1.   Intent. This district is intended to provide areas for activities and uses of a heavy industrial character and is the least restrictive of any district. No residential uses are permitted.

2.   Permitted Uses. There may be any use, excluding residential uses and mobile homes. The following uses must be given separate City Council approval before a zoning/building permit is issued.

   A.   Acid manufacture.

   B.   Cement, lime, gypsum, or plaster of Paris manufacture.

   C.   Distillation of bones.

   D.   Explosive manufacture or storage.

   E.   Fat rendering.

   F.   Fertilizer manufacture.

   G.   Gas manufacture.

   H.   Garbage, offal, or dead animals, reduction or dumping.

   I.   Glue manufacture.

   J.   Petroleum, or its products, refining of.

   K.   Smelting of tin, copper, zinc, or iron ores.

   L.   Stockyards or slaughter of animals.

   M.   Junk yards – must be surrounded by a solid fence at least six feet high located within building lines and the junk piled not higher than the fence.

Before granting such separate approval, the City Council shall refer applications to the Commission for study, investigation, and report. If no report is received in 30 days, the City Council may assume approval of the application.

3.   Public Hearing on Special Approval. The City Council shall then after holding a public hearing consider all of the following provisions in its determination upon the particular use at the location requested:

   A.   The proposed location design, construction, and operation of the particular use adequately safeguards the health, safety and general welfare of persons residing or working in adjoining or surrounding property.

   B.   Such use shall not impair an adequate supply of light and air to surrounding property.

   C.   Such use shall not unduly increase congestion in the streets, or public danger of fire and safety.

   D.   Such use shall not diminish or impair established property values in adjoining or surrounding property.

   E.   Such use shall be in accord with the intent, purpose and spirit of this chapter and the Comprehensive Plan of the City.

4.   Required Conditions.

   A.   The best practical means known for the disposal of refuse matter or water-carried waste, the abatement of obnoxious or offensive odor, dust, smoke, gas, noise, or similar nuisance shall be employed and subject to all State and federal regulations.

   B.   All principal buildings and all accessory buildings or structures, including loading and unloading facilities, shall be located at least one hundred (100) feet from any “R” District boundary, except where adjoining a railroad right-of-way, and 50 feet from any commercial boundary.

5.   Accessory Uses. Uses of land or structure customarily incidental and subordinate to a permitted use in the M-2 District.

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

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

6.   Bulk Regulations. The following requirements shall provide for light and air around permitted uses and buildings in the M-2 District.

 

 

7.   Buffering. The use of buffering shall be required between any M-2 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-2 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.

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).