PURPOSE AND INTENT

A Planned Unit Development (PUD) district allows projects that would not otherwise be permitted under this Ordinance because of the strict application of zoning district development standards or general site standards. Generally, the PUD district is intended for sites where a developer proposes and the City of Augusta desires to achieve a particular mix of uses, appearance, land use compatibility and/or apply special sensitivity to the site and area character.

In return for greater flexibility in site design requirements, planned developments are expected to deliver innovative and exceptional quality community designs that preserve environmental, historic and cultural resources; incorporate creative design in the layout of buildings, open space and vehicular and pedestrian circulation; assure compatibility with surrounding land uses and area character; and, provide greater efficiency in the layout and provision of roads, and utilities and other infrastructure that would not otherwise be possible within a base zoning district.

A.

The standards and procedures of this district are intended to encourage:

1)

Efficient and economic uses of land;

2)

Flexibility to meet the changing needs, economics, and consumer preferences of the community;

3)

Greater freedom in providing a mix of land uses in the same development, including a mix of housing types, lot sizes, densities and nonresidential uses to encourage variety and to avoid monotony;

4)

Development to take advantage of special site characteristics, locations and land uses to protect environmentally sensitive areas and to promote better design; and

5)

Permit the combining and coordinating of land uses, building types, and building relationships with a planned development, which otherwise, would not be provided under a conventional zoning district;

6)

Encourage the assembly of properties that might otherwise be developed in unrelated increments; and

7)

Provide usable and suitably located recreational facilities, open spaces, and scenic areas which are either commonly owned.

19-1

Permitted uses:

A.

A Planned Unit Development (PUD) may contain any or all of the uses specified in the approved PUD Development Plan. A wide range of uses is possible in a PUD district, and the specific uses allowed may be different in each PUD district. All uses that are identified in an approved development plan shall be permitted. Any uses not identified in the development plan shall not be permitted. The Augusta Commission has the discretion to require that certain uses be classified as limited uses or special uses.

B.

Proposed uses should fit within the context of the surrounding uses or can be considered a compatible use with surrounding uses or uses proposed within the PUD district. If proposed use cannot be considered to be compatible with surrounding uses or uses proposed within PUD district, the Planned Unit Development may be rejected by either Planning Commission or the Augusta Commission.

C.

Mixed use developments are encouraged in designated PUD zoning districts with an emphasis on a mix of residential uses, recreational uses, and non-residential uses.

D.

A single residential use development or single non-residential development use is not permitted unless there are a minimum of three (3) different residential uses or a minimum of two (2) different types of non-residential uses, or a combination thereof.

E.

A Planned Unit Development designated area may amend the established uses through an amendment process.

19-2

General development requirements:

A.

A Planned Unit Development is established by a rezoning of the property and the provisions of a Development Plan.

B.

The Development Plan establishes permitted, conditionally permitted and accessory uses; site plan, including the site area; street layout, including typical street sections; pedestrian facilities; open space areas; number of residential units by type; square footage of residential and non-residential units; preliminary landscaping plan, development regulations; architectural standards; phasing plan, if applicable; statement regarding consistency with the comprehensive plan and all other applicable plans; traffic study; other information necessary for the substantive and environmental review of the proposed project; and any other information deemed necessary by the Planning Director, or Deputy Director of Planning, or Development Services Manager or designee.

C.

All requirements of applicable ordinances should attempt to be met or exceeded by the Development Plan.

D.

Off-street parking shall be provided for each individual land use in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 4-3 of this Ordinance. The applicant may be permitted to utilize spaces located within the designated distance as specified in Section 4-3 of the Ordinance.

E.

Signs for the advertisement of businesses on the parcel of single-family detached dwellings are prohibited.

19-3

PUD development plan requirements:

A.

The applicant shall submit a Planned Unit Development (PUD) District Development Plan for the total area within the proposed development. If the Planned Unit Development is developed in phases, each phase shall include the total size, composition and arrangement to the extent that the construction operation is feasible and independent of any subsequent phases. Final approval shall be given only to one phase at a time.

B.

The following site development characteristics shall be determined and set in the approved development plan:

I.

Minimum lot area(s);

II.

Minimum lot width(s);

III.

Size(s) and location(s) of yard(s) and setback(s);

IV.

Maximum impervious surface ratio for individual lots and the development as a whole;

V.

Minimum and/or maximum building density, including total number of residential units and non-residential square footage permitted, broken down by type;

VI.

Maximum structure height(s);

VII.

