Site Plan / Development Plan
A. The purpose and intent of requiring site plan approval is to encourage the compatible arrangement of buildings, off-street parking, lighting, landscaping, pedestrian walkways and sidewalks, ingress and egress, and drainage on the site and from the site, any or all of these, in a manner that will promote safety and convenience for the public and will preserve property values of surrounding properties.
B. After the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, no property which has a conventional zoning district classification or which requires approval of a site plan may be developed or significantly redeveloped without a site plan which has been submitted to and approved by the Planning Commission, or the Community Development Director indicating that site will conform to the current applicable requirements of City code. “Significant redevelopment” means alterations or changes to property in such manner that one or more of the following is applicable:
1. The development results in the construction of a building, structure, or addition that increases the gross square footage of the existing development by more than 25 percent.
2. The estimated construction costs of all improvements to the development exceed 25 percent of the most recent appraised fair market value of the existing property as determined by the County Appraiser.
3. The construction or paving of a parking lot or facility which covers ground previously not used as a parking lot or facility, or the construction or paving of any parking lot or facility which does not conform to City pavement.
4. The intensification of property by a change of use which increases off-street parking requirements pursuant to Chapter 18.160 GMC.
C. Approved site plans are valid for two years. The Planning Commission may grant time extensions up to one additional year. The property owner may appeal disapproval or conditions of approval of a site plan by the Planning Commission to the Governing Body by filing a notice of appeal with the Community Development Director within 10 days following the Planning Commission’s decision. An approved site plan shall be required prior to the issuance of a building permit; provided, that single-family and two-family (duplex) units, and accessory buildings are hereby expressly exempted.
D. Modifications to a valid site plan may be approved administratively by the Community Development Director if the changes proposed do not significantly deviate from the approved site plan. The following changes are not considered significant changes to the site plan:
2. Substitution of landscape materials; provided, that the new materials are the same general size and type.
3. Minor changes to elevation, building materials, parking lot design, screening fences or walls, building location, etc., that would improve the site or are needed because of circumstances not foreseen at the time the site plan was approved by the Planning Commission. (Code 1990 § 16-1521)
When property is requested to be rezoned to a planned zoning district, the preliminary development plan shall be considered and approved as part of the rezoning application. When property has been approved for rezoning to a planned zoning district, changes in the preliminary development plan may be made only after approval of a revised preliminary development plan. Changes in the preliminary development plan which are not substantial or significant may be approved by the Community Development Director, and disapproval of such changes by the Community Development Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Substantial or significant changes in the preliminary development plan may only be approved after rehearing by the Planning Commission and Governing Body; such rehearing shall be subject to the notice and protest provisions set forth in GMC 18.185.080 through 18.185.100. (Code 1990 § 16-1526)
- Site Plan / Development Plan Application Form (.pdf 14 KB)
- Site Plan / Development Checklist Form (.pdf 41 KB)