This district is intended to provide a low-density, single-family residential living environment and to foster stable, high quality neighborhoods consistent with Belding's small town character. At the same time the regulations for this district recognize the need to preserve existing housing stock, allow infill development within older subdivisions, and provide housing that is affordable for the present and future residents of Belding. Non-residential uses are only allowed to the extent that they serve to further the creation of stable residential neighborhoods.

No land and/or buildings in the R-1 district shall be used, erected, altered or converted, in whole or in part, except for the following purposes by right:

A.

Single-family detached dwellings.

B.

Family day care homes.

C.

State licensed residential family care facilities.

D.

Accessory buildings, structures, and uses.

E.

Community gardens.

(Ord. No. 518, § 3, 1-18-11)

No land and/or buildings in the R-1 district may be used, except for the following purposes when approved by the planning commission in accordance with the requirements of chapter 17:

A.

Utility and public service buildings, without storage yards.

B.

Private non-commercial and public recreation areas or community recreation centers.

C.

Churches (including schools and day care centers).

D.

Golf courses or country clubs (including uses such as restaurants without drive-through windows, lounges, pro shops, lodging facilities, and similar uses when accessory to and operated as an integral part of the golf course or country club).

E.

K—12 schools, provided such schools are not operated as commercial enterprises.

F.

Cemeteries.

G.

Radio, television, and cellular communication towers.

H.

Adult foster care small group homes.

I.

Alternative energy system, intended to sell or provide fifty (50) percent or more of the energy that is generated to a utility provider regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

(Ord. No. 459, pts. 14, 15, 4-17-01; Ord. No. 517, § 2, 1-4-11)

All permitted uses and special land uses are subject to the following site development requirements:

A.

Site plan review is required for all special land uses in accordance with chapter 16, section 16.1.

B.

Landscaping and screening is required in accordance with chapter 16, section 16.2.

C.

Parking is required in accordance with chapter 16, section 16.3.

D.

Signs are permitted in accordance with the requirements of chapter 16, section 16.4.

E.

Setbacks, height, area, and lot dimension requirements shall be met as noted on the chart in District Regulations, chapter 15:

F.

No structure shall have an open or covered stairway outside the regular framework of the house, except those which provide access to patios, exterior decks, and other similar features.

G.

Sidewalks shall be constructed on all sides of the property abutting a public street, in accordance with city standards, with the following exception:

The planning commission may grant individual relief from the sidewalk requirements when the following conditions exist:

1.

The sidewalk is not an integral part of the "walkable community" sidewalk system as defined by the planning commission (where sidewalks are required to link neighborhoods, schools, parks and downtown).

2.

There are no public safety issues presented by the absence of a sidewalk.

3.

The sidewalk is not required to complete or provide continuity of a current or proposed pedestrian or bicycle circulation system.

4.

The proposed sidewalk is part of the proposed pathway master plan system for the city.

( Ord. No. 543 , § 1, 9-20-16)