Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code § 17.42.010 Purpose

The purpose of the Residential Planned Development (RPD) is to provide greater flexibility in the design of residential developments by encouraging:

A. A more creative and imaginative approach to the design of residential developments;

B. A variety of housing types and environments;

C. A more efficient and harmonious use of the land and natural resources;

D. The retention of greater amounts of open space and amenities for recreational and visual enjoyment;

E. The preservation and enhancement of valuable natural areas;

F. Compatibility with surrounding areas.

(Code 1981, § 17.42.010; Ord. No. 78(part), 1975; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

A. These provisions shall, upon application by a property owner for a residential planned development permit pursuant to chapter 17.74 (Residential Planned Development Permit), apply to any parcel or parcels in unit ownership or to be combined in unit ownership, as a condition of approval of a residential planned development permit.

B. Once a development under these provisions is initiated, the residential planned development permit, the general development plan upon which it is based, and the conditions attached thereto (except as they may be amended) shall be binding upon the applicants, their successors and assigns; shall run with the land; and shall regulate the construction, location, use and maintenance of all land and structures within the development.

C. The residential planned development designation may be combined with any single-family residential district, thereby requiring application for a residential planned development, when the city council finds that such zoning is necessary to promote the policies of the general plan or coastal specific plan. The zoning designation on the official zoning map is RS-(RPD).

(Code 1981, § 17.42.020; Ord. No. 78(part), 1975; Ord. No. 117, § 7, 1979; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

The following types of development and uses may be permitted in any residential planned development pursuant to a residential planned development permit, in addition to any other use which is permitted in the underlying base zoning district:

A. Single-family and multiple-family residential developments containing any type of housing units, including cluster developments and other variations from standard tract patterns and development standards, except hotels, motels, boarding houses or similar transient residential facilities shall not be permitted;

B. Related recreational and community facilities for the use of the residents of the development;

C. Minor commercial uses, provided that such uses are clearly incidental and auxiliary to the development and are designed for the sole use of the residents of the development;

D. Public recreational uses; and

E. Uses and developments permitted pursuant to chapters 17.02 (Single-Family Residential Districts) and 17.04 (Multiple-Family Residential Districts).

(Code 1981, § 17.42.030; Ord. No. 78(part), 1975; Ord. No. 150, § 2, 1982; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

A. Density. The total number of dwelling units in any residential planned development shall not exceed the number allowed by the development standards of chapter 17.02 (Single-Family Residential Districts) for the base zoning district in which the property is located. In calculating density, areas of extreme slope (35 percent or steeper) and/or areas which are determined unsuitable for development, based on submitted and approved geologic reports, shall be excluded. Proposed net densities, housing types and buffering shall be considered in light of their compatibility with surrounding land uses.

B. Building standards. The following standards shall apply to all residential planned developments, with a conditional use permit:

1. The maximum building heights shall not exceed the limits allowed in the base zoning district.

C. Common open space.

1. Common open and recreational space shall make up at least 30 percent of the subject property and shall include any permanent open area and any recreational structures and facilities to be held in a single or common ownership or dedicated for public use. Undevelopable areas or areas of extreme slope (35 percent or steeper) may be included as common open space area. Streets, parking areas, patios and yards for private use and areas within an individually owned, single-family lot shall not be considered common open space; however, portions of patio and yard areas in excess of the requirements of this chapter may be included in computing common open space, at the discretion of the planning commission, and need not be in one large area.

2. All common open space (including both commonly owned and dedicated open space but excluding dedicated public parkland) other than structures or paved areas, shall be irrigated and landscaped by the developer as per an approved plan, except where the planning commission finds that an area, because of its valuable natural beauty, topography or hazardous condition would be more beneficial to the development and general public if left in a natural state.

3. If a subdivision is involved, all common open space shall remain in common ownership of all property owners in the development as provided by recorded covenants; however, where an open space area is required to serve residents of other developments and the general public, that area may, upon approval of the planning commission, be dedicated to the city or other appropriate agency designated by the city. No dwelling unit or lot may be sold or encumbered separately from an undivided interest in the common open space area not dedicated to the city.

4. Dedicated open space areas serving as public areas will, upon approval of the planning commission, be maintained by the city, any other appropriate agency designated by the city, or by the formation of a suitable assessment district. All commonly owned open space and recreational facilities shall be maintained by a homeowner's association or similar organization.

5. All land designated as open space shall be permanent open space by dedication of a fee title or easement, deed restriction or by another method approved by the city.

6. In the coastal specific plan district the 30 percent minimum common open space, or an equal or greater percentage combining private and common open space areas, shall be sited in a manner that is visible from public roads or walkways and that preserves public views of the coast. This common open space shall not be fenced or screened in a manner that would block public views of the area and shall be sited as visual landscape area enhancing public vistas rather than as interior open space within developments. Greater clustering shall be encouraged, and the design of subdivisions, structures and fencing shall seek to maximize visual open space throughout the developed areas, as viewed from public roads and viewing points.

7. In the coastal specific plan district, public paths through developed areas to the blufftop, the access corridor (including the blufftop road, bike and pedestrian paths and parking bays, as depicted in the coastal specific plan) and a usable public recreational area (not including steep bluff faces and gullies) seaward of corridor improvements shall be improved and either dedicated or permanently maintained through deed restriction for public use. These blufftop public use areas shall be in addition to the 30 percent common open space requirement.

D. Private open space. A private open space shall be provided according to the open space requirements and standards set forth for the base zoning district. This area shall be adjacent to and provide a private, usable area for each dwelling unit. In cases where the planning commission finds that provision of all or part of this required private, individual open space is impractical or undesirable, all or part of the area required may be added to the required common open space area.

E. Public utilities and facilities. The standards for any off-site improvements (streets, parkways, walks, drainage and utilities) as required by the subdivision ordinance may be modified for a residential planned development upon the recommendations of the director of public works and director, and the approval of the city council. Street design shall relate to the function of the street. In hillside areas, and other areas where no on-street parking is necessary or permitted, street widths may be reduced. Innovation in street and walkway design, use of cul-de-sacs and loop streets, and reduction of grading for streets is encouraged. Vehicular access to individual lots or units shall generally be from local streets only.

F. Parking. In single-family residential developments, the parking provisions of section 17.02.030 (Development Standards) shall apply. In multiple-family residential developments, the following standards shall apply:

1. A minimum of two garage spaces shall be provided for each dwelling unit;

2. A minimum of one uncovered parking space shall be provided for each dwelling unit with no or one bedroom and a minimum of two spaces for each unit with two or more bedrooms;

3. The uncovered spaces shall be in off-street parking areas, except that parallel, on-street parking may be permitted to meet up to one-half of the uncovered parking space requirement, if the planning commission finds this to be the only feasible method to provide required parking;

4. Parking spaces shall be individually accessible without the need for moving any vehicle to gain access to a space, except that the uncovered spaces may be in the driveway of the unit served. Required spaces shall be located within 300 feet of the dwelling unit served;

5. The number of uncovered spaces required may be reduced to one per dwelling unit, with approval of the planning commission, where the dwelling units are served with common off-street parking lots in close proximity to the residence; and

6. Consideration shall be given to the necessity of storage areas for boats, trailers and campers.

(Code 1981, § 17.42.040; Ord. No. 78(part), 1975; Ord. No. 149, §§ 6, 7, 1982; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)