[R.O. 2013 § 405.200; Ord. No. 11-34 § 1, 7-25-2011]
A. 
Community Unit Plan. The owner of any tract of land may request a special use permit for the development of such tract for residential or for residential in combination with shopping center uses as set forth in the regulations for Planned Commercial Districts in this Chapter. The development plan shall be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for study and report. The report of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall include specific evidence and facts relating to the conditions for approval enumerated in this Section. Approval by the Board of Aldermen shall be conditioned upon specific findings that the proposed community unit plan meets the following conditions:
1. 
That the proposed development of any "C-3" Planned Commercial District included as a part of the plan complies with the regulations for those districts as set forth in Section 405.110 of this Chapter.
2. 
That the buildings, other than those located within a "C-3" district, located in the area shall be used only for single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, or multiple-family dwellings and the usual accessory uses such as private or parking garages, storage space and for community activities, including churches and schools.
3. 
That the average lot area per family contained in the site, exclusive of any area occupied by a "C-3" district or by streets, will not be less than the lot area per family required in the district in which the development is located.
4. 
That the area is adaptable to complete community development, being bounded by major thoroughfares, streets, railroads, or other external barriers, and insofar as possible without a major thoroughfare extending through the project, or any other physical feature which would tend to impair the neighborhood or community cohesiveness.
5. 
That the plan will provide for the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian movement within the site and in relation to adjacent areas.
6. 
That no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross area of the project be devoted to a "C-3" district and that no more than fifty percent (50%) of the gross area of the project located in a Single-Family Residential District be devoted to multiple-family dwellings.
7. 
That sufficient area is reserved for recreational and educational facilities to meet the needs of the anticipated population, or as designated in the City's Comprehensive Plan.
8. 
That property adjacent to the area included in the plan will not be adversely affected and to this end, the Board of Aldermen may require, in the absence of any appropriate physical barrier, that uses of least intensity or a buffer of open space or screening be arranged along the borders of the project.
9. 
That the plan is consistent with the intent and purposes of this Chapter to promote public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.
B. 
If the Board of Aldermen approves the plans, building permits may be issued, even though the use of the land and the location and height of buildings to be erected in the area and the yards and open space contemplated by the plan do not conform in all respects to the district regulations of the district in which it is located.
C. 
An application for a special use permit under this Section may be made and processed contemporaneously with a proposed amendment of the zoning district in which such site lies.
D. 
A special use permit shall automatically expire upon the failure to develop the use of the land for which the special use permit has been issued, if the use is not basically developed within one (1) year after the permit has been issued.
E. 
In the event the use of the land for which the special use permit has been issued is discontinued for a period of one (1) year, then the special use permit shall automatically expire.
F. 
Site Plan Review. The purpose of the site plan review is to ensure that the design and layout of certain developments permitted will constitute suitable development and will not result in a detriment to the neighborhood or the environment. All proposals for attached single-family dwellings units are subject to the provisions of this Section and no attached single-family dwelling units shall be erected or externally enlarged except in conformity with a site plan bearing an endorsement of approval from the Board of Aldermen.
G. 
All applications for site plan review shall be made and processed in the same manner as provided for zoning amendments in Section 405.250. An applicant for site plan review shall file a copy of an application form and site plan with the Board of Aldermen. Unless this requirement is waived by the Board of Aldermen, the site plan shall be prepared by a registered professional engineer, architect, or landscape architect. The site plan shall include and be accompanied by the following items and information:
1. 
The site plan shall show all existing and proposed buildings, existing and proposed contour elevations, structures, parking spaces, driveway openings, driveways, service areas, facilities for sewage, refuse and other waste disposal and for surface water drainage, and landscape features such as fences, walls, planting areas, walks, and lighting, both existing and proposed. The site plan shall also show the relation of the above features to adjacent ways and properties. The site plan shall also show all contiguous land owned by the applicant or by the owner of the property which is the subject of the application.
2. 
The applicant shall submit such material as may be required regarding design features intended to integrate the proposed new development into the existing landscape, to enhance aesthetic assets, and to screen objectionable features from neighbors.
3. 
The applicant shall submit such material as may be required regarding the projected traffic flow patterns into and upon the site for both vehicles and pedestrians and an estimate of the projected number of motor vehicle trips to and from the site for an average day.