Chapter 18.30 — (G) — Palo Alto Zoning Code

SITE AND DESIGN (D) REVIEW COMBINING DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Sections:

18.30(G).010 Specific Purposes

18.30(G).020 Applicability of Regulations

18.30(G).030 Zoning Map Designation

18.30(G).040 Design Approval Required

18.30(G).050 Application

18.30(G).055 Application Process

18.30(G).060 Action by Commission 18.30(G).070 Action by Council 18.30(G).080 Term - Expiration.

18.30(G).010 Specific Purposes

The site and design review combining district is intended to provide a process for review and approval of development in environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas, including established community areas which may be sensitive to negative aesthetic factors, excessive noise, increased traffic or other disruptions, in order to assure that use and development will be harmonious with other uses in the general vicinity, will be compatible with environmental and ecological objectives, and will be in accord with the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan.

(Ord. 3890 § 18, 1989: Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

18.30(G).020 Applicability of Regulations

The site and design review combining district may be combined with any other district established by this title, in accord with the provisions of Chapter 18.08 and Chapter 18.80. Where so combined, the site and design review process established by this chapter shall apply to all sites. In addition, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all sites in the OS open space district, and shall apply to all sites in the AC agricultural conservation district.

(Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

18.30(G).030 Zoning Map Designation

Where combined with any general district other than OS or AC, the site and design review district shall be designated on the zoning map by the symbol "D" within parentheses, following the general district designation for the district with which it is combined.

(Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

18.30(G).040 Design Approval Required

Site and design approval shall be secured prior to issuance of any permit or other approval for the construction of any building or the establishment of any use on any site within the site and design review combining district, or on any site which is made subject to the provisions of this chapter by an express requirement of any other provision of this code.

(Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

18.30(G).050 Application

Application for site and design review shall be made to the director and shall be accompanied by the application fee prescribed in the municipal fee schedule. The application shall include the following:

(a) A site plan showing the location of all proposed buildings, structures, planted or landscaped areas, paved areas, and other improvements, and indicating the proposed uses or activities within the site;

(b) Drawings or sketches showing the elevations of all proposed buildings, sufficiently dimensioned to indicate the general scale, height, and bulk of such buildings.

(Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

18.30(G).055 Application Process

(a) The applicant seeking site and design approval shall initially submit to the planning commission a site plan and elevations as described in Section 18.30(G).050. The plans and elevations may be preliminary in nature but must show all pertinent information requested by the director.

(b) If the planning commission recommends denial, a detailed site plan and elevations consistent with the planning commission recommendation shall be forwarded directly to the city council.

(c) If the planning commission recommends approval, a detailed site plan and elevations consistent with the planning commission recommendation shall be forwarded to the architectural review board for review, except in the case of single-family and accessory uses. The architectural review board shall make a recommendation on the plans and elevations based on the findings for architectural review in Section 18.76.020(d).

(d) The plans and elevations, as approved by the planning commission and the architectural review board, are submitted with recommendations to council for final action.

(Ord. 4826 § 120, 2004: Ord. 3108 § 15, 1979)

18.30(G).060 Action by Commission

Unless the application for design approval is diverted for minor architectural review under Section 18.76.020 (b)(3)(E), the planning commission shall review the site plan and drawings, and shall recommend approval or shall recommend such changes as it may deem necessary to accomplish the following objectives:

(a) To ensure construction and operation of the use in a manner that will be orderly, harmonious, and compatible with existing or potential uses of adjoining or nearby sites.

(b) To ensure the desirability of investment, or the conduct of business, research, or educational activities, or other authorized occupations, in the same or adjacent areas.

(d) To ensure that the use will be in accord with the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan.

(Ord. 5432 § 10, 2018: Ord. 4826 § 121, 2004: Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

18.30(G).070 Action by Council

To the extent that site and design review is contemplated under this chapter, and upon receipt of the recommendation of the planning commission, the council may approve, modify, or disapprove the proposed plans submitted pursuant to this chapter. No building permit or other permit or approval for building construction or use of the site shall be issued or granted until the plans have been approved by the city council, or by the director of planning and development services as provided in Section 18.76.020(b)(3)(D).

(Ord. 5494 § 3, 2020: Ord. 4826 § 122, 2004: Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

18.30(G).080 Term - Expiration.

In the event actual construction of the project is not commenced within two years of the effective date of approval thereof, said approval shall expire and be of no further force or effect. Whenever a vesting tentative map is approved or conditionally approved pursuant to Chapter 21.13 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code and the Subdivision Map Act, the approval pursuant to this chapter shall be valid until the expiration of the vesting tentative map, or expiration of development rights under the final map. Applications may be made for extensions, but only in conjunction with applications for extensions of the vesting tentative map or the final vesting map pursuant to Chapter 21.13 and the Subdivision Map Act.

(Ord. 3689 § 5, 1986: Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)