§ 52-403. Site plans.

(a)

Applicability. Approval of a site plan shall be required prior to the issuance of any building permit for the construction of a new nonresidential or multiple-family residential structure; prior to the issuance of any building permit for any modification to a structure which affects its size, shape, or volume; prior to a structure's change in use that will require modifications to existing parking or loading space requirements or configurations; or as otherwise determined by the chief building official. All building permits must conform to an approved site plan. Single-family and two-family residential developments shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter.

(b)

Site plan approval process. Site plans shall be reviewed as per the requirements described for each site plan type below:

(1)

Sites greater than one acre in size or within 200 feet of a platted single-family residential development. Site plans for properties that are greater than one acre in size or within 200 feet of a platted single-family residential development shall be approved by the planning and zoning commission. The site plan shall be deemed approved by the city if approved by a majority vote of the planning and zoning commission. The commission may approve the site plan, approve the site plan with conditions, or disapprove the site plan. If the commission disapproves the site plan, or if the applicant does not agree with the conditions of approval, the applicant may, within 21 days following such commission action, request in writing addressed to the city secretary that the site plan be reconsidered by the city council. The city council shall conduct a public hearing on the request. The city council shall have final approval or disapproval authority on all site plans which are so appealed.

(2)

All other site plans. All other site plans shall be approved administratively by staff. At the discretion of the city administrator, or his designee, any site plan may be forwarded to the planning and zoning commission for action. The city administrator shall not have the authority to disapprove a site plan application, except as described herein with regard to completeness. Any application which the city administrator cannot approve shall be forwarded to the planning and zoning commission for action. The actions of the planning and zoning commission may be appealed to the city council. The city council shall be the final approval authority approval or disapproval authority on all site plans which are so appealed.

(3)

Completeness review. In order to begin the site plan review process all site plans shall be reviewed administratively by staff for completeness. For the purposes of this article, completeness is defined by the submission of a site plan application package as described in this section. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed for completeness. If the application is incomplete, the applicant will be notified by the city administrator, or designee, within ten days of the city's receipt of the application package. Applications that remain incomplete 45 days after the date of submittal shall expire. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed nor returned to the applicant. The actions of the city administrator may be appealed to the city council. The city council shall be the final approval authority approval or disapproval authority on all site plans which are so appealed.

(c)

Detailed report; written notice of public hearing. Before acting on a site plan, the planning and zoning commission shall receive from the city administrator, or his designee, a report regarding the proposed site plan detailing its conformance or nonconformance with the city zoning regulations and other applicable regulations of the city, and a recommended action regarding the site plan. Prior to consideration of a proposed site plan by the planning and zoning commission, written notice of the public hearing shall be sent to all property owners according to the procedure for a change in a zoning district location or boundary. Such notice may be served using the most recently approved municipal tax roll, and depositing the notice, properly addressed and postage paid, in the United States mail.

(d)

Features to be shown on site plans. Site or development plans shall include the following information:

(1)

General. The following general information shall be included:

a.

The applicant's name, address, and phone number;

b.

The development location (include subdivision, lot number, or address);

c.

The proposed use (letter of intent required);

d.

The zoning district (attach copy of ordinance governing subject property);

e.

The lot area (net and gross);

f.

The lot coverage and floor area ratio;

g.

The location of all existing buildings or structures on the lot that are to remain subsequent to any proposed development;

h.

The building or structure size, height and total floor area (separated by use);

i.

The adjacent land uses and improvements within 200 feet of the subject property;

j.

The location of hazardous chemical storage;

k.

The sign locations;

l.

A scale with the following dimensions: one inch equals 20 feet, 30 feet or 40 feet, or as determined by the city administrator;

m.

The location of any on-site items (kiosks, sanitation containers, drop boxes, etc.);

n.

Any existing or proposed easements;

o.

The location and type of all existing and proposed screening, including screening of sanitation containers, parking areas, vehicles awaiting repair, open storage, etc.;

p.

The required landscape areas;

q.

Any additional information as deemed necessary to adequately evaluate the site or development plan; and

r.

The following standard notations:

1.

The sanitation container screening walls shall be brick masonry, stone masonry, or other architectural masonry finish, including a metal gate, primed and painted, and the sanitation container screening walls, gate, and pad site shall be constructed in accordance with the city design specifications.

2.

Mechanical and heating and air conditioning equipment in nonresidential uses shall be screened from view from the public right-of-way and from adjacent residential properties.

(2)

Site circulation and parking. The following site circulation and parking information shall be included on the site or development plans:

a.

The drive approach dimensions and radii;

b.

The delineation and width of internal circulation roadways;

c.

The distances between driveways and intersecting streets;

d.

The number of required parking spaces and number of parking spaces provided, including handicapped parking spaces;

e.

The parking dimensions;

f.

The stacking spaces and drive-through lane location;

g.

The location of curb stops relative to front of parking stall. (Note: Wheel stops are not permitted in lieu of curbs);

h.

The handicapped ramps (required at all intersections);

i.

The building entrances;

j.

The sidewalk dimensions;

k.

The fire lanes meeting fire code standards;

l.

The location and dimension of delivery truck docks;

m.

The location and dimension of loading spaces;

n.

The location of bay doors;

o.

The sanitation container locations;

p.

The medians, islands, barriers, and channelization;

q.

The width of adjacent streets, alleys, or other access abutting property;

r.

The length, width, and taper of turn bays; and

s.

