Sec 11-1202. Protected development right; establishment; plan requirements; variance

A. A county may provide by ordinance or resolution the requirements for a development to be a phased development. If a county does not adopt an ordinance or resolution that includes the requirements for a development to be a phased development, a plan submitted as a protected development right plan may be identified as a plan for a phased development plan at the time the plan is submitted.

B. A protected development right plan, at a minimum, shall describe with a reasonable degree of certainty all of the following:

1. The proposed uses of the site.

2. The boundaries of the site.

3. Significant topographical and other natural features affecting development of the site.

4. For other than a phased development, the general location on the site of the proposed buildings, structures and other improvements.

5. The number of dwelling units and, for other than a phased development, the square footage and height of the proposed buildings and other structures.

6. The location of all existing and proposed utilities and provision for other infrastructure on the site, including water, sewer, roads and pedestrian walkways.

C. Nothing in this section is intended to or shall preclude a county from establishing additional requirements for submittal or approval of development plans for any land use category or district and such requirements may include traffic reports or studies, drainage reports or studies, master street plans, development phasing schedules and phased public infrastructure schedules. A county shall require submission of a more detailed plan for each phase of a phased development in order to obtain final site development approval to develop the property.

D. A final subdivision plat which meets the requirements of subsection B, may be designated as a protected development right plan by ordinance or resolution of the board of supervisors upon a finding by the board of supervisors that grants a protected development right to undertake and complete the development shown on the final subdivision plat will promote reasonable certainty, stability and fairness in the land use planning and regulatory process and secure the reasonable investment backed expectations of the landowner.

E. A protected development right is established only for the specific elements of the development or other specific matters shown on the approved protected development right plan. A protected development right is not established for any elements or other matters, or portions of any elements of the development or other matters not shown on the approved protected development right plan.

F. The board of supervisors of a county may designate by ordinance or resolution a development plan that is not identified as a protected development right plan at the time it is submitted as a protected development right plan upon a finding by the board of supervisors that granting a protected development right to undertake and complete the development shown on the plan will promote reasonable certainty, stability and fairness in the land use planning and regulatory process and secure the reasonable investment backed expectations of the landowner.

G. A protected development right shall be deemed established with respect to a property on the effective date of a valid approval of a protected development right plan. The protected development right confers on the landowner the right to undertake and complete the development and use of the property under the terms and conditions of the protected development right plan and this article.

H. A county shall not require a landowner to waive a protected development right as a condition of development approval.

I. A protected development right is subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the county on the protected development right plan approval.

J. A protected development right plan approved with a condition or stipulation that a variance be obtained does not confer a protected development right until the necessary variance is obtained. Approval of a protected development right plan does not guarantee approval of a variance.