Opinion ID: 2075219
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The PUD Regulatory Scheme

Text: The prior regulatory scheme for PUD approval which was elected by American Trucking under the new regulations, Zoning Regulation § 7501.92, 25 D.C.Reg. 7993 (1979), provides for a three-stage approval process. The first stage is the approval of the preliminary application. § 7501.38. A public hearing may be held at the discretion of the Zoning Commission on the application. § 7501.37. The elements and guidelines established at this stage are binding on the developer in his final application and no subsequent changes may alter these elements and guidelines. [7] The Zoning Commission also designates the appropriate zoning for the PUD, if a change in zoning is necessary, and an application for change in zoning is filed by the applicant in conjunction with the PUD application. §§ 7501.2, 9101.3. At the second stage, final approval of the PUD, the Commission review is usually limited to whether the plans conform to the elements and guidelines contained in the original approval and whether the applicant has provided all the information required under § 7501.39. At this stage, the regulations required the Commission to hold public hearings and give notice of these hearings as it would for any change in the maps or regulations of the Commission, including requests for zoning changes. § 7501.391. The provisions of § 9101.3 indicate that the notice and hearing provisions are identical for both zoning changes and PUD approval. Thus, § 7501.2 anticipates that zoning amendments deemed appropriate for the PUD will be considered by the Commission along with the final application for the PUD. Such procedure is logical. The third stage of the approval process is review and implementation by the Board of Zoning Adjustment, §§ 7501.392, -.4. The Board must ensure that the final project conforms, with certain limited exceptions outlined in the regulations, to the plan approved by the Commission.