1.   Intent. This district is intended to provide for areas of development by industrial firms that have high standards of performance and that can locate in close proximity to residential and business uses. The district regulations are designed to permit the development of any manufacturing or industrial operations which on the basis of actual physical and operational characteristics, would not be detrimental to the surrounding area or to the community as a whole by reasons of noise, dust, smoke, odor, traffic, physical appearance or other similar factors. Outdoor storage is allowed in this district when the material is enclosed within a fenced area and the material for the fence to be determined and approved by the Zoning/Building Administrator. All industrial operations must be in an enclosed building. No residential uses are permitted in this district.

2.   Permitted Uses. The following uses are permitted in the M-1 District.

   A.   Any nonresidential building or use which would not be hazardous, obnoxious, offensive or unsightly by reason of odor, sound, vibrations, radioactivity, electrical interference, glares, liquid or solid waste, smoke, or other air pollutants.

   B.   Storage, manufacture, compounding, processing, packing and/or treatment of products, exclusive of the rendering or refining of fats and/or oils.

   C.   Manufacture, compounding, assembly and/or treatment of articles or merchandise derived from previously prepared materials.

   D.   Assembly of appliances and equipment, including manufacture of small parts.

   E.   Wholesale distribution of all standard types of prepared or packaged merchandise.

   F.   Sale and storage of building materials. Outdoor or open storage shall be allowed only when the material is enclosed within a solid fence at least six feet high and said fence being within required building lines.

   G.   Contractors’ offices and storage of equipment.

   H.   Public or private utility substations, relay stations, etc.

3.   Accessory Uses. Uses of land or structure customarily incidental and subordinate to a permitted use in the M-1 District.

   A.   Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to a permitted use.

   B.   Living quarters for watchmen or custodians of industrial properties.

4.   Special Exceptions. Certain uses may be permitted in the M-1 District subject to specific conditions and requirements intended to make them compatible with and acceptable to adjacent uses.

   A.   Animal shelters.

   B.   Communication towers, wind generation equipment, freestanding solar generation equipment.   

5.   Bulk Regulations. The following requirements shall provide for light and air around permitted uses and buildings in the M-1 District.

 

 

6.   Buffering. The use of buffering shall be required between any M-1 District and abutting residential and agricultural zoning districts and land uses. Abutting districts shall include lots fronting on a street which form the boundary line between any M-1 District and residential and agricultural zoning district as well as any abutting lot line between said districts. Buffering shall take place in any required yard, including front, side or rear. The following provisions shall apply:

   A.   The buffer shall be equal to the minimum side yard required in the adjacent district, but in no instance less than 8 feet. Corner lots shall be 10 feet.

   B.   All buffer areas shall be landscaped or fenced to provide a complete visual screen. Buffering may include any of the following:

      (1)   Fencing.

      (2)   Landscaping consisting of native plant and tree species.

      (3)   Berms. Berms may be used if native plant and tree landscaping requirements of the City’s Site Plan Ordinance (Chapter 167) can still be met. Berms must be vegetated to minimize erosion and to slow storm water runoff. Berms may be up to six feet measured vertically from the natural elevation of the yard.

   C.   Maintenance. All buffered areas shall be kept free of litter, debris, noxious weeds, and species of plants identified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as exotic or invasive.

7.   Animal Shelters. An animal shelter proposal will be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment and shall be permitted only when it conforms to the following and is subject to any additional conditions as may be warranted to mitigate deleterious effects of the proposed use:

   A.   Animals housed at the shelter shall remain inside during the hours between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

   B.   Animals housed at the shelter shall not be allowed to run loose outside of the fenced enclosure.

   C.   The animal shelter shall be kept in a high state of cleanliness at all times.

8.   Off-Street Parking. See Section 165.23(8)(A).

9.   Off-Street Loading. See Section 165.23(8)(B).

10.   Signs. See Sections 165.23(9) and (11).