The Research and Development (RD) Overlay Zone is intended to provide areas for research and development activities that are developed and operated in a manner that is compatible in scale, intensity, traffic generation, and general character with surrounding uses and development.
It is the intent of this chapter to permit uses in the RD Overlay Zone of the type described below at which the level and intensity of activity is commensurate with that of the surrounding residential area and the base zone in which the site is located. The intensity of activity of a RD facility may be considered to be directly related to the number of persons and vehicles traveling to and from the site during a given period of time. The appropriate maximum level of activity for a RD site will vary considerably depending upon the location of the site, the base zone category, access to appropriate collector and arterial streets and other similar factors. It is intended that the Planning Commission shall make the determination that the level of activity proposed for a RD site is appropriate.
It is the intent of restrictions on allowed administrative office activities to prohibit the conduct of retail, wholesale, service, professional, or other business with the general public. These are activities which would cause a large increase in traffic to and from the facility. Necessary visits by service personnel and tradespeople, business calls, and other activities normal to a strictly administrative function are intended to be allowed.
The provisions of this chapter apply to properties located within or proposed to be located within the RD Overlay Zone mapped on the current Official Zoning Map.
In addition to the uses allowed in the applicable base zone, the following uses are permitted provided all activities occur within an enclosed building and no business with the general public is conducted.
A. 
Research and Development. Manufacturing activity is prohibited except for development of prototypes used for experimentation or research. A prototype is an original, model, or pattern from which manufactured, fabricated or assembled products are developed or copied.
B. 
Accessory administrative offices only serving personnel working on-site.
C. 
Incidental classes or training programs. The number of attendees shall not exceed 10% of the total number of employees regularly present on-site.
D. 
Radio and television transmitting and broadcasting stations pursuant to Section 30.185.410, Telecommunications Facilities.
The minimum area of an RD Overlay District is two acres. The City Council may require a larger area when necessary to meet the purpose and requirements of this chapter.
A. 
Setbacks. All buildings, structures and parking shall be setback from front lot lines and interior lot lines as follows. All other setback requirements of the base zone shall apply.
1. 
Front Setback: 35 feet.
2. 
Interior Setback: 25 feet.
B. 
Maximum Height. Structures shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
C. 
Lot Coverage.
1. 
A maximum of 25% of the lot may be covered with buildings and structures.
2. 
A maximum of 30% of the lot may be covered by open parking, loading, delivery, turn-around areas, and driveways.
D. 
Street Frontage and Site Dimensions. Each site shall have a minimum street frontage of 150 feet and minimum side dimension of 150 feet.
E. 
Landscaping. All areas of the site not covered by buildings, structures, loading areas, parking, driveways, or walkways shall be landscaped according to a landscape plan prepared by a licensed landscape architect or licensed landscape contractor and approved by the City Council with recommendations from the Planning Commission.
A. 
Operation Plan. A plan for the operation of the research and development facility shall be submitted for approval.
B. 
Maximum Number of Employees. The operation plan shall include a statement of the maximum number of employees to be present on the site at any one time. At no time shall the number of employees at the site exceed the maximum number approved in the Conditional Use Permit.
C. 
Loading and Delivery. Loading or delivery is prohibited in a front yard.
D. 
Performance Standards. All activities shall comply with the Performance Standards of Chapter 30.180, Performance Standards.
E. 
Waste, Recycling, and Outdoor Storage. All fuel, raw materials, equipment and products used outside of the building of such establishment shall comply with Section 30.140.240, Waste, Recycling and Outdoor Storage, and Section 30.185.310, Outdoor Storage.
A. 
Permits Required.
1. 
Zoning Amendment. An application for a classification as an RD Overlay Zone shall be processed as an amendment to the Zoning Map, according to the procedures of Chapter 30.235, General Plan and Zoning Amendments.
2. 
Conditional Use Permit. An application for a Conditional Use Permit shall be accepted and processed pursuant to Chapter 30.215, Conditional Use Permits, for development within the proposed RD Overlay Zone.
B. 
Expiration.
1. 
Conditional Use Permit. A Conditional Use Permit associated with the RD Overlay Zone shall be effective on the same date as the ordinance creating the RD Overlay Zone for which it was approved and shall expire four years after the effective date unless actions specified in the conditions of approval have been taken, a building permit has been issued and construction diligently pursued, or a time extension pursuant to Section 30.205.120, Expiration of Permits, has been approved. An approved Conditional Use Permit may specify a development staging program exceeding four years.
2. 
Phased Development. In the event that the applicant intends to develop the project in phases, and the City Council approves phased development, the Conditional Use Permit shall remain in effect so long as not more than one year lapses between the end of one phase and the beginning of the next phase.
Development in the RD Overlay Zone shall be reviewed for consistency with an approved permit and any conditions of approval. No development may be approved and no building permit issued unless the project is consistent with an approved permit and any conditions of approval.