639 Watchwood Rd, Orinda, CA 94563

Planned Development District

The specific purposes of the PD planned development district are to: Establish a procedure for the development of large parcels of land in both residential areas and downtown in order to reduce or eliminate the rigidity, delay and inequity that otherwise would result from application of zoning standards and procedures designed primarily for small parcels; Ensure orderly and thorough planning and review procedures that will result in quality design and the creation, improvement and preservation of common open space; Encourage design variety and avoid monotony in large developments by allowing greater freedom in selecting the means to provide access, light, open space and amenity; Provide for flexibility, consistent with the general plan, in the application of certain land use and development regulations found in base districts, such as minimum lot size, lot width or depth, and building Setbacks or heights, to take advantage of unique land use or site characteristics and to preserve unique or significant environmental features, including viewsheds, undisturbed hillsides and ridgelines and wildlife habitat; Encourage the preservation of serviceable existing structures of historic value or artistic merit by providing the opportunity to use them imaginatively for purposes other than that for which they were originally intended; Provide for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare by allowing flexibility in site design and improvement to either avoid or remedy areas subject to hazard, including steep slopes, unstable soil conditions and lands subject to flooding; Allow for the use of the planned development zone only where there is a clear, defined benefit to the citizens of Orinda when contrasted with development options of a different base zone for the subject property. The planned development zone shall not be used as a means to enhance development potential of lands which otherwise may not be able to be developed.