The purpose of the Professional Office Overlay District is to encourage the utilization of existing residential structures and the introduction of new structures fronting on Shore Road with direct access to Shore Road with sufficient controls to preserve the residential character and architectural integrity of the structures; to strengthen the City's economic base by allowing an alternative use to assist with the high maintenance costs required to protect, enhance and preserve the existing structures; to establish and improve property values; to foster economic development; to manage growth; and to preserve and protect the architectural assets of the City of Absecon City.

Conditional use shall only be permitted upon a showing that such use at a specified location will comply with the conditions and standards for the location or operation of such use as contained in this Section 224-222.

All applications for conditional use will be reviewed with consideration given to the general compatibility to architectural values of the structure (existing or proposed). Use shall not adversely affect the uses in the adjacent or surrounding areas.

Design standards shall conform to Section 224-77 (where applicable).

Landscaping and buffers shall conform to Section 224-199H. and Section 224-78.

Parking requirements: The actual parking need shall be determined by the number of employees attended to occupy the business and the number of clients anticipated to visit the office at peak periods. It is the obligation of the applicant to demonstrate to the Board actual need for parking by the presentation of parking generation studies from authorities on the subject of parking generation. Publications by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) or the American Planners Association (APA) or other professional associations will be considered. The Board may consider permitting a 20% reduction in required parking provided an area is reserved for expansion in the event the parking is determined to be necessary by the Board at a future date or by the applicant. If the additional parking is pre-engineered and reviewed by the Board and Board's professionals at the time the original approval is granted, the additional parking can be constructed at the time of the original approval is granted, the additional parking can be constructed by the applicant at their discretion without returning to the Board. This is permitted provided the applicant informs the City Engineer in writing and posts an inspection escrow prior to actual construction taking place.

Lighting shall conform to Section 224-80.

Sign requirements. All identification signs must be constructed of wood or similar or compatible materials in keeping with architectural design of the building. Only wall mounted or ground sign types are permitted. No internal lit signs are permitted. All signs must be externally lit with light source shielded to prevent glare into the roadway. The total number of signs permitted at the site one wall mounted sign and one ground sign with maximum size of 20 square feet each and minimum letter size of eight inches high. The wall sign may include an office directory. The maximum sign area on the site shall not exceed 40 square feet. The minimum permitted number of signs and the maximum sign area requirements do not include required barrier free parking/traffic/directional signage necessary at the site.

Maintenance bond will be required to insure the maintenance of the landscaping and the exterior of the structure(s). More specifically, the items included in the maintenance bond shall be the following: