CHAPTER 8

PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS AND OVERLAY DISTRICTS

 

810      General Description.

820      Standards of Development.

830      Procedures for Obtaining PUD Zoning.

840      Amendments.

850      Administration and Enforcement.

860      Overlay District.

 

SECTION 810            GENERAL DESCRIPTION

It is the intent of this Section to encourage developments with superior living environments brought about through unified development and to provide for the application of design ingenuity in such developments while protecting existing and future surrounding areas in achieving the goals of the Owasso Land Use Master Plan.  The PUD Planned Unit Development District herein established is intended to provide for greater flexibility in the design of buildings, yards, courts, circulation and open space than would otherwise be possible through the strict application of other district regulations, and to produce:

1.                  A maximum choice in the types of environment and living units available to the public;

2.                  Open space and recreation areas;

3.                  A pattern of development that preserves natural features and prevents soil erosion;

4.                  A creative approach to the use of land and related physical development;

5.                  An efficient use of land resulting in smaller networks of utilities and streets and thereby lowering costs; and

6.                  An environment of stable character in harmony with the surrounding development.

7.                  A reduction in the potential impact of new development on the surrounding environment.

The PUD Planned Unit Development Regulations are designed to provide for small- and large-scale development incorporating a single type or a variety of residential, commercial, and related uses that are planned and developed as a unit.  Such development may consist of individual lots, or it may have common building sites.  Private or public common land and open space must be an essential and major element of the Plan, because these areas are related to and affects the long-term value of the homes and other development.  A planned unit shall be a separate entity with a distinct character, but shall also be harmonious with surrounding development.

 

SECTION 820            STANDARDS OF DEVELOPMENT

1.      Ownership Control

The land in a Planned Unit Development District shall be owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a person, firm, group of individuals, partnership, corporation, or trust, provided assurances are given through the procedures contained herein that the project can be successfully completed.

A Property Owners’ Association shall be required for each PUD within Owasso.  The Property Owners’ Association shall be formed and operational by the time that seventy percent (70%) of the lots within the PUD have been permitted for development.  Lots owned by the developer may not be assessed differently by the Property Owners’ Association than lots that are not owned by the developer.

The Property Owners’ Association shall be responsible for the maintenance of all common areas, reserve areas, and adjacent rights of way for the development.

2.      Minimum District Area

The minimum area for a PUD shall be three (3) acres, unless the development is solely multi-family residential in use.  In calculating the minimum area for a PUD, the measurements shall include the area of all dedicated streets entirely within the boundary of the proposed PUD and one-half of all boundary or perimeter streets.

3.      Uses Permitted

In order to increase creativity and flexibility in the development of areas suitable for a PUD, there are no specifically prescribed uses that are permitted within the boundaries of a PUD.  The developer shall be responsible for preparation of a list of permitted uses within the specific PUD requested.  The development of the list shall take into account the nature and purpose of the PUD area, and such uses and locations shall be appropriate in order to protect and be in harmony with surrounding development.  At the time of the Pre-Application plan and conference, the applicant shall generally describe the nature and types of land uses to be located within the boundaries of the PUD.  At the time of zoning application and consideration of the preliminary plat, a specific written list of uses to be “permitted by right” shall be submitted for review by the Planning Commission.  Following approval by the Planning Commission and City Council, the list of specific uses permitted by right shall serve as the control list in issuance of building permits and certificates of occupancy.

 

4.      Parking and Off-Street Loading

All uses established within a PUD shall comply with the off-street parking and loading requirements as established in the Owasso Zoning Code.  However, the requirements for individual structures or lots may be met through either provision of adequate parking on the lot on which such structure is located or upon adjacent property that is under the control of a Property Owners’ Association to which said lot is an automatic participant.  In no case, however, shall the cumulative requirements for all parking and off-street loading requirements be less than if said uses were individually established and located in any other zoning district within the City.

5.      Perimeter Requirements

In order to assure compatibility with surrounding development, the developer shall submit specific information as to the setbacks, building height, coverage factors and other elements necessary for all perimeter lots that are adjacent to the boundary of the PUD or adjacent to any boundary or perimeter street right-of-way.  While no specific setback requirements are herein established, the Planning Commission and City Council shall consider the nature, extent and character of the adjacent development and shall take into consideration the types of area regulations applicable to adjacent properties.

6.      Garage Requirements

For all portions of detached single-family residential uses with PUDs, each dwelling shall include a garage with a minimum capacity of two vehicles.

