The planned unit development (PUD) process is designed to encourage high quality developments that provide public benefits.
The overall goal is to permit flexibility of development and other incentives, such as increased building height and density; provided, that the project offers a commendable number or quality of public benefits and that it protects and advances the public health, safety, welfare, and convenience.
A comprehensive public review by the Zoning Commission of the specific development proposal is required in order to evaluate the public benefits offered in proportion to the flexibility or incentives requested and in order to establish a basis for long-term public control over the specific use and development of the property.
While providing for greater flexibility in planning and design than may be possible under conventional zoning procedures, the PUD process shall not be used to circumvent the intent and purposes of the Zoning Regulations, nor to result in action that is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
The Commission may approve a PUD application with or without modifications. In carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the Commission may establish general standards and, in individual cases, set standards and conditions for height and bulk lesser or greater than the standards established for the affected districts in this chapter or elsewhere in this title.
The Commission may also set appropriate time limits for benefits conferred under this chapter to individual applicants in order to ensure the construction of a proposed development in accordance with the conditions established.
Failure of an applicant to complete a proposed development as directed within the time limits set by the Commission or the Zoning Regulations shall result in the termination of the benefits granted under the application, and reversion of the zoning controls to the pre-existing regulations and map.
An Electronic Equipment Facility (EEF) may occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the gross floor area of a building in the C-3 and C-4 Districts, if approved as part of a PUD in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and subject to the following additional criteria:
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-2400