, alterations of recommended conditions or development plan alterations or revisions may be required.
The decision of the City Council is final.

(Prior code § 19-8.5; Ord. 1321 § 9, 10/24/16; Ord. 1369 § 8, 1/28/19)

§ 17.40.060. Findings for Approval. ¶

Site Design Review approval requires the following findings:

A. The proposed project is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and adjacent properties;
B. The proposed project incorporates superior site design techniques that demonstrate innovative and creative utilization of design principles;
C. The proposed project demonstrates superior architecture and the use of high-quality building materials, building fixtures and architectural treatments and amenities; and
D. The proposed project has open space that is designed in a manner where the open space is functional and is grouped in a manner that maximizes the appearance and use of open space.
(Prior code § 198.6; Ord. 1369 § 9, 1/28/19)

§ 17.40.070. Development Standards. ¶

Unless otherwise provided in this title, the provisions of the underlying base zoning district shall apply to all property with a residential plan development overlay designation. Deviation from the base zoning development standards may be allowed as provided in the following tables:

I. Development Enhancement Menu

Desirable Element	Desirable Element	Defnition of Element	Lot Reduction (up to X square feet per lot)
1.	Function/Open Front Porch	Front porches must have a minimum of 8 feet and a minimum width of 12 feet. Porches must also be raised a minimum of 18 inches above the fnished grade of the residence, and have a roof. The front porch may NOT be enclosed.	35-50
Desirable Element	Desirable Element	Defnition of Element	Lot Reduction (up to X square feet per lot)
---	---	---	---
2.	Appearance of Front Porch/Entryway	Any architectural articulation on the front of the residential structure which resembles a porch, but does not necessarily comply with the requirements of "Functional/Open Front Porch" above.	15-25
3.	Double Front Door/Single Door with Side-Lites	The use of double front doors or a single front door with decorative side-lites.	25
4.	Mix of Building Materials (other than stucco)	Builder must use 1 and 2 different exterior wall materials other than (or in conjunction with) stucco to earn this density bonus. Materials should be consistently applied and should be chosen to work harmoniously with adjacent materials. Piecemeal embellishment does not qualify.	40
5.	Garage Not Facing Street	Garage doors must be located to the rear of the residence and beyond the major plane of the building that faces the street.	50
6.	Detached "Alley Loaded" Garage	All homes must have access from a rear alley.	100
7.	Exceed On-site Parking Requirement	For every one parking space provided by the developer which exceeds the City's parking requirements, 50 square feet of lot reduction will be awarded.	50
8.	Lot Coverage Less than the Percentage Permitted in the City Zoning Code	Building coverage must be less than 45% of the entire lot area (percentage designated in Chapter 17.16of the City Zoning Code). Builder will be awarded 10 square feet of lot reduction for every increment of 5% under the permitted percentage.	10
9.	Open Space Over the Minimum Requirement	Developer must provide at least 10% over the minimum required open space.	50
10.	Licensed Professionals	All plans and conceptual elevations to be prepared by appropriate licensed professional. For example: American Institute of Architects (A.I.A).	25
11.	Varied Side Yard Setbacks	Bonus to any development where 50% or greater of the cumulative length of all building elevation surfaces that abut a side yard setback exceed the minimum required standard. Note: The portions of the cumulative building elevation surfaces that exceed the minimum side yard setback must exceed the minimum standard by 18 inches or greater.	25
12.	Varied Building Elevation Plane(s)	A minimum of 3 building elevations of all proposed residential units must have articulated building elevations that incorporate features such as varying building elevation plane depth, bay	25-50
Desirable Element	Desirable Element	Defnition of Element	Lot Reduction (up to X square feet per lot)
---	---	---	---
		windows, corbels, cornice treatments and similar architectural details.
13.	Different Building Elevation Appearance	Each residential unit within the project site has a different building elevation design.	25
14.	Decorative Hardscape for Driveways	Developer must use paving material other than plain asphalt or concrete. Interlocking unit pavers are preferred, but stamped, colored concrete is acceptable. A minimum of at least 30% of the total surface area of the driveway must be comprised of decorative hardscape material in order to be eligible for this category.	10
15.	"Bermuda Driveway"	Driveway(s) must have a central grass strip.	10
16.	Curved or Curvilinear Driveway	Curvilinear or curved driveways where the alignment of the structures are not in a straight line.	25
17.	Landscape Parkway	Parkway must provide a minimum of 4 feet of landscaping between the right-of-way and pedestrian path.	25
18.	Increased Front Yard Setback	Front setback must exceed the requirement mandated by the City Zoning Code. Note: The amount of square foot reduction awarded is discretionary, and in direct correlation as to the volume of additional setback proposed beyond the minimum front yard setback requirement.	Discretionary depending upon the amount of setback. (Maximum 50 square feet)
19.	Undulating Front Yard Setback	Setbacks must be staggered and/or undulating, and be greater than the minimum front yard setback requirement. Note: The amount of square foot reduction awarded is discretionary, and in direct correlation as to the volume of setback that is varied or undulates beyond the minimum front yard setback requirements.	Discretionary depending upon the amount of setback. (Maximum 50 square feet)
20.	Undulating Setback(s) From Existing Development	Setbacks must be staggered and/or undulating, and be greater than the minimum setback requirement for adjacent buildings. Note: The amount of square foot reduction awarded is discretionary, and in direct correlation as to the volume of setback that is varied or undulates beyond the minimum setback requirement.	Discretionary depending upon the amount of setback. (Maximum 50 square feet)
21.	Roof Design/Variation in the Roof Plane	The use of varying roof planes and ridgelines on the roof design to eliminate a constant roof ridgeline. The use of dormers and similar design features may also be proposed for this category.	25

