The Gunnison Municipal Code (GMC) states that a PUD is intended for land areas in which "..varying land uses and innovative design and layout of the development provide significant benefits to both the developer and the city over standard, uniform lot and block patterns and design". The GMC goes on to state that "In a PUD, the various land use elements are designed so that they interrelate cohesively with each other; therefore, strict application of standard zone district regulations becomes unnecessary, and instead, other specific design requirements are included in the PUD".

The proposed PUD represents innovative planning principles and flexible concepts in order to address unique land use relationships, including both surrounding uses and potential mixed-use developments within the PUD.