The O official zones are intended for official and public uses of property, including public schools, public buildings, public parks and recreational areas, water works and drainage facilities, and areas which, for the welfare of the city, should be kept clear of particular structures or improvements. Except as specifically provided elsewhere in this title, any and every building and premises or land in O zones shall be used for or occupied and every building shall be constructed, established, altered, enlarged, maintained, moved into or within the O zones exclusively and only in accordance with the regulations of this chapter, the general plan, and applicable sections of this title. Standards for the "0" zone are intended to promote attractive and functional official uses, ensure conformity to the design standards established in the general plan, and protect neighboring properties.

On sites of five acres or more in the official zone, except sites owned by the city of La Verne, a master plan approved by the planning commission in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.108 shall be required.

A precise plan for all buildings, structures, exterior alterations, new construction, parking, or other improvements in O zones, shall be required in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.16 of this code before permits are issued or construction is started. Precise plans shall conform to approved master plans.

Master plans shall contain at a minimum a conceptual site plan. The site plan shall indicate locations, orientation, size, height and use of existing and proposed structures; historic, cultural, or environmental resources on the site; parking layout; auto, pedestrian and bicycle circulation; access to public transit, carpool and vanpool facilities; trail connections; points of ingress and egress and connections to surrounding street system; landscaped and natural areas; play areas; plazas; buffer or transition zones and other land development features.

Buildings shall be set back from property lines as follows or as determined under the provisions of Section 18.56.110:

The height of buildings or structures in an official zone shall be thirty-five feet or as determined under the provisions of Section 18.56.110.

Lot coverage shall be forty-five percent or as determined under the provisions of Section 18.56.110.

Minimum site landscaping shall be twenty-five percent or as determined under the provision of Section 18.56.100.

Master plans and precise plans for development in the official zone shall provide for and reasonably ensure the protection of adjacent properties from adverse impacts including aesthetic, noise, light, health, privacy, and safety impacts. The city shall expect public and quasi-public agencies to adhere to the same general plan design standards that apply to private individuals.

In addition to the requirements of this chapter, the development standards and other regulations of this code shall be applicable, including but not limited to the following: Chapter 8.20, Noise Control; Title 17, Signs; Chapter 18.10, General Provisions and Regulations; Chapter 18.68, Hillside Development Overlay Zone; Chapter 18.74, Transportation Demand Management and Trip Reduction Measures; Chapter 18.76, Parking and Loading Space Requirements; Chapter 18.78, Preservation, Protection and Removal of Trees; Chapter 18.104, Antennas; Chapter 18.108, Conditional Use Permits, Variances, and Minor Exceptions; and the California Environmental Quality Act.

The development review committee in the case of precise plans and the planning commission in the case of master plans may permit greater heights, more lot coverage, and smaller setbacks for uses in the official zone provided that the following determinations can be made:

Conditional Use Permit Required. Mixed uses may be permitted with a conditional use permit. Mixed uses combine a public use with a different but compatible use within a building or structure. Mixed use development shall use a compact urban form and be designed in an innovative and imaginative manner. The official use shall be the dominant activity in a mixed-use project, and a public or quasi-public agency shall retain control of the land.