Planned unit development (PUD) provisions are intended to encourage more efficient use of land and provision of more amenities by allowing, under certain circumstances, a more flexible means of land development and redevelopment than is otherwise permissible under the lot-by-lot restrictions of the other standard zoning districts.

Planned unit development provisions are intended for application to larger and/or unique sites where a flexible approach to zoning regulations would facilitate more efficient use of the site and protection of natural resources achieved through clustering development and other innovative site planning and design techniques.

Typically, PUD's enable development of portions of a site at either higher densities or with less restrictive lot provisions in exchange for preserving other portions of the site in open space or providing above normal site amenities.

Condominium projects with jointly owned common spaces and/or commonly owned structural walls, roofs, or other structural elements must be approved as PUD's if, as a result of a condominium division of the land, the lot requirements of the district in which the development is located cannot otherwise be met. This requirement would apply to townhouses where the resulting lot size would be less than otherwise required.

The planned unit development application and development procedure is a two-phase process.

PUD-SIP's must be in substantial compliance with the interim zoning requirements and guidelines established in the PUD-GDP.

A developer may either submit the PUD-SIP for the initial phase of development at the same time as the PUD-GDP or submit the PUD-SIP at a later date. A final development permit or building permit may not be issued until the PUD-SIP for that phase of the development has been approved.

Ownership. A tract of land proposed to be developed as a PUD shall be under the control of a single owner, partnership, or corporation, where each owner agrees in advance to be bound by the conditions and regulations that will be effective within the district and to record such covenants, easements, and other provisions with the county.

Size. PUD's must be at least three acres in size if the parcel is to be used for a traditional planned unit development and one acre in size if the parcel is to be used for the development of condominium townhouses.

PUD-GDP applicant submittal requirements. The submittal requirements and review procedure for the PUD-GDP shall be as required for other zoning districts, except that in addition to the information required for other development permits, the following information must be filed with the Zoning Administrator:

The Plan Commission or Common Council may require other special studies or plans that would aid in consideration of the proposed development.

PUD-GDP Zoning Administrator review. Upon receipt of the application and plan, the Zoning Administrator shall refer it to other departments and agencies for review as to compliance with pertinent City standards and regulations. Within 30 days the Zoning Administrator shall recommend to the Commission approval of the proposal in the form submitted, approval with modifications, or disapproval of the proposal. The recommendation of the Zoning Administrator shall include findings of fact and shall set forth the reasons for the recommendation, specifying with particularity in what respects the plan would or would not be in the public interest, including but not limited to:

PUD-GDP Plan Commission review. Within 60 days after the filing of the application and after receiving the Zoning Administrator's report, the Commission shall hold a public hearing on the PUD-GDP application. Within 40 days after such hearing, the Commission shall submit its recommendations to the Council. The Commission may recommend tentative approval in whole or in part, with or without modification, or recommend disapproval.

Council review. The Council shall either grant approval of the PUD-GDP application, with or without modification, or deny such application. If approved by the Council, the area of land involved shall be redesignated as a PUD-GDP by ordinance, and such ordinance shall incorporate the plan, including any conditions or restrictions that may be imposed by the Council. The PUD-GDP is an interim zoning classification which does not enable actual development until the PUD-SIP is approved.

PUD-SIP applicant submittal requirements. Within 12 months of approval of the PUD-GDP, the applicant shall submit a PUD-SIP with exact sizes and locations of structures and other improvements, including detailed grading plan, drainage plan, and landscape plan. If required, a final plat, or a final plat of that segment to be developed, in compliance with Chapter 300, Subdivision of Land, of the City Code, shall be submitted prior to issuance of the PUD-SIP.

PUD-SIP Zoning Administrator review. If the Zoning Administrator finds the final plan and plat to be in substantial agreement with the approved PUD-GDP, the Zoning Administrator shall submit the documents directly to the Plan Commission for final action. If the SIP is not in substantial conformance with the PUD-GDP, the Zoning Administrator shall identify such discrepancies in a letter of transmittal to the Plan Commission.

PUD-SIP Plan Commission and Council review and approval. The Plan Commission shall consider the SIP at a regularly held meeting. A public hearing is not required at the SIP stage. If approved by the Plan Commission, the Plan Commission shall forward its recommendation to the Council. Subject to Council approval, the area of land involved shall be redesignated as a PUD-SIP by ordinance, and such ordinance shall incorporate the plan, including any conditions or restrictions that may be imposed by the Council.

Any change of the PUD plans subsequent to approval of the PUD-SIP shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator. If the Zoning Administrator determines that the change constitutes a substantial modification, the developer will be required to amend the PUD-SIP and, if necessary, the PUD-GDP, following the procedures set forth in this article for review and approvals.

If, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, such changes do not constitute a substantial alteration of either the GDP or SIP, the change may be accomplished by approval of the Zoning Administrator. Such approved changes or modifications shall be documented and recorded in the official file of the City on the PUD.