Open space shall be provided with all PUDs, and minimum open space shall be set by the development plan. For PUDs incorporating multi-family residential dwellings, a portion of the open space, complementary to the proposed design and lifestyle features of the proposed development, shall be reserved as common open space that shall be designated for the recreational or leisurely use by residents.

VIII.

Internal traffic calming strategies;

IX.

Location, size, and/or amount of bufferyard(s), screening, landscaping, and tree save areas;

X.

Layout of lots, lot coverage, streets, and any other infrastructure, including bicycle and pedestrian facilities, serving the development, if applicable;

XI.

Spacing and species of street trees to be installed;

XII.

Development-specific architectural design criteria;

XIII.

Location, size, and design of any permanent signage;

XIV.

Location of and specifications for site access and internal traffic circulation; and

XV.

Any other site-specific prescription(s) deemed necessary for the development of the site, as proposed.

C.

Roadway design and stormwater standards shall adhere to environmentally sensitive and aesthetically pleasing best management practices and development standards.

D.

A minimum of fifteen (15) percent of the usable project area shall be permanently allocated to open space.

I.

A portion of the required open space shall be centrally located within the development. Location and approximate size of the open space area shall be designated and approved by the planning commission as part of conceptual approval.

II.

For developments under ten (10) acres, the open space requirement may be satisfied by an existing or proposed public park or trail network that is within 1,300 feet of the development boundary.

III.

Stormwater infrastructure may not be counted toward the required open space, unless designed as part of a low-impact system that utilizes bio-swales and natural recharge areas.

IV.

Utility easements may not be counted toward the required open space, unless utilized as part of a common trail network or other amenity.

E.

Specific architectural design criteria shall be adopted as part of the overall plan for the site.

F.

Maximum impervious cover for individual building lots shall be specified in the development plan, with stormwater infrastructure designed accordingly.

G.

The site development characteristics prescribed by the approved development plan associated with a Planned Unit Development, shall supplant any conflicting standards for site development established in the Augusta-Richmond County Code of Ordinances. Any site development characteristics not prescribed in the approved plans for a planned unit development shall be subject to the minimum standards, if applicable, established in the Augusta-Richmond County Code of Ordinances.

H.

If a property within the PUD District is subdivided it must be bound to the requirements of the approved PUD.

I.

Home Occupations are allowed for residential uses in accordance with Section 8-3 of the Augusta Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance

19-4

Planned unit development application review procedures:

A.

Schedule to meet with the Development Review Committee (DRC) to discuss project details with development services staff and receive general feedback on potential conflicts related to the proposed development. (Optional)

B.

The pre-application conference is a required informal discussion of the general concept of the proposed development. The applicant is expected to provide a concept plan for the proposed development and receive feedback from staff prior to filing of the application.

The general concept plan must be provided along with the following information:

I.

Site Plan, approximately scaled 100 feet to 1 inch, and satisfies the general list of items included in the above section.

II.

Brief narrative or written statement describing the general design and architectural policies of the plan, time frame for a phased development, and any other information the developer believes may be useful to staff.

III.

Other relevant information required for rezoning approval.

IV.

Attend and participate at the Planning and Augusta Commission meetings for a final decision on the zoning request. (Required)

V.

If approved, project submittal of the PUD Site Plan package for departmental review. The Site Plan package shall contain the following information:

a)

Background information listing owner's name, phone and address, developer's name, address and phone, other related information included on the Site Plan application

b)

Engineered site plans

c)

Grading plans

d)

Appropriate fees

e)

Traffic analysis (varies on development)

f)

Other relevant information required by the Site Plan review

19-5

Changes in property ownership. Except as provided in this Section, approved PUD plans shall be binding on the owner or group and any successor in title.

19-6

PUD development plan revisions:

A.

Minor Modifications of Final Plan - Minor changes in an approved PUD site plan may be handled administratively by the

Planning Director on application by the applicant, upon making a finding that such changes:

a)

Do not increase density;

b)

Do not change the exterior boundaries or height;

c)

Do not increase the intensity of land use;

d)

Do not materially change the location or amount of land devoted to specific land uses;

e)

Do not significantly change the exterior appearance of the project.

Minor changes may include, but not be limited to minor shifting of buildings, proposed streets, public or private ways, utility easements, parks or other public open spaces, or other features of the plan.

B.

19-8 Major Modifications of Final Approval - A proposed change not determined by the Planning Director or his/her designee to be minor shall be submitted as an amendment to the PUD and shall be processed in the same manner as the original PUD application for final development plan.

( Ord. No. 7632 , §§ I, II, 8-21-2018)

PROFESSIONAL/OFFICE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION