Provisions are made in this section and in Sections 18.66.020 through 18.66.110 for the adoption by ordinance of more specific plans for the regulation of building, structures and the uses of land, in certain areas herein designated as planned unit developments. When adopted by the board of supervisors in conformance to the procedures and subject to the limitations herein set forth, the zoning regulations governing the area included in a planned unit development shall be those contained directly or by reference in the ordinance adopting the same, in lieu of any differing regulations imposed by this chapter upon the district or districts in which the planned unit development is located.

The objective of these provisions is to secure a fuller realization of the general plan of the county and of the purposes of this title than that which would result from the application of the district regulations. It is intended to be applied only to areas, under single or unified ownership or control, which are sufficiently large to allow for overall planning and design in detail so as to secure to the community, the future occupants and the developer, values and amenities greater than those likely to be achieved by the relatively inflexible provisions necessary to regulate the successive development of individual lots by numerous different owners.

The procedure set forth in this chapter for the adoption of a planned unit development shall not apply to any site having a gross area of less than four acres, being either in one ownership or the subject of a joint application filed by all the owners or agents of property therein. The procedure shall not be used unless the proposed development is properly related to the land use, open space, recreation and circulation elements of the general plan of the county for the subject areas. Where concurrent subdivision or subparceling into individual lots or the dedication of any streets is involved, conformity to related ordinances of the county is required, and this procedure shall be concurrent with and supplementary thereto.

Before filing any application for a planned unit development, the prospective applicant shall submit to the director of planning preliminary plans and sketches and basic site information for consideration and advice to the applicant as to the relation of the proposal to general developmental objectives to be attained in the area, and as to the policies of the commission with reference thereto.

The preapplication conferences shall be related to and include an exchange of information concerning the whole of the area owned or controlled and intended by the applicant to be developed under the planned unit development procedure, even though such development is intended to proceed by stages with separate sections being made the subject of separate and successive applications for adoption as planned unit developments.

Every application for a planned unit development shall be filed in conformance to this chapter and shall be accompanied by the following:

After the conclusion of the hearing on an application for a planned unit development, the planning commission shall not recommend approval of the proposal unless it finds that the planned unit development as applied for is or may be conditioned to be in full conformance to the general purposes of this title, and in particular that:

Any increase in the number of dwelling units beyond that which would be permitted under the superseded district regulations shall be limited to that which the commission finds to be fully compensated for by the quality and distinction of various elements of the architecture and the site plan, including:

At the public hearing on an application for planned unit development, the commission shall review the plan and supporting information and may disapprove the application or may make a report to the board of supervisors, recommending that the subject area be reclassified as submitted, or subject to additional conditions. The commission may, before disapproving the application, take action permitting the applicant to revise and resubmit the plan for further review. A final order of disapproval by the commission shall also be reported to the board of supervisors.

The board of supervisors, upon receipt of a report from the planning commission relating to an application for a planned unit development, shall take action thereon pursuant to Chapters 18.61 through 18.69. The adoption of the planned unit development shall constitute a reclassification of the subject property, pursuant to this chapter. Concurrently with its adoption, the board shall require of the applicant such guarantees as may be appropriate to ensure the accomplishment of any public improvements, such grants of easement and development rights, and such arrangements for maintenance of common open spaces as are relevant in the case.

After adoption, and prior to the issuance of any building permit, a final development plan shall be prepared, and a final subdivision map or lot split map recorded, if either is involved, as required by this code. The final development plan shall conform to the ordinance adopting the planned unit development and shall show to scale all buildings, off-street parking facilities, landscaping, finished grades and such other detail as will suffice to indicate conformance to all the features, conditions and characteristics upon which the approval was predicated. The final plan shall be recorded, and a notation of reference thereto shall be made forthwith upon the zoning map. No permit shall thereafter be issued for any building, structure or use except in full conformance to the said final plan. A violation of any part of the plan or of any condition of the approval shall constitute a violation of this title. The board may, however, by resolution extend any specified time limit, for starting or completing the development of any stage thereof, upon the showing of good faith and effort to comply therewith and failure to so comply by reason of conditions beyond control of the applicant for such extension.