Article II — Planned Unit Development Zone No. 1

Planned unit development zone No. 1 applies to the area bounded by San Antonio Drive on the northwest, Pine Street on the northeast, Walnut Avenue on the southwest, and an alley on the southeast as illustrated on Exhibit "A."

(Prior code § 27-46.1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The purpose of the planned unit development zone is to serve as a basis for review of more detailed plans. It is intended to establish a pattern for the appropriate design, arrangement and relationship of buildings, open space, circulation, land use and other features as necessary to coordinate development and achieve a functionally and visually integrated development. It is also intended to assure adequate design and controls to mitigate factors such as noise, vibration, dust, odors, and visual features detrimental to the project and its residents, tenants or users. It is intended to capitalize upon certain special qualities and opportunities of a designated area while permitting a degree of flexibility favorable to unique and imaginative designs. It is further intended to encourage and promote a high quality of design and environment. (Prior code § 27-46.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The basis objectives of this plan are to:

• A. Provide housing specifically designed to meet the needs of persons aged 62 years or older;

• B. Provide a secure, quiet environment for residential development free from any obnoxious noise, dust and odors;

• C. Provide a highly attractive, stimulating, and innovative living environment and that will tend to stimulate the surrounding area and improve the development characteristics of the area.

(Prior code § 27-46.3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

In order to achieve the foregoing objectives, developments in planned unit development zone No. 1 shall be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission. The following policies shall be applied in designing, managing and regulating development and uses within the area:

• A. Building materials, fencing, roof materials, and architectural design shall reflect a Spanish Colonial architectural theme.

• B. High building design and construction standards shall be required in order to assure good quality in the original development and to assure a high level of continued maintenance.

• C. Landscaped setbacks shall be provided along the perimeter of the site. The setback adjacent to San Antonio Drive, Pine Street and Walnut Street shall include mounds, and a substantial

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.10.160

§ 17.10.190

amount of trees, shrubs and ground cover plant materials. Landscaping along the alley is intended to serve as a visual buffer between the development and the alley and shall include tall trees and shrubs.

• D. Sound attenuation measures shall be incorporated in building design to assure quiet living conditions both indoors and outdoors on-site.

• E. Walls, fencing, gates, and access to property shall be arranged to provide security to residents of the property. Security features shall be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Department and installed prior to occupancy of the development.

• (Prior code § 27-46.4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

In planned unit development zone No. 1, the following uses are permitted subject to any conditions deemed necessary to accomplish the objectives and policies of this specific plan area:

• A. Apartments;

• B. Residential accessory uses and structures, including but not limited to:

  1. Swimming pools, spas, and other outdoor recreational facilities,

  2. Recreation buildings or rooms,

  3. Offices for administrative and support staff,

  4. Garages and/or other vehicle parking areas,

  5. The keeping of dogs, cats, and similar pets, provided that the total number in any combination thereof shall not exceed three,

  6. Laundry rooms,

  7. Offices for personnel that may provide services for residents on a full-time or parttime basis (i.e., doctor, nurse, counselor, etc.). No clients other than residents may utilize such services.

(Prior code § 27-46.5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

In order to meet the primary objective of this planned unit development, occupancy of the units shall be restricted to persons aged 62 years and older. In addition, applicants that are Norwalk residents must be given preference in at least 60% of the units that are available for rent at any one time. Prior to the issuance of any permits for development of the site, the property owner shall record a document, the form and content of which is acceptable to the City Attorney and the Director of Community Development which sets forth this and any other occupancy restrictions. (Prior code § 27-46.6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The maximum allowable density in planned unit development zone No. 1 shall be 70 units per acre.

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City of Norwalk, CA § 17.10.190

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.10.200

(Prior code § 27-46.7; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The following development standards shall apply to planned unit development zone No. 1:

• A. Setbacks.

  1. San Antonio Drive. All structures other than walls, fences, gates, signs and accessory equipment, shall be set back no less than 25 feet from San Antonio Drive. Balconies, roof eaves, cornices, chimneys, and similar architectural features may encroach within this setback, but in no case shall such encroachment be greater than four feet. Paved areas used for vehicle parking and access shall be set back no less than 10 feet.

