San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Ch. 17.54 Downtown (d) Overlay Zone

A. Purpose. The downtown (D) overlay zone is intended to implement the vision of downtown and the community’s urban center as articulated in the General Plan Land Use Element, which serves as the cultural, social, entertainment, and political center of the city for its residents, as well as home to those who live in its historic neighborhoods.

B. Application. Application of the D overlay zone may be initiated by the council or planning commission and may only be applied to properties within the vicinity of the downtown core, as identified in the General Plan Land Use Element. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)

A. Consistent with Underlying Zoning. Where an application is consistent with the use and development standards of the underlying zone, no additional process or procedure beyond that which is generally required for the application shall apply.

B. Apply C-D Zoning Standards. Within the D overlay zone, an applicant may request to apply C-D zoning regulations for the subject property. In granting a request to apply C-D zoning regulations within the D overlay zone, major development review approval shall be required (see Chapter 17.106: Development Review). (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)

In addition to the criteria associated with major development review (Section 17.106.050: Application Review), the approval of any project in the D overlay zone shall require that the review authority find:

A. That the project conforms with the purpose, intent, and provisions of the downtown core as stated in the Land Use Element of the General Plan; and

B. That the project conforms to the C-D zone development standards and consistent with applicable standards identified in the downtown design chapter of the community design guidelines; and

C. That the project furthers the vision, principles, and goals of the Downtown Concept Plan; and

D. That the project’s location, size, height, operations, and other significant features will be compatible with and will not adversely affect or further degrade adjacent properties, the surrounding neighborhood, or the public health, welfare, and safety; and

E. That the project provides for an arrangement of uses, buildings, structures, open spaces and other improvements that are compatible with the scale and character of the adjacent properties and surrounding neighborhood. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)