Part 6 — Planned Development Permit

The planned development permit allows for review and approval of customized development standards for projects where flexibility in standards can produce unique living and business environments. The planned development permit is intended to:

A. Provide for Efficient Use of Land and Excellence of Design. Create a process that provides for flexibility in the application of zoning code standards to proposed development projects under limited and unique circumstances. The purpose is to allow consideration of innovative site planning and project design to achieve higher quality site planning and excellence of design than may otherwise be possible through the strict application of the development standards;

The Cudahy Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 764, passed November 4, 2025.

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B. Provide for Enhanced Amenities and Innovation in Energy Efficiency. Require enhanced amenities (e.g., additional and enhanced private and public open space areas) and provide incentives for enhanced energy efficiency and sustainable building approaches than generally required by this zoning code; and

C. Meet City’s Expectations. Meet city expectations that each planned development permit project be of obvious and significantly higher quality than would be achieved through conventional design practices and standards. (Ord. 744 § 6 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018. Formerly 20.84.380).

A. Allowed Development Projects. A planned development permit may only be requested for a residential, industrial, office, commercial retail, or mixed-use development project.

B. Planned Development Permit Precedes Building or Grading Permits. For projects proposing a planned development permit, a building or grading permit shall not be issued until the planned development permit has been approved and become effective in compliance with this chapter.

C. Allow Land Uses Limited to Those Allowed in the Base Zone. A planned development permit may not authorize a land use activity that is not allowed in the base zone. However, a separate conditional use permit may be processed concurrently, if required by this zoning code.

• D. Modify Standards.

1. The planned development permit may adjust or modify any applicable development standard (e.g., lot size, height, setbacks, fence and wall heights, landscaping, parking, open space, street layout) specified in this zoning code, with the exception of an increase in the applicable density or intensity.

2. Increased density residential development projects may only be approved in compliance with Government Code Section 65915 and Chapter 20.52 CMC, Part 10.

3. Any request to adjust or modify applicable development standards shall include clear, written justification for each adjustment or modification, and shall include proposals for enhanced on- and off-site amenities that contribute to the overall quality of the development project. (Ord. 744 § 6 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018. Formerly 20.84.390).

The processing requirements found in Part 1 of this chapter relating to application submittal, review, noticing and public hearings shall apply to planned development permits with exceptions as noted in this chapter. (Ord. 744 § 6 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018. Formerly 20.84.400).

The Cudahy Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 764, passed November 4, 2025.

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The planning commission shall consider applications for a planned development permit and may, with or without conditions, approve any application that is in general accord with the following principles and standards based on findings and conclusions drawn from information and evidence presented at a public hearing. Planned development permits shall be granted only when the planning commission determines that the proposed development or activity complies with all of the following findings:

• A. Accommodate a use that is allowed within the subject base zone;

• B. Be consistent with the purpose, intent, goals, policies, actions, and land use designations of the general plan;

C. Be generally in compliance with the applicable provisions of this zoning code relating to both on- and off-site improvements that are necessary to accommodate flexibility in site planning and property development and to carry out the purpose, intent, and requirements of this zoning code and the subject base zone(s), including prescribed development standards, except for those provisions adjusted/modified in compliance with this section;

D. Ensure compatibility of properties in the surrounding neighborhood and will not have a substantial adverse effect on surrounding property or their allowed use;

E. The proposed project will produce a comprehensive development of superior quality and excellence of design (e.g., appropriate variety of structure placement and orientation opportunities, appropriate mix of structure sizes, high-quality architectural design and materials, significantly increased amounts and varieties of hardscape and landscape and improved open space, improved solutions to the design and placement of parking and loading facilities, incorporation of a program of highly enhanced amenities, energy-efficient related standards than might otherwise occur from more typical development applications;

F. Appropriate standards and conditions have been imposed to ensure the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare;

G. Appropriate on-site circulation (e.g., pedestrian and vehicular) and traffic control is designed into the development to ensure facilities equal to or better than what would normally be created by compliance with the minimum setback and parcel width standards;

H. The subject parcel is adequate in terms of size, shape, topography, and circumstances to accommodate the proposed development; and

I. Adequate public services and facilities exist, or will be provided, in compliance with the conditions of approval, to serve the proposed development and the approval of the proposed development will not result in a reduction of public services to properties in the vicinity to be a detriment to public health, safety, and general welfare. (Ord. 744 § 6 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018. Formerly 20.84.410).

The Cudahy Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 764, passed November 4, 2025.

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