Transcript Slide 1
Planning and Zoning
Commission
Training
2010
Functions of the P&Z
Commission
The Big One:
The Comprehensive
Plan
Completed:
April 2006
Updated:
January 2010
Now what?
Functions of the P&Z
Commission
Not Exactly…
Functions of the P&Z
Commission
Review & make recommendations
on:
Site Plans
Subdivision Plats
Rezoning / Text Amendments
Conditional Use Permits
Functions of the P&Z
Commission
But first…
Pre-Application Meeting
When:
Prior to submission of a
formal application for
inclusion upon a P&Z
Commission agenda,
for review of any site plan
and/or subdivision plat
City Code §§ 405.073, 410.100
Pre-Application Meeting
What:
Highlight ordinances & stipulations/access
regulations
Address potential issues
Discuss potential solutions to technical, design &
environmental review issues
Provide direction about process, i.e. submittal
requirements, appropriate sequences of required
plan review & processes
Assist in preparing plan which meets goals &
objectives of Comprehensive Plan
City Code §§ 405.073, 410.100
Pre-Application Meeting
Why?
Opportunity to consult informally with City
Decrease costs to developer
Eliminate inadequate design in early stages
of the development process
Help developers…
…Get It Right the First Time
Site Plan Review
Review plans that have significant impact
on:
Natural resources
Traffic patterns
Adjacent land uses
Character of future urban development
City’s opportunity to evaluate effect of
development on City as a whole
Impose conditions on development & use of
property that can effect entire community
Authority—
Dillon's Rule
Non-Charter cities such as
Wentzville (4th class)
possess only the powers
expressly granted or
indispensable to
accomplishing the
expressed powers
Not even a charter city can contradict
statute. City of Springfield v. Goff, 918 S.W.2d 786 (Mo.
1996) (en banc)
Site Plan Review:
Procedures
Application filed with City Planner
Reviews site plan & suggests revisions
(“comments”) to applicant
Revised application submitted by
Applicant
Administrative review involving all affected
City staff
Results reported to Commission in “staff rec”
Site Plan - Contents
Site Plan Map
Proposed buildings and
Lot lines
structures (with dimensions)
Natural features
Existing and proposed streets,
Existing man-made features
driveways, sidewalks, &
Trash collection
parking
Proposed exterior lighting
Landscape Plan
Topographic and Utility Plan
Architectural Elevations
Project Data
Square Footage, Proposed Uses, Existing & Proposed Zoning,
Parking Requirements, other Zoning Requirements
Site Plan Review:
Scope of Commission Review
Areas of consideration:
Conservation of Natural Resources
Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic
Provision of Open Space
Adequacy of Drainage Facilities
Existence or Provision of Public Facilities
Site Plan Review:
Scope of Commission Review
More Areas of consideration:
Overall Site Design
Location of Buildings / Parking Lots
Screening / Landscaping
Architectural Design
Conformance to Comprehensive Plan
Conformance to “any other applicable
requirements of the Zoning Code”
Site Plan Review:
Procedures
Action of Commission:
Approve
Deny
Approve with Conditions
The “Action” and “reasoning” are forwarded to
Board of Aldermen with Plan
Decision of Board
Approve
Deny
SECTION 405.390: REVIEW PROCEDURES
Site Plan Review
Effect of Approval/Denial
Approval
Applicant can receive building permits
for buildings and structures in Site Plan
Denial
Applicant can resubmit Site Plan with
changes in response to reasons for
denial
Rezoning:
Procedure
Application filed with City Planner
City gives newspaper notice and by mail
to property owners within 300 ft. of
property 15 days before hearing
Rezoning:
Procedure
Upon Hearing, the P&Z Commission can
either approve or deny an application
Commission Recommendation is
forwarded to Board of Aldermen
Applicant has burden for justification for
Rezoning
Rezoning:
Board Action on
Commission’s Recommendation
If Commission approves application:
Confirm approval with simple majority vote
(no citizen protest).
If Commission denies application:
Affirmative vote of 3/4 of full Board to
override Commission recommendation
(0.75 x 6 = 4.5 = 5)
OR, Board can refer it back to P&Z for
further review
Limitations
"Contract/Conditional" Zoning - process by which a
property owner, in consideration of the re-zoning of his or
her property, agrees to the imposition of certain conditions
or restrictions not imposed on similarly zoned properties
"Spot" Zoning - the rezoning of a single parcel or a small
area to benefit one or more property owners rather than
carry out an objective of the comprehensive plan; an
illegal practice in which a community approves a zoning
change that benefits a private party, to the detriment of the
public interest as a whole
Vested Rights/Non-Conforming Uses - a use that lawfully
occupied a building or land at the time zoning became
effective and that does not conform to the use regulations
of the district in which it is located
Amortization - a tool used by communities to gradually phase out
nonconforming land uses
Rezoning:
Citizen Protest
30% of property owners
within proposed district or
30% of property owners
within 185 feet of proposed
district file protest
When Citizen Protest is
made, Board can only
confirm approval with 3/4 of
full Board
(0.75 x 6 = 4.5 = 5)
Rezoning:
Varying the Application
Commission can recommend that:
Only a portion of proposed development
be rezoned, or…
Be zoned to different classification than
that desired by applicant
Different classification must be of same or more
(= or >) restrictive use type than what was
requested.
