Purpose and Intent
The PD-O District is established to achieve high quality, creative, and innovative land planning and site design that furthers the objectives of the city, but which cannot be achieved through the strict application of the development and design standards of this chapter. The PD-O District provides a process by which customized development and design standards may be approved that meet the needs and character of the site-specific features and context of the district in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.
To access the complete standards for considering a PD-O district, use this link to Section 18-132 of the Code. A Zoning Amendment is necessary for the use of a PD-O district. To access the requirements for applying for applying for a Zoning Amendment, use this link to Section 18-62 of the Code.
Planned Development Overlay – Summary of Allowable Uses
The PD-O District is required to be governed by a base zone district with modifications permitted via a Zoning Amendment process in which the Planned Development Overlay District is “overlayed” with a base zone. Section 18-132(e) outlines the standards for which allowable uses in the base zone district of the PD-O are permitted to be added or removed.
Please refer to Section 18-168 for a complete list of principal uses; Section 18-334 contains a list of accessory uses; and Section 18-366 contains a list of temporary uses.
Governance of a PD-O District – Section 18-132(b)
For a PD-O District to govern over a base zone district, it shall be approved by a separate ordinance through the Zoning Amendment procedures and it shall include a Preliminary Plan for the entire property being designated as a PD-O District. Additionally, each PD-O district shall have a base zoning district described in Article III of the Development Code; Legacy Districts do not qualify as a base zone district for use within a PD-O.
PD-O District Objectives – Section 18-132(c)
In order to approve a PD-O through the Zoning Amendment procedures it is required to meet the objectives described in full in Section 18-132(c). There are two listings of objectives in this section. Subsection 18-132(c)(1) includes objectives that all PD-O Districts shall meet and Subsection 18-132(c)(2) includes objectives for which a PD-O shall meet at least one of them. Those list include:
- Section 18-132(c)(1), all objectives shall be met:
- Comprehensive Plan alignment
- Placemaking
- Integrated design
- Compatibility with adjacent land uses
- Landscape conservation and visual enhancement
- Open space and community space
- Archaeological, historical, or cultural impact
- Section 18-132(c)(2), one objective shall be met:
- Mix of uses
- Environmentally sustainable design
- Affordability
- Accessible design
- Other unique provision
Development Standards
The dimensional standards for the PD-O District shall be the standards of the base district unless modifications are approved through the PD-O approval process.