A.

Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to implement the Public Facilities land use designation of the General Plan, to protect areas designated for public uses related to governmental services, utilities and services such as schools, libraries, police and fire protection, and water resources, and protect these facilities as valuable public resource, in order to provide safe and efficient services to the Town, and to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community. Public services and facilities include water, wastewater, transmission lines and auxiliary equipment, public buildings such as federal, State, County and local government buildings, libraries and schools, and police and fire stations. (flood control channels, groundwater percolation basins, and recreational facilities such as parks are designated Open Space, see Chapter 9.55).

B.

Objectives. The following are objectives of the Public Facilities District:

1.

The protection of public services and facilities within the Town;

2.

The preservation of the integrity, function, productivity of public services and facilities within the Town;

3.

The promotion and encouragement of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources;

4.

The emphasis of the importance of the maintenance and reliability of public services and facilities within the Town;

5.

The promotion of land use decisions which ensure, to the greatest extent possible, compatibility between public services and facilities and adjacent land uses.

A.

Public Facilities District (P-F)

The purpose of the P-F district is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by establishing regulations for public services and facilities and providing safe, reliable, and efficient public services and facilities within the Town. In general, lands in the P-F district contain buildings, infrastructure, resources, or facilities that are significant assets to the community, or are essential in establishing and maintaining services within the Town. The P-F district is intended to:

1.

Conserve and protect significant resources such as surface water, groundwater wells, and energy production or transmission facilities;

2.

Provide the service area with safe and reliable public services; and

3.

Assure that services and facilities are maintained and provided in the most efficient manner possible.

If a proposed use is not listed in this Section, the Director shall, upon written request and in accordance with Section 9.05.070, Similar Uses, of this Code, review the proposed unlisted use. Based on the characteristics of the proposed use, the "Standard Industrial Classification Manual" and other available resource material, the Director may determine that the proposed unlisted use is equivalent in nature and intensity to a listed use. The proposed use shall then be treated in the same manner as the equivalent listed use in determining where it can be located, what permits are required and what standards affect its establishment if the findings required in Section 9.05.070, Similar Uses, of this Code, can be made.

ABBREVIATIONS

P-F Public Facility

The uses listed in Table 9.57.030-A shall be allowed in the Public Services and Facilities district as indicated in the column beneath each district and as defined below and explained in Section 9.11.020, Table 9.11.01, of this Code.

CUP: Conditional uses, subject to Conditional Use Permit process, Planning Commission review

P: Permitted uses, subject to Development Permit process

"-": Denotes those uses that are prohibited

SUP Subject to a Special Use Permit, Planning Division Approval

The Conditional Use Permit process is detailed in Chapter 9.16 and the Development Permit process is detailed in Chapter 9.17 of this Code.

The uses listed in Table 9.57.030-A below apply to applications for expansion, tenant improvements, change of occupancy, or new development.

Table 9.57.030-A Permitted Uses

(Ord. No. 517, § 6, 10-8-2019)

A.

Lot Coverage. The maximum floor area ratio shall be 0.5.

B.

Height Limitations. Building height shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet. Within 100 feet of residentially zoned property, building height shall not exceed twenty-five 25 feet.

C.

Setbacks

1.

Front or Street Side Setbacks. Front or street side setbacks shall be equal to the setbacks (or average setback) required for abutting properties, or thirty five (35) feet, whichever is greater.

2.

Interior Side or Rear Setbacks. Interior side or rear setbacks shall be equal to the setbacks (or average setback) required for abutting properties, or twenty-five (25) feet, whichever is greater.

A.

Permitted Accessory Uses and Structures. Accessory uses and structures are subject to approval of the same type of review as the primary use, i.e., Development Permit or Conditional Use Permit.

1.

Public Facilities (P-F) District. The following accessory uses and structures are permitted in the P-F district:

a.

Restrooms;

b.

Shed and storage structures;

c.

Maintenance buildings.

B.

Standards for Accessory Structures. The following standards apply to accessory structures:

1.

Accessory structures listed in Section 9.57.050, above, may be constructed prior to or without a primary structure being located on the same lot or parcel;

2.

Attached or detached accessory structures shall not be located within any required front or street side setback;

3.

Accessory structures attached to the primary structure may encroach five (5) feet into the required rear setback and may encroach three (3) feet into the required interior side setback;

4.

Accessory structures are limited to one (1) story or twenty-five (25) feet in height and shall not exceed the height of the primary structure;

5.

Accessory structures shall be constructed of or finished with materials, or colors or architectural treatments that are similar to or compatible with those of the primary building on the site.

A.

Architecture. Architecture should reflect the Town's desert setting and long term traditional values. Building design options should be compatible with existing development to the greatest extent possible.

B.

Fencing. In general, fencing and walls shall be limited to those required for buffering, screening or security. Solid privacy fencing or walls shall be limited to the immediate area around homes or other structures. Fencing of vacant residentially zoned property is prohibited. Exceptions to this include the following:

1.