Desirable Element	Desirable Element	Defnition of Element	Lot Reduction (up to X square feet per lot)
22.	Upgraded Roof Materials	The use of quality roof materials that is not asphalt. The roof material must be rated for a minimum of 30 years.	25
Desirable Element	Desirable Element	Defnition of Element	Lot Reduction (up to X square feet per lot)
---	---	---	---
23.	Combining two parcels	Combining adjoining parcels where the minimum parcel width is 150 feet as measured at the front property line. The project site must exceed a minimum parcel width of 150 feet or greater for a distance of at least 75% of the depth of the deepest portion of the project site. Note: For the purposes of this category, the term "project site" means both (or all) parcels intended for development.	200
24.	Combining more than two parcels	Combining more than 2 adjoining parcels to create a development parcel where the minimum parcel width is 200 and the minimum project site size is one acre. The project site must exceed a minimum parcel width of 200 feet or greater for a distance of at least 75% of the depth of the deepest portion of the project site. For the purposes of this category, the term "project site" means all the parcels intended for development.	400
25.	"Value Open Space"	An open space area, located not within a front yard or street side yard setback, where the minimum open space area is 1,000 square feet. This category is in addition to the minimum open space area requirements.	100

II. Encroachments and Exceptions Menu

Desirable Element	Desirable Element	Defnition of Element	Allowable Encroachment or Exception
1.	Open Front Porches	A covered and open front porch may encroach into a required setback. In no case may the covered and open front porch be closer than 3 feet to a property line. In order to be eligible for this exception, the minimum depth of a covered and open front porch shall be at least 8 feet and the minimum width shall be at least 12 feet.	6 foot maximum.
2.	Bay Windows	Bay window(s) may encroach into a required setback, but not be closer than 3 feet to a property line. In order to be eligible for this exception, the bay window must be constructed of vinyl or wood.	As necessary.
3.	Chimneys and Fireplaces	Chimneys and freplaces may encroach into a required setback, but not be closer than 3 feet to a property line. In order to be eligible for this exception, there must be a wood-burning capable freplace within the structure.	As necessary.
4.	Arbors, Decorative Yard Lights, Trellis Features and Similar Items	Decorative arbors, trellises, pole-mounted yard lights, and similar decorative features may be located within a required front or street side yard setback.	Discretionary, depending upon design.
Desirable Element	Desirable Element	Defnition of Element	Allowable Encroachment or Exception
---	---	---	---
5.	Building Height	Maximum building height may be exceeded when proposed in conjunction with an overall Site Design Review application.	Discretionary, depending upon design.
6.	Open, Solid and/or Decorative Community Walls Or Fences	Open, solid and/or decorative community walls and fences, not in excess of 6 feet in height, may be placed within the front 20-foot setback (as measured from the property line adjacent to the public street), or secondary street setback (as measured from the property line adjacent to the secondary public street).	Discretionary, depending upon design.
7.	Decorative Community Gates, Overhead Trellises, and Similar Features	Community decorative entrance features, such as gates, overhead trellises, and similar features may be placed within a required street side setback and exceed 6 feet in height.	Discretionary, depending upon design.

(Prior code § 19-8.7; Ord. 1369 § 10, 1/28/19)