Site Development Plan Approval Procedures
Site development plans shall be subject to the review and approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission at a Public Hearing. Adjacent property owners shall be notified in the same manner as is required for a change of zoning. Concurrent hearings on changes of zoning and site plan approval are encouraged. Increased density of multifamily developments shall be deemed appropriate when vehicular access is restricted to collector or arterial streets, and when the development is separated from adjacent properties zoned for single-family residential use by a landscape buffer, change in topography, or other similar features. Buildings in excess of two and one-half stories or greater than thirty-five (35) feet shall be deemed appropriate when positioned adjacent to non-residentially zoned properties or within the interior of a development.
Commission approval shall be conditioned on the principle that any increase in density or increase in the number of stories or building height does not impact the public health, safety and welfare of nearby lower-density residential uses. The burden shall be on the applicant to demonstrate adherence with this principle. All subsequent development and construction shall be in accordance with the Site Development Plan as approved, except that minor variations may be approved administratively by the Director of Public Works when such deviations from an approved Site Development Plan do not increase the density or alter the points of vehicular access or reduce the amount of landscaping provided between the multifamily development and adjoining properties zoned for single-family residential development