<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="Subtitle 2 – Requirements; Approval Standards; Exceptions">
  <section prefix="§" num="13-201" heading="Authorization.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">Planned unit developments may only be established by ordinance of the Mayor and City Council enacted in accordance with the provisions of this title.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Requirements of underlying district.">Unless otherwise specifically provided by the ordinance establishing or amending the planned unit development, all requirements of the underlying zoning district apply.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="PUDs precluded from certain districts.">Planned unit developments are prohibited in the I-1, I-2, and MI Districts.</para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Repeal of PUDs.">Planned unit developments may only be repealed by ordinance of the Mayor and City Council enacted in accordance with the provisions of this title.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 17-015</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-171</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 19-251</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="13-202" heading="General requirements.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Common ownership or unified control.">
      <para num="(1)">The site of the planned unit development must be under common ownership or unified control.</para>
      <para num="(2)">If there are 2 or more owners, the application for approval of a new planned unit development must be jointly filed by all owners, or their respective contract purchaser or authorized agents.</para>
      <para num="(3)">When applying for a major change or repeal of an existing planned unit development, one owner or contract purchaser, or the authorized agent of either, may make the application for approval, as  long as all other property owners, or their authorized agents, are notified in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 6 {“Notices”} of this Code.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Minimum areas.">Planned unit developments must meet the following minimum areas:<para num="(1)">at least 5 acres in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-1E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, OIC, and BSC Districts;</para>
      <para num="(2)">at least 2 acres in the R-6, R-7, R-8, R-9, R-10, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, IMU-1 and -2, TOD, OR, and PC Districts; and</para>
      <para num="(3)">at least 1½ acres in the C-5 District.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Exceptions.">Exceptions to the regulations contained in this Code, including use, bulk, yard, parking, and sign regulations, may be granted through the planned unit development process, as may be desirable to achieve the objectives of the proposed planned unit development, as long as the exceptions are fully consistent with and authorized by this title.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 17-015</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 19-244</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 19-252</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="13-203" heading="Approval standards.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">In reviewing a planned unit development:<para num="(1)">the conditional use standards of § 5-405(a) {“Conditions: In general”} and § 5-406 {“Approval standards”}of this Code apply; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">the following additional factors must be considered:<para num="(i)">whether the planned unit development is in general conformance with all elements of the Comprehensive Master Plan, and the character and nature of existing and contemplated development in the vicinity of the proposed planned unit development;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">whether the planned unit development will preserve unusual topographic or natural features of the land, and the design of the planned unit development will best utilize and be compatible with the topography of the land;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">whether the physical characteristics of the planned unit development will not adversely affect future development or the value of undeveloped neighboring areas, or the use, maintenance, or value of neighboring areas already developed;</para>
        <para num="(iv)">whether the planned unit development will provide the same protection as the basic district regulations in regard to fire, health hazards, and other dangers;</para>
        <para num="(v)">whether the planned unit development will encourage innovative design features or adaptive reuse of structures that would not be possible by application of the basic district regulations; and</para>
        <para num="(vi)">whether the planned unit development is compatible with any nearby industrial district.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Required findings.">The planned unit development may be approved only if there are findings that:<para num="(1)">the use is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the use furthers the purpose of the proposed classification; and</para>
      <para num="(3)">the PUD master plan developed under &lt;cite data-path="|32|§13-304"&gt;§ 13-304 {“PUD master plan”} of this title&lt;/cite&gt; ensures that there will be no discordance with existing uses.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="13-204" heading="Exceptions from district regulations.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Considerations.">In determining whether to grant an exception from district regulations, the Planning Commission and City Council must consider whether the exception will:<para num="(1)">enhance the overall merit of the planned unit development;</para>
      <para num="(2)">promote the objectives of both the City and the development;</para>
      <para num="(3)">enhance the quality of the design of the structures and the site plan;</para>
      <para num="(4)">enable the development to offer environmental and pedestrian amenities;</para>
      <para num="(5)">not cause such an adverse impact on neighboring properties so as to outweigh the benefits of the development;</para>
      <para num="(6)">not negatively affect the value and enjoyment of surrounding property, the provision of municipal services, or the flow of traffic;</para>
      <para num="(7)">be compatible with the land use policies of the Comprehensive Master Plan;</para>
      <para num="(8)">provide a substantial public benefit to the City, as illustrated in subsection (d) of this section; and</para>
      <para num="(9)">allow uses that predominantly match or are compatible with uses allowed in the underlying zoning district and the zoning districts of adjacent properties.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Required Superior design and amenities.">To be granted an exception, the applicant must demonstrate superior design and enhanced amenities.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Required benefit to City.">In no case may any exception be granted unless the applicant demonstrates a substantial benefit to the City.</para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Examples of substantial benefit to City.">Examples of substantial benefits to the City are as follows:<para num="(1)">use of sustainable design and architecture, such as green roofs, white roofs, and other energy efficient design concepts, new building technologies, and qualifying as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) or LEED-equivalent structure;</para>
      <para num="(2)">enhanced design characteristics, including mixed-use development, circulation systems that utilize alleys or traffic-calming techniques, and a pedestrian-oriented environment;</para>
      <para num="(3)">community amenities, including plazas, malls, formal gardens, places to congregate, outdoor seating, public art, and pedestrian and transit facilities;</para>
      <para num="(4)">preservation of natural areas and site design that is sensitive to environmental features;</para>
      <para num="(5)">historic preservation and adaptive reuse of historic structures;</para>
      <para num="(6)">additional open-space and recreational amenities, such as recreational open space and playgrounds, including athletic fields, dog parks, natural water features, and conservation areas;</para>
      <para num="(7)">additional public infrastructure improvements, in addition to the minimum needed by the planned unit development, such as new or repaved streets, bicycle paths, gutters and sewers, and traffic control devices to improve traffic flow;</para>
      <para num="(8)">senior housing set-aside;</para>
      <para num="(9)">affordable housing set-aside;</para>
      <para num="(10)">provision of accessible dwelling units with accessible features beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act or any other applicable codes; and</para>
      <para num="(11)">provision of public car or bike share facilities.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="13-205" heading="Repeal of PUDs.">
    <text>In determining whether to approve the repeal of a planned unit development, the Planning Commission and the City Council must find that:</text>
    <para num="(1)">the repeal of the planned unit development is in the public interest; and</para>
    <para num="(2)">the approved final development plan of the planned unit development:<para num="(i)">has been substantially completed;</para>
      <para num="(ii)">is no longer necessary in light of the property’s underlying zoning;</para>
      <para num="(iii)">is no longer consistent with the City’s Master Plan; or</para>
      <para num="(iv)">has been abandoned by the property owner.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 19-252</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