  2. Pine Street and Walnut Street. All structures other than walls, fences, gates, signs, and accessory equipment shall be set back no less than 10 feet from Walnut Street and Pine Street. Balconies, roof eaves, cornices, chimneys, and similar architectural features may encroach within this setback but in no case shall such encroachment be greater than four feet.

Paved areas used for vehicle parking shall be set back no less than five feet from Walnut Street and Pine Street.

3. Alley. All structures other than walls, fences, gates, signs, and accessory equipment, shall be set back no less than five feet from the alley. Balconies, roof eaves, cornices, chimneys, and similar architectural features may encroach within this setback but in no case shall such encroachment be greater than two and one-half feet.

• B. Maximum Building Height. No building or structure shall exceed four stories or 45 feet in height.

• C. Minimum Unit Size. Each dwelling unit shall contain the following minimum floor areas:

  1. One-bedroom units: 525 square feet;

  2. Two-bedroom units: 625 square feet.

• D. No bachelor apartments shall be permitted.

• E. Architecture. All structures shall reflect Spanish Colonial architectural style and shall be subject to the review and approval of a precise development plan. Visible roof surfaces shall consist of terra cotta clay or concrete tile.

• F. Required Design Features. In order to provide a living environment attractive to elderly persons, the following features shall be included in the project:

  1. All units on the second, third and fourth floors, shall have convenient access to an elevator to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development.

  2. The units shall be designed so as to provide distinct areas for cooking, living and sleeping. The units shall be designed to accommodate one or two adults. All of the units shall contain one or two bedrooms.

  3. At least 10% of the units shall be designed so as to accommodate persons confined to

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.10.200

§ 17.10.200

wheelchairs. These units shall include wider doorways, lower countertops and fixtures, strategic placement of grab bars and all other features set forth by State law for units to qualify for handicapped access.

• G. Parking and Access.

  1. Parking shall be provided at a ratio of at least 0.8 spaces per unit. Parking spaces need not be covered.

2. Parking spaces and driveways shall be designed consistent with Chapter 17.03, Article II (Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements) of the Norwalk Municipal Code. Planters no greater than six inches in height shall be permitted to encroach into the front two and one-half feet of the parking space. The edge of the landscaped areas that are adjacent to any areas used for vehicle parking or adjacent to the alley shall be defined by a six inch high concrete curb.

   3. Unless drainage cannot be designed otherwise, drainage gutters shall be located along the perimeter of areas used for vehicle parking; no drainage swales shall be permitted in the driveways.

   4. No parking spaces may encroach into the required setback areas.

   5. All parking spaces and driveways shall be paved with asphalt or concrete except that the driveway entrance to the vehicle parking area and the driveway in front of the main entrance to the building(s) shall be paved or surfaced with a decorative material such as brick, pebble aggregate, or stamped concrete subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission or the Director of Community Development.

   6. All parking spaces shall be arranged so that cars are not required to back onto public streets or alleys.

   7. No long term storage of vehicles, boats, campers, camper shells and trailers shall be permitted.

• H. Fencing. A six foot high decorative wrought iron fence of six foot high combination decorative masonry wall and wrought iron fence shall be provided along the perimeter of the site. Access gates shall also be of decorative wrought iron. Any solid walls adjacent to public streets shall be treated with anti-graffiti coating approved by the City Engineer. The design and location of all walls and fences shall be approved by the Community Development Department.

• I. Open Space. All units shall be provided with at least one private balcony or patio with a minimum area of 40 square feet and a minimum width of four feet.

• J. Signs. Only signs described under Section 17.03.170 and a maximum of one attached sign and two monument signs shall be permitted. Individual signs shall not have a sign face area of greater than 40 square feet per face. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of five feet and shall be constructed of materials and colors which match that of the building to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development.

Text shall be either raised solid letters, channel letters, or inset letters. Cabinet and painted signs shall not be permitted.

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.10.200

§ 17.10.200

• K. Landscaping for the planned unit development shall conform to a landscape and irrigation plan reviewed and approved by the Director of Community Development. The plan shall be prepared by a licensed landscape architect and shall show the location of turf, trees, shrubs, walks, fences and any ponds, fountains, or other decorative features. The plan shall clearly portray a permanent irrigation system, identify all plants by their botanical and common names, and indicate the location, number and container size of all shrubs and trees.

