Airway Heights City Zoning Code

C-1 Downtown. The intent of the C-1 downtown zone is to facilitate development of an identity-rich, mixed-use, and compact downtown environment. Whether located along US 2 or at the core of another smaller commercial district, the C-1 zone is intended to create and sustain an environment of commercial vitality, pedestrian movement, civic activity, a mix of housing types, and social interaction. This district implements the Comprehensive Plan's commercial land use designation. This zone promotes the greatest pedestrian orientation of the City's commercial zones. To accomplish this, some limitations are placed on auto-oriented activities and some types and the allowable size of some uses are controlled.

C-1A Downtown Transition. The intent of the C-1A downtown transition zone is to facilitate development in those places along the US 2 corridor near the C-1 zone that manage the transition between a corridor focused on highway access and the slower-paced downtown district. Development and land use in this zone shall more closely approach the roadway edge, place less emphasis on parking lots, add architectural detail and be more accommodating of pedestrian movement than development in the C-2 zone, contributing to a visual environment that slows speed on US 2 as travelers approach the C-1 zone. Development in this zone may have a greater emphasis on ground-floor residential uses, offer more surface parking and rely more on direct highway access than development in the C-1 zone. It promotes new development and redevelopment that is pedestrian-oriented while also accommodating the automobile.

C-2 Highway Corridor. The intent of the C-2 highway corridor zone is to permit large-scale development reliant on highway access and visibility, where uses benefit from high vehicular trip counts and cater to drivers of private vehicles by providing visible, convenient parking and a range of retail, institutional, office, civic, recreational, and residential uses to meet the community's needs. While the priority of this zone is to emphasize vehicular access, public transportation, pedestrians, and cyclists are also served, with dedicated, safe facilities.

Administration and Interpretation. This section assigns standards related to site plan and building design and shall be interpreted by staff as part of land use permit or building permit review, as appropriate. Building plans shall be submitted in sufficient detail to permit accurate staff review of these provisions, including, but not limited to, site plans and exterior elevations as required by AHMC § 14.01.100.

Ground Floor Windows. These provisions apply to nonresidential building facades between two feet and 10 feet above the level of the adjacent sidewalk, walkway or ground level.

Facade Detail.

Articulation.

Prominent Entrance. Principal building entries shall be marked by at least one element from Group A and one element from Group B:

Ground Level Details.

Roof Expression. Buildings with flat roofs shall have portions with pitched roofs, extended parapets, or projecting cornices to create a prominent edge when viewed against the sky, especially to highlight major entrances.

Treating Blank Walls. Where windows are not provided on walls (or portions of walls) facing streets or visible from right-of-way, at least four of the following elements shall be incorporated:

Plazas and Other Open Spaces.

Building Location. In the C-1 zone, buildings shall be located on the front property line along US 2, 14th Ave, and 6th Ave adjacent to the sidewalk, with the following exceptions allowed:

Parking Lots. In the C-1 zone, surface parking shall observe the following location standards and otherwise comply with provisions of Chapter 17.21 AHMC:

Mixed Uses. Mixed-use development shall observe the following design standards and otherwise comply with the development standards specified in underlying zoning districts:

Administration and Interpretation. The Director or designee shall review proposed development applications and determine their appropriateness for location in the applicable zoning districts in accordance with AHMC § 14.01.070 and § 17.05.030. This is a guide that requires application of Chapter 17.04 AHMC, Definitions, Chapter 17.05 AHMC, Zone Classifications, Map, and Matrix, and Chapter 17.16 AHMC, JLUS Protections for Fairchild Air Force Base.

Types of Permits.

Hotels and motels (including bed and breakfast inns) are considered residential uses for the purpose of FAR.

Exclusions from Floor Area Calculations.

Sidewalks shall be at least 12 feet wide and consist of a clear walking path at least eight feet wide (in addition to a planting zone for street trees).

This width may be reduced, by approval of the Technical Review Committee, if the existing sidewalk is less than 12 feet wide between the face of curb and the existing building setback line of adjacent building(s). In no case shall the setback be reduced below nine feet from the face of the curb, unless on-street parking exists between the building and the street. In that instance, the sidewalk shall maintain a clear walking path of at least seven feet wide.

Minimum setback standards measured from the property line are found in Table 17.10.070.

Purpose. The fence standards promote the positive benefits of fences without adversely impacting the community or endangering public or vehicle safety. Fences near streets are kept low to allow visibility into and out of the site and to ensure visibility for motorists. Fences in any required side or rear setback are limited in height not to conflict with the purpose for the setback.

Type of Fences. The standards apply to walls, fences, and screens of all types whether open, solid, wood, metal, wire, masonry, or other material.

Location, Height, and Design.

Side or Rear Structure Setbacks. Fences up to six feet high are allowed in required side or rear setbacks except when the side or rear setback abuts a pedestrian connection. When the side or rear setback abuts a pedestrian connection, fences are limited to three and one-half feet in height.

Not in Setbacks. The height for fences that are not in required setbacks is the same as the regular height limits of the zone.

Sight-Obscuring Fences and Walls. Any sight-obscuring fences, walls, and other structures over three and one-half feet high and within 15 feet of a street lot line shall either be placed on the interior side of an L2 see-through buffer landscaping area at least five feet in depth (See Chapter 17.22 AHMC, Landscaping), or meet the treatment of blank walls intent outlined in AHMC § 17.10.030(H).

Prohibited Fences.

Visibility at Intersections.

Enclosures for Pools, Hot Tubs, or Ponds.

Reference to Other Standards. Building permits are required by the Building Services Department for all fences including the replacement of existing fences. A permit is not required to repair an existing fence.