Editor's note(s)—Section 1 of Ord. No. 149, adopted June 24, 1991, amended Art. VIII, Div. 1, to read as herein set out. Former Art. VIII, Div. 1, §§ 20-501—20-505, pertaining to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 80, Art. V, § 18(5-18-1—5-18-5), adopted Dec. 15, 1986, and Ord. No. 136, § 1, adopted Jan. 28, 1991.
Sec 20-501 Intent
Planned unit developments offer enhanced flexibility to develop a site through the relaxation of most normal zoning district standards. The use of the PUD zoning also allows for a greater variety of uses, internal transfers of density, construction phasing and a potential for lower development costs. In exchange for this enhanced flexibility, the city has the expectation that the development plan will result in a significantly higher quality and more sensitive proposal than would have been the case with the use of other, more standard zoning districts. It will be the applicant's responsibility to demonstrate that the city's expectation is to be realized as evaluated against the following criteria. Planned unit developments are to encourage the following:
- Preservation of desirable site characteristics and open space and protection of sensitive environmental features, including steep slopes, mature trees, creeks, wetlands, lakes and scenic views.
- More efficient and effective use of land, open space and public facilities through mixing of land uses and assembly and development of land in larger parcels.
- High quality of design and design compatible with surrounding land uses, including both existing and planned. Site planning, landscaping and building architecture should reflect higher quality design than is found elsewhere in the community.
- Sensitive development in transitional areas located between different land uses and along significant corridors within the city.
- Development which is consistent with the comprehensive plan.
- Parks and open space. The creation of public open space may be required by the city. Such park and open space shall be consistent with the comprehensive park plan and overall trail plan.
- Provision of housing affordable to all income groups if appropriate within the PUD.
- Energy conservation through the use of more efficient building designs and sightings and the clustering of buildings and land uses.
- Use of traffic management and design techniques including the provision of transit and pedestrian linkages to reduce the potential for traffic conflicts. Improvements to area roads and intersections may be required as appropriate. Where appropriate, the use of transportation demand management strategies may be required within a project.
(Ord. No. 149, § 1, 6-24-91; Ord. No. 377, § 61, 5-24-04)
Sec 20-502 Allowed Uses
Specific uses and performance standards for each planned unit development (PUD) shall be delineated in a development plan.
- Each PUD shall only be used for the use or uses for which the site is designated in the comprehensive plan. Specific uses and performance standards for each PUD shall be delineated in a PUD development plan.
- Where the site of a proposed PUD is designated for more than one land use in the comprehensive plan, the city may require that the PUD include all the land uses so designated or such combination of the designated uses as the city council shall deem appropriate to achieve the purposes of this article and the comprehensive plan.
- Residential development in a regional/lifestyle center commercial PUD, may only occur in conjunction with a commercial or office development and may not encompass more than 30 percent of the proposed development.
- Attached or Internal Accessory Dwelling Unit (subject to the requirements of section 20-974).
(Ord. No. 149, § 1, 6-24-91; Ord. No. 377, § 62, 5-24-04; Ord. No. 488, § 1, 11-23-09; Ord. No. 656, § 1, 6-22-20)
HISTORY
Amended by Ord. 656 on 6/22/2020
Amended by Ord. 744 on 5/12/2025
Sec 20-503 District Size And Location
Each PUD shall have a minimum area of five acres except the regional/lifestyle center commercial PUD, which must be a minimum of 30 acres, unless the applicant can demonstrate the existence of one of the following:
- Unusual physical features of the property itself or of the surrounding neighborhood such that development as a PUD will conserve a physical or topographic feature of importance to the neighborhood or community.
- The property is directly adjacent to or across a right-of-way from property which has been developed previously as a PUD or planned unit residential development and will be perceived as and will function as an extension of that previously approved development.
- The property is located in a transitional area between different land use categories or on a collector, minor or principal arterial as defined in the comprehensive plan.
(Ord. No. 149, § 1, 6-24-91; Ord. No. 377, § 63, 5-24-04; Ord. No. 488, § 2, 11-23-09)
Sec 20-505 Required General Standards
- The city shall consider the proposed PUD from the point of view of all standards and purposes of the comprehensive land use plan to coordinate between the proposed development and the surrounding use. The city shall consider the location of buildings, compatibility, parking areas and other features with response to the topography of the area and existing natural features, the efficiency, adequacy and safety of the proposed layout of streets; the adequacy and location of green areas; the adequacy, location and screening of noncompatible land uses and parking areas.
- The applicant shall demonstrate that the PUD plan offers the city higher quality architectural and site design, landscaping, protection of wetlands, creeks and mature trees and buffering for adjoining properties that represent improvements over normal ordinance standards.
- Density. An increase/transfer for density may be allowed at the sole discretion of the city utilizing the following factors:
- Density within a PUD shall be calculated on net acreage located within the property lines of the site in accordance with the land use plan.
- The area where the density is transferred must be within the project area and owned by the proponent.
- Density transfer in single-family detached area will be evaluated using the items listed in sections 20-506 or 20-508. Density transfer eligible for multiple-family areas are not permitted to be applied to single-family areas.
- In no case shall the overall density of the development exceed the net density ranges identified in the comprehensive plan except as specified in policies supporting the city's affordable housing goals.
- The city may utilize incentives to encourage the construction of projects which are consistent with the city's housing goals. Incentives may include modification of density and other standards for developments providing low and moderate cost housing. Incentives may be approved by the city contingent upon the developer and the city entering into an agreement ensuring that the housing will be available to low and moderate income persons for a specific period of time.
- Lot coverage shall be limited as follows:
| Comprehensive Plan Designation
| Lot Coverage (%) |
Low or medium density residential
| 30 |
High density residential
| 50 |
Office
| 70 |
Commercial (neighborhood or community)
| 70 |
Commercial (regional)
| 70 |
Industrial
| 70 |
Mixed use
| 70* |
Individual lots within PUD may exceed these standards as long as the average meets these standards. - Building and parking setbacks from public streets shall be determined by the city based on characteristics of the specific PUD. Parking lots and driving lanes shall be set back at least 20 feet from all exterior lot lines of a PUD.
Where industrial uses abut developed platted or planned single-family lots outside the PUD, greater exterior building and parking setbacks, between 50 and 100 feet, shall be required in order to provide effective screening. The city council shall make a determination regarding the adequacy of screening proposed by the applicant. Screening may include the use of natural topography or earth berming, existing and proposed plantings and other features such as roadways and wetlands which provide separation of uses. PUD's must be developed in compliance with buffer yard requirements established by the comprehensive plan and chapter 20, article XXV, of the Chanhassen City Code. - More than one building may be placed on one platted or recorded lot in a PUD.
- At the time PUD approval is sought from the city, all property to be included within a PUD shall be under unified ownership or control or subject to such legal restrictions or covenants as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the approved master development plan and final site and building plan. After approval, parcels may be sold to other parties without restriction, however, all parcels will remain subject to the PUD development contract that will be recorded in each chain-of-title.
- Signs shall be restricted to those which are permitted in the sign plan approved by the city and shall be regulated by permanent covenants or design standards established in the PUD development contract.
- The requirements contained in articles XXIII and XXV of this chapter may be applied by the city as it deems appropriate.
- The uniqueness of each PUD required that specifications and standards for streets, utilities, public facilities and subdivisions may be subject to modification from the city ordinances ordinarily governing them. The city council may therefore approve streets, utilities, public facilities and land subdivisions which are not in compliance with usual specifications or ordinance requirements if it finds that strict adherence to such standards or requirements is not required to meet the intent of this article or to protect the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the PUD, the surrounding area or the city as a whole.
- No building or other permit shall be issued for any work on property included within a proposed or approved PUD, nor shall any work occur unless such work is in compliance with the proposed or approved PUD.
- Buffer yards.
- The city comprehensive plan establishes a requirement for buffer yards. Buffer yards are to be established in areas indicated on the plan where higher intensity uses interface with low density uses and shall comply with chapter 20, article XXV, of the Chanhassen City Code.
- The buffer yard is not an additional setback requirement. The full obligation to provide the buffer yard shall be placed on the parcel containing the higher intensity use.
- The buffer yard is intended to provide physical separation and screening for the higher intensity use. As such, they will be required to be provided with a combination of berming, landscaping and/or tree preservation to maximize the buffering potential. To the extent deemed feasible by the city, new plantings shall be designed to require the minimum of maintenance, however, such maintenance as may be required to maintain consistency with the approved plan, shall be the obligation of the property owner.
(Ord. No. 149, § 1, 6-24-91; Ord. No. 179, § 3, 11-23-92; Ord. No. 240, § 14, 7-24-95; Ord. No. 315, § 2, 3-26-01; Ord. No. 377, §§ 65—68, 5-24-04; Ord. No. 474, §§ 7, 8, 10-13-08; Ord. No. 522, § 7, 5-23-11; Ord. No. 628, § 23, 12-11-17)
Sec 20-506 Standards And Guidelines For Single-Family Detached Residential Planned Unit Developments
- Intent. The use of planned unit developments for residential purposes should result in a reasonable and verifiable exchange between the city and the developer. The developer gains the potential for offering reduced lot sizes and flexibility in development standards which results in a combination of reduced development costs and improved marketing flexibility. At the same time, the city should be offered enhanced environmental sensitivity beyond normal ordinance requirements. Lot sizes should reflect the site's environmental limitations and opportunities and offer a range of housing pricing options. In addition, quality of development, as evidenced by landscaping, construction quality, provision of public/private open and recreational space, should also be enhanced.
- Minimum lot size. The standard single-family residential PUD allows lot sizes down to a minimum of 11,000 square feet (excluding identified wetland areas from lot calculations). The applicant must demonstrate that there are a mix of lot sizes and proposed housing types consistent with the local terrain conditions, preservation of natural features and open space and that lot sizes are consistent with average building footprints that will be concurrently approved with the PUD. The applicant must demonstrate that each lot is able to accommodate a 60-foot by 60-foot building pad without intruding into any required setback area or protective easement. Each home must also have a minimum rear yard 30 feet deep.
- Minimum lot width at building setback: 90 feet.
- Minimum lot depth: 100 feet.
- Minimum setbacks:
- Front yard: 30 feet. The 30-foot front yard setback may be waived by the city council when it is demonstrated that environmental protection will be enhanced. In these instances, a minimum front yard setback of 20 feet shall be maintained.
- Rear yard: 30 feet.
- Side yard: Ten feet.
- Accessory buildings and structures: Located adjacent to or behind principal structure a minimum of ten feet from property line.
- Protection and preservation of natural features. The applicant must demonstrate that the flexibility provided by the PUD is used to protect and preserve natural features such as tree stands, wetlands, ponds and scenic views. These areas are to be permanently protected as public or private tracts or protected by permanently recorded easements.
- Landscaping plan. An overall landscaping plan is required. The plan shall contain the following:
- Boulevard plantings. Located in front yard areas shall require a mix of over-story trees and other plantings consistent with the site. A minimum of one over-story tree must be provided in each front yard. In place of mass grading for building pads and roads, stone or decorative block retaining walls shall be employed as required to preserve mature trees and the site's natural topography.
- Exterior landscaping and double-fronted lots. Landscaped berms shall be provided to buffer the site and lots from major roadways, railroads, and more intensive uses. Similar measures shall be provided for double-fronted lots. Where necessary to accommodate this landscaping, additional lot depth may be required.
- Rear yard. The rear yard shall contain at least two over-story trees. Preservation of existing trees having a diameter of at least six inches at four feet in height can be used to satisfy this requirement of the PUD and the plans should be developed to maximize tree preservation.
- Architectural standards. The applicant should demonstrate that the PUD will provide for a high level of architectural design and building materials. While this requirement is not intended to minimize design flexibility, a set of architectural standards should be prepared for city approval. The primary purpose of this section is to assure the city that high quality design will be employed and that home construction can take place without variances or impact to adjoining lots. The PUD agreement should include the following:
- Standards for exterior architectural treatments.
- Prohibition against freestanding garages may be required by the city when it is felt that unattached garages will be difficult to accommodate due to small lot sizes. If an attached garage is to be converted to living space at some time in the future, the applicant will have to demonstrate that there is sufficient room to accommodate a two-car garage without variances to obtain a permit.
- Guidelines regulating the placement of air conditioners, dog kennels, storage buildings, and other accessory uses that could potentially impact adjoining parcels due to small lot sizes.
(Ord. No. 179, § 1, 11-23-92; Ord. No. 377, §§ 69, 70, 5-24-04; Ord. No. 542, § 1, 6-25-12; Ord. No. 628, § 24, 12-11-17)
Sec 20-508 Standards And Guidelines For Single-Family Attached Or Cluster-Home PUDs
- Generally. Single-family attached, cluster, zero lot line, townhouses and similar type dwelling types may be allowed on sites designed for low, medium or high density residential uses by the City of Chanhassen Comprehensive Plan.
- Minimum lot sizes. There shall be no minimum lot size; however, in no case shall net density exceed guidelines established by the city comprehensive plan.
- Setback standards/structures and parking:
- PUD exterior: 50 feet. The 50-foot PUD exterior setback may be changed, increased or decreased, by the city council as part of the approval process when it is demonstrated that environmental protection or development design will be enhanced.
- Interior public right-of-way: 30 feet. The 30-foot front yard setback may be waived by the city council when it is demonstrated that environmental protection will be enhanced. In these instances, a minimum front yard setback of 20 feet shall be maintained.
- Other setbacks: Established by PUD agreement.
- Protection and preservation of natural features. The applicant must demonstrate that the flexibility provided by the PUD is used to protect and preserve natural features such as tree stands, wetlands, ponds and scenic views. These areas are to be permanently protected as public or private tracts or protected by permanently recorded easements.
- Landscaping plan. An overall landscaping plan is required. The plan shall contain the following:
- Boulevard plantings. Located in front yards shall require a mix of over-story trees and other plantings consistent with the site. Landscaped berms shall be provided to screen the site from major roadways, railroads and more intensive land uses. In place of mass grading for building pads and roads, stone or decorative blocks retaining walls shall be employed as required to preserve mature trees and the site's natural topography.
- Exterior landscaping and double-fronted lots. Landscaped berms shall be provided to buffer the site and lots from major roadways, railroads, and more intensive uses. Similar measures shall be provided for double-fronted lots. Where necessary to accommodate this landscaping, additional lot depth may be required.
- Foundation and yard plantings. A minimum budget for foundation plants shall be established and approved by the city. As each parcel is developed in the PUD, the builder shall be required to install plant materials meeting or exceeding the required budget prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy or provide financial guarantees acceptable to the city.
- Tree preservation. Tree preservation is a primary goal of the PUD. A detailed tree survey should be prepared during the design of the PUD and the plans should be developed to maximize tree preservation.
- Architectural standards. The applicant should demonstrate that the PUD will provide for a high level of architectural design and building materials. While this requirement is not intended to minimize design flexibility, a set of architectural standards should be prepared for city approval. The primary purpose of this section is to assure the city that high quality design will be employed and that home construction can take place without variances or impact to adjoining lots. The PUD agreement should include the following:
- Standards for exterior architectural treatments.
- Prohibition against freestanding garages may be required by the city when it is felt that unattached garages will be difficult to accommodate due to small lot sizes. If an attached garage is to be converted to living space at some time in the future, the applicant will have to demonstrate that there is sufficient room to accommodate a two-car garage without variances to obtain a permit.
- Guidelines regulating the placement of air conditioners, dog kennels, storage buildings and other accessory uses that could potentially impact adjoining parcels due to small lot sizes.
(Ord. No. 179, § 2, 11-23-92; Ord. No. 240, § 15, 7-24-95; Ord. No. 315, § 3, 3-26-01; Ord. No. 377, §§ 70, 71, 5-24-04; Ord. No. 628, § 25, 12-11-17)
Sec 20-516 Preapplication Conference
Prior to filing an application for PUD, the applicant shall attend a conference with city staff. The primary purpose of the conference shall be to provide the applicant with an opportunity to gather information and obtain guidance on the general merits of the proposal and its conformity to the provisions of this article before incurring substantial expense.
(Ord. No. 80, Art. V, § 18(5-18-6(1)), 12-15-86; Ord. No. 542, § 2, 6-25-12)
Sec 20-517 General Concept Plan
- In order to receive guidance in the design of a PUD prior to submission of a formal application, an applicant may submit a concept plan for review and comment by the planning commission and city council. Submission of a concept plan is optional but is highly recommended for large PUDs. In order for the review to be of most help to the applicant, the concept plan should contain such specific information as is suggested by the city. Generally, this information should include the following information appropriate to the type of development, e.g., commercial, industrial or residential:
- Approximate building areas, pedestrian ways and road locations;
- Height, bulk and square footage of buildings;
- Type, number or square footage or intensities of specific land uses;
- Number of dwelling units;
- Generalized development plan showing areas to be developed or preserved; and
- Staging and timing of the development.
- The tentative written consent of all property owners within the proposed PUD shall be filed with the city before the staff commences review. Approval of the concept statement shall not obligate the city to approve the final plan or any part thereof or to rezone the property to a planned unit development district.
- The final acceptance of land uses is subject to the following procedures:
- The developer meets with the city staff to discuss the proposed developments.
- The applicant shall file the concept stage application and concept plan, together with all supporting data.
- The planning commission shall conduct a hearing and make recommendations to the city council. Notice of the hearing shall consist of a legal property description, description of request, and be published in the official newspaper at least ten days prior to the hearing. Written notification of the hearing shall be mailed at least ten days prior thereto to owners of land within 500 feet of the boundary of the property and an on-site notification sign erected.
- Following the receipt of the report and recommendations from the planning commission, the city council shall consider the proposal. The council may comment on the concept plan.
(Ord. No. 80, Art. V, § 18(5-18-6(2)), 12-15-86; Ord. No. 377, § 72, 5-24-04; Ord. No. 409, § 3, 1-9-06; Ord. No. 542, § 3, 6-25-12)
Sec 20-519 Final Stage
Following preliminary plat approval, the applicant for PUD shall prepare and submit the final plat and execute the development contract prepared by the city. If appropriate because of the limited scale of the proposal, the preliminary and final plats may proceed simultaneously. The city council shall then consider the submission for final approval and rezoning to PUD.
(Ord. No. 80, Art. V, § 18(5-18-6(4)), 12-15-86)