Zoning Text Amendments
Amendment to generally applicable
regulations contained within text of the
Zoning Code
Not specific to any individual property,
development, or zone
Initiated by Board, Mayor, Commission,
or “any appointed or elected City official”
Procedures same as for Rezoning
Zoning Code:
Points of Emphasis
Landscape and Screening
Plans required in R-3B, R-3C (Multi-Family
Residential) and MHD (Mobile Home
Development)
Specific approval by Commission
Zoning Code:
Points of Emphasis
Heightened Scrutiny of Aesthetics
HF (Highway Frontage Overlay) &
WP (Wentzville Parkway Overlay)
Sample of additional considerations in Commission’s
Scope of Review of HF and WP Site Plans:
Exterior colors and materials
Relation to existing structures in vicinity
Landscaping & screen plantings
Size/spacing of windows, doors, & other openings
Recreational facilities & open space
Size, type, and location of signs, towers, chimneys, roof
structures, flagpoles, antennas, etc.
Type & pitch of roofs
Additional signage information for WP
Zoning Code:
Points of Emphasis
Parking
VC-2 and VC-3 (Village Corridor)
Commission has discretion to reduce
parking requirements in VC-2 and VC-3 for:
Shared parking between different uses
Up to 25% reduction
Applicant installation of decorative landscaping
and/or fencing around parking areas
Up to 15% reduction
Planned Development
Planned Development (PD) Zoning
Appropriate when tract or area of land
warrants:
More flexibility, control, and density than
allowed by general zoning regulations
Development of traditionally incompatible
uses (in the Euclidian sense)
Planned Development
Objectives:
High quality environmental design
Diversification of uses within project
Functional & beneficial use of open space
Preservation of natural resources
Encourage “neighborhood concept”
(non-residential mixed with residential)
Discourage commercial strip-development
Planned Development
Objectives (cont.):
Creation of safe and desirable “living
environment” of development as a whole
Rational, cost-effective development in
relation to public services
Efficient and effective traffic circulation
Encourage pedestrian and non-motorized traffic
Commission & Board determine if
objectives have been demonstrated by
proposed PD development
Planned Development
It’s a
Balancing Act
Planned Development
PD zoning can grant relief from zoning
requirements:
Lot size
Dwelling size
Setbacks
Density
District Performance standards
Planned Development
But NO RELIEF if:
Inadequate or unsafe access
Excessive traffic volumes in
and around proposed
development
Undue burden on parks &
recreation areas, schools, fire and
police protection, and other public
facilities/services
Detrimental environmental
impact
Includes aesthetics
Planned Development
Density Bonus (PD-Residential)
Increase of Density in exchange for
Parks/Open Space
Bonus granted by dedication of land (or cash
equivalent)
150% of allowed density of dedicated land
(or cash) may be applied to rest of PD
development
Planned Development:
Procedure
Pre-Application Meeting
Sketch Plan:
Site Plan requirements
Preliminary Plat requirements
Building footprint, circulation & landscaping plans
Involves concurrent:
Site Plan review
Subdivision (Plat) review
Rezoning
Planned Development:
Preliminary Development Plan
Preliminary Plat/Site Plan Combo
Submitted to City Planner for review
Staff findings submitted to Commission
Revised Plan forwarded to Commission
Planned Development:
Preliminary Development Plan
Public Hearing before Commission
Hearing on the trifecta - PDP, Plat, & Rezoning
Commission Action
Recommendation, including conditions
Conditions contained in ordinance approving PD
zoning
May include condition of Performance Guarantees
Planned Development:
Preliminary Development Plan
Public hearing before
Board (2nd hearing)
Board approval
Ordinance establishing
PD zoning
Incorporates PDP and
conditions
Final Development Plan
approval still required
3/4 vote of Board
“required to overrule
Commission
recommendations”
Planned Development:
Final Development Plan
Staff review for substantial compliance
with PDP and conditions
Commission review & recommendation
Ensure compliance with PDP, conditions,
and Record Plat requirements
Board approval
Final Development Plan and Final Plat
Conditional Uses
Uses that are “essentially desirable” but
may create “unique” problems:
Traffic (vehicular and pedestrian)
Noise or pollution
Impact on surrounding property values
A use may be Permitted in one zone,
while being Conditional in another
Conditional Uses
Conditional Uses
Conditional Uses
Conditional Uses
Conditional Uses
Conditional Use Permits:
FACTORS for Applicant
Will the CUP?
