shall be primarily evaluated against the criteria listed below. The
shall fulfill the following criteria unless a portion of the criteria do not apply or relate, in whole or part, to a specific proposal. The examples listed in this section are for illustrative purposes. Specific solutions used to fulfill these criteria are contingent upon the size, scale, site conditions, design, uses and impacts of a proposed development.
1.
Mixed Use Development and Pedestrian Orientation: Planned Developments shall generally have a mixed use orientation (combination of differing types of residential, commercial, public or civic, and/or industrial uses) both within the development itself and relative to the relationship between the proposed planned development and adjacent sites. The additional intensity allowed in a Planned Development by SECTION 1501 shall only be permitted when a true mixed use and/or an amenity - oriented development with community and recreation facilities as described in this standard is provided.
2.
In general, Planned Developments shall have a pedestrian orientation, where it is possible to live, work, shop, and play in the same immediate vicinity without a required dependence on the automobile. This may be accomplished through the use of comprehensive pedestrian circulation networks including multipurpose paths and walks along main routes and open spaces such as stream corridors, between major destinations within the development and adjoining areas, secondary walk connections to the multi-purpose paths, the creation of a designed pedestrian environment including street trees in addition to other required landscaping, decorative street lights and other street furniture, and seating areas, and the use of integral curb walks where appropriate along streets. Disruptions in major paths due to street and drive intersections shall be minimal. Additionally in commercial areas, pedestrian orientation can be accomplished by placing buildings in close proximity to the street with parking areas to the side and rear of buildings, mixing uses within the same multi-story buildings, building entrances directly facing streets with reduced setbacks, architectural design which employs display windows, projecting signs, and awnings at street level, and designed outdoor seating and gathering spaces at the street level. Each development proposal must demonstrate in detail how the project will be made walkable throughout.
3.
Compatibility of Uses: Measures shall be taken to assure compatibility of land uses within a Planned Development itself and adjacent sites. Such measures may include the provisions of buffer zones, common open space areas and landscape features, transitional land uses, or a mixed-use development in which no specific type of land use is dominate. When applicable, the design methods recommended in the “Development Layout, Lot Sizes, and Setbacks” section of the Comprehensive Plan’s Land Use Element shall be employed. Compatibility measures/mitigation measures shall exceed the usual minimum standards of these regulations when needed to address impacts of the proposed development.
4.
Open Space: Useable open space(s), in an amount over and above setback and buffer yard areas and open areas required by the underlying district, shall be provided. These spaces may be provided in the form of parks, plazas, arcades, commons, trails, sports courts or other athletic and recreational areas, outdoor areas for the display of sculptural elements, etc. Land reservations for community facilities may be considered in lieu of useable open space. The use of single loaded streets to provide multi-purpose paths, park areas, or to protect stream corridors, may be proposed for this purpose. Open Space areas are encouraged to have street frontage and visibility. Any site proposed to be publicly dedicated or donated for park or open space purposes shall comply with the appropriate legislative body’s requirements for acceptance of such dedications or donations.
5.
Multi-Modal Transportation System: Planned Developments shall incorporate multi-modal transportation elements through the development, depending on the foreseeable needs of future residents and users of the site, and the relationship of the project site to the community at large. Such multi-modal elements may include provisions for mass transit stops or stations, car pooling lots, pedestrian and bicycle paths and lanes, bicycle parking areas, etc. Multi-modal facilities are encouraged to be combined with the pedestrian systems and open spaces described in Sections 1 and 4. Multi-modal facilities should connect to existing and future facilities that lie outside of the site.
6.
Preservation of Existing Site Features: Existing topography, significant tree cover, tree lines along property lines, cemeteries, and water courses and water bodies shall be largely preserved and incorporated into the project design, where appropriate and consistent with the remainder of this article. The retention of such features may also fulfill portions of the requirements in Section 4 “Open Space” and Section 7 “Landscaping.”
7.