The directional signage and directional arrows for one-way traffic driveways.

(3)

Utility plans. Utility plans shall be included on a separate drawing from the site plan, and shall include the following information:

a.

The existing and proposed water mains (include size and valve locations);

b.

The water meter size and location;

c.

The existing and proposed sewer mains (include size, manholes and cleanout);

d.

The sewer service size (provide cleanout at property line);

e.

The existing and proposed utility easements including the associated utility line (public or private) and its size;

f.

The existing and proposed fire hydrants (including any nearby off-site hydrants);

g.

The existing and proposed fire lines, fire sprinkler connections, and appurtenances;

h.

The location and size of irrigation meters;

i.

The location and size of grease and sand traps;

j.

The location and size of sampling pits; and

k.

The location and type of pretreatment.

(4)

Drainage plans. Drainage plans shall be included on a separate drawing from the site plan, and shall include the following information:

a.

The existing and proposed elevation at critical points;

b.

The drainage area map (if site is over one acre);

c.

The on-site collection system, including stormwater detention areas and detention ponds;

d.

The 100-year flood elevation (if in floodprone area), and appropriate easements to protect improvements from erosion associated with floodprone areas;

e.

The existing and proposed contours at two-foot intervals;

f.

The existing and proposed drainage structures (include size and type);

g.

The existing and proposed culverts; and

h.

The direction of surface drainage (must be discharged into existing waterway or public right-of-way).

(5)

Landscape plan. A detailed landscape plan in conformance with article III, division 5 of this chapter landscape and buffer requirements shall be submitted along with the site plan. Landscape plans shall be prepared by a person knowledgeable in plant material usage and landscape design, such as a landscape architect, landscape contractor, or landscape designer. Landscape plans shall be submitted on a separate drawing from the site plan, and shall include the following information:

a.

An engineering scale that is the same as the associated site plan; and

b.

All information as listed in article III, division 5 of this chapter.

(6)

Tree survey. A tree survey that identifies the location of trees shall be submitted for all developments, except as detailed in article III, division 5 of this chapter of the city zoning regulations, and shall be prepared by an arborist, a licensed surveyor, a licensed landscape architect, or other qualified person approved by the landscape administrator. The landscape administrator may approve a plan that shows non-disturbance areas, exemption areas, or an aerial photograph that is prepared by a non-professional if adequate information is provided by such a plan, as determined by the landscape administrator. The tree survey submittal shall include that number of copies of the plans deemed necessary by the city to complete the required reviews and shall include all information as listed in article III, division 5 of this chapter.

(7)

Tree preservation plan. A tree preservation plan shall be submitted for all proposed developments, except as detailed in section article III, division 5 of this chapter of the city zoning regulations. The tree preservation plan submittal shall include that number of copies of the plans deemed necessary by the city to complete the required reviews and shall include all information as listed in article III, division 5 of this chapter.

(e)

Attributes in consideration. City council, planning and zoning commission and staff consideration shall include paving and layout of streets, alleys and sidewalks, means of ingress and egress, provisions for drainage, parking spaces, protective screening and open spaces, as well as areas designated for landscaping, and any other aspect deemed necessary to consider in the interest of promoting the public health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the city.

(f)

Additional information. If, during the course of reviewing the site plan or landscape plan, the city administrator, or his designee, is of the opinion that a proper recommendation or action cannot be made without additional information, the director of planning is authorized to request that the applicant submit the information and is further authorized to withhold action on the site plan until the submission of the additional information for the director of planning's review.

(g)

Expiration. A site plan shall expire two years after its approval, if no building permits have been issued for the site, or if a building permit has been issued but has subsequently lapsed. Site plans submitted for a planned development or specific use permit shall not expire.

(h)

Approval required. A building permit shall not be issued prior to the approval of the site plan by the city council, planning and zoning commission, or city administrator, as appropriate. No building permit shall be issued except in compliance with the approved site plan, including all conditions of approval.

(i)

Inspections, revisions, and continued compliance. During construction and upon completion, the project will be inspected to ensure that the approved site plan has been followed.

(1)

In the event that changes to the approved site plan are proposed, the city administrator or his designee shall have the authority to require that a revised site plan be submitted to the city for review and approval.

(2)

It is recognized that final architectural and engineering design may necessitate some judgment in the determination of conformance to an approved site plan. The director of planning shall have the authority to interpret conformance to an approved site plan; provided that such interpretations do not materially affect the impact on adjacent properties, access, circulation, parking, loading, or general building orientation, configuration, or location on the site.

(3)

If, in the judgment of the city administrator or his designee, the proposed revisions do not conform to the approved site plan, a new site plan application shall be submitted for review and approval by the city administrator or another approval body as appropriate.

(4)

A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until the final inspection shows that the project has been completed in accordance with the approved site plan.

(5)

The final site plan, landscape plan, tree survey, and tree preservation plan shall be accompanied by a digital copy for permanent record.

(6)

Maintenance of the property in conformance with the approved site plan shall be a condition of a valid certificate of occupancy. Failure to maintain the property in conformance with an approved site plan shall be a violation of this chapter.

(j)

Phasing plan. To assist in the processing of site plans that are to be constructed in phases, the city administrator, or his designee, may request a phasing plan for the development, to ensure adequate site access, circulation, parking, sanitation containers, etc.

(Code 1994, § 12.1250; Ord. No. 533, § 1, 2-13-2012)