The intent of the business districts is to provide land in the city for a variety of commercial uses, including retail, office, restaurant, and service uses, to serve residents in the city and surrounding communities. There are four business districts that differ in the population served, the intensity of use, and the range of products and services offered.

The C-1, neighborhood business district, is intended to offer a broad range of goods and services needed by residents in surrounding neighborhoods on a daily basis. Neighborhood business districts are typically located adjacent to residential uses, so special attention must be focused on site layout, building design, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, orientation of dumpster and loading areas, light trespass, and similar considerations to prevent undesirable impacts on the residential uses.

The C-2-A, general business district, is intended to provide residents of the city with a broad range of comparison, convenience commercial, and service uses.

The C-2-B, highway business district, is intended to be the city's most vehicle-oriented commercial district. It includes the Euclid and Wilder corridors, excluding those portions zoned O-1, and that portion of Center Avenue between Livingston and the corporate limits, excluding that portion which is zoned M-1, light industrial.

The C-3, central business district, is intended to offer a variety of commercial, office, civic, cultural, entertainment, recreational, residential, and tourism-oriented uses in a compact, high intensity urban downtown environment. Residential development, particularly on the upper floors of retail and office buildings, is encouraged in this district.

(Ord. No. 2005-11, 11-21-05)

(a)

Table of permitted uses. Buildings shall be erected, altered, and used and land shall be used in accordance with section 122-153 and table 122-152, table of permitted uses.

(b)

Uses not cited by name. The use of a building or land use which is not cited by name as a permitted or special use in a C-1, C-2-A, C-2-B, or C-3 zoning district may be permitted upon determination by the planning department staff that such use is clearly similar in nature and intensity and compatible with the permitted and existing uses in the district. In making such a determination, planning department staff shall consider the following:

(1)

Similarity and compatibility. In making the determination of similarity and compatibility with permitted and existing uses in the district, planning department staff shall consider specific characteristics of the use in question and compare such characteristics with those uses expressly permitted in the district. Such characteristics shall include, but are not limited to, truck and vehicular traffic generation, types of services offered, types of goods offered, methods of operation, impacts from noise, and building and site characteristics.

(2)

Conditions under which use may be permitted. If the planning department staff determines that the proposed use is similar to and compatible with permitted and existing uses in the district, then planning department staff shall decide whether the proposed use is permitted by right, as a special use, or as a permitted accessory use. The proposed use shall be subject to the review and approval regulations for the district in which it is located.

Table 122-152. Table of District Uses

• = Use is permitted

X = Use is not permitted

SU = Special use

A = Permitted accessory uses

(Ord. No. 2005-11, 11-21-05; Ord. No. 2008-17, § 10, 12-15-08; Ord. No. 2010-1, § 2, 1-4-10; Ord. No. 2010-21, § 9, 12-20-10; Ord. No. 2012-8, § 7, 6-18-12; Ord. No. 2016-2, § 1, 3-21-16; Ord. No. 2019-11-B, § 4, 7-1-19; Ord. No. 2020-4, § 1, 4-8-20; Ord. No. 2023-20, § 2, 6-19-23)

(a)

Required conditions. Unless otherwise noted, buildings and uses in the business districts shall comply with the following regulations:

(1)

All business, services, and processing shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building, unless otherwise specifically permitted.

(2)

There shall be no outdoor storage of any goods, inventory, or equipment, unless otherwise specifically permitted.

(3)

Vehicles, semi-trailers, or utility trailers parked on a site shall not be used for the storage or sales of goods or materials, nor for advertising purposes.

(b)

Site plan review. Site plan review and approval in accordance with article XV is required for all permitted and special uses.

(c)

Area, height, bulk, and placement regulations. See article XIV, schedule of regulations.

(d)

[Exception.] This shall not apply to outdoor service in connection with a sidewalk café located within the public right-of-way, as regulated in the chapter 30, article X.

(Ord. No. 2005-11, 11-21-05; Ord. No. 2010-21, § 10, 12-20-10; Ord. No. 2016-2, § 2, 3-21-16)

Temporary outdoor retail sales, such as tent sales, fireworks, Christmas tree lots, etc., shall be permitted in commercial districts subject to administrative site plan review and approval by planning department staff pursuant to article XV of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2010-21, § 11, 12-20-10)