It is the intent of this planned unit development (PUD) article
to provide flexible land use and design regulations through the use
of performance criteria so that small- to large-scale residential
neighborhoods or portions thereof may be developed within the Town
that incorporate a variety of residential types and contain both individual
building sites and common property which is planned and developed
as a unit. Such a planned unit is to be designed and organized so
as to be capable of satisfactory use and operation as a separate entity
without necessarily needing the participation of other building sites
or other common property in order to function as a neighborhood. This
article specifically encourages common innovations in residential
development so that the growing demands for housing at all economic
levels may be met by greater variety in type, design and siting of
dwellings and by the conservation and more efficient use of land in
such developments.
In order to carry out the intent of this article, a PUD shall
achieve the following objectives:
A. A maximum choice in the types of environment, occupancy tenure (e.g.,
cooperatives, individual ownership, condominium and leasing), types
of housing, lot sizes and community facilities available to existing
and potential Town residents at all economic levels.
B. More usable open space and recreation areas.
C. The preservation of trees, outstanding natural topography and geologic
features and prevention of soil erosion.
D. A creative use of land and related physical development which allows
an orderly transition of land but that maintains the rural character
of Athens.
E. An efficient use of land resulting in smaller networks of utilities
and streets and thereby lower housing costs.
F. A development pattern in harmony with the objectives of the Comprehensive
Plan.
G. A more
desirable environment than would be possible through the strict application
of other articles of this chapter.