Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 17.18 Planned Development (-Pd) Overlay District (ip)

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a planned development (-PD) overlay district that provides for one or more properties to be developed under a plan that provides for better coordinated development and incorporates development standards crafted to respond to site conditions in order to:

A. Provide for greater flexibility in the design of the development than is otherwise possible through the strict application of zoning district regulations;

B. Ensure compliance with the general plan/local coastal land use plan and provide various types of land use which can be combined in compatible relationship with each other as a part of a totally planned development; and

C. Allow for creative development projects that incorporate design features that are more sensitive to site conditions and provide greater amenities than would likely result from conventionally planned development.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A -PD overlay district shall be noted on the zoning map by the designation "-PD," followed by the number of the planned development based on order of adoption.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

No use other than an existing use is permitted in a -PD overlay district except in accordance with a valid PD plan. Any permitted or conditional use authorized by this code may be included in an approved PD plan consistent with the general plan/local coastal land use plan land use designation(s) for the property.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Minimum Area.

1. Waterfront Master Plan Area. There is no minimum area of a -PD overlay district for areas within the waterfront master plan area.

2. Other Areas. In areas outside of the waterfront master plan boundary, the minimum area of a -PD overlay district shall be one-half acre; however, the city council may approve a district smaller than one-half acre if it finds that a planned development would provide greater benefits to the general welfare of Morro Bay's residents and property owners than development under conventional zoning because of unique characteristics of the site or the proposed use.

B. Residential Unit Density. Except where a density bonus is granted in compliance with Chapter 17.24, Affordable Housing, Density Bonuses, and Other Incentives, the total number of dwelling units in a -PD overlay district shall not exceed the maximum number permitted by the general plan/LCP land use plan density for the total area of the planned development designated for residential use, excluding areas devoted to public and private streets.

C. Performance Standards. The performance standards prescribed by Chapter 17.28, Performance Standards, apply.

D. Other Development Standards. Other development standards shall be as prescribed by the PD plan.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Review Procedures.

1. Zoning/LCP Amendment. An application for a -PD overlay district shall be processed as a zoning amendment, according to the procedures of Chapter 17.46, Amendments to the General Plan, Zoning Code, and Zoning Map; may require an amendment to the local coastal program; and shall include a PD plan.

2. PD Plan. The PD plan shall be accepted and processed concurrently, in the same manner as a conditional use permit application, pursuant to Chapter 17.40, Use Permits.

3. Tentative Subdivision Map. When a PD requires the submission of a tentative subdivision map, this map and all supporting documents shall be prepared and submitted concurrently with the application of the PD.

B. Initiation. An application for a -PD overlay district may be initiated by any qualified applicant identified in Section 17.36.020, Application Forms and Fees, or a motion of the city council. If the property is not under a single ownership, all owners must join the application, and a map showing the extent of ownership shall be submitted with the application.

C. Application Content. A qualified applicant shall submit an application for a -PD overlay district on a form prescribed by the planning division accompanied by the required fee. The planning division may require an applicant to submit such additional information and supporting data as considered necessary to process the application.

D. Coastal Resources. The project shall include an evaluation of whether coastal resources are negatively impacted. If coastal resources are impacted, then coastal resources are required to be restored, protected, and/or enhanced to the greatest extent feasible as a result of the PD above and beyond that which the LCP would otherwise require.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A -PD overlay district and PD plan shall only be approved if all of the following findings are made:

A. The proposed development is consistent with the general plan/local coastal land use plan and any applicable specific plan, including the density and intensity limitations that apply;

B. The subject site is physically suitable for the type and intensity of the land use being proposed;

C. Adequate transportation facilities and public services exist or will be provided in accord with the conditions of development plan approval, to serve the proposed development; and the approval of the proposed development will not result in a reduction of traffic levels of service or public services so as to be a detriment to public health, safety, or welfare;

D. The proposed development will not have a substantial adverse effect on surrounding land uses and will be compatible with the existing and planned land use character of the surrounding area;

E. The development generally complies with applicable design guidelines; and

F. The proposed development is demonstratively superior to the development that could occur under the standards applicable to the underlying base zoning district, and will achieve superior community design, resource protection, and/or substantial public benefit.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

In approving a -PD overlay district and PD plan, the city council may impose reasonable conditions deemed necessary to:

A. Ensure that the proposal conforms in all significant respects with the general plan, local coastal land use plan, and with any other applicable plans or policies that the city has adopted;

B. Achieve the general purposes of this code or the specific purpose of the zoning district in which the project is located;

C. Achieve the findings listed above; or

D. Mitigate any potentially significant impacts identified as a result of review conducted in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Expiration.

1. PD Plan. A PD plan shall be effective on the same date as the ordinance creating the -PD overlay district for which it was approved and shall expire two years after the effective date unless actions specified in the conditions of approval have been taken, or a building permit has been issued and construction diligently pursued. An approved PD plan may specify a development staging program exceeding two years.

2. Tentative Map. Where a tentative map has been approved in conjunction with a PD plan, the PD plan shall expire upon the expiration of the tentative map.

3. Phased Development. In the event that the applicant intends to develop the project in phases, and the city council approves phased development, the PD plan shall remain in effect so long as not more than one-year lapses between the end of one phase and the beginning of the next phase.

B. Renewal. An approved PD plan that has not been inaugurated may be renewed for a two-year period approved by the city council after a duly-noticed public hearing. Application for renewal shall be made in writing between thirty and one hundred twenty days prior to expiration of the original approval. The city council may renew a PD plan if it finds the renewal consistent with the purposes of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

A. Changed Plans. Amendments to a -PD overlay district or PD plan may be requested by the applicant or its successors. Amendments to the approved plan shall be classified as major or minor amendments. Upon receipt of an amendment application, the director shall determine if the proposed amendment constitutes a major or minor amendment.

B. Major Amendments. Major amendments to an approved -PD overlay district or PD plan shall be considered by the city council at a duly noticed public hearing. An amendment will be deemed major if it involves one or more of the following changes:

1. A change in the boundary of the -PD overlay district;

2. An increase or decrease in the number of dwelling units for the -PD overlay district that is greater than the maximum or less than the minimum stated in the PD plan;

3. An increase or decrease in the floor area for any non-residential land use that results in the floor area exceeding the minimum or maximum stated in the PD plan;

4. Any change in land use or density that is likely to negatively impact or burden public facilities and utilities infrastructure as determined by the public works director;

5. Any change in land use or density that is likely to negatively impact or burden circulation adjacent to the -PD overlay district or to the overall major street system, as determined by the public works director; or

6. Any other proposed change to the PD plan or the conditions of approval that substantively alters one or more of its components as determined by the director.

C. Minor Amendments. Amendments not meeting one or more of the criteria listed in subsection B above shall be considered minor if they are consistent with and would not change any original condition of approval. Minor amendments may be approved by the director.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)

Plans for a project in a -PD overlay district shall be accepted for planning and building permits or subdivisions only if they are consistent with an approved PD plan and any conditions of approval. No project may be approved and no building permit issued unless the project, alteration or use is consistent with an approved PD plan.

(Ord. No. 662, § 2, 12-13-23)