The purpose of the overlay districts is to carry out comprehensive plan and community, subarea or neighborhood plan policies that seek to minimize hazards, preserve unique natural resources and/or identify special opportunities for achieving public benefits by allowing or requiring alternative uses and development standards that differ from the general provisions of this title. Overlay districts are generally applied to a group of individual properties or an entire community, subarea or neighborhood planning area and are designated primarily through the area zoning process. (Ord. 501, 11-18-2008)