§ 74-3. Site plan policies.

(a)

To ensure a safe, efficient, attractive and well-ordered community and best serve the interests of public health, safety and welfare, the City of Leesville wishes to establish development plans of all nonresidential uses, multifamily dwellings, planned unit developments and planned building groups which are subject to review and approval by the planning commission prior to the issuance of building permits, unless specifically made subject to administrative approval or waived by ordinance; and

(b)

In order to provide for the location of uses with unique characteristics which may be necessary or appropriate within a given district but which might otherwise adversely impact future development, existing nearby properties, or the community, a classification of permitted uses is established in each district that requires the review and approval of a specific development plan by a development review committee (DRC) and the planning commission. Planning commission review shall be limited to consistency of the development plan with code requirements as determined by the DRC. Planning commission approvals may be conditional, and/or subject to any modifications specified. Relevant objectives for the development include, but are not limited to:

(1)

That it be designed, constructed, operated and maintained so as to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity;

(2)

That it not be hazardous or disturbing to existing or future nearby uses, property or persons through activities, processes, materials, equipment or operations that produce excessive traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors without adequate means of control;

(3)

That it be adequately served by essential public facilities without the need for excessive additional requirements at public expense that is detrimental to the economic welfare of the community; and

(4)

That it not result in the destruction, loss, damage or reduction of the public enjoyment of a natural, scenic or historic feature of major importance.

(c)

Unless specifically waived by ordinance, site plan approval is required prior to the issuance of any building permit. In accordance with application requirements, a specific development plan may be submitted for approval as part of an application to amend the zoning ordinance without additional fee. Any subsequent review or amendment to a previously approved development plan shall require a separate application and deposit of the scheduled fee. When otherwise required herein, or at the discretion of the planning commission, a public hearing shall be advertised and scheduled; and

(d)

Whenever a use is listed in a specific district as requiring planning commission approval, an application and deposit of the scheduled fee seeking this approval is required. When otherwise required herein, or at the discretion of the planning commission, a public hearing shall be advertised and scheduled. When applicable, a request to amend the zoning ordinance and planning commission approval of a specified use shall be consolidated into a single application and fee.

(e)

An application required by this section shall contain the following minimum components:

(1)

An application for amendment shall contain the name and address and signature of the applicant, and all persons or legal entities whose ownership interest in the property equals or exceeds five percent.

(2)

The applicant shall submit a sketch of survey which shows current conditions of the land area involved.

(3)

The applicant shall submit a written statement of the nature of and reason for the approvals sought. The applicant shall submit whatever drawings and written material may be necessary to provide a reasonably accurate description of all the proposed improvements for the property in question including, but not limited to, off-street parking, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, truck loading facilities, trash and garbage areas and equipment, lighting, landscaping, fencing or other visual screening, signs, hours of operation, building size, height, materials and appearance, the general appearance of other vertical improvements and other details as may be specified by the development review committee (DRC) and the planning commission.

(4)

The applicant shall deposit with the planning commission a fee in the amount specified in the current schedule.

(f)

The planning director may provide administrative approvals under the conditions described herein without the requirement of an application to the respective board otherwise required by this chapter. Planning director administrative approvals shall be limited to the following circumstances:

(1)

Reduction of not more than 25 percent in the front yard setback requirement in any district.

(2)

Reduction of not more than 25 percent in the rear or side yard setback requirements in any district, except when the reduction is for an accessory structure adjacent to a public utility easement, a railroad right-of-way, in which case the reduction may be up to 100 percent of the required rear or side yard.

(3)

Increase of not more than ten percent in the maximum height permitted in any district.

(4)

Reduction of not more than ten percent in the required number of hard-surfaced parking spaces, provided land area is available on the site to provide the required parking if necessary.

(5)

Approval of alternative materials and methods of construction, or increases of not more than 50 percent of the allowed footprint or height of an accessory structure that is limited by supplementary yard regulations, when consistent with the existing development pattern.

(6)

Approval of uses in a given district that are explicitly allowed for planning director approval by other sections of this chapter.

(g)

The following policy is established for any person, firm, or corporation requesting the administrative approval by the planning director by filing a written application thereof in the office of the planning commission; and

(1)

Each application shall contain at least the following information: the name, address and signature of the applicant and all property owners and all persons or legal entities whose ownership interest in the site being considered equals or exceeds five percent shall be included with the application.

(2)

The applicant shall submit a sketch of survey which shows current conditions of the land area involved or property for which an administrative approval is being requested, as well as proof of ownership of such property such as a deed, tax notice, or assessment.

(3)

A site plan shall be submitted meeting same requirements as subsection (e) accompanied by a statement signed by each property owner whose property adjoins or is directly across the street from the applicant's property stating that they are aware of the request for an administrative approval and that they have no objection to the request.

(4)

Deposit with the planning commission a fee in the amount specified in the current schedule of fees for processing the application.

(5)

Upon receipt of a completed application, the planning director or his designee shall examine the application and shall conduct such investigations as necessary to determine that the representations in the application are accurate. Within 14 calendar days of receipt of the completed application, the planning director or his designee shall notify the applicant in writing of the decision, the reasoning and/or stipulations pertaining to the decision. The failure of the planning director to act upon any application within the time period provided herein shall be deemed as a denial. A denial or other decision of the planning director regarding an administrative use approval may be appealed by application, in accordance with the procedures described elsewhere herein, to the planning commission with the authority to approve a specific use in a given district following public hearing. Site plan approval is good for one year and may be extended up to one year by planning director.

 Planned unit development (PUD) is defined as a type of ownership where individuals actually own the building or unit they live in, but common areas are owned jointly with the other members of the development or association.

 Planned building group is defined as multiple structures constructed on a parcel of land, excluding farmland, under the ownership, control, or development by an individual, a corporation, a partnership, or a firm.

 Development review committee (DRC) is defined as City of Leesville appointed regulatory staff who review plans based on the City Code of Ordinances.

(Ord. No. 9/12, 3-26-12)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 9/12, adopted March 26, 2012, did not specify manner of inclusion; hence, codification as § 74-3 was at the discretion of the editor.