Centerville staff on March 12 briefed the Planning Commission on a proposed planning-and-development tool intended to give developers and staff a transparent, legislative process for Planned Unit Development–style variations on parcels smaller than the current 5-acre PDO threshold.

Community development staff said recent state code changes narrowed administrative paths for some developments and left a gap for projects that need site-specific flexibility (setbacks, unit counts, impervious limits) but are too small to qualify for a traditional PDO. Staff presented draft language that borrows PDO concepts and would allow applicants to seek legislative review for deviations on smaller parcels.

Staff said one pending applicant has roughly a 1-acre parcel where a PUD-style approach could increase the buildable unit count (example discussed: turning a 4-unit layout into a 6-unit layout) but requires formal variation language and a public-review process. The proposed tool is intended to provide consistency and predictability so applicants and the public understand evaluation criteria and obligations of any development agreement.

Commissioners asked for a refined draft and agreed staff should return with a formal recommendation for public hearing. Staff said they would coordinate the drafting with the city attorney and DRC and aim to present a revised draft at a future meeting for commission deliberation.