The Institutional-Research (I-R) District is established to provide appropriate locations and design standards for large-scale developments of educational and medical institutions, other institutions, research facilities and professional offices, as well as residential and retail uses supportive of the principal institutional and research-related uses. An ordinance of Council is required to zone properties as I-R.

(Ord. No. 656-05. Passed 6-6-05, eff. 6-15-05)

   In an Institutional-Research District, the following uses are permitted as main uses:

   (a)   Hospitals, medical clinics, medical office buildings, and similar medical institutions;

   (b)   Nursing homes, assisted living residences, and mental health centers;

   (c)   Primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, and similar educational institutions;

   (d)   Museums and libraries;

   (e)   Places of worship and associated office and classroom space;

   (f)   Parks, playgrounds and playfields;

   (g)   Arenas, stadiums and indoor recreation facilities if public or if associated with a permitted institutional use;

   (h)   Professional offices and offices of community and civic organizations;

   (i)   Research laboratories including research laboratories with light assembly;

   (j)   Hotels and motels;

   (k)   Multi-family residential buildings, live-work units, and correctional halfway houses.

(Ord. No. 656-05. Passed 6-6-05, eff. 6-15-05)

   In an Institutional-Research District, the following uses are permitted as accessory uses to permitted main uses.

   (a)   Pharmacies, optical stores, medical supply stores and similar uses located in a hospital, medical clinic or medical office building as an accessory use;

   (b)   Restaurants, coffee shops and other eating establishments, grocery stores, gift shops, newsstands, book stores, barber shops, beauty parlors, and similar uses accessory to a permitted main use and located within the building occupied by the main use;

   (c)   Dormitories and other student housing accessory to a permitted educational institution;

   (d)   Child day care centers and adult day care centers accessory to permitted main uses;

   (e)   Theaters and performing arts centers accessory to an educational institution;

   (f)   Parking lots and parking garages accessory to permitted main uses;

   (g)   All uses permitted as main uses.

(Ord. No. 656-05. Passed 6-6-05, eff. 6-15-05)

   In an Institutional-Research District, the following uses are permitted as conditional uses, subject to approval by the City Planning Commission in accordance for the provisions of Section 340.05.

   (a)   Book stores, stationary stores and gift shops;

   (b)   Office supply stores and computer stores;

   (c)   Art shops and galleries;

   (d)   Coffee houses and restaurants without drive-through facilities;

   (e)   Grocery stores;

   (f)   Banks;

   (g)   Dry cleaners and tailors;

   (h)   Barber shops and beauty parlors;

   (i)   Pharmacies.

(Ord. No. 656-05. Passed 6-6-05, eff. 6-15-05)

   The City Planning Commission shall approve a conditional use in an I-R District only if it determines that the proposed use, by virtue of its location, size, layout and design, will function principally to support the institutional and research uses in the district, and will contribute to the creation or maintenance of a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use district.

(Ord. No. 656-05. Passed 6-6-05, eff. 6-15-05)

   No Building Permit shall be issued for the construction of a new building in an Institutional- Research District without the approval of the site plan and building design by the City Planning Commission or its Director, in accordance with rules promulgated by the Commission and in accordance with the following standards.

   (a)   Master Plan. In reviewing development proposals in an Institutional-Research District, the City Planning Commission shall assess the development’s consistency with any applicable master plan that has been adopted or accepted by the Commission. If no current master plan for the district is available to the Commission, the Commission may request submission of a master plan from an organization deemed responsible for preparation of a plan for the district.

   (b)   Urban Form. Except where such design would be clearly inconsistent with the character of an area, new development should take an “urban form,” characterized by multi-story buildings, streetside building placement, and parking located in garages or in lots behind buildings.

   (c)   Architectural Design. In addition to meeting high standards of architectural design, buildings should be compatible with nearby properties with respect to scale, height, setback, spacing, orientation to existing streets, architectural style, materials, and colors. Variations and innovations in design are, however, encouraged in order to achieve visual interest and to create distinct identities for individual buildings and districts. The goal is compatibility in design, not uniformity.

   (d)   Pedestrian, Bicyclist and Transit Access. Developments should be designed to facilitate safe and convenient access by pedestrians and bicyclists and to facilitate use of public transit.

   (e)   Parking and Circulation. Developments should be designed to provide adequate and convenient off-street and on-street parking and to utilize opportunities for parking that is shared by buildings and uses. Streets, driveways, sidewalks and paths should be designed in a manner that facilitates safe and convenient circulation for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.

   (f)   Landscaping and Open Space. Developments should include landscaped areas and open spaces that enhance the appearance of a property and provide areas for recreation and scenic enjoyment, while meeting the environmental design standards of this section.

   (g)   Environmental Design. Developments should incorporate “sustainable” building techniques and other measures, as feasible, in order to conserve energy, minimize water usage, recycle wastes, re-use building materials, and to achieve other goals that promote environmental sustainability.

(Ord. No. 656-05. Passed 6-6-05, eff. 6-15-05)

   Off-street parking for individual uses in an Institutional-Research District shall be provided in accordance with the regulations of Section 349.04. Proposals for shared parking shall be submitted and reviewed in accordance with the provisions of Section 349.10, 349.11 and 349.12.

(Ord. No. 656-05. Passed 6-6-05, eff. 6-15-05)