This chapter establishes procedures for preparation of coordinated area plans. This chapter is intended to achieve, and shall be implemented to accomplish, the following purposes:
(a) To create enhanced opportunities for building a sense of community through public involvement in planning processes which are designed not only to satisfy constitutional due process requirements, but also to provide residents, and business and property owners with early, meaningful opportunities to help shape the physical components of their neighborhoods and community.
(b) To emphasize and enhance architectural qualities, public improvements, and site design by providing a graphic, visual linkage between policies and programs established in the Comprehensive Plan and specific development entitlements and public improvements.
(c) To facilitate physical change by each of the following methods:
(1) Accelerating and coordinating the planning process within selected areas so that private development and re-use can proceed under streamlined city review processes.
(2) Encouraging rational private investment by providing specific, dependable information about the design requirements, development standards, and uses allowed on a particular site.
(3) Analyzing and considering the economic environment so that the planning process works in conjunction with the marketplace, rather than independent of it.
(4) Coordinating and timing public infrastructure investment to facilitate desirable private land uses.
(d) To assure Palo Alto's environmental quality by using the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report to focus environmental review on area and site-specific issues and changed circumstances.
(e) To facilitate orderly and consistent implementation of the city's Comprehensive Plan and development regulations.
(Ord. 4454 § 2 (part), 1997)