Sahuarita City Zoning Code

A completed and signed application form;

A legal description of the property;

A precise map showing the boundaries and dimensions of the proposed specific plan district;

The written consent of all property owners within the specific plan district and a list, by name and title, of all ownership interest (e.g., individual, corporate, trust or limited partnership) in the property;

The letter of authorization for an agent;

A statement of findings (refer to subsection E of this section);

Site analysis, per STC § 18.90.050(A);

All of the required elements of a specific plan as listed in STC § 18.90.050(B).

Existing land uses;

Topography, including sloped areas of 15 percent or greater and significant features;

Soils testing and geology;

Vegetation, plant communities and densities;

Hydrology, on-site and up and downstream;

Riparian areas;

Cultural resources;

Public facilities in the area;

Recreation and trails;

Viewsheds;

Existing infrastructure;

Wildlife, listed, threatened and endangered species and habitat;

Traffic and roadways;

Well sites.

Land use conceptual plan and proposed densities in sub-plan areas;

Adjacent lots and structures within 150 feet of the plan boundary;

Open space, recreational facilities, parks, and trails;

Public, educational, and religious facilities;

Drainage plan;

Areas affected by the hillside development overlay zone (Chapter 18.61 STC) or other overlay zones;

Grading concept;

Open space, cultural resources, wildlife habitat and native plant preservation plan. Cultural resources may be mapped separately and that information shall not be a part of the published materials;

Infrastructure and public facilities;

Circulation concept plan, including all modes of travel;

Name, location and extent of existing or proposed major and collector streets located within the planning area needed for servicing the project; and

Location and extent of existing or proposed provisions for sewage disposal, effluent use, storm water drainage, solid waste disposal and public utilities.

The detailed regulations and programs for the systematic implementation of the specific plan, including plan amendment procedures and regulations and density transfer limitations (refer to STC § 18.90.080(B));

Specific development standards for the map elements;

Hydrology analysis;

Standards for the phasing, construction and maintenance of major and collector streets proposed for the planning area or needed for servicing the project;

Standards for the phasing, construction and maintenance of sewage disposal, effluent use, storm water drainage, solid waste disposal and public utilities;

Standards for the conservation, development or utilization of natural resources, including surface water, soils, vegetation and wildlife;

The methods of conservation (if any) for scenic natural and built features and viewsheds;

General landscape program;

For single-phase plans, a draft schedule for the preservation of site features established by the plan and the construction, dedication and provision of public services;

For multi-phased plans:

Specific plan administration, interpretation, amendment, and other procedures; and

Development standards, including design standards, for all building and use types.

Planning staff shall review the documents and notify the applicant of their adequacy for commission public hearing and the determination regarding compliance with the general plan within 30 days of submittal.

Unless the applicant chooses to make modifications to the original submittal, planning staff shall schedule the plan for public hearing.

Discusses and determines the extent to which the proposal is in compliance with both the land use intensity categories of the general plan and plan policies, STC § 18.89.070;

Assesses the site analysis;

Analyzes the expected impact of the proposed development on the site and surroundings;

Contains a departmental recommendation to the commission;

Recommends (if necessary) special regulations for the proposed specific plan;

Includes the comments and conditions of other affected town departments and public agencies.

Publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the town; and

The applicant for specific plan is also required to post the property to be considered at the hearing with a minimum of one four-by-eight-foot sign with public hearing and project information as approved by the planning and building department. In addition to this minimum requirement, parcels with more than one street frontage shall require one additional four-by-eight-foot sign for each adjacent street frontage exceeding 300 feet in length. All signs shall be placed parallel to the roadway and in the most visible location available. The applicant shall be responsible for all costs associated with the posting requirements as well as coordinating the posting. The sign(s) shall be installed on the property no more than 30 days nor less than 15 days prior to the public hearing and the applicant must remove the sign no sooner than 15 days nor more than 30 days after final disposition of the case; and

Mailing written notice to all property owners within the specific plan district and all property owners within 600 feet of the district.

The locations and procedures for such transfers are explicitly stated within the plan; and

The overall density of the plan is not exceeded.

The owner or agent of the property may submit to the planning department a written application to amend one or more of the specific plan regulations.

The request shall be accompanied by documentation of unforeseen changes in the marketplace, government regulations or natural conditions that have occurred since plan adoption.

The planning and building director shall determine if the amendment would result in a substantial change in plan regulations, which is a change in a:

If the request is determined to be an insubstantial change, the proposed amendment shall require a noticed public hearing and action by the town council. The required public notice for an insubstantial change shall be by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the town a minimum of 15 days prior to the hearing. In addition, the town council may refer any amendment request to the planning and zoning commission for its recommendation prior to taking action.

If the request is determined to be a substantial change, the planning and building director shall refer the request to the commission for noticed public hearing and recommendation prior to public hearing by the town council. If the substantial change is a change in density of land use regulation, the public notice shall be in the same manner as that for a rezoning, per STC § 18.91.060. If the substantial change is a change in policy regulation or design regulation, the public notice shall be in the same manner as that for a code amendment, per STC § 18.01.070.

A substantial change may require, as determined necessary by the planning and building director, submittal of an amended site analysis.

Specific plan substantial changes and ordinance amendments that occur after town council's approval of the specific plan are subject to protest petition procedures. For all hearings, the planning division shall prepare a staff report in accordance with STC § 18.90.060(A).

Project adherence to schedules established by the specific plan;

The number of dwelling units proposed, platted and permitted, and the allocation of the balance of approved units;

A record of zoning violations charged to the project; and

Such items as shall be established by adopted town policy.