Article II — P-F Zone, Public Facilities Overlay Zone

In a PF zone, no building shall be erected, constructed, or reconstructed, nor shall any additions be made to existing buildings, nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose, except as is hereinafter specifically provided and allowed by this article.

This article shall not apply to structures or uses existing or under construction as of October 9, 1963, except to the extent that changes or additions thereto require development plan approval as provided in this article, and only those signs, structures or portions of existing structures which are thereafter changed or added so as to require such approval shall be subject to the regulations of this article or to control under the development plan procedure, but in reviewing any proposed development plan, consideration shall be given to the appearance of the entire development and uses on the lot.

The intent and purpose of the PF zone is to promote the orderly and harmonious development of areas in the vicinity of the Civic Center and of major public buildings, so as to insure that the appearance of the area surrounding such facilities shall not be detrimental to the dignity and beauty of such public facilities or of the surrounding area.

The public facilities zone is an overlay zone; i.e., any development within this zone shall comply with the regulations of this article in addition to the requirements of the underlying zone, unless this article specifies that such latter requirements shall not be applicable. In the event of a conflict between a regulation for the PF zone and a regulation for an underlying zone, the more restrictive regulation shall control, and in case of doubt or ambiguity the determination thereof by the Director shall be conclusive.

In a PF zone, the following uses are permitted:

• A. Any use permitted in the underlying zone, subject to all conditions applicable thereto in such zone, except as hereinafter provided.

• B. In any required yard setback area adjacent to a street, established pursuant to the provisions of this article, the following uses only:

  1. Landscaping;

  2. Fences and walls not exceeding six feet in height generally or 42 inches in height if adjacent to required front or side yards of a residential zone or development;

  3. Driveways;

  4. Directional signs accessory to off-street parking and loading facilities, each sign structure not to exceed six square feet in area.

(Prior code § 27-3.1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. Development plan approval shall be required in a PF zone for each of the following:

  1. The erection or construction of a building;

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.08.020

§ 17.08.020

2. The moving of a building onto property, or the relocation of a building or substantial structure from one part of a property to another.

• B. Application for development plan approval, when required, shall be made to the Planning Commission by the actual or prospective property owner or the authorized agent of either. Such application may be made and acted upon concurrently with an application for a change of zone, variance, conditional use permit, or other matter requiring City approval pursuant to this title. Such application shall be accompanied by:

  1. Accurately-drawn maps showing the subject property and other properties abutting the same street or streets on the same side of the street to the nearest intersections, or for a distance of 500 feet in each direction, whichever is less;

  2. Plot plans of the subject property, showing all existing and proposed buildings and uses;

  3. Architectural drawings and elevations; and

  4. Any other data deemed by the Director to be reasonably required to adequately present the matter to the Planning Commission.

• C. In reviewing any development plan, the Planning Commission may consider the following elements, as well as other pertinent factors:

  1. The general exterior appearance of the buildings, including height, bulk, size and shape;

  2. The color and texture of surface materials and exterior construction;

  3. The size and spacing of windows, doors and other openings;

  4. The type and pitch of roofs, towers, chimneys and other roof structures;

  5. Relationships to existing buildings and structures in the area, based on the general plan, precise plans or redevelopment plans for the area;

  6. The setbacks and landscaping of yard areas;

  7. The design, type and location of signs, walls, fences and outdoor storage;

  8. The illumination of buildings, grounds, parking areas and signs; and

  9. Any other features or item having a direct relationship to the general appearance of the buildings and premises.

• D. The Planning Commission shall have the authority to disapprove any proposed use, building or structure, or any change in existing use, building, or structure, which, in its sound judgment, would substantially affect the appearance of the area under consideration in a manner materially detrimental to the beauty and dignity of public facilities or the area within the PF zone. The Planning Commission may require changes in the architectural treatment of buildings or structures, may require additional landscaping and development improvements, and may impose conditions of development when, in its sound judgment, it determines that such is necessary to conform to the intent, purpose and requirements of the PF zone. Architectural requirements shall be imposed only when the Planning Commission

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.08.020

§ 17.08.030

finds that the proposed architectural treatment would be materially detrimental to the beauty and dignity of the PF zone; such architectural requirements shall not specify a particular style of architecture or particular design features, but shall permit the applicant the maximum freedom of architectural design compatible with the prohibition of architectural treatment materially detrimental to the beauty and dignity of the PF zone.

• E. The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council as set forth in Sections 17.02.210.G and H, except that no public hearing shall be required and the decision of the City Council may be made by motion or by resolution.

• (Prior code § 27-3.2; Ord. 20-1720 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every use permitted or maintained in the PF zone shall be subject to the following conditions and limitations, notwithstanding any inconsistent regulations of this title or of any permit or official plan issued or adopted hereunder.

• A. Parking shall be provided as specified by Chapter 17.03, Article II, and development of the parking area shall provide a minimum five-foot strip of landscaping separating the parking area from any street, except at driveway openings.

• B. A solid masonry wall six feet in height shall be required (except that this wall shall be three and one-half feet in height where it adjoins the required front yard of a residential zone) for the following:

  1. Where an open yard area on the subject property abuts property zoned for residential uses or abuts a permitted ground floor residential use; and

  2. Where the Director or Planning Commission determines that it is necessary to protect neighboring property values and properly buffer use of the property from an adjoining use.

A required wall may be reduced to not less than three and one-half feet in height, when, in the opinion of the City Traffic Engineer, it is necessary for public safety purposes.

• C. The following landscaping provisions shall apply in the PF zone:

  1. The required front yard shall be landscaped. Where a side or rear yard faces a public street, a minimum of five feet of the required side or rear yard shall be landscaped.

  2. All open areas between a required wall and the property line shall be landscaped.

  3. The minimum width of any required landscaped area, and of any form or fixed planter box used to provide required landscaping, shall be three feet.

  4. When landscaping is required, a plan showing the proposed landscape development, including a description of the type, size and number of plantings and the irrigation system and generally indicating the use of the property, shall be submitted to the Planning Commission. The Board may approve, conditionally approve, or deny the landscaping and irrigation.

• D. Signs for this article are regulated by Chapter 17.03, Article III.

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City of Norwalk, CA § 17.08.030

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.08.060

• E. All utilities and utility installations hereafter constructed or moved shall be underground. The Planning Commission may waive this requirement if it finds that this requirement would be unreasonable or impractical in the circumstances.

• (Prior code § 27-3.3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every lot and every parcel in a PF zone shall have a front yard of not less than five feet. Greater setbacks may be established by the adoption of an official zoning plan. (Prior code § 27-3.4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every lot and every parcel in a PF zone shall have a side yard of not less than five feet abutting a street and adjoining property zoned for residential use, including the C&O zone. (Prior code § 27-3.5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every lot and every parcel in a PF zone, and which abuts residential-zoned property, shall have a rear yard of not less than 20 feet, unless a different rear yard requirement applies in the underlying zone, in which case the rear yard requirement of the underlying zone shall control. Any part of the required rear yard may be used as a parking area, and carports and garages accessory to the main building may occupy any part of the required rear yard, notwithstanding the regulations otherwise provided for the underlying zone or any other provision of this title. (Prior code § 27-3.6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA