Planned Requirement

1.

Purpose. Planned development districts may be required by the mayor and alderman for properties which, in their judgment, deserve or require special considerations for site plan development due to proximity of residential uses, the intensity of proposed development, or the presence of actual or potential traffic problems, including access and egress. The prefix "P" may be applied to any zoning district classification for any property that meets the aforementioned criteria.

2.

Planned requirement. A "P" district classification may be initiated by a petitioner or by the mayor and aldermen. Prior to adoption of a plan development classification for a property a sight development plan shall be presented to the planning and zoning commission for approval. As a part of its consideration of a sight plan in a plan district the planning and zoning commissioner shall recommend a maximum density for residential uses within the proposed "P" district. Such recommendation shall be considered by the mayor and aldermen at the time of the public hearing on any re-zoning proposed. The mayor and aldermen may elect to approve the recommended density requirement, modify it or reject it. If the maximum density standard is approved, it shall become a part of the zoning classification of the property and be so stated on the official zoning map. (For example an R-3 may become a P-R-3-15 meaning a maximum of 15 units per net acre).

3.

Land development standards. The planning and zoning commission may require developers or contractors to provide a general development plan for consideration at the time of application for rezoning.

4.

General plan. The general plan for a proposed P-district shall include proposed uses and overall development standards and shall indicate the proposed use or reuse of all land, open spaces, location of major streets, recreation areas, school sites, religious centers, and such other plan elements and reasonable design criteria as may be deemed necessary by the planning and zoning commission in a pre-application conference to accomplish the purposes of the zoning ordinance.

5.

Intent. Such plan shall promote a stable environment, and desirable character in harmony with the established or proposed land use pattern in surrounding areas.

6.

Specific plan. Following approval of the generalized development plan by the planning and zoning commission, no development shall take place until detailed development plans or subdivision plats, where required, be submitted for review and are approved. Specific site plans shall be considered after approval of a general development plan by the planning and zoning commission and the mayor and aldermen of the Town of Thunderbolt. In smaller projects, a general development plan may be required, but the planning and zoning commission should be consulted as to the requirement for a general development plan.

If property within a P- (Planned) zone is to be developed in phases, such detailed development plans may be submitted in phases.

Specific development plans shall indicate in detail the layout of proposed streets and curb cuts; parking areas; amenities such as open spaces, landscapes, pedestrian and bicycle trails; major drainage ways; school locations; church locations; locations of public facilities; building arrangements; commercial areas; lot arrangements and other significant details as may be reasonably required.

Specific development plans approved by the zoning commission shall be certified to the zoning administrator for the issuance of applicable permits. Development requiring subdivision actions shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Thunderbolt Subdivision Regulations. No development shall take place within a P-District that is not shown on a specific development plan as certified by the planning and zoning commission.

7.

Standards. Development standards shall be applied as provided elsewhere in this chapter for the particular district. Provided that the board of zoning appeals may approve variances from these requirements at the request of the developer on a finding that such variances would:

1.

Be in keeping with the overall character of the area.

2.

Would not be contrary to the purpose and intent of this ordinance.

3.

Would not be detrimental to existing or proposed surrounding uses.

4.

Would serve public purposes to a degree equal to or greater than the standards replaced.

8.

Overlay district. When an area is rezoned to a planned district classification, the letter "P" shall be placed in front of the standard zoning classification identification for the area in question, e.g., an area zoned R-3, which is rezoned to a planned district classification, shall be indicated as a P-R-3.