Introduction

A request by the County of San Luis Obispo to amend Title 22 of the County Code, and the Land Use Ordinance, to incorporate a Planned Development Ordinance Package. The requested modifications include:

• an amendment of Title 22 to add section 22.22.145 – Planned Development,
• an addition to Title 22 of a new section 22.30.475 – Small-Lot Single-Family,
• an amendment of Title 22 to section 22.80.030 – Definitions to include new definitions related to planned developments, and
• an amendment of Title 22 to section 22.22.140 – Cluster Divisions (related to Residential Single-Family). The project is proposed within the inland portion of the County (El-Pomar Estrella, Las Pilitas, Nacimiento, Salinas, San Luis Bay Inland, San Luis Obispo, Shandon-Carrizo and South County Inland Planning Areas).

Project Description

The Planned Development Ordinance (view the ordinance here) is intended to provide flexibility for applicants when applying development standards to proposed common interest developments or common area maintenance projects. The purpose is to allow innovative and creative site planning and project design that will enable the County to meet its Strategic Growth goals. These standards that are meant to incentivize creative design include: reduced minimum lot sizes and common area requirements, improved structural design qualities, more effective design responses to site features, compatibility with land uses on adjoining properties, more effective and attractive pedestrian orientation, enhanced environmental sensitivity and energy efficiency, and the more efficient use of resources.

Recognizing the unique relationship between the County’s General Plan and Land Use Ordinance, proposed Planned Development projects will not constitute a change in the land use category, but rather are administered as cluster subdivisions in accordance with Section 22.22.140. Planned Development projects would be allowed as a development tool in various residential, commercial, and industrial land use categories. In addition, the proposed amendments include the ability to develop small-lot single family residential developments with tailored site and architectural design parameters.

Assumptions and Highlights of the proposed Planned Development Ordinance

• Development will occur where it is already anticipated (under the current land use categories);
• No new residential density beyond what is already allowed by ordinance.
• The proposed ordinance applies only to the Inland portions of the County (Title 22).
• The ordinance is intended to provide flexibility in the application of setbacks, height, and other development standards, while still maintaining a high level of design.
• Planned Developments are primarily an optional development tool. The only exceptions are that cluster divisions within the Residential Single-Family, Residential Multi-Family, and Recreation land use categories will be processed as Planned Developments, and detached single-family projects proposed within the Residential Multi-Family land use category must comply with the Small Lot Single-Family standards.

Included Sections of Title 22 to be Revised

The proposed amendment includes standards for Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Mixed-Use Planned Developments. The package includes the addition of the following sections to Title 22 of the Land Use Ordinance:

• Section 22.22.145 – Planned Developments
• Section 22.30.475 – Small-Lot Single Family

In addition, the package includes significant revisions to the following section of Title 22 of the Land Use Ordinance:

• Section 22.22.140 – Cluster Divisions;

and includes minor clean-up revisions to the following sections of Title 22 of the Land Use Ordinance:

• Section 22.30.290 -Lodging -Hotels, Motels -Condominium or Planned Development
• Section 22.06.030 (Table 2-2)
• Section 22.10.140.D.2.d -Planned development or cluster division.
• Section 22.22.080.D – Condominiums/Planned Developments
• Section 22.22.090
• Section 22.22.100
• Section 22.22.120
• Section 22.80 – Definitions