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University City City Zoning Code

ARTICLE X

Site Plan Review Requirements

Section 400.2590 Developments Subject To Site Plan Review.

[R.O. 2011 §34-120; Ord. No. 6139 §1(Exh. A (part)), 1997; Ord. No. 6401 §1 (part), 2002]
A. 
The requirements of this Article shall apply to all developments occurring after the effective date of this Chapter, except for the following:
1. 
Developments subject to the planned development procedure (see Article IV, Division 11).
2. 
Developments subject to conditional use permit approval (see Article XI).
3. 
Detached single-family and two-family dwellings located on individual lots, including accessory structures.
4. 
Additions to non-residential buildings, or new accessory non-residential buildings, when the addition or new accessory building is less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the existing principal building; the addition or new accessory building does not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet in gross floor area (unless the structure is greater than ten (10) feet higher than the principal structure, or unless the structure could be considered a tower of any type); no new curb cuts are required; and when such new construction does not reduce existing parking or significantly modify existing on-site circulation as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
5. 
Canopies constructed over existing walkways, loading docks, or pump islands, where such new construction does not reduce existing parking or significantly modify existing on-site circulation as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
The above exceptions to site plan review in no way relieves any other requirements for submission of plans as may be required by the University City Building Code or other regulations requiring certain plans.

Section 400.2595 Site Plan Approval Required For Certain Exempt Institutions.

[R.O. 2011 §5.04.210; Prior Code §18-125; Ord. No. 5106 §1; Ord. No. 6192, 1999]
No person, association, corporation, religious institution, charity or foundation that has been designated by any governmental entity as exempt from payment of any tax levied by the City shall purchase or occupy any real property in the City prior to obtaining site plan approval as set forth in Article X "Site Plan Review Requirements" of the City Zoning Code.

Section 400.2600 Site Plan Submittal Requirements.

[R.O. 2011 §34-121; Ord. No. 6139 §1(Exh. A (part)), 1997]
A. 
The site plan submittal shall contain the following information:
1. 
Name, address and telephone number of the property owner and, if different, the person or firm submitting the plan.
2. 
Location map of the property in question.
3. 
Site plan, north arrow and plan scale. The plan scale shall be one (1) inch equals twenty (20) feet to one (1) inch equals fifty (50) feet in any increments of ten (10) feet on one (1) or more sheets not less than eight and one-half (8½) inches by eleven (11) inches or greater than thirty-six (36) inches by forty-eight (48) inches in size. The Zoning Administrator may authorize a different plan scale, so long as the scale is in ten (10) foot increments and the resulting site plan clearly shows the information required herein.
4. 
Outboundary of the lot, including all dimensions and bearings, both linear and angular, radii and arcs, necessary for locating the boundaries of the lot. Also include the lot number and subdivision name, if applicable.
5. 
The area of the lot in square feet.
6. 
Delineation and identification of all easements (existing and proposed).
7. 
The zoning district classification of the lot and of adjacent parcels, where different than the site.
8. 
Delineation of existing buildings to be retained and proposed buildings. Also indicate the proposed use of the building(s) and the distances, in feet, from the lot lines and right-of-way line(s).
9. 
Delineation of off-street parking spaces, including itemization of the number of spaces required and proposed. Also indicate typical dimensions for parking stalls, circulation aisle widths, parking bay widths, angle of stalls, and location and dimensions of disabled parking stalls.
10. 
Delineation and dimensions of existing and proposed type of pavement and curbing. Also indicate right-of-way width for streets abutting the site.
11. 
Location of existing and proposed curb cuts.
12. 
Grading, storm drainage and erosion control plans in accordance with the requirements of Section 405.240, of the University City Municipal Code. The Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement where little or no grading is to take place. However, this waiver by the City does not relieve the owner from complying with any plan and permitting requirements of metropolitan sewer district or its successor.
13. 
In situations where landscaping and/or screening is required by this Chapter, provide a landscape plan showing existing and proposed landscaping, including the name and size of plant material. Also, provide plans and elevation details of any man-made screening material as may be required by this Chapter (e.g., required fencing between residential and non-residential uses, and required screening of mechanical equipment and trash containers).
14. 
Location, type, dimensions and size of all signs associated with the proposed development (see Article VIII of this Chapter).
15. 
In situations where outdoor lighting is required by Article VII, Section 400.2110 of this Chapter, provide an exterior lighting plan for all parking and common pedestrian areas.
16. 
For new buildings or buildings undergoing exterior modifications, provide architectural renderings or elevation drawings indicating the type, texture and color of exterior finishes. Also, provide the grade floor elevation and building height. For multi-story buildings, provide cross section drawing(s) indicating upper-story floor elevations.
Additional information, beyond the requirements listed above, may be requested by the Zoning Administrator or the City Council when such additional information is determined to be necessary for evaluating the proposed development.

Section 400.2610 Site Plan Submission and Distribution.

[R.O. 2011 §34-122.1; Ord. No. 6139 §1(Exh. A (part)), 1997]
A. 
Submission By Applicant. The applicant shall submit twelve (12) copies of the information required by Section 400.2600 to the Zoning Administrator.
B. 
Completeness Of Submittal. Upon receipt of the site plan and associated information, the Zoning Administrator shall review the documents to determine acceptability for submission. If the Zoning Administrator determines the submittal is complete, then the submittal shall be date stamped.
C. 
Distribution. After the site plan has been accepted for review, the Zoning Administrator shall distribute copies of the plan, or relevant portions thereof, to the Director of Community Development and other City staff as appropriate.

