Planned unit development districts shall be approved in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) Pre-application Meeting. The developer shall meet with the Zoning Inspector and Planning Director prior to the submission of the preliminary development plan. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss early and informally the purpose and effect of this Zoning Ordinance and the criteria and standards contained herein, and to familiarize the developer with the comprehensive development plan, major thoroughfare plan, the parks and public open space plan, the Subdivision Regulations, and the drainage, sewer and water systems of the City.
(b) Application Contents; Preliminary Plan Approval. An application for zone change and preliminary plat of a planned unit development shall be filed with the Planning Director by at least one owner or lessee of property for which the planned unit development is proposed. The application shall contain the following information filed in triplicate:
(1) Name, address and phone number of applicant;
(2) Name, address and phone number of registered surveyor, registered engineer and/or urban planner assisting in the preparation of the preliminary development plan;
(3) Legal description of property;
(4) Description of existing uses;
(5) Zoning district(s);
(6) A vicinity map at a minimum scale of one inch equals 200 feet, showing property lines, streets, existing and proposed zoning and such other items as the Planning Commission may require to show the relationship of the planned unit development to the comprehensive plan and to existing schools and other community facilities and services;
(7) A preliminary development plan at a minimum scale of one inch equals fifty feet, showing topography at two foot intervals; location and type of residential, commercial and industrial land uses; layout, dimensions and names of existing and proposed streets, rights of way, utility easements, parks and community spaces; layout and dimensions of lots and building setback lines; preliminary improvement drawings showing water, sewer, drainage, electricity, telephone and natural gas; and such other characteristics as the Planning Commission deems necessary;
(8) Names and addresses of owners of property within 300 feet of the proposed planned unit development;
(9) Evidence that the applicant has sufficient control over the land in question to initiate the proposed development plan within two years.
The application for preliminary planned unit development shall be accompanied by a written statement by the developer setting forth the reasons why, in his opinion, the planned unit development would be in the public interest and would be consistent with the City's statement of objectives for planned unit developments in Chapter 1144.
(c) Approval in Principle. The Planning Commission and the Site Plan Review Committee shall review the preliminary development plan and zone change request to determine if it is consistent with the intent and purpose of this Zoning Ordinance; whether the proposed development advances the general welfare of the community and neighborhood; and whether the benefits, combination of various land uses and the interrelationship with the land uses in the surrounding area justify the deviation from standard district regulations. The Commission's approval in principle of the preliminary development plan and the zone change shall be necessary before an applicant may submit a final development plan. Approval in principle shall not be construed to endorse a precise location of uses, configuration of parcels or engineering feasibility. The Planning Commission may seek assistance in making its recommendation from the Stark County Regional Planning Commission or any other appropriate source.
(d) Zone Change and Preliminary Plan Recommendations. After review by the Site Plan Review Committee, the Planning Commission shall recommend to Council that the zone change request and the preliminary development plan be approved as presented, approved with supplementary conditions or disapproved. Approval or approval with supplementary conditions shall be for a period not to exceed one year to allow for preparation of the final development plan. If the final development plan has not been submitted to the Commission within one year, the zone change shall be void and the land shall revert to its previous zone classification.
(e) Public Hearing by Council. Within thirty days after receipt of the preliminary development plan and the Planning Commission's recommendations, Council shall hold a public hearing.
(f) Notice of Public Hearing. Before holding the public hearing provided in subsection (e) hereof, notice of such hearing shall be given in one or more newspapers of general circulation of the City at least twenty days before the date of the hearing. The notice shall set the time and place of the public hearing and a general description of the planned unit development.
(g) Notice to Property Owners. Before holding public hearing required in subsection (e) hereof, written notice of such hearing shall be sent by the Clerk of Council by first class mail, at least twenty days before the hearing, to all owners of property within 300 feet of the area proposed to be included within the planned unit development district. The failure to deliver the notice, as provided in this section, shall not invalidate any such approval. The notice shall contain the same information as required of notices published in newspapers as specified in subsection (f) hereof.
(h) Action by Council. Within sixty days after receipt of the preliminary plan and zone change recommendations of the Planning Commission, Council shall by ordinance either approve, approve with supplementary conditions or disapprove the application as presented. (Ord. 147-2018. Passed 7-2-18.)