A.

In accordance with S.C. Code 6-29-740, in order to establish a PDD, the City Council must amend the text of this Ordinance and the Official Zoning Map, after having received a recommendation from the Planning Commission regarding the PDD. The procedures for amendments to this Ordinance and the Official Zoning Map are located in Chapter 14 of this Ordinance.

B.

A site plan and/or preliminary subdivision plat showing the proposed development shall be presented for approval along with the request to establish a PDD. The Site Plan and/or Preliminary Plat shall adhere to the requirements of this section and shall show the information required in Chapter 12.

C.

The City Council action may be to approve the plan and application to establish a PDD, to include specific modifications to the plan, or to deny the application to rezone or establish a PDD. If the plan and/or rezoning are approved, the applicant shall be allowed to proceed in accordance with the approved PDD plan as supplemented or modified in a particular case, and shall conform to any time or priority limitations established for initiating and/or completing the development in whole, or in specified stages.

D.

After a PDD plan has been approved, building and sign permits shall be issued in accordance with the approved plan as a whole or in stages, or portions thereof, as approved.

A.

A PDD may include any use or combination of uses and intensity levels irrespective of prevailing zoning district requirements where it is to be located upon review and recommendation by the Planning Commission and approval by City Council following a public hearing.

B.

Once approved, the proposed use(s) and no others shall be permitted. Said uses shall be identified and listed on the basis of classification: retail, office, wholesale, residential, multi-family residential, single-family detached housing, manufactured housing, etc. The list of approved uses shall be binding on the applicant and any successor in title, so long as the PDD zoning applies to the land, unless otherwise amended by ordinance.

A.

Minimum area requirements for establishing a PDD shall be 20 acres.

B.

Residential density, setbacks, impervious surface ratios, and building heights shall be determined by the scale of the project in relation to its surroundings and its impact on existing and proposed support facilities, i.e. transportation, water, and sewerage systems, recreation facilities, fire and police protection, etc.

C.

Overall site design shall be harmonious in terms of landscaping, enclosures of principal and accessory uses, size of structures, street patterns, and use relationships. Variety in building types, heights, facades, setbacks, and size of open spaces shall be encouraged.

D.

Buffer areas shall be required for peripheral uses only, and shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 7. Buffer areas are not required within the PDD.

E.

Off-street parking and loading spaces for each PDD shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 8, as applicable for the uses proposed for the PDD.

F.

Private streets may be permitted in a PDD provided such streets meet the design and construction standards for public streets as outlined in Chapter 9 of this Ordinance.

G.

Signage shall meet the requirements of Chapter 5.

H.

Development of a PDD shall be in accordance with all of Chapter 9 infrastructure requirements.

A.

Except as provided in this section, approved PDD plans shall be binding on the owner and any successor in title.

B.

Minor changes in approved PDD site plans may be approved by the Administrator on application by the applicant, upon making a finding that such changes are:

1.

In accord with all applicable regulations in effect at the time of the creation of the PDD district; or

2.

In accord with all applicable regulations currently in effect.

C.

Major changes to an approved PDD shall require approval by the City Council following recommendation by the Planning Commission. In reaching a decision as to whether the change is major, the Administrator shall use the following criteria:

1.

Any increase in intensity or use resulting in added floor area, an increase in the number of dwelling or lodging units, or an increase in the amount of outside land area devoted to sales, displays, or demonstrations;

2.

Any change in parking areas resulting in an increase/reduction in the number of spaces;

3.

Structural alterations significantly affecting the size, form, style, and location of buildings as shown on the approved plan;

4.

Any reduction in the amount of open space or buffer area, or any change in the location or characteristics of open space;

5.

Any change in pedestrian or vehicular access or circulation.

6.

Any change in use or density.