Floating zone districts; purpose and objectives

• (a) Purpose. This section establishes the mechanism for the review and creation of four types of floating zone districts, which upon approval by the city council shall amend the existing zoning map. The purpose of floating zone districts is to permit high intensity or mixed use character development and to promote flexible design upon parcels deemed appropriate for such development. Floating zone districts are unmapped zoning districts which are established on the zoning map only when an application for development meeting the requirements is approved. A petitioner must establish that the site proposed is appropriate for the floating zone district, and petition, in accordance with article II, division 4, to amend the city zoning map. Except where otherwise provided for in this chapter, the floating zone district regulations are derived from the regulations of the underlying zoning district. Floating zone districts may impose supplementary requirements but do not in any manner supersede or replace any requirements of the underlying district, except where specifically provided for in this article or otherwise in this chapter. In all cases, floating zone district map amendments are conditional upon site plan approval through land development project review as provided for in article V of this chapter.

• (b) Objectives. Decisions to approve a floating zone district shall be consistent with the following objectives where applicable:

  • (1) To promote diverse land uses which are consistent with the goals of the city comprehensive plan;

  • (2) To allow for mixed use developments where the site provides adequate safeguards to adjacent districts;

  • (3) To promote greater flexibility and consequently more creative and imaginative design for the development of residential and mixed use areas than generally is possible under conventional zoning regulations; and

  • (4) [Reserved.]

(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 19-99; Ch. 457, § IV, 10-7-97; Ch. 453, § IV, 7-15-08)