A. Overview and Purpose. This chapter provides for a number of specific departure opportunities to development regulations. The purpose is to provide applicants with the option of proposing alternative design treatments provided such departures meet the “purpose” of the particular regulation and any additional departure criteria established for the particular departure opportunity.

B. Applicability. Departure opportunities are available only where noted for specific regulations.

C. Procedures. Permit applications that include departure requests go through the standard review procedures in this chapter depending on the application type.

D. Approval Criteria. Project applicants must successfully demonstrate to the decision-maker how the proposed departure meets the purpose(s) of the regulation and other applicable departure criteria that apply to the specific regulation.

E. Documentation. The decision-maker must document the reasons for approving all departures (to be maintained with project application records) for the purpose of providing consistency in decision-making by the city. (Ord. 2341 § 5 (Exh. A), 2020).