Comply with underlying zoning regulations
Contribute to and promote public welfare or
convenience
Not injure surrounding property values
Comply with parking & loading requirements
Have adequate drainage and utilities
Have adequate access/egress
Have adequate on-site vehicular/pedestrian circulation
Prevent development or use of neighboring properties
Related to location, size, intensity and nature of use, and
exterior features of use; use should not “dominate”
neighborhood
Conditional Use Permits
Commission findings for CUP:
Consistent with good planning practice
Not detrimental to surrounding permitted uses
Visually compatible with surrounding uses
Will not significantly increase traffic congestion
& hazards
Will not increase fire hazards
Will not overtax public utilities
Will not injure property values or limit future development
of surrounding areas
Comply with Comprehensive Plan or other applicable
plans adopted by the City
Reasoning & recommendation of Commission should be
contained in a report to the Board.
Conditional Use Permits:
What type of conditions?
Permitted Uses (maximum floor area)
Performance standards (noise, odor, etc.)
Height limitations
Minimum yard requirements
Parking and loading requirements
Sign regulations
Time limitations (hours of operation)
Architectural elevations of structures
Landscaping
Conditions may be more restrictive than underlying zoning
Conditions may also include Performance Guarantees to
ensure improvements are completed
Conditional Use Permits
Protest of CUP Approval
Owners of 30% of land included in
proposed change
30% of owners of land within 185 ft. of
proposed change
Three-fourths (¾) majority vote of Board
required to approve protested CUP
Conditional Use Permits
Board Action on Commission Report
Public Hearing on CUP (2nd Hearing)
Decision of Board
Affirm
Reverse
Modify
Two-Thirds (2/3) vote of Board required to Reverse
or Modify any determination of Commission
CUPs
Valid for unlimited period unless a lesser
period shall be provided – can be extended by
P&Z
P&Z Commission reserves full authority to
revoke the approval
Not transferable to any other location by that
applicant
Change in ownership requires “renewal” of
original CUP
Subdivision Plats
• What is Subdivision?
– “The division of a parcel of land into two or more lots,
or other divisions of land.” § 89.300(3) RSMo.
• Why review Subdivision Plats?
– Assure development is served by adequate
infrastructure (Streets, sewers, water, etc.)
– Establish minimum standards for conveyance of
property
– Assure compliance with zoning requirements
Subdivision Plats:
Procedure
• Pre-Application Meeting
• If Pre-App Plat is satisfactory, applicant
files for formal Preliminary Plat review
before Commission
Subdivision Plats:
Procedure
• Preliminary Plat review
– Plat reviewed again by City Engineer
• Prepares report for Commission
– Recommendation of approval (noted on plat) or
disapproval
– Comments of City Engineer and all agencies and City
departments that reviewed plat
– Commission Action on Plat
• Within 90 days of submission of preliminary plat
and after receipt of City Engineer’s report
Subdivision Plats:
Commission Action
• Approval as submitted
• Conditional Approval
– Requires amendments before final approval
• Postponement
– For further study of plat; cannot be for over 90
days after submission of preliminary plat
• Denial
– Reasons must be stated in writing
Subdivision Plats:
Scope of Review
Review of plats is ministerial act done in an
administrative capacity
–“The exercise of discretion and
judgment vested in the administrative
body is to determine whether a plat
meets the zoning or subdivision
requirements.”
• If plat meets requirements: Approve
• If plat does not meet requirements: Deny
•Over $174K in damages against City for
denial of preliminary plat that met City’s
requirements; action was “truly irrational.”
Furlong Cos. v. City of Kansas City (Mo. 2006)
Subdivision Plats:
Improvements
• Improvement Plans
– Technical plans of proposed public facilities
– Reviewed by City Engineer and other
applicable agencies and departments
Improvement Guarantees
– Subdivider may be required to establish
escrow covering cost of public improvements
– Released by the Board after completion of
improvements, pending inspection by City
Engineer
Subdivision Plats:
Record Plat
• Plat before Commission for 2nd Time
• Purpose of Record Plat:
– Record Plat shall substantially conform to
approved Preliminary Plat
– Document to be recorded that contains
information needed to transfer land
– Final opportunity for Commission and Board
to ensure that subdivision and zoning
requirements have been met
Subdivision Plats:
Record Plat
• Commission Action on Record Plat (in writing)
–
–
–
–
Approval as submitted
Conditional approval
Postponement
Disapproval
• Board Action on Record Plat (in writing)
–
–
–
–
Approval as submitted
Conditional approval
Postponement
Disapproval
Subdivision Plats:
Record Plat
• Effect of Record Plat
approval:
– Subdivider may file record
plat with County to be
recorded.
– After recording, subdivider
may offer individual lots
for sale to public.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS