The purpose of the rural settlement zoning district is to provide an area for mixed residential, multifamily residential, commercial, agricultural and light manufacturing/industrial uses in existing unincorporated communities consistent with the goals and policies of the Adams County comprehensive plan. This district retains and enhances established neighborhoods, as well as providing guidance to the development of new areas, making them compatible and consistent with existing development.

This district will be applicable in small, compact, isolated, rural community centers that primarily exist to provide convenience goods and services to residents of the surrounding rural area. The rural settlement district is a “general use” district and will be utilized in those rural centers where a mixture of land uses (i.e., commercial, manufacturing/industrial, residential, and multifamily residential) is the established development pattern.

Manufacturing/industrial uses allowed shall be of a type and scale that are compatible with the overall character of the community, and do not result in excessive noise, smoke, odor or other nuisances. Commercial uses allowed shall be of a type and scale to be primarily patronized by local residents.

The RS designation is utilized for lands that are removed from established communities within the county and that have the following characteristics:

A.    Public water is available or can be obtained prior to occupancy; however, public sewer systems are not usually available;

B.    Adjacent existing established neighborhoods where primary use is rural;

C.    Response times for emergency services are not as low as in the rural areas.

The types of activities allowed may include single-family residences, multifamily residences, home occupations, agricultural activities including some agritourism uses, the keeping of livestock, and limited commercial and limited industrial uses. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. O-01-05 § 2 (part))

New lots and structures and additions to structures subject to this section shall comply with the dimensional standards as set forth in Tables 17.30.020-1 and 17.30.020-2.

1.     Calculated based upon the gross area of the site.

2.     A minimum lot area of six thousand square feet applies when fifteen percent of the site is dedicated to common open space. Common spaces may include but are not limited to shared outdoor recreational areas for multifamily residential uses.

1.     Additional restrictions may apply within the airport safety overlay (see Chapter 17.40).

2.     Special setbacks may apply to all lots neighboring an agricultural district (See Chapter 17.42).

3.     When there is no right-of-way, the front setback shall be twenty feet from the front property line.

(Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. O-01-05 § 2 (part). Formerly 17.30.030)

The uses set out in Table 17.30.030-1 are examples of uses in Rural Settlement zone. The appropriate review authority is mandatory.

• “P”—Uses allowed subject to approval of applicable permits.

• “R/A”—Uses permitted upon review and approval as set forth in Section 17.85.020.

• “C”—Conditional uses which may be permitted subject to approval of a conditional use permit as set forth in Section 17.85.030.

• “X”—Or uses not listed are specifically prohibited.

Where there are special use standards or restrictions for a listed use, the applicable code section(s) in Chapter 17.69, Special Uses and Standards, or other applicable chapter is noted in the “Special Standards” column.

1.     Commercial uses supporting resource uses, such as packing, first stage processing and processing which provides value added to resource products, potato and onion storage buildings, mint stills, temporary grow structures, accessory uses including but not limited to scaling and weigh operations, temporary crew quarters, storage and maintenance facilities, disposal areas, and other uses involved in the harvesting of agricultural products.

2.     Agriculture including: floriculture, horticulture, general farming, dairy, the raising, feeding and sale or production of poultry, livestock, furbearing animals, honeybees, animal sales yards, nursery stock and floral vegetation and other agricultural activities and structures accessory to farming or animal husbandry.

(Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

A written explanation of the design concept, planned features of the development, measures taken to meet the purposes of this chapter, the proposed sequence and timing of development, the provisions of ownership and management when developed, and covenants or other controls which might influence the development, operation or maintenance of the settlement shall be submitted with the site plan. An outline of the documents of the owners’ association, by-laws, deeds, covenants and agreement governing ownership, maintenance and operation of the settlement shall be submitted with the binding site plan. Settlement covenants shall include a provision whereby unpaid taxes on all property owned in common shall constitute a proportioned lien on all property of each owner in common. The county may require that it be a third-party beneficiary of certain covenants with the right, but not the obligation, to enforce the same. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

A.    A zoning site plan is required for all new rural settlement developments and expansions, and shall include:

1.    All information required on a preliminary plat;

2.    The location of all existing and proposed structures;

3.    The location of all existing and proposed designated zoning boundaries;

4.    A detailed landscape plan indicating the location of existing vegetation to be retained, the location of vegetation landscaping structures to be installed, the type of vegetation by common name and/or taxonomic designation, and the installed and mature height of all vegetation;

5.    Schematic plans and elevations of proposed building(s) with samples of all exterior finish material and colors, the type and location of all exterior lighting, signs and accessory structures;

6.    Utility, street and stormwater drainage plans that indicate the facilities, layout and capacities necessary to serve the entire settlement;

7.    Inscriptions or attachments setting forth the limitations and conditions of development; and

8.    The provisions ensuring the development will be in conformance with the site plan. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))