The purpose of this chapter is to describe the specific uses and restrictions that apply to the land use districts established in the land use element of the comprehensive plan for the City of Chattahoochee, Florida. These regulations are intended to allow development and use of property only in compliance with the goals, objectives and policies of the city as expressed in the comprehensive plan for the City of Chattahoochee, Florida.

Land use districts for the City of Chattahoochee, Florida are established in the future land use element of the comprehensive plan, including the future land use map. The land use districts defined in the future land use element of the comprehensive plan for the City of Chattahoochee, Florida and delineated on the future land use map shall be the determinants of permissible activities on any parcel in the incorporated areas of the City of Chattahoochee, Florida.

All land within the City of Chattahoochee, Florida has a designated land use district described in the comprehensive plan of the City of Chattahoochee, Florida. All development must comply with the development standards applicable to the land use district within which that parcel is located. Refer to section 2.02.02 of this chapter for the definition of each land use district. The land use districts are:

A.

Low density residential

B.

Low density residential with mobile homes

C.

Medium density residential

D.

High density residential

E.

Commercial

F.

Industrial/commercial

G.

Industrial

H.

Conservation

I.

Recreational

J.

Institutional

K.

Agricultural

A.

Uses allowed. This section defines and prescribes the specific uses allowed within each land use district described in the comprehensive plan and this code.

B.

Accessory uses and structures. Accessory structures and uses are allowed in any land use district in connection with any lawfully existing principal use, subject to the requirements of chapter VII. All accessory structures or uses shall meet the requirements for the character and land use district in which the structure or use is located, as provided in section 5.01.04.

C.

Interpretation of use regulations. Whenever a use is not specifically mentioned in section 2.02.02, the city shall make a determination as to whether the proposed use is of the same general type as the uses specifically allowed in the land use district. In making such a determination, the city shall be guided by the goals, objectives and policies of the comprehensive plan of the City of Chattahoochee, Florida and section 2.02.02 of this code.

D.

Special exceptions. [See section 10.11.02(2).]

A.

Low density residential (R-1). The purpose of the low density residential land use district (R-1) is to provide for single-family detached dwellings in a residential setting. Densities in this district shall not exceed four dwellings per acre. Intensities in this district shall not exceed 40% of lot coverage which is determined by dividing the impervious areas by the gross area of the site or lot.

Land uses allowed in the low density district include:

(1)

Detached, single-family residences, but not including mobile homes or shell homes.

(2)

Detached accessory building, provided it is located in the rear yard and is at least five feet from any property line.

(3)

Churches and related accessory buildings, provided they are located on a lot fronting an arterial or collector street and are placed not less than 50 feet from side and rear property lines, with required off-street parking spaces separated from property lines by a planted buffer at least ten feet in width.

(4)

Public parks and recreation areas.

(5)

Public elementary, middle and high schools.

(6)

Nurseries and greenhouses as a special exception.

(7)

Libraries.

(8)

Schools, kindergartens and day nurseries, as a special exception, provided that:

(a)

Off-street loading and unloading spaces are provided; and

(b)

At least 100 square feet of outdoor play area is supplied for each child accommodated; and

(c)

The entire play area is enclosed by a fence having a minimum height of at least four feet and constructed in such a manner that maximum safety to the children is ensured.

(9)

Home occupation; conducted pursuant to the provisions of section 7.02.02 of this code.

B.

Low density residential with mobile homes (R-1MH). The purpose of the low density residential with mobile homes land use district (R-1MH) is to provide for single-family detached dwellings including mobile homes and manufactured housing in a residential setting. Density in this district shall not exceed four dwellings per acre. Intensities in this district shall not exceed 40% of lot coverage which is determined by dividing the impervious areas by the gross area of the site or lot.

Land uses allowed in this district include:

(1)

All uses permitted within a low density residential (R-1) district.

(2)

Mobiles homes, provided they meet the minimum lot requirements of single-family residences.

(3)

Mobile home parks, as a special exception, provided they meet the mobile home park standards as provided in chapter V.

(4)

Recreational vehicle parks, as a special exception, provided they meet the recreational vehicle park standards as provided in chapter V.

C.

Medium density residential (R-2). The purpose of the medium density residential (R-2) district is to provide for single-family detached dwellings and duplexes or two-family residences. Mobile homes are not permitted. Densities in this district shall not exceed six dwellings per acre. Intensities in this district shall not exceed 60% of lot coverage which is determined by dividing the impervious areas by the gross area of the site or lot. The R-2 districts are intended to preserve and protect the single-family residential character and to discourage densities exceeding six dwelling units per acre.

Within an R-2 residential district, the following uses are permitted:

(1)

All residential uses permitted in an R-1 district.

(2)

Duplexes or two-family residences.

