78-311

Authorizations by the City Planning Commission

When a large-scale residential development includes, or will include after subdivision, two or more zoning lots, the City Planning Commission may authorize:

(a)        the total floor area, lot coverage, dwelling units or rooming units permitted by the applicable district regulations for all zoning lots within the large-scale residential development to be distributed without regard for zoning lot lines;

(b)        the total open space required by the applicable district regulations for all zoning lots within the large-scale residential development to be distributed without regard for zoning lot lines, except that where subdivision is authorized in accordance with the provisions of Section 78-51 (General Provisions), the Commission, in authorizing such distribution may allow reductions in the minimum required open space on individual zoning lots only where adequate provision is made for common open space to serve such lots.

If the required open space on the roof of a community facility building has an equivalent access arrangement acceptable to the Commission, it may authorize modification of requirements set forth in paragraph (b) of the open space definition in Section 12-10;

(c)        for zoning lots adequately served by common open space, the minimum required lot area as set forth in Section 23-32 (Minimum Lot Area or Lot Width for Residences) to be reduced, provided that any residence for which the minimum required lot area is so reduced shall be separated from all other buildings on the same or adjacent zoning lots by a distance consistent with the provisions of Section 23-71 (Minimum Distance Between Buildings on a Single Zoning Lot), or in cases where at least one of the buildings is a one-family or two-family detached or semi-detached house, rowhouse, or series of rowhouses, by a lesser distance to be determined by the Commission;

(d)        the location of buildings without regard for yard regulations which would otherwise apply along portions of streets or lot lines “wholly within” the large-scale residential development provided that any building for which required rear or side yards are reduced shall be separated from all other buildings with which it does not share a party wall, on the same or adjacent zoning lots, by a distance consistent with the provisions of Section 23-71 or, in cases where at least one of the buildings is a single-family or two-family detached or semi-detached house, rowhouse or series of rowhouses, by a lesser distance to be determined by the Commission, where the location of the buildings will not be detrimental to the privacy of the occupants of the buildings on the block;

(e)        the location of buildings without regard for the height and setback regulations which would otherwise apply along portions of streets “wholly within” the large-scale residential development or along side or rear lot lines abutting other zoning lots within the large-scale residential development, provided that any building for which required rear or side setbacks are reduced shall be separated from all other buildings with which it does not share a party wall, on the same or adjacent zoning lots, by a distance consistent with the provisions of Section 23-71;

(f)        the location of primary business entrances, show windows or signs along frontages which are adjacent only to other zoning lots within the large-scale residential development, without regard to restrictions applicable near Residence District boundaries, for the purpose of achieving better site planning and community planning;

(g)        special directional signs and their location and design within a large-scale residential development comprising an area of at least five acres provided that their construction would result in better pedestrian and vehicular circulation. The Commission shall in each case give due consideration to the effect of such signs on the surrounding residential area and may impose appropriate conditions and safeguards;

(h)        the location of buildings on a single zoning lot without regard for spacing between buildings, provided that the resultant spacing will not be reduced beyond an amount considered appropriate by the Commission and in no case by more than 15 percent of that required by Section 23-71.

For that portion of a large-scale residential development located in an R6 District, the Commission may authorize the permitted floor area ratio and required open space ratio to be determined on the basis of a height factor which is different than the actual height factor of such portion of the large-scale residential development, for the purpose of achieving better site planning and community planning.

When subdivision is authorized in accordance with the provisions of Section 78-51 and satisfactory provision is made for common open space, the Commission may consider such common open space in determining to what extent, if any, modifications of the yard regulations are justified.

For any large-scale residential development, the City Planning Commission may, upon application, authorize in R3, R4 and R5 Districts, modifications of the height and setback regulations set forth in Section 23-631 and paragraph (b) of Section 78-31 for buildings “wholly within” the large-scale residential development for the purposes of introducing variety or preserving natural features or view corridors.

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