7.      Residential Density Standards

The maximum number of dwelling units permitted within a PUD is dependent upon both the type and number of each type of residential unit intended to be included in the PUD.  Densities within certain areas of the PUD may be beyond the overall limits through a transfer of density.  However, overall project densities shall not be exceeded in accordance with the following schedule:

a.                   Four (4) dwelling units per acre for single-family detached houses

b.                  Eight (8) dwelling units per acre for two-family dwellings

c.                   Twelve (12) dwelling units per acre for single-family attached houses (town homes)

d.                  Fifteen (15) dwelling units per acre for triplexes and fourplexes

e.                   Twenty-one (21) dwelling units per acre for low-rise (three (3) stories or less) apartments

When calculating acreages, the developer shall include the PUD site plus all public rights-of-way, all parcels within the PUD devoted to other types of uses, and all common open space.

The maximum number of single-family dwelling units permitted within a PUD may be increased to 5 dwelling units per acre if the following conditions are met:

·        the dwelling units within the PUD have at least a 70% masonry exterior,

·        at least four of the following amenities are provided: a) a trails system, other than required sidewalks, b) a neighborhood swimming pool, c) a neighborhood park, d) masonry screening around the perimeter, e) irrigated landscaping at the development entrance, f) decorative, pedestrian-oriented streetlights, or g) other amenities as may be determined by the Community Development Department and Planning Commission to significantly improve the quality of life in the development.

SECTION 830            PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING PUD ZONING

A three-step review procedure is required for obtaining PUD zoning and final approval of the final plan and plat.  The first step involves a Pre-Application Plan and Conference that is designed to provide information to the local government of the developer’s intention with respect to the nature and scope of the proposed PUD and to allow the developer to be informed of the City’s regulations and policies concerning development alternatives for the area.  The second step involves submission of a formal application for rezoning of the area to a PUD District and simultaneous submission of a preliminary plat in accordance with the Owasso Subdivision Regulations.  The last step involves submission of the final development plan and plat for approval and recording prior to commencing building construction.  These steps are outlined as follows with respect to the procedure followed and submission requirements at each step.

830.1   Pre-Application Plan and Conference

            A.        Procedure

1)         A Pre-Application Plan shall be submitted to the Owasso Community Development Department for review of the area and proposed uses relative to the compatibility of a PUD project with existing development in the surrounding area and the Master Land Use Plan.

2)         Each applicant shall confer with the Community Development Department and other interested departments in connection with the preparation of the PUD application.  It shall be the responsibility of the Community Development Department to contact and invite interested departments and other parties to a joint meeting.  The general outlines of the proposal, evidenced schematically by the Pre-Application Plan and such other information as may be desired, are to be considered before submission of the PUD application.

3)         Upon review of the site plan and general area, and following completion of the Pre-Application Conference, the Community Development Department shall furnish the applicant with written comments regarding the conference, including appropriate recommendations to inform and assist the applicant prior to preparing the components of the PUD application.

B.         Submission Requirements

At the time of requesting a Pre-Application Conference, the applicant shall submit a scaled site plan and such other narrative or graphic information the applicant deems pertinent to the City’s initial review and evaluation of the potential of the PUD District proposed.  The Pre-Application Plan shall include the following:

1)                  Boundaries of the property involved;

2)                  Existing zoning of the area and zoning of adjoining properties;

3)                  Existing roadways, easements, and waterways;

4)                  Indication of availability of all utilities;

5)                  General plan of development at a level of detail sufficient to indicate to the City the nature and scope of the project as to its magnitude in terms of approximate number and types of dwelling units, location and extent of nonresidential elements, proposed locations of major open space areas, circulation and access.

830.2      Zoning Application and Preliminary Plat

After receiving written comments following the Pre-Application Conference, the applicant may proceed in preparing a formal application for a PUD to the Owasso Planning Commission.  The application shall consist of a simultaneous submission of a preliminary plat and a rezoning application.  The preliminary plat shall conform to all requirements contained in the Owasso Subdivision Regulations with the exception of certain design requirements regarding lot, setbacks, etc. that are specifically exempted or modified by provisions of this Ordinance.  The application shall be processed as a re-zoning application.

Submission Requirements

The applicant shall simultaneously submit both a preliminary plat and a rezoning application.  The preliminary plat shall be prepared in a manner as prescribed in the Owasso Subdivision Regulations.  To form the basis for the rezoning application, a preliminary plat shall be submitted that includes at least the following information:

1)      Proposed title of the project and name of any engineer, architect, land planner, surveyor, or company responsible for various elements of the plat.

2)      North arrow, graphic scale, and date.

3)      Certified boundaries of the properties involved, all existing easements, section lines and property lines, existing streets, existing buildings, water courses, waterways and lakes, and other existing physical features in and adjoining the project.

4)      Location and sizes of sanitary and storm sewers, water mains, culverts and other underground structures in and adjacent to the project.

5)      Topography of the project area with appropriate contour intervals as prescribed in the Owasso Subdivision Regulations or the Owasso Engineering Design Criteria.