(3)

Garage apartments, provided no more than one shall be permitted on a lot with another dwelling and provided such shall be permitted only with a rear yard and provided that the lot on which such use is to be established meets the minimum lot area requirements for a two-dwelling unit.

(4)

Churches, fraternal organizations, and clubs not operating for profit.

(5)

Home occupations (see section 7.02.02).

(6)

Libraries.

(7)

Public parks and recreational areas.

(8)

Government buildings, structures and grounds.

(9)

Schools, including private schools.

(10)

Schools, kindergartens and day nurseries, provided that:

(a)

Off-street loading and unloading spaces are provided; and

(b)

At least 100 square feet of outdoor play area is enclosed by a fence having a minimum height of at least four feet and constructed in such a manner that maximum safety to the children is ensured.

(11)

Florist or flower shops and professional offices as a special exception.

D.

High density residential (R-3). The purpose of the high density residential (R-3) district is to provide a family residential setting including multifamily complexes and high unit densities. Densities in this district shall not exceed ten dwellings per acre. Intensities in this district shall not exceed 80% of lot coverage which is determined by dividing the impervious areas by the gross area of the site or lot.

Land uses permitted in this district include:

(1)

All uses permitted in low density residential (R-1), low density residential with mobile homes (R-1MH), and medium density residential (R-2).

(2)

Multifamily residences.

(3)

Boarding and rooming houses.

(4)

Apartment buildings and complexes.

E.

Commercial (B-1). The purpose of the commercial zoning (B-1) district is to provide for commercial uses and activities including retail establishments, service centers and commercial centers and districts to serve the community and the traveling public, and to provide areas for commercial development in order to support economic development within the city. A floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.0 is permitted in the central business district (blocks 2, 3, 7, 8, 14, 15, 22 and 23). In the central business district, there shall be no buildings greater than three stories in height. An impervious surface ratio (ISR) of 100 percent is allowed within the central business district blocks. An FAR in all other commercial areas shall not exceed 0.75.

Redevelopment of an existing structure or site included in the above-referenced central business district blocks may rebuild to the same level of intensity as the previous development.

Land uses allowed within the commercial land use (B-1) district include:

(1)

Any retail business or retail service establishment including shops for manufacturing articles to be sold on the premises, provided such manufacturing is incidental to the retail business or service and occupies less than 40 percent of the floor space area and employs no more than five operators at one time.

(2)

Business and professional offices, banks.

(3)

Theaters, motion picture houses, restaurants.

(4)

Hotels, motels, tourist homes.

(5)

Parking garages and lots.

(6)

Residences that are allowed in R-1 and R-2.

(7)

Mobile homes if used exclusively for commercial purposes, and which are manufactured, built and constructed according to all applicable standards and regulations related to business use. Mobile homes shall be allowed for office use only for the duration of a construction project but not to exceed a period of six months, and must meet the same standards for commercial or business use.

(8)

Automobile, truck, farm equipment or motorcycle sales, repair or upholstery; auto washateria, paint shops, tire recapping and sales, auto parts houses.

(9)

Rail or bus terminals.

(10)

Trailer or mobile home sales.

(11)

Wholesaling and warehousing activities provided that, where abutting a residential district, they shall be separated therefrom by appropriate screening, and a buffer zone as required in chapter V of this code.

(12)

Automotive service stations which meet at site plan requirements contained in chapter V.

(13)

Recreational vehicle parks.

Development in existing commercial areas of the Mosquito Creek floodplain is prohibited if located within wetlands or floodplain areas.

F.

Industrial/commercial (I-C). The purpose of the industrial/commercial (I-C) district is to accommodate light manufacturing, processing, storage and other activities compatible with light industrial operations. This district is not intended to accommodate heavy industrial operations or blighting influences, or to accommodate retail commercial stores or residential development.

G.

Industrial (I). The purpose of the industrial (I) zoning district is to provide areas for the location of industrial operations which are compatible with the community and which are of a nature which will not be injurious, offensive or detrimental to the district or vicinity surrounding it by emission of noise, dust, glare, smoke, gas, fire, odors, vibrations, fumes, toxic or noxious waster materials. Industrial uses shall be limited to a .75 FAR. Residence or meeting halls are not permitted in this district.

In such instances where an industrial property adjoins or lies directly across a street or alley from any residential land use category, the following setbacks apply:

A 25-foot natural buffer shall be maintained along any and all portions of an industrial property which borders a conservation land use area; otherwise, no front, side or rear yards shall be required on a side of such property adjacent to any other future land use map category.

Development in industrial areas of the Mosquito Creek floodplain is prohibited if located within wetlands or floodplain areas.

Land uses within an industrial district include:

(1)

Industrial involving the assembly, packaging or processing of previously prepared goods and materials.

(2)

Storage of good and materials and the receiving, sorting and/or distribution of wholesale activities requiring extensive storage and warehousing.