Landscaping: Substantial landscaping shall be provided in a Planned Development with emphasis given to street scape areas, buffer zones, and the provision of significant landscaping (in terms of size of landscape areas, and quantity and quality of landscape materials) within the developed portions of the site. The use of landscape design guidelines is required for multi-phased projects. The retention of existing healthy, substantial trees should occur wherever possible. Properly designed street tree plantings may be permitted to fulfill some landscaping requirements as part of an overall amenity package.
8.
Architecture: Sites which are subject to architectural requirements through adopted overlay districts or land use studies shall follow said requirements. For all other sites, a consistent architectural theme shall be provided in planned developments. The theme shall largely use traditional, regionally influenced architectural forms and elements and shall allow variations within it. Traditional styles such as Georgian, Federal, I-House, Cape Cod, Craftsman, Tudor, Queen Anne, Italianate, early 20th century commercial structures, and local farm structures may be used as models. Contemporary or transitional styles of comparable quality may also be considered. The architectural theme shall also relate to existing structures on the project site and adjacent sites, especially if such existing structures are historic.
9.
For attached or multi-family residential developments and commercial or office developments, the predominant building materials shall have a solid appearance, such as could be achieved with brick, stone, and architectural grade cast concrete products designed to replicate natural materials. Roof designs shall have a finished appearance through the use of three dimensional pitched roof forms with architectural grade roofing and/or the use of defined parapets with cornice lines. Long building facades and roof planes shall be interrupted through the use of three dimensional jogs in the building footprint and secondary roof forms such as hips, dormers, and gables. Such buildings shall include architectural detailing for cosmetic enhancement, largely use natural colors, and use a consistent design treatment on all facades. The use of architectural guidelines or building prototypes is required for all multi-phased projects. Developments should be mixed-use in character with multi-level buildings where commercial services are proposed. Walkability must be planned for when locating commercial and residential uses in proximity to each other. Office and residential uses are strongly advocated above commercial uses in business districts to decrease dependence on the automobile.
10.
Historic and Prehistoric Features: Historic and prehistoric features on the project site shall be retained, utilized, and incorporated into the overall project design if physically and economically feasible.
11.
Signage: A consistent signage theme shall be provided within a Planned Development. Building mounted signs shall be the predominate signage on the project site. Freestanding signs shall be monument style and of a limited size and height. Signage shall visually correlate to the planned architectural theme by the use of consistent design details, materials, and colors. The use of signage design guidelines is required for multi-phased projects.
12.
Transportation Connections and Entry Points: The provision of transportation connections (street connections, pedestrian paths, multi-purpose trails, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities) shall be provided in all planned development unless physically unfeasible or unsafe. This shall include connections to adjoining properties and developments, and inter-connectivity within the development itself, and contain minimal use of cul-de-sacs or other dead-end types of streets only when necessary. Transportation connections shall account for the County’s adopted Transportation Plan and any adopted bikeway and/or pedestrian plans. In addition, the various entry points (streets, paths, etc.) into a Planned Development shall be marked or otherwise defined through the use of landscaping, low-key signage on retaining walls, architectural or sculptural elements, archways, markers, etc. Any structures used to demarcate entry points shall visually correlate to the planned architectural theme by the use of consistent design details, materials, and colors.
13.
Conformance with Comprehensive Plan: All Planned Developments shall conform to the provisions of the adopted Comprehensive Plan and take into account the limitations of existing or planned infrastructure.
14.
Further, Concept Development Plan proposals within areas that are subject to a specific land use or corridor study shall be evaluated against the criteria or requirements of such study as well as the criteria in this section.
15.
A Planned Development and its uses, buildings or structures shall be minimally subject to the supplemental performance and development standards of this order, unless superseded by any special requirements, conditions, variances or other particulars imposed by the Planning Commission during the concept or preliminary application and hearing phases described in this article. Such special conditions may include provisions governing, common open space, lands or facilities, disposition of open land, infrastructure provisions including any physical design and/or any other requirement found to be necessary, appropriate or desirable for the purposes of this district.
16.
Such conditions shall be made a part of the terms under which the development is approved in accordance with ARTICLE 3. Any violation of such conditions shall be deemed a violation of these regulations.