Accommodate and promote traditional specialty retail uses.

Enhance pedestrian activities through street furniture, landscape, and hardscape amenities.

Promote entertainment activities.

Respect established traditional building designs.

Encourage well designed and pedestrian oriented signage.

Promote inviting storefront design.

Application. Application for determination of similar uses must be made in writing to the Director. Such request must include a detailed description of the proposed use, operating characteristics, and any other information deemed necessary by the Director.

Investigation. The Director must compare the proposed use characteristics with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan as well as with the purpose and intent statement of the Town Center District to determine if the proposed use will be a permitted, conditionally permitted, administratively permitted or not permitted use.

Findings. The Director must make all of the following findings:

Determination. The Director's determination may be appealed to the Planning Commission in the manner provided by this Code.

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to reasonably limit the number and type of office uses permitted in the Town Center District. It is found that excessive office uses in the downtown area conflict with the following goals and objectives of the Town Center District:

Office Uses Defined. For the purposes of the Town Center District, office uses are:

Office Uses Limited in the Town Center District.

All activities must occur within buildings; outdoor storage/repair is prohibited;

All uses must be carried on in such a manner that they do not create smoke, gas, odor, dust, sound, vibration, soot, heat, glare or lighting to a degree that is readily detectable at any point beyond the property line of the use; and

A storefront consisting of a showroom, tasting room, or retail space must be included. The storefront must be a minimum of 25% of the gross floor area.

Applicability. A new fuel station or the enlargement or alteration of an established fuel station requires a Conditional Use Permit. In approving a Conditional Use Permit for a fuel station in the Town Center District, the Planning Commission must make the following findings:

Location and Site Requirements. New fuel stations are only permitted contiguous to Bellflower Boulevard at arterial/street intersections. When considering an application for a new fuel station, the following standards apply:

Definition of Permitted Uses. Fuel station use is limited to the sale of motor fuels.

Development Standards. Fuel stations must be designed so that form and scale are integrated with adjacent development and complement the traditional character of Town Center. Fuel stations are subject to the following standards:

That the proposed use will not substantially increase vehicular traffic on adjacent streets serving residential uses;

That the proposed use will not create increased pedestrian traffic in adjacent residential areas;

That the proposed use will not generate adverse impacts that negatively affect adjacent parcels, such as noise; and

That the proposed use will include adequate restroom facilities, trash receptacles, and recycling bins, which will be properly maintained by the applicant and are sufficient for the needs of the proposed use.

Only full service and quick service restaurants with an operational kitchen and a full menu are eligible. Food must be served during all business operating hours;

Daily hours of operation are limited to the hours between six a.m. to two a.m. There is no after-hours use of the establishment, other than for routine clean-up and maintenance;

Before serving alcohol, the owner/operator must possess a valid on-sale alcoholic beverage license and be in compliance with all applicable regulations and guidance issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at all times;

The establishment must allow patrons of all ages, at all times;

No cover charges and entry fees may be charged/required of patrons;

Signs advertising brands and types of alcohol may not be visible from the exterior of the premises. The display of alcoholic beverages must be interior only (no outdoor display) at all times;

Customized lighting and sound system conducive of a nightclub atmosphere are prohibited at all times.

Minimum lot frontage width: 100 feet, as measured along any public street; and

Minimum lot size: 15,000 square feet.

Ancillary gun sales may be allowed within a pawn shop. Ancillary gun sales must not exceed more than 25% of total gross annual retail sales.

Not more than two pawn shops may be established, located, operated or maintained within the Town Center District.

Security window coverings must conform to this Code.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code, public assembly use is defined as any use that is established for the purpose of: (1) gathering, deliberating, worshiping, educating, entertaining, or conducting workshops, including, without limitation, banquet halls, educational institutions (which are to be permitted on second floor and above only), commercial recreational facilities (e.g., bowling alleys, skating), and theaters; or (2) establishing a permanent, headquarters-type and meeting facility for organizations, including, without limitation, religious facilities and fraternal halls.

All public assembly uses must provide at least one parking space for every four permanent seats. A "seat" means 18 lineal inches of seating space when seats are arranged in rows or benches. Where there are no fixed seats, a "seat" means seven square feet of floor area. Any required parking spaces may be located in a separate lot from the property where the public assembly use is proposed, subject to the off-street parking requirements.

If property is located within Parking District No. 1 and proposed public assembly use requires more parking than the existing use, then the parking requirement may be satisfied by the payment of an inlieu fee for every such additional required parking space. The amount of the in-lieu fee will be established by City Council resolution.

The Director may approve alternative parking for any public assembly use, including, without limitation, use of public parking lots, to meet some, or all, of the on-site parking requirements, subject to the parking assessment requirements of this Chapter.

The public assembly use must comply with this Code.

The exterior design and appearance of the building is compatible with the purpose and intent of the Town Center District; and

The residential use must be located on the second floor and above.

A Conditional Use Permit is required for drive in or drive-through uses, subject to the following standards:

Building Features.

Signs.

Landscape Features. Plant containers.

This section is applicable only where a portion of a lot or parcel is within an area planned to be part of a future street, alley, or other public right-of-way as determined from an officially adopted plan, and the acquisition of such portion would not reduce the minimum site/lot area as specified on Table 17.48.160, Site Dimensions, Height Limitations, and Lot Coverage.

Portions of any lot in the Town Center District within a future right-of-way area cannot be occupied by buildings or structures other than those encroachments identified in this chapter. All other required setbacks, yards, and open areas must be provided in addition to the future right-of-way areas, and the future right-of-way lines are considered to be lot lines (property lines) for purposes of measuring building and parking setbacks, site/lot area, lot width and depth, and lot coverage.

The following encroachments are permitted within future right-of-way areas:

Parking. Parking requirements for new development within the Town Center District must maintain a minimum ratio of one parking space for every 400 gross square feet of floor area. All newly constructed, expanded, or redeveloped buildings and structures must provide adequate parking to maintain this minimum ratio. The Director may, subject to this Chapter, approve alternative parking.

Any use may apply to utilize the public parking lots to meet some, or all, of the on-site parking requirements. The Director will evaluate such request based on considerations such as the ease of pedestrian access; the reasonable adjacent or proximate distance to the public parking lot; the parking assessment report; and the practicability of transferring the parking obligation. The applicant must prepare and submit a Parking Assessment Report containing the following components:

Driveways. Each project site must provide a 20-foot minimum driveway width or two 10-foot driveways for each project site. The minimum required back-out space must comply with the "Parking Standards" diagram in this Chapter. If a portion of the required driveway width is also used as a back-out space and the minimum required back-out space is greater than the minimum required driveway width, the minimum required back-out space requirement applies for the portion of the driveway used as back-out space.

Parking Space Dimension. Any permanently maintained parking space must be a minimum of nine feet by 18 feet for the parking of motor vehicles.

No wall or fence may be constructed within the Town Center District until the Director approves plans and designs. In addition, a wall or fence requires a building permit. All walls and fences, whether required or not, must be located and limited in accordance with the provisions of this section.

Wall and Fence Height.

Wall and Fence Material and Design.

Walls and fences must be maintained in good repair and appearance.

The use of chain-link, barb wire, razor wire, wood or plastic slats, or wire fencing is not allowed.

The use of shatter resistant laminated vigil pane security glass is encouraged for storefront security.

The use of exterior scissor style security grilles and roll-up metal doors or grates are prohibited.

Interior scissor style security grilles must be concealed from public view when not in use by retracting the grilles into casings which are in proportion and scale to the building's architecture.

Permanent security bars (defined as those clearly visible and fixed to the exterior of windows or doors) are prohibited.

Interior security mullions which mimic individual window panes may be allowed as a security device, as approved by the Director.

Noise. The conduct and operation of all uses must comply with the following standards:

Lighting. The conduct and operation of all uses must comply with the following standards:

Smoke. No operation or activity is permitted to have operations which emit excessive smoke, fumes, or dust or which exceed the requirements of applicable law.

Maintenance of Open Areas. All open areas must be landscaped or surfaced and permanently maintained in accordance with applicable law.

Vibration. No operation or activity is permitted which will create vibration noticeable without instruments at the perimeter of the subject property.

Mechanical and Electrical Equipment. All mechanical and electrical equipment, including, without limitation, air conditioners; antennas; satellite dishes; pumps; transformers; heating; and ventilating equipment must be located and operated in a manner that does not disturb adjacent uses and activities. All rooftop mechanical and electrical equipment must be screened from public view through the use of architectural features (e.g., parapet, cornice). Antennas, satellite dishes, and monopoles cannot exceed the building height limit, and must be located and designed so as to minimize the visual impact on surrounding properties and from public streets. Antennas, satellite dishes, and monopoles must be screened through the addition of architectural features and/or landscaping that harmonize with the elements and characteristics of the property. The materials used in constructing the antenna, satellite dish, or monopole cannot be unnecessarily bright, shiny, garish, or reflective.

Electrical Nuisance. No operation or activity may transmit, generate, or otherwise cause any electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic radiation disturbance that affects the operation of any use, equipment, or process employed by any use beyond the boundary of the site.

Liquid and Solid Wastes. No discharge at any point into any disposal system, or into the ground, of any toxic or hazardous liquid or solid materials is allowed.

Heat or Cold. No operation or activity can emit heat which would cause a temperature increase or decrease on any adjacent property in excess of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, whether the change is in the air, on the ground, or in any structure.

Trash Areas. All refuse must be stored within City approved trash containers. All areas for the storage of trash containers must be effectively screened from public view or placed within an enclosure bounded by a six foot high solid masonry decorative (split face concrete block or, equivalent) wall, with solid metal doors. All trash enclosures must be securely designed to prevent access to anyone other than the authorized users and the refuse service company.

Nonconforming Structures. A structure which lawfully existed before the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter is a legal nonconforming structure, and may continue even though the structure fails to conform to the present requirements of the Town Center District. A legal nonconforming structure may be maintained as follows:

Abatement of Nonconforming Structures.

Nonconforming Uses. A nonconforming use is one which lawfully existed before the effective date of said ordinance, but which is no longer permitted in the Town Center District. The continuance of a legal nonconforming use is subject to the following:

Abatement of Nonconforming Uses. Legal nonconforming uses must be discontinued within the following specified time limits, from the effective date of said ordinance.

Structure Permits or Certificates of Occupancy Prohibited. When any nonconforming structure or use is no longer permitted pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, no permit for a structure thereafter will be issued for further continuance, alteration, or expansion. Any permit issued in error must not be construed as allowing the continuation of the nonconforming structure or use.

Removal of Illegal Nonconforming Structures and Uses. Nothing contained in this Chapter must be construed or implied so as to allow for the continuation of illegal nonconforming structures and uses. Said structures and uses must be removed immediately subject to the enforcement provisions of this Code and other applicable law.