The purpose of the Planned Unit Development Regulations is to encourage and allow more creative and imaginative design for land development than is possible under the more conventional zoning regulations. The Planned Unit Development also provides for more efficient use of the land and thus may result in more economical land development. Preservation of natural site qualities, better urban amenities, more open spaces, and a higher quality project may also be intended results of the Planned Unit Development process.
The process is intended to be an alternative to the conventional subdivision of land and lot by lot development contemplated by Title Five - Subdivision Regulations, Codified Ordinances of the City of Urbana and the district regulations of this Chapter. The following objectives may be attained though the use of the Planned Unit Development process:
(a) To encourage renewal of older areas where new development and restoration are needed to revitalize the areas.
(b) Permanent preservation of common open space and recreation areas and facilities.
(c) A pattern of development to preserve natural vegetation, topographic and geologic features.
(d) The prevention and/or control of soil erosion and surface flooding.
(e) A creative approach to the use of land and related physical facilities that results in better development and design and the construction of aesthetic amenities.
(f) An efficient use of the land resulting in more economic networks of utilities, streets, schools, public grounds and buildings and other facilities.
(g) A combination and coordination of architectural styles, building forms, and building relationships with a possible mixing of different urban uses in an innovative overall design.
(h) Innovations in residential, commercial and industrial development, and/or a combination of these uses, so that growing demands of the population may be met by greater variety in type, design and layout of buildings and by the conservation and more efficient use of open space ancillary to said buildings.
(i) The combination of a number of review and approval procedures into a single plan review and approval process.
(j) The use of public input and participation in the design and development of innovative and creative land use proposals.
(k) A land use which promotes the public health, safety, comfort, and welfare.
The Planned Unit Development is intended to provide for projects incorporating a single type of a variety of related uses which are planned, developed and maintained as a unit. The Planned Unit Development should provide amenities not otherwise required by law. Such development may consist of conventionally subdivided lots, provided that the requirements of the City's Subdivision Ordinance are met with respect to each lot included and provided further that the platted lots are maintained in unified control, unsubdivided property maintained in separate ownership but unified control.
The Planned Unit Development may permit the transfer (where applicable) of dwelling units from one portion of the tract to another and will permit the clustering of dwelling units in one or more locations upon the tract. The unique and substantially different character of Planned Unit Developments requires that they be processed under a special plan review procedure. Planned Unit Developments are of a different character than conventional subdivisions or other projects requiring site plan review, requiring the establishment herein of specific and additional procedures, standards and exceptions to govern the recommendations of the Planning Commission and the action by the City Council.
A person, by choosing to develop property as a planned unit development, elects to submit a contemplated development proposal to a legislative and discretionary review by the Planning Commission and City Council.
(Ord. 4243. Passed 6-12-07.)