6)      General Land Use Development Plan of the area indicating the location of different land uses, dwellings by types and numbers, areas designated for commercial uses and other nonresidential uses, and areas proposed for open space and recreational use.  For all residential areas, the site plan shall clearly indicate the type and number of dwellings to be located per parcel, lot, or block in accordance with the preliminary plat.  For all commercial or other nonresidential uses, the areas shall clearly be indicated in accordance with lots, parcels, or blocks and each such parcel shall indicate the type of building proposed, number of stories, and gross square footage to be included on each parcel.  The boundaries of all open space areas shall be clearly indicated along with the form of proposed ownership, that is by Property Owners’ Association or public park or other legal entity, and in such case where more than one Property Owners’ Association is being created, documentation shall be clearly submitted as to which areas will have automatic membership into said associations.  This requirement, however, shall not be interpreted as requiring a detailed site development plan that includes the exact boundaries and locations of all structures proposed for construction.

7)      All building setback lines for all properties shall be shown

8)      If the project is to be developed in more than one phase, the boundaries of each proposed phase shall be clearly indicated on the site plan map.

9)      Calculations shall be submitted of the total number of gross acres in the project, and the acres and percentages thereof, proposed to be devoted to the several dwelling types, commercial uses, other nonresidential uses, streets, parks, schools, and other reservations.

10)  Tabulation of the total number of dwelling units by various types in the project and the total number of net residential acres within the project, or if the project is to be developed in phases, by each phase within the project.  The tabulations shall so indicate conformance of the proposed project or each phase within the project to the residential density standards for the PUD District.

830.3      Final Plan and Plat

Upon the approval of the rezoning request by the City Council, the applicant may proceed with the preparation of the final plan and plat.  The final plat shall meet all applicable requirements of the Owasso Subdivision Regulations and shall be processed in accordance with those Regulations.  The applicant shall submit a written and graphic description of any modifications made to the final plat from the approved preliminary plat.

If it is determined that no changes have been made from the preliminary plat, or if only minor plan changes have been made in accordance with the definition provided below, then the review by the Owasso Planning Commission may proceed and the plat may be submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council for approval.  If approved, the plat shall be filed in the County Clerk’s office upon completion of the above information.

SECTION 840            AMENDMENTS

Amendments may be required either to the preliminary plat or the final development plan.  The procedure governing the disposition of amendments shall be as follows:

840.1   Amendments to the Preliminary PUD Plan

At the time a final PUD plan is submitted for review, it shall be determined whether or not any amendments have been made to the approved preliminary PUD plan.  If amendments have been made, then a determination shall be required as to whether or not said amendments constitute a major or minor plan change.  Modifications from the previously approved preliminary PUD plan shall be deemed by the staff to be minor plan changes if any and all modifications by the applicant:

A.        Do not vary the total number of dwelling units by more than thirty percent (30%);

B.         Do not involve a reduction of the area set aside for common open space such that the resulting common open space area is less that 20% of the PUD development area;

C.        Do not increase by more than thirty percent (30%); and

D.        Do not substantially change the location of any nonresidential areas as shown on the preliminary PUD plan.

Additionally, modifications in the location or design of minor streets, cul-de-sacs, alleys, or facilities for water and for disposal of stormwater and wastewater shall not be considered as major modifications.

All other changes in the PUD, including changes in the site plan and development schedule, must be made under the procedures that are applicable to the initial approval of a PUD project.

840.2      Amendments to Final PUD Plan

The final PUD plan, as approved by the Planning Commission and City Council, may be amended in accordance with the following procedure.  Minor changes may be authorized by the City Planner in such cases where changes are required by engineering or other circumstances not foreseen at the time the final PUD was approved.  No change authorized by the City Planner under this section, however, may either increase the total area devoted to any and all nonresidential uses, or decrease the amount of area devoted to common open space or increase the total number of dwelling units located on any lot, block, or parcel as approved in the final PUD plan.  Notwithstanding any of these conditions, the City Planner may not permit changes beyond the minimum or maximum requirements set forth in this Ordinance.  All other changes in the PUD, including changes in the site plan or the development schedule, must be made under the procedures that are applicable to the initial approval of a PUD.

SECTION 850            ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

850.1      Review Standards

The Planning Commission shall investigate and ascertain that the plans for a PUD meet the following conditions:

A.     That the tract of land for the entire project comprises not less than three (3) acres.

B.     That the project is in conformity with the requirements and standards of development of the PUD District and is consistent is the intent and purpose of this section.

