Chapter 17.17 PLANNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (RLD)

Chapter 17.17
PLANNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (RLD)

Sections:

17.17.020 Permitted uses.

17.17.030 Conditional uses.

17.17.040 Performance standards.

17.17.010 Intent.

The intent of the planned community development low density residential district is to:

A. Provide for well designed residential developments which are located to minimize adverse effects on the environment or sensitive natural areas.

B. Provide clustering of dwelling units to protect important natural features and amenities, limit the costs of development and public service costs and to maintain, enhance and complement the natural beauty of the Gig Harbor community.

C. Allow unique and innovative residential development concepts that will provide for unconventional neighborhoods, provide affordable housing for a wide range of income levels, maintain or enhance community linkages and associations with other neighborhoods, and to allow village and traditional neighborhood forms. (Ord. 747 § 1, 1997).

17.17.020 Permitted uses.

Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses permitted in the RLD district. (Ord. 1045 § 11, 2006).

17.17.030 Conditional uses.

Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses conditionally permitted in the RLD district. (Ord. 1045 § 13, 2006).

17.17.040 Performance standards.

A. Density. The minimum density is four dwelling units per net acre and the maximum density is four dwelling units per gross acre. Additional density may be allowed using either of the following options:

1. Bonus Density Option. A bonus density of up to 30 percent over the base may be permitted, based upon the following allocations:

a. Thirty percent of the development site is common open space, which must be contiguous or larger than one acre in area (plus five percent).

b. A pedestrian trail system is provided within the common open space area, consistent with the adopted trails plan per the land use map (plus 10 percent).

c. A minimum 35 percent of the required common open space is improved as an active recreational area (plus 10 percent). “Active recreational areas” shall include, but not be limited to:

i. Clearly defined athletic fields and/or activity courts.

ii. Recreation center or community facility.

d. Additional common open space is provided between the development and adjacent residential zones, uses or developments (plus five percent bonus maximum at a ratio of one percent density bonus per five percent open space increase).

2. Density Credit Transfers. A transfer of density credits may be applied from one residential district within the PCD district to the RLD district up to a maximum of seven dwelling units per acre. Density credit transfers shall be as provided for in the density credit transfer section in Chapter 17.59 GHMC. Density credit transfers may be used in conjunction with bonus density options to achieve the maximum allowable density of seven dwelling units per acre.

B. General.

1. Maximum density is four dwelling units per structure in attached single-family dwellings.

2. Each unit must have individual private yards or courts enclosed by a wall, berm or dense landscaping.

3. Private easements shall be required for all zero lot line developments to facilitate access from the adjoining lot for necessary maintenance and repair activities.

4. Minimum yards (from the property lines):


a. Front yard setback	House: 20' Porch: 12' Garage: 26'
b. Rear yard setback	30'
c. Side yard setback	8'

d. Garages may be located in the defined side and rear yards, provided they conform to the criteria in GHMC 17.99.490(A)(1).

5. Minimum Lot Area. The minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet for divisions of land of four or less lots. A minimum parcel size is not specified for divisions of land of five or more lots.

6. Minimum Lot Width. Minimum lot width is 0.7 percent of the lot area, in lineal feet.

7. Maximum Height. The maximum height is 35 feet.

8. Maximum lot area coverage: Forty-five percent, excluding residential driveways, private walkways and similar impervious surfaces.

9. Landscaping. Landscaping shall comply with the requirements of Chapters 17.78 and 17.99 GHMC.

10. Design. All residential single-family structures, attached or detached, shall comply with the design standards defined in GHMC 17.99.490.

11. Circulation/Roads/Streets. Residential development which provides pedestrian linkages to and within common open space trails systems may be waived from the provisions of public sidewalks, curbs and gutters within the residential development, in whole or in part, upon approval of the public works director.

12. Signage. Signage must comply with the requirements of Chapter 17.80 GHMC.

C. Design. Development in the PCD-RLD district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC. (Ord. 1146 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1085 § 3, 2007; Ord. 975 § 25, 2004; Ord. 747 § 1, 1997).