On vacant property, a fence is needed to fulfill required environmental mitigation or security requirements imposed by the Town, State and/or Federal Government. In such cases, the fence height, location and materials shall be subject to the review and approval of the Director. Organic types of barriers (i.e., boulders, logs placed horizontally, incremental placement of wood posts vertically to block vehicular movement) should be used when possible, rather than traditional fencing. If fencing is used it should be wrought iron (or equivalent). All fencing must be maintained or replaced due to dilapidation or unsightliness in accordance with Section 6.30.030.F.15 of the Town's Municipal Code.

2.

On vacant or developed property, it can be demonstrated for review and approval by the Director that a continued security problem exists which exceeds those same problems incurred by similar properties in the vicinity.

C.

Landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided as required by Chapter 9.75, Water Conservation/Landscaping Regulations, of this Code.

D.

Lighting. All on-site lighting shall comply with Chapter 9.70, Performance Standards,o of this Code, and the Town lighting ordinance.

E.

Parking and Circulation. All on-site parking shall comply with Chapter 9.72, Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations, of this Code.

F.

Signs. All on-site signs shall comply with Chapter 9.74, Signs and Advertising Displays, of this Code.

G.

Trash Enclosures. Trash enclosures shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 9.35, Commercial and Office Districts, of this Code.

(Ord. No. 476, § 7, 10-27-2015)

A.

Enclosed Building Requirement. All uses shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building unless the use is specifically permitted in Section 9.57.030, of this Code, as an outdoor use or is specifically approved through a Conditional Use Permit.

B.

Paving of Work Areas. Work areas within the site shall be paved with a minimum of two (2) inches of asphaltic concrete or equivalent. Storage areas and other areas shall also be paved or may be treated in some non-paved manner such as gravel base over six (6) millimeter plastic film, to control dust and erosion.

C.

Utilities. Electrical and telephone lines shall be placed underground as required by the Town's Underground Utilities Ordinance.

D.

Lighting. Lighting fixtures shall be shielded so that no light is directed above the horizontal plane of the fixture. Lighting not necessary for security shall be on timers set to turn off at the close of business.

E.

Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage of materials and equipment is permitted. Such storage shall be located in the rear one-half of the site and screened completely from view from any adjoining property or roadway by a solid wall or fence at least six (6) feet in height, but not to exceed ten (10) feet in height. Said fence or wall shall be constructed of or finished with materials that match those of the primary building on the site. Items that are being stored outdoors shall not be stacked to a height exceeding the height of the required wall or fence.

F.

Visible Storage. There shall be no visible storage of motor vehicles, trailers, airplanes, boats, recreational vehicles, or their composite parts; loose rubbish, garbage, junk, or their receptacles; building materials; or any other items on any portion of a lot or parcel. No storage shall occur on a vacant parcel.

G.

Permitted Storage of Building Materials. Building materials for use on the same parcel or building site may be stored on the parcel or building site during the time that a valid building permit is in effect.

H.

Other Outdoor Storage Standards

1.

Storage shall not be permitted in the required setback areas.

2.

Storage shall not be permitted in required parking spaces or driveways and shall not at any time impede the use of any required parking space or driveway.

3.

The limits of the outdoor storage area shall be clearly delineated on the approved site plan.

A.

Pre-fabricated Structures.

The following standards shall apply to the use of pre-fabricated structures:

1.

The design of pre-fabricated structures shall be compatible with surrounding uses.

2.

The design and finish of the pre-fabricated structures shall be compatible with and complementary to existing structures on the site.

3.

Pre-fabricated structures shall conform to all standards, goals and objectives of this Chapter and the General Plan.

4.

Adequate screening from adjacent residential uses and public streets shall be provided.

5.

A permanent foundation system shall be provided.

6.

Access for the handicapped and adequate sanitary facilities shall be provided.

7.

Prefabricated structures in the Public Facilities district shall also be compatible with, and complementary to surrounding development.

B.

Metal Buildings

1.

Buildings constructed on site, or structures assembled from modular or similar units on site, or structures assembled off site and moved on site as one unit, may use metal exteriors when the Planning Commission determines, during a project's Development Permit or Conditional Use Permit review, that the proposed structure shall have an appearance emulating and simulating the color, texture and appearance of other structures within the surrounding area or where it can be clearly demonstrated that the proposed structure shall be an enhancement to the surrounding area. Said metal exterior must provide the same texture depth and other physical characteristics as the exterior of the main structure on the surrounding properties.

2.

All exposed metal shall have a factory processed color finish such as baked enamel.

3.

Where large wall or roof areas are adjacent to public parking areas, such areas shall be designed with architectural relief through the use of various materials, varying setbacks, accent colors and landscaping.

4.

Landscaping shall be used to soften the building lines.