(1) The purpose of the Specific Development Plan (“SDP”) Overlay zone is to create a regulatory tool to implement Specific Development Plans adopted as part of the City’s General Plan. This Chapter creates a broad policy framework for enacting unique overlay zone regulations for each geographic area where a Specific Development Plan is adopted.

(2) Specific development plans describe in more detail the type of development planned for a specific area than is typically found in General Plan, zone map, or public facilities plan. The plan is adopted through a consensus-based process involving property owners, neighbors, key stake-holders, and City officials. An SDP Overlay zone for a given area is written specifically to bring about the goals and objectives of an adopted Specific Development Plan. The regulations and development standards of a Specific Development Plan Area Overlay zone may vary from the standards of the underlying zone with which it is combined.

(3) As specific development plan overlay zone districts are adopted they will be listed in Section 14.49.100 of this Chapter. Specific regulations for each specific development plan overlay zone area shall be numbered sequentially as 14.49A, 14.49B, etc., when particular specific development plan overlay zones are created.

(4) It is the City’s intent to use specific development plan overlay zones to encourage imaginative and efficient utilization of land, to develop a sense of community, and to insure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods and environment. It is also the City’s intent to provide land use and design standards that are tailored to a specific geographic area so that development outcomes are more predictable; provide greater compatibility with surrounding land uses than what may occur with conventional zoning; protect significant natural resources and avoid development on lands subject to natural hazards; and coordinate the development and design of properties, including large-scale facilities.

(5) Both the regulations of this Chapter, as well as the regulations contained in each plan district shall apply to a given specific development plan overlay zone area.