Upon request of the federal agency or its contractors, the planning director shall have the authority to grant variances to all local regulations contained within Title 16 of this code which relate to the design and improvement of subdivisions or divisions of land on property which has been designated as a project site for experimental residential housing. Such variances shall be subject to confirmation of the council by its approval of the tentative map or its approval of the parcel map in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Subdivision Map Act. (Prior code § 52.07.705)