Article II. USE PATTERNS  

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to consolidate the regulations pertaining to patterns of development which occur within the City of San Antonio. These use patterns reflect either the majority of anticipated permitting activity or patterns, such as traditional neighborhood development, that the city would like to encourage. Each section in this article describes the use pattern, the procedure for approval and the standards relating to approval, with cross-references to other parts of this chapter where needed. The intent is to present a visual, user-friendly overview of the regulations that apply to those types of uses or development styles.

The use patterns established in this article are not zoning districts or overlay zoning districts or special zoning districts. Instead, they are forms of development that may be permitted in the various zoning districts established by this chapter, where indicated in this article and/or article III. The use patterns typically involve multiple uses on the same property. They are described here and in the Use Matrix as a land use activity in order to trigger the appropriate permitting process. Some multiple use developments, such as planned unit developments (PUD), involve multiple uses and are permitted through a special or overlay district. However, a PUD is not a land use activity, but rather a procedure for providing design flexibility. By contrast, the use patterns are specific land use activities involving specific land uses and design controls which produce a discrete pattern of development.

Each section is arranged as follows:

(a)

Applicability.

(b)

Processing procedures.

(c)

Size and location of site.

(d)

Uses and density.

(e)

Traffic impact analysis.

(f)

Lot layout.

(g)

Transportation.

(h)

Stormwater management.

(i)

Utilities.

(j)

Parks and open space.

(k)

Natural resource protection and tree preservation.

(l)

Buffers, landscaping, streetscape planting and tree preservation.

(m)

Parking.

(n)

Outdoor storage.

(o)

Urban design.

The purpose of this section is to provide the substantive criteria for approval of a proposed use pattern, consistent with the development standards (article V) of this chapter. No use pattern shall be approved unless it complies with the standards of article V of this chapter, unless this article indicates that the particular standard does not apply.

Conventional Development Theme. The historical pattern of development within San Antonio since the 1950's is referred to as a conventional subdivision. In order to continue development in the historical pattern the applicant would subdivide and develop under the provisions of a conventional subdivision pursuant to section 35-201, below.

Alternative Development Themes. In order to provide opportunities to develop to meet new and emerging markets addressing specific design characteristics outlined in the city's master plan policies the following development alternatives are provided as options available to the developer:

Section 35-202 Conservation Development

Section 35-203 Commercial Center Development

Section 35-204 Office or Institutional Campus Development

Section 35-205 Infill Development

Section 35-206 Commercial Retrofit Development

Section 35-207 Traditional Neighborhood Development

Section 35-208 Transit Oriented Development