Poway City Zoning Code

Planned residential development regulations are intended to facilitate development of areas designated for residential use on the general plan by permitting greater flexibility and, consequently, more creative and imaginative designs for the development of such residential areas than generally is possible under conventional zoning or subdivision regulations.

These regulations are further intended to promote more economical and efficient use of the land while providing a harmonious variety of housing choices, a higher level of urban amenities, and preservation of natural and scenic qualities of open spaces.

Planned residential developments, subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit;

Permitted and conditional uses in accordance with those indicated for the RC zone.

Notwithstanding any provision of the municipal code to the contrary, the use of any property within any planned residential development zone in the City of Poway as a marijuana dispensary, cooperative, or collective or for marijuana cultivation, delivery, manufacturing, or storage, as defined in PMC § 17.04.514, is prohibited. The issuance of any permit, license, or certificate for the operation of any such uses shall be prohibited.

The planned residential development shall be designed and developed in a manner compatible with any complementary to existing and potential residential development in the immediate vicinity of the project site. Site planning on the perimeter shall provide for the protection of the property from adverse surrounding influences, as well as protection of the surrounding areas from potentially adverse influences within the development.

Where individual lots are desired, there shall be a 3,000 net square foot minimum area requirement for individual lots or individual dwelling sites.

Required open space shall comprise at least 40 percent of the total area of the planned development. Land occupied by buildings, streets, driveways or parking spaces may not be counted in satisfying this open space requirement; provided, however, that land occupied by recreational buildings and structures may be counted as required open space.

At least 50 percent of the required open space shall have an overall finished grade not in excess of 15 percent. Said space shall be suitably improved for its intended purposes. All lawn and landscaped areas reserved for common use shall be provided with a permanent automatic watering system adequate to irrigate such areas.

The remaining 50 percent of the required open space may also be improved, or may be left in its natural state, if natural features worthy of preservation exist on the site. Open space left in its natural state shall be kept free of litter and shall at no time constitute a health, safety, fire or flood hazard. Areas devoted to natural or improved flood control channels and those areas encumbered by flowage, floodway or drainage easements may be applied toward satisfying this portion of the total open space requirement.

If development is to be accomplished in stages, the development plan shall coordinate improvement of the open space, the construction of buildings, structures, and improvements in such open space, and the construction of dwelling units in order that each development stage achieves a proportionate share of the total open space and environmental quality of the total planned development.

All or any part of the required open space shall be reserved for use in common by the residents of the planned development. Areas permanently reserved for common open space shall be reserved for the use and enjoyment of the residents in a manner which makes the City, or a public district or public agency a party to and entitled to enforce the reservation. The City Council may require that open space easements over the required open space be conveyed to the City.

No building, except as hereafter provided, shall be located closer than five feet to any interior vehicular or pedestrian way, court, plaza, open parking lot or any other surfaced area reserved for public use or for use in common by residents of the planned development. Such setback shall generally be measured from the nearest edge of a surfaced area; provided, however, that where no sidewalk exists in conjunction with a public or private street, such setback shall be measured from the nearest edge of the street right-of-way or private road easement.

All public streets within or abutting the proposed planned development shall be dedicated and approved to City specifications for the particular classification of street. When the developer desires to retain any streets within the development as private streets, such streets shall be irrevocably offered for dedication and maintained for their intended purpose by the homeowners’ association or other means acceptable to the City Council.

Planned residential developments shall relate harmoniously to the topography of the site, shall make suitable provision for the preservation of watercourses, drainage areas, wooded areas, rough terrain, and similar natural features and areas, and, shall otherwise be so designed as to use and retain such natural features and amenities to the greatest extent possible.

All exterior lighting shall be constructed in accordance with PMC § 17.08.220(L). All utility connections shall be designed to coordinate with the architectural elements of the site so as not to be exposed except where necessary. Pad-mounted transformers and/or meter box locations shall be included in the site plan with any appropriate screening treatment.

All new and existing utility connections within the boundaries of the project shall be placed underground. Transformers, terminal boxes, meter cabinets, pedestals, concealed ducts, and other facilities appurtenant to such underground facilities may be placed above ground. The requirement for undergrounding existing utilities shall not apply to any overhead power transmission lines in excess of 34,500 volts and long-distance and main trunk communication facilities. The requirement for undergrounding existing utility connections may be waived or modified by the City Council in accordance with criteria and provisions for such as adopted by resolution of the City Council.

All public projects and private development projects within the jurisdiction of the City that have the potential to adversely impact sensitive plant species, wildlife species, and associated natural habitats shall either demonstrate that any removal of habitat associated with the proposed development has been authorized by the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or comply with the adopted Poway subarea habitat conservation plan, the companion implementing agreement, and the requirements thereof including the compensation mitigation strategy, mitigation ratios, and special development requirements.