4.3   Concept Plan Review

 

Purpose Statement:  It is the intent of the Site Analysis Data and Conceptual Development Plan process to provide an opportunity for the Town Council, Town Manager, the Community Design Commission and citizens to review and evaluate the impact of a major development proposal on the character of the area in which it is proposed to be located.  This process is intended to take into consideration the general form of the land before and after development as well as the spatial relationships of the proposed structures, open spaces, landscaped areas, and general access and circulation patterns as they relate to the proposed development and the surrounding area.

 

4.3.1      Applicability

 

(a)        Proposals Subject to Review by Community Design Commission

 

This Section applies to any:

 

(1)               Special Use Permit or a Special Use Permit Modification; or

 

(2)               Master Land Use Plan or a Master Land Use Plan Modification; or

 

(3)               Major Subdivisions.

 

(b)        Proposals Subject to Additional Review by Town Council

 

(1)        An application that meets any of the minimum thresholds established in subsections (1) or (2), below, shall require Town Council review as provided in Section 4.3.2, below, in addition to Community Design Commission review:

 

Thresholds

(minimum)

TC-1, TC-2 Zoning Districts

All Other Zoning Districts

Land Area

15,000 square feet

5 acres

Floor Area

20,000 square feet

100,000 square feet

Dwelling Units

35 dwelling units

50 dwelling units

 

(2)        If an application does not meet the thresholds established in subsection (1), above, the applicant may request review by the Town Council.  The Town Council may determine to review the application, or it may decline to review the application.  Such request shall be filed at least fifteen (15) days in advance of a regular meeting of the Town Council.  The Town Council’s determination shall be rendered at its next regular meeting after receiving a complete request for Town Council review.

 

4.3.2      Procedures

 

(a)        Application Submittal Requirements

 

Applications for Site Analysis Data and Conceptual Development Plan review shall be filed with the Town Manager.  The Town Manager shall prescribe the form(s) on which information shall be submitted.  Forms shall include the name and address of the applicant, the name and address of the owner of each zoning lot involved, and the relationship of the applicant and property owner in connection with the plan.  If the applicant or property owner is an entity other than an individual, the plans shall also include detailed information regarding the principals of the entity.  Forms shall include the name of the project principals and indicate the project principals development experience.  The Town Manager shall prescribe any other material that may reasonably be required to determine compliance with this Chapter and relationship to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan with sufficient copies for necessary referrals and records.

 

No application shall be accepted by the Town Manager unless it complies with such submittal requirements.  Applications that are not complete shall be returned forthwith to the applicant, with a notation of the deficiencies in the applications

 

(b)        Time Frame for Action on Concept Plans

 

Upon receipt of a complete Concept Plan, the Town Manager shall forward all information submitted by the applicant for review by the Community Design Commission within thirty (30) days.

 

(c)        Aspects of Review

 

The Town Council and Community Design Commission, in examining development applications, are to consider the various aspects of design, with special emphasis on whether the proposed development is consistent with the Town’s Design Guidelines and the Goals and Objectives of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.

 

(d)        Community Design Commission Review

 

(1)        The Community Design Commission shall review the application and shall submit its written recommendation to the applicant and Town Council, if applicable. 

 

(2)        The Community Design Commission shall consider public comments and shall base its recommendation on its determination of whether or not the application conforms to applicable provisions of this Chapter.

 

(3)               The Community Design Commission shall provide its recommendations to the applicant within thirty-five (35) days of the meeting at which a complete application is considered, or within such further time consented to in writing by the applicant or by Town Council resolution.  If the Community Design Commission fails to prepare its recommendation to the applicant within this time limit, or extensions thereof, that agency shall be deemed to recommend the application without conditions.

 

(e)        Town Council Review

 

(1)        After receiving the recommendations of the Community Design Commission, the Town Council shall review the application in the same manner as prescribed in subsection (d), above.  The Town Council may appoint a subcommittee to review the application.  The Mayor shall determine the membership of the subcommittee. 

 

(2)        The Town Council may conduct its review concurrent with the Community Design Commission.

 

(3)        After considering public comments and the recommendations of the Community Design Commission, the Town Council shall adopt a resolution transmitting its preliminary recommendations to the applicant. 

 

4.3.3      Criteria

 

The Concept Plan is a preliminary step toward the preparation of a formal development plan.  All Concept Plans should demonstrate a high quality of overall site design.  The design and construction of site elements should include appropriate descriptions and explanations of the relationship and balance among site elements, the relationship of the development to natural features, neighboring developments and undeveloped land, access and circulation systems, retention of natural vegetation, minimal alteration of natural topography, mitigation of erosion and sedimentation, mitigation of stormwater drainage and flooding, arrangement and orientation of buildings and amenities in relation to each other and to neighboring developments and streets, landscaping, preservation or enhancement of vistas, and mitigation of traffic impacts.