The purpose of Overlay District regulations is to assist with the development of land and structures to be compatible with the environment and to protect the quality of the urban environment in those locations where the characteristics of the area are of significant public value and are vulnerable to damage by development permitted under conventional zoning and building regulations. Overlay Districts are established to provide additional land use controls and are superimposed over existing zoning districts. Property within an Overlay District is also subject to the provisions of its underlying zoning designation; provided, however, where the provisions of the Overlay District are more restrictive than the provisions of the underlying zoning designation, the provisions of the Overlay District shall apply. Overlay Districts are intended to serve one or more of the following purposes:
(a) To implement land use and urban design recommendations and standards set forth in neighborhood or corridor area plans, which plans have been adopted as part of the City's Comprehensive Plan;
(b) To provide uniformity in the design standards applicable to arterial corridors having varied underlying zoning;
(c) To provide uniform standards for mitigating the impact of intensive commercial uses adjacent to low density residential uses;
(d) To protect the public and property owners from blighting influences which might be caused by application of conventional land use regulations to properties and areas having sensitive environmental qualities;
(e) To protect the public from unsafe buildings or unstable land which would be caused by uncontrolled development;
(f) To prevent significant damage to the economic value and efficiency of operation of existing properties and/or new developments due to the interdependence of their visual and functional relationships;
(g) To protect the public from blighting influences in areas of high public investment which have added substantial value to a neighborhood; and
(h) To provide for the protection of special features in the natural and built environment.
(Ord. 115-2020. Passed 2-22-21.)