(3)

Manufacturing or processing of raw materials and goods.

(4)

Warehousing, building material yards, and contractors' equipment storage yards. Ice manufacturing and cold storage; railroad freight terminals, truck terminals; fruit and vegetable grading packing houses, canning plants; bottling works; cement products, sand and gravel yards; machine shops, mill works, electrical repair shops; gasoline or other motor fuel stations, including bulk storage; automobile servicing and repair establishments; veterinarians' hospital and kennels.

(5)

Junkyards.

(6)

Planned industrial parks.

H.

Conservation (flood zone). The purpose of the conservation land use (flood zone) designation is to identify public and private lands that should be carefully managed and used and to conserve and protect natural features and functions. The conservation land use (flood zone) designation is created to protect public health, safety and general welfare; to protect persons, private and public property from hazards of floodwaters inundation, and to protect the community from costs which are incurred when development occurs in the floodplains.

Development in the conservation land use area is limited by the provisions of this code, and specifically by the provisions of chapter IV of the code, and by chapter 26, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Chattahoochee, Florida.

Residential uses are not permitted in a conservation (flood zone) district. Limited commercial and industrial water dependent uses may be permitted by special exception, provided that, at a minimum, such uses shall be required to minimize adverse impacts to the greatest extent possible. Where such impacts cannot be avoided, such uses shall be required to mitigate any adverse impacts to wetland and shoreline areas.

Intensities of no more than 50% lot coverage, which is determined by dividing the impervious areas by the gross area of the site or lot, shall be allowed for those commercial and industrial uses permitted by exception. A minimum 25-foot upland buffer shall be maintained surrounding any and all wetland areas present within and/or hydrologically connected to conservation lands.

I.

Recreational. The purpose of the recreation use district is to provide for the location of public and private recreational land uses, including active and passive recreation areas.

Land uses allowed in the recreational land use district include public recreation areas, private recreational facilities, including limited commercial uses, such as fish camps and camping areas and their accompanying facilities, and public utilities. No structures on paved areas are permitted except those appropriate and/or necessary for the function associated with a particular recreational area as determined by the city.

J.

Institutional. The purpose of the institutional zoning district is to designate areas for the continued use by the State of Florida for the operation of Florida State Hospital, Apalachee Correction Institution, the Corrections Mental Health Institution and any other similar institutions existing upon lands owned by the State of Florida which lie within the City of Chattahoochee, Florida. Due to the ownership and nature, the city has no jurisdiction over the use of these lands. For private institutional land uses within the city jurisdictional limits, the FAR shall be limited to .75.

K.

Agriculture. All lands designated for agriculture use which are located within the City of Chattahoochee are owned by the State of Florida and are maintained and operated by Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises, Inc. (PRIDE), and the city has no jurisdiction over the use of these lands. These are essentially lands in the institutional use district which are used for agricultural purpose and are thus so designated.

L.

Multi-use recreation. The purpose of the multi-use recreation zoning district is to designate locations that are suitable for development as nature-based tourism land use activities. Concurrent with the adoption of the multi-use recreation district future land use map amendment, a comprehensive plan text amendment must be submitted to the Florida Department of Community Affairs. This text amendment shall adopt goals, objectives and policies that shall establish the types of land uses and intensities of development.

1.

Land uses allowed in the multi-use recreation district include parks, playgrounds, water dependent and nature based tourism uses. The following listed uses are allowed, provided they are listed within the specific text amendment to the city of Chattahoochee's comprehensive plan. Generally, the following uses area allowed:

a.

Nature trails and the improvement of existing trails,

b.

Educational and exercise kiosks,

c.

Water dependent uses, including tie-up and launching facilities for canoes, kayaks and other similar boats,

d.

Musical and outdoor entertainment venues,

e.

Educational and interpretative centers,

f.

Limited overnight recreational vehicle parking,

g.

Overnight lodging and eating establishments are also allowed.

2.

All development shall be required to utilize central potable water and sewer facilities.

3.

A maximum floor area ration (FAR) of .15 is allowed.

4.

Buffers. Where a multi-use recreation district is adjacent to areas designated as residential on the comprehensive plan future land use map, a minimum 25-foot buffer from the property line is required.

5.

Setbacks. Setbacks shall only apply from buildings and impervious areas to wetlands and perennial rivers, streams and creeks. In the case where a new building or new impervious area is adjacent to the above features, a minimum 25-foot building setback shall apply. This building setback is in addition to any required buffers.

6.

Natural disasters and storm events. In the case of an officially declared storm event, it shall be the responsibility of the owner of lands designated multi-use recreation to notify and evacuate all recreational vehicles, overnight lodgers and other items that may be dangerous or hazardous during a flood or storm event.

(Ord. No. 467, §§ 1, 2, 7-3-95; Ord. No. 533, § 5(Exh. A), 9-16-09)