Section 400.2620 Staff Review.

[R.O. 2011 §34-122.2; Ord. No. 6139 §1(Exh. A (part)), 1997]
A. 
Staff Comments. The staff responsible for site plan review shall provide the Zoning Administrator with written comments thereon within ten (10) working days of receipt of the plan or other applicable information. Staff may recommend changes to the site plan that would improve the functionality of the site or mitigate any potential adverse impacts of the proposed development on neighboring properties.
B. 
Staff Report. The Zoning Administrator shall compile staff comments into a site plan review report. This report shall identify any discovered deficiencies with respect to compliance with this Chapter or other applicable regulations. This report shall be completed within sixty (60) days of acceptance of the site plan. A copy of this report shall be forwarded to the applicant and to the City Council.

Section 400.2630 City Council Review.

[R.O. 2011 §34-123.1; Ord. No. 6765 §1, 1-26-2009]
A. 
In conducting its review, the Council shall consider the staff report on the site plan and document findings of fact based directly upon the particular evidence presented to it supporting the conclusion that the proposed site plan review:
1. 
Complies with all applicable provisions of this Chapter;
2. 
At the specific location will contribute to and promote the community welfare or convenience;
3. 
Will not cause substantial injury to the value of neighboring property; and
4. 
Is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, neighborhood development plan (if applicable), the Olive Boulevard Design Guidelines (if applicable), and any other official planning and development policies of the City; and
5. 
Will provide off-street parking and loading areas in accordance with the standards contained in Article VII of this Chapter.
B. 
In determining whether the evidence supports the conclusions required by Section 400.2630 of this Chapter, the Council shall consider the review criteria established as follows:
1. 
The proposed use complies with the standards of this Chapter, including performance standards, and the standards for motor vehicle oriented businesses, if applicable, as contained in Section 400.2720 of this Article;
2. 
The impact of projected vehicular traffic volumes and site access is not detrimental with regard to the surrounding traffic flow, pedestrian safety and accessibility of emergency vehicles and equipment;
3. 
The proposed use will not cause undue impacts on the provision of public services such as police and fire protection, schools and parks;
4. 
Adequate utility, drainage and other such necessary facilities have been or will be provided;
5. 
The proposed use is compatible with the surrounding area;
6. 
The proposed use will not adversely impact designated historic landmarks or districts; and
7. 
Where a proposed use has the potential for adverse impacts, sufficient measures have been or will be taken by the applicant that would negate, or reduce to an acceptable level, such potentially adverse impacts. Such measures may include, but are not necessarily limited to:
a. 
Improvements to public streets, such as provision of turning lanes, traffic control islands, traffic control devices, etc.;
b. 
Limiting vehicular access so as to avoid conflicting turning movements to/from the site and access points of adjacent properties, and to avoid an increase in vehicular traffic in nearby residential areas;
c. 
Provision of cross-access agreement(s) and paved connections between the applicant's property and adjacent property(ies) which would help mitigate traffic on adjacent streets;
d. 
Provision of additional screening and landscape buffers, above and beyond the minimum requirements of this Chapter;
e. 
Strategically locating accessory facilities, such as trash storage, loading areas and drive-through facilities, so as to limit potentially adverse impacts on adjacent properties while maintaining appropriate access to such facilities and without impeding internal traffic circulation;
f. 
Limiting hours of operation of the use of certain operational activities of the use (e.g., deliveries); and
g. 
Any other site or building design techniques which would further enhance neighborhood compatibility.
C. 
The City Council shall consider the extent to which such evidence demonstrated compliance with the foregoing criteria.
D. 
It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to clearly establish that the review criteria are met.

Section 400.2640 City Council Action.

[R.O. 2011 §34-123.2]
A. 
The City Council shall either approve, disapprove or conditionally approve the site plan. In approving a site plan, the City Council may impose conditions and restrictions on said site plan.
B. 
If the City Council so acts, it shall specify the specific requirements which must be met before the applicant may be granted final site plan approval and a building permit.
C. 
The City Council, in imposing conditions and restrictions, may adjust the standards set forth in this Chapter, by a factor of twenty percent (20%), when it finds that such adjustment, whether more or less restrictive, would be equivalent to such standards or more effective in achieving the spirit and intent of such standards.
D. 
The City Council may delegate to the Zoning Administrator the authority to approve the site plan when the administrator determines that the prescribed conditions have been met.

Section 400.2650 Minor Changes.

[R.O. 2011 §34-124.1; Ord. No. 6139 §1(Exh. A (part)), 1997]
A. 
Minor changes to the approved site plan may be permitted with the express written consent of the Zoning Administrator. No change, which may be authorized under this paragraph, shall cause any of the following:
1. 
Creation of any situation which would not be in conformance with Chapter 405, "Subdivision and Land Development Regulations" or other applicable codes or regulations;
2. 
A change in use or the character of the development;
3. 
An increase in building site coverage;
4. 
An increase in the intensity of use;
5. 
A reduction in approved buffer areas and landscaped areas; and
6. 
A change in traffic circulation, either on or off site.
B. 
The Zoning Administrator may first seek the concurrence of the appropriate City staff prior to rendering a decision on approving a minor change to the site plan.

Section 400.2660 Site Plan Amendments.

[R.O. 2011 §34-124.2; Ord. No. 6139 §1(Exh. A (part)), 1997]
Any changes to the site plan, other than minor changes authorized by the Zoning Administrator, shall require the submission of a new plan. The procedures for review of a new or revised plan shall be the same as for the initial application.