Section 175-37.05       REVIEW AND CREATION OF THE PLANNED NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.


Whenever a tract of land meets the minimum requirements for classification as a PND district as stipulated herein, the owner may file an application with the Director of Planning, requesting rezoning to this classification.  A preliminary conference with staff prior to such filing is required.  

 

A.    Concept Plan:

 

1.  Procedure: The owner may present and file with the Director of Planning a Concept Plan for the project, along with the fee established in the schedule of fees, showing the rough layout of major roads within the project, and such areas within the project as may be planned for particular uses or mixtures of uses, as outlined below. Upon receipt, the Director of Planning shall forward the Concept Plan to the Planning Commission for review and comment.  The Planning Commission may recommend to the Town Council approval, denial or modifications to the Concept Plan.  

 

Upon review and recommendation by the Planning Commission the Director of Planning shall forward the Concept Plan to the Town Council for review and comment.  The Town Council may approve, deny or approve conditionally with stated modifications.  Approval of a Concept Plan is only an expression of apparent favor to be used in preparation of the PND Master Land Use Plan and does not authorize construction of improvements.

 

2.  Submittal Requirements: The Concept Plan shall be prepared by a Virginia registered architect, landscape architect, land surveyor or engineer with seal and signature affixed to the plan. The plan shall be approximately to scale and clearly show the following:

 

(Ord. No. 24-05 Added “land surveyor” to “2” 9-26-05-Effective Upon Passage)

           
            a.  Location map showing existing zoning and ownership of property and adjacent land;

 

            b.  Identification of principal natural features and/or unique site design features;

 

c.   Relationship of the proposal with surrounding utilities and public facilities to serve the tract at the ultimate proposed densities;

 

d.  The location and size of the components of the PND, including the general layout of the road system within the project, location of use areas within the project planned for particular uses or mixtures of uses and their acreage, residential densities, and the interior open space system and preservation areas;

 

            e. Written description of the use areas;

 

f.  A statement demonstrating consistency with the Town of Front Royal Comprehensive Plan, suitability of the tract for the type and intensity of the activities proposed, the anticipated availability of adequate road networks, and the objectives stated in Section 175-37.1.

 

B.    Master Land Use Plan: Within six months of the Town Council’s approval or approval conditioned upon modifications of the Concept Plan, the developer/owner may prepare and file an application for an amendment to the official zoning map to a Planned Neighborhood Development (PND) District, as set forth in this chapter, together with the established in the schedule of fees for rezoning and an engineered Master Land Use Plan for development presenting a unified and organized arrangement of buildings, service areas, parking, landscaped areas, recreation areas, open space and community facilities.  All information submitted for consideration as a Master Land Use Plan shall be of sufficient clarity and scale to accurately identify the location, nature, and character of the proposed district. At a minimum the information contained on a Master Land Use Plan shall include:

 

1.  A map of the boundaries of the proposed development site, showing bearings, dimensions    at a scale not greater than one (1) inch to six hundred (600) feet;

 

     2.  A statement of existing property owner(s) and the proposed developer;

 

     3.  Names and addresses of adjacent property owners;

 

4.  A vicinity map drawn at a scale of between one (1) inch equals two hundred 2,000 feet and showing the relation of the property.

 

5.  Topographic map with contour lines at vertical intervals of not greater than five (5) feet at a minimum scale of one inch to 200 feet;

 

6.  A site analysis map of existing conditions, including but not limited to the location and delineation of sensitive environmental features, any 100-year floodplain, watercourse, non-tidal wetlands, areas greater than 15-percent slope, and significant geologic formations or man-made features, existing structures and public facilities, historic landmarks, existing zoning on-site and surrounding areas;

 

7.  The overall scheme of development including general layout of proposed land uses at a scale of one (1) inch equals two hundred (200) feet;

 

8.  The location and acreage of recreation areas, open space and conservation areas, parks within the development;

 

9.  The location, acreage and type of nonresidential areas and uses, and community/ public uses.

 

   10.  For each residential area shown, the total number of units in each by type and density;

 

11.  An access and circulation plan showing the general location of all existing and proposed streets and easements of right-of-way, bridges, culverts, railroads, and utility transmission lines;

 

12.  A traffic analysis and description of the base existing conditions and traffic volumes for the connecting external road network serving the site, projected average daily traffic for all new streets within the subdivision based on the proposed land uses and the traffic growth on adjacent highways, trip generation rates for peak hours by development and phase, and internal/external trip distribution and intersection and capacity analysis, identifying off-site access and traffic control improvements generated by the traffic demands of the proposed project at full development;

 

13.  The proposed general location of all building areas and other improvements, except single-family and two-family dwellings and accessory buildings;

 

14.  Notations showing the total gross development acreage, the net development acreage, acreage devoted to each land use category, the number of dwelling units and overall development density of the project;

 

15.  General intent and schematic plans for water, sanitary sewer, storm water management, electrical services, and other utilities;

 

   16.  An approximate development schedule/phasing plan;

 

17.  A general description of proposed agreements, provisions, or covenants that govern the use, maintenance, and continued protection of property to be held in common ownership.

