Public/Quasi-Public (PQP) District Development and Landscaping Standards
The Public/Quasi-Public (PQP) district in the City of Concord is designed to accommodate schools, hospitals, utilities, government facilities, and public infrastructure, with a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.5. Landscaping requirements for the PQP district are determined at the discretion of the review authority, rather than through a fixed percentage.
PQP District Purpose and Intensity
The Public/Quasi-Public (PQP) district is designated for areas containing public facilities such as schools, hospitals, government offices, Buchanan Field Airport, and utility infrastructure [Section 18.55.010]. Building intensity within the PQP district is permitted up to a floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.5 [Section 18.15.020].
Landscaping Requirements
In the Public/Quasi-Public (PQP) district, there is no standardized numerical requirement for the percentage of the site that must be landscaped. Instead, the minimum area of landscaping required for a site in the PQP district is determined at the discretion of the review authority [Section 18.165.050].
Landscaping plans for the PQP district must comply with the following:
- Plan Requirements: A preliminary landscape plan and irrigation plan, prepared by a California licensed landscape architect or qualified professional, must be submitted with any application requiring land use approval [Section 18.165.030].
- Design Principles: Landscaping must be in scale with on-site and adjacent buildings, integrate all project elements, and minimize water and energy demand [Section 18.165.070].
- Parking Lot Landscaping: Parking areas must be landscaped in compliance with Chapter 18.165, which requires that landscape materials be evenly distributed throughout the parking lot using a combination of trees, shrubs, and ground cover [Section 18.165.060].
- Maintenance: All landscaping within the PQP district must be permanently maintained in a healthy and thriving condition, including regular irrigation equipment maintenance, pruning, and weed control [Section 18.165.080].
Open Space Requirements
While open space is essential for community wellbeing, the PQP district does not impose fixed open space square footage requirements on all uses. However, if a project involves residential development within a PQP site, the residential components must comply with the open space and recreational facility standards established for residential development [Section 18.150.100].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.15.020: Zones Established
- Section 18.55.010: Purpose (Public/Quasi-Public District)
- Section 18.150.100: Open space and recreational facilities for residential development
- Section 18.165.030: Landscape plan and irrigation plans
- Section 18.165.050: Landscape requirements
- Section 18.165.060: Parking lot landscaping
- Section 18.165.070: Landscape standards
- Section 18.165.080: Maintenance of landscape areas