Buckeye developers now have a formal process for requesting modified provisions within Community Master Plans (CMPs) and Planned Area Developments (PADs), following an April 1 vote by the Buckeye City Council.
While the city has long allowed customized development standards in CMPs and PADs with council approval, the new amendment to the zoning code establishes clear guidelines for how those modifications can be proposed and reviewed.
“A PAD or CMP may only be approved if the proposed modifications result in a development that is equal to or better in quality than if it were strictly adhering to the code,” said Principal Planner Mandy Woods. “Planning generally supports them because they provide more certainty about what will be built and give council more control over design.”
The new section — Section 5.1.5 — permits project-specific modifications to development standards, land use regulations and design guidelines. All modifications must be approved by council, must remain within the development code and cannot conflict with other sections of city code.
CMPs and PADs may request modifications to the following articles:
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Article 3: Use regulations
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Article 4: Dimensional standards
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Article 5: Development and design standards
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Article 6: Land subdivision
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Article 8: Review and approval procedures (only for CMPs of 2,500 acres or more with significant customized standards)
Woods noted that Article 8 applies to large-scale projects because of the long timelines and the need for consistent, predictable design.
Legal notices were issued in January and February, and the city received three letters of support. No public comments were made at either the Planning and Zoning hearing Jan. 28 or the City Council meeting April 1.
Read more about the approval HERE.
Watch the full City Council meeting HERE.