 

   18.  Municipal boundaries through the property.

 

19.  A narrative statement demonstrating consistency with the Town of Front Royal Comprehensive Plan, suitability of the tract for the type and intensity of the activities proposed, and the planning purposes to be achieved by the proposed PND as stated in Section 175-37.1, the design theme and major elements, principal site features, and environmental components integrated into the plan.

 

20.  An impact assessment on the environment and on community facilities, services and taxes.

 

21.  Demographic profile of proposed development (population, housing, school children and employment).

 

    22.  Other relevant data which may be used to evaluate the project.

 

23.  A set of design guidelines describing the design principles for the site arrangement, standards for development including proposed yards, building heights, building architecture, open space characteristics, landscaping, hardscape, and buffering, and streetscapes related to scale, proportions, and massing at the edge of the district.

 

The design guidelines will establish the appearance standards to be used as the basis for the appearance review occurring concurrent with the site development review.  The purpose of the appearance standards shall be:

 

a.  To encourage development that enhances the character of the town;

 

b.  To enhance and protect property values by encouraging excellent design;

 

c.  To encourage architectural freedom, imagination and variety, and to encourage creative design solutions that will enhance the town's visual appearance.

 

d.  To promote harmonious unified development within a planned neighborhood.

 

C.    Demonstration of Purposes: The purposes shall be demonstrated in each of the components as follows:

 

       1.  Relationship of Building Site:

 

a.    The proposed non-residential development shall be designed and sited to accomplish a desirable view as observed from adjacent streets.

 

b.    Parking areas shall be enhanced with decorative elements, building wall extensions, plantings, berms, or other appropriate means to screen parking areas from view from the streets and adjacent properties.

 

       2.   Relationship to Adjoining Areas:

 

a.  Adjacent buildings of different architectural styles shall be made compatible by use of screens, sight breaks, materials and other methods.

 

b.  Landscaping shall provide a transition to adjoining property and screening between residential and commercial uses, and for off-street commercial parking and loading areas from public view.

 

c.  Texture, building lines and mass shall be harmonious with adjoining property.  Monotonous texture, lines and mass shall be avoided.

 

3.   Building Design and Landscaping: The applicant shall provide a narrative for all building types describing compliance with the following, including dimensional and qualitative specifications.

 

a.  Quality of design and landscaping, and compatibility with surrounding uses for proposed nonresidential development. Architectural style is not restricted.  

 

b.  Materials and finishes of good, sound architectural quality that are harmonious with adjoining buildings.

 

c.  Suitable materials for the type and design of the building.  Materials that are architecturally harmonious shall be used for all exterior building walls and other exterior building components.

d.  Building components, such as windows, doors, eaves, and parapets with appropriate proportion and relationships to one another.

e.  Use of harmonious colors and compatible accents.

 

f.  Mechanical equipment or other utility hardware on roof, ground, or buildings screened from view with materials harmonious with the building.

 

g.  Non-Monotonous design with visual interest provided by variation in detail, form, and siting.

 

h.  Exterior lighting used as part of the architectural concept.  Fixtures, standards, and all exposed accessories harmonious with the building design.

 

i.  Landscaping treatment creating unity of design, enhance architectural features, strengthen vistas, and provide shade.

 

j.  Plant materials selected for interest in its structure, texture, and color and for its ultimate growth using indigenous plants and those that are hardy, harmonious to the design and of good appearance.

 

k.  Protection of plant materials by appropriate curbs, tree guards, or other devices in locations which are susceptible to injury by pedestrian or vehicular traffic.    

 

       4.   Signs:

 

a.  Signs shall conform to the provisions of Section 175-106 for residential districts and this section, except that signs erected on poles shall not be permitted.  

 

b.  Every sign shall be of appropriate scale and proportion in relation to the surrounding buildings.

 

c.  Every sign shall be designed as an integral architectural element of the building and site to which it relates.  

 

d.  The colors, materials, and lighting of every sign shall be harmonious with the building and site to which it relates.

 

e.  The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum needed to convey the sign's principal message and shall be in proportion to the area of the sign.

 

f.  Each sign shall be compatible with signs on adjoining plots or buildings.

 

g.  Logos shall conform to the criteria for all other signs.

 

h.  A coordinated, unified sign plan shall be utilized for direction and information within the PND.

 

5.   Miscellaneous Structures: Miscellaneous structures and hardware shall be part of the architectural concept of the project. Materials, scale and colors shall be compatible with the building and surrounding uses.

 

D.  The Planning Commission shall proceed in general as for any other rezoning application as required in the ordinance, and recommend to the Town Council to approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the application.  

 

E.  The Town Council shall proceed in general as for any other rezoning application as required in the ordinance. Subsequent to the public hearing and a recommendation from the Planning Commission, the Town Council shall approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the application for a Master Land Use Plan.

 

F.   Upon approval of a Master Land Use Plan for development the official zoning map shall be amended to indicate the property as “PND - Planned Neighborhood Development”.  Once the Town Council has approved the Master Land Use Plan, all accepted proffers shall constitute conditions, enforceable by the Zoning Administrator.


(Ord. No. Z-1-05 Added Entire Section 4-11-05-Effective Upon Passage)