C.     That the proposed project constitutes an environment of sustained desirability and stability, and that it is in harmony with the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

D.     That the property adjacent to the proposed development will not be adversely affected.

The City Council shall review the recommendations sent forward by the Planning Commission and take one of the following actions:

A.     Approve the PUD as recommended by the Planning Commission and approve the rezoning request.

B.     Approve the PUD as amended by the City Council and approve the rezoning request.

C.     Deny the rezoning request.

The City Council shall apply the review standards stipulated in this section in reviewing the PUD.

850.2      Recorded Plat and Plot Plan Required

The proposed development shall follow all applicable procedures, standards, regulations, and laws governing the subdivision of land.  No building permit for any structure shall be issued until a final plat of the proposed development or part thereof is approved and recorded and an approved plat plan has been submitted in accordance with this Article.

850.3      Phasing and Development Schedule

The applicant is permitted to construct the PUD in more than one phase or stage of construction.  In such cases, the applicant shall clearly indicate on the site plan map the boundaries of each proposed phase.  If the sequence of construction of various portions of the development is to occur in phases or stages, then the open space and/or recreational facilities should be developed or committed thereto in proportion to the number of dwelling units intended to be developed during any given stage of construction.

Additionally, the applicant shall submit a schedule of construction for the project or for each phase within the project indicating the sequence of development according to residential type and other nonresidential construction within the project.  Upon adoption of the schedule of construction, the Community Development Department shall be responsible for enforcing this schedule.  If the Community Development Department determines that the rate of construction of residential units or nonresidential structures differs from the construction schedule, the department shall so notify the developer in writing.  Thereafter, the Community Development Department may issue such orders to a developer as necessary to correct said schedule, and upon continued violation of this subsection may suspend the developer from further construction of dwelling units or nonresidential structures until compliance is achieved.

850.4      Guarantee of Completion

Before approval of the final development plan, the Planning Commission shall require a contract with safeguards satisfactory to the Commission guaranteeing completion of the development plan for any single phase in a period to be specified by the Commission, but that period shall not exceed five (5) years unless extended by the Commission.

850.5      Causes for Revocation

The Planning Commission may recommend to the City Council that any previous PUD approval be revoked and all building permits be voided under the following circumstances:

A.     If the applicant has not submitted a final development plan to the City within two (2) years of preliminary plan approval.  Where an optional staged development plan is utilized, the affected portion of the approved preliminary plan may be revoked in its entirety or to the extent of that portion on which a final development plan/plat has not been submitted and approved.

B.     If no building permit has been issued within three (3) years from the recording date of the final development plan/plat, or initial plan of a staged final development plan/plat and the applicant has not been granted an extension.

C.     If the applicant does not adhere to the phased development schedule as stated in the approved preliminary development plan.

D.     If the construction and provision of all common open spaces and public and recreational facilities that are shown on the final development plan/plat are proceeding at a substantially slower rate than other project components.

From time to time, the Planning Commission may compare the actual development accomplished with the approved development schedule.  If the Commission finds that the rate of construction of dwelling units or other structures is substantially greater than the rate at which common open spaces and public recreational facilities have been constructed and provided, then the Planning Commission may initiate revocation action or cease to approve any additional final development plans/plats if preceding phases have not been finalized.  The City may also issue a stop work order or discontinue issuance of building permits, or revoke those previously issued.  If project is revoked, it would revert to previously determined zoning district.

SECTION 860            OVERLAY DISTRICT

860.1      General Description

It is the purpose and intent of the Overlay District to provide enhanced standards to protect and enhance the unique characteristics of specific areas and/or corridors while providing for development opportunities.  These characteristics may include natural scenic beauty, manmade features or other features.  Overlay Districts may also be used to protect or facilitate a particular design theme established through specific architectural styles or periods, or to protect or facilitate site plan conventions such as setbacks that are both minimums and maximums.  The purposes of any Overlay District may include:

1.                  Promoting the safe and efficient use of specific roadways by controlling access and other traffic measures.

2.                  Encouraging the redevelopment of an area consistent with a particular design theme.

3.                  Minimizing the detrimental impact on hillsides, watercourses and other significant natural features.

4.                  Giving special attention to landscaping, buffering, signage, lighting and building setbacks in those districts identified as needing special attention.

5.                  Giving special attention to the existing architectural style or to the style that is planned, so as to create an easily identifiable area in those areas identified as architecturally significant.

860.2      Establishment of Overlay Districts

The City Council of the City of Owasso may adopt Overlay Districts as the needs are identified in order to implement specific purposes, intents, and design standards based upon the adopted Land Use Plan for the area being regulated, which shall be applied as additional standards to other ordinance regulations required by the City.  Such Overlay Districts shall be made a part of the Zoning Ordinance.  Upon adoption, the boundaries of such Overlay Districts shall be shown on the Zoning Map of the City of Owasso.

860.3      Development Criteria

The development criteria for each Overlay District shall be those standards as set out in each Overlay District.