• L. Refuse Storage. Refuse storage sites shall be screened and maintained in a manner that prevents the creation of any nuisance or otherwise detracts from the property value or residential character of the neighborhood. The location of refuse storage and the manner of screening shall be subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Department.

• M. Recreational Facilities and Ancillary Offices. In order to provide support facilities for the elderly tenants; the planned unit development shall include a recreation facility. The facility shall be centrally located so as to be conveniently accessible to all residents. The location shall be subject to the approval of the Planning Commission. Space for the following uses shall be provided within the facility:

  1. A multipurpose room large enough to accommodate all occupants of the development;

  2. A kitchen attached to the multipurpose room;

  3. A mailbox for each unit.

• N. Cable Television Conduit. The developer shall be required to install and stub a conduit system to each dwelling unit and the recreation building(s) for future installation of a community cable television system.

• O. Mechanical Equipment.

  1. All permanent mechanical equipment, including fixed and built-in domestic appliances, shall be shock-mounted if determined by the Building and Safety Division to be a source of structural vibration or substantial noise.

  2. Air Conditioning, Heating, and Filtration Systems.

     • a. Mechanical equipment shall be permitted on a roof only if the roof is specifically designed to accommodate such equipment, and the equipment is not visible or audible from an adjacent property, structure or street plans for the installation of such rooftop equipment shall be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director.

     • b. No permanent source of noise shall be permitted which causes the maximum noise level at any point on the property lines surrounding the site to exceed the ambient (background) noise level, including traffic noise, by five dBA measured at the same point, or to exceed 55 dBA, whichever is greater.

     • c. Mechanical equipment shall be mounted on a concrete slab and/or platform determined to be structurally sound by the Building and Safety Division.

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.10.200

§ 17.10.200

• d. To reduce the noise and visual impacts of the mechanical equipment, all such equipment shall be screened in a manner acceptable to the Director of Community Development.

• e. Air conditioning equipment shall be carefully sited so as to minimize noise impacts on adjacent properties. The ART sound rating number of any air conditioning unit shall be 8.0 or less as identified in the most recent publication of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) Directory of Certified Sound Rated Outdoor Unitary Equipment.

  • f. Air conditioning equipment shall have fans located at the top of the unit. Fans are prohibited from being located on the sides of a unit.
  3. Solar Energy Systems. Solar energy systems, if installed, shall be designed so as to be an integral part of the roof on which they are mounted with minimum visibility to the public. The design and location of the system shall be subject to the review and approval of the Director of Community Development.

• P. Structural Soundproofing. Soundproofing shall be provided. The amount and type of soundproofing for walls, roofs and windows shall be sufficient to maintain a maximum ambient noise level in living areas of no greater than 45 CNEL with all windows, doors and other openings closed. Additionally, specific soundproofing requirements shall include the following:

  1. Windows. To meet the required ambient noise level in living areas, all windows within 65 CNEL contours of a noise source, both fixed and open able, shall be required to consist of either double-strength glass or double-paned glass.

  2. Doors. Doors shall be designed to insulate noise with gasketed stops and an integral drop seal.

  3. Roofs and Ceilings. Special insulation or design features may be required for roofs and/or ceilings to meet the required interior ambient noise level.

  4. Walls. Exterior walls of living areas shall be of a construction and/or include insulation capable of limiting the maximum ambient noise levels to 45 CNEL.

A bond of $10,000 shall be filed with the City to guarantee that all acoustical standards and acoustical requirements set forth in this chapter are met. A final investigation and acoustical tests may be made prior to occupancy to determine compliance with noise level requirements.

• Q. Laundry Facilities. Laundry facilities for the use of residents shall be conveniently located on each floor of the residential buildings. The location of laundry facilities shall be subject to the approval of the Planning Commission or the Director of Community Development.

• R. Security.

  1. The design of the residential development shall include fencing, electronic gates, a visitor call system and/or other features necessary to provide adequate security to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development The location of access gates shall be reviewed and approved by the Directors of Community Development and Engineering.

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.10.200

§ 17.10.210

2. An internal security system shall be installed in each unit which will permit residents to quickly and easily summon assistance in an emergency to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development.

(Prior code § 27-46.8; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Any expansion of the boundaries or any amendment to the objectives, policies, standards, and regulations to this planned unit development shall be accomplished in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article I of this chapter. (Prior code § 27-46.9; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA