The business districts are listed in Table 300-20 below. When this chapter refers to business districts it is referring to one of the following:

The business district names and map symbols are intended to provide a general indication of what is allowed in the district by denoting the commercial or office orientation of the district and its relative character.

Central Business (CB). The purpose of the CB District is to identify the traditional, mixed-use core to the City of Cortland and support investment that is consistent with the vision and goals of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Not only does the CB District encompass much of the historic center of the City, but also the surrounding neighborhoods and parcels that contribute to the traditional downtown character. The intent of the CB District is to foster higher density, mixed-use developments that provide a variety of shopping, service, and living opportunities consistent with the pedestrian-oriented and historic character of Main Street. In order to accomplish this, regulations on the location, design and use of structures or land will be employed to foster a desirable concentration of activities and amenities, creating a comfortable environment for visitors arriving by foot, bicycle, or motor vehicle. The CB District will also serve to support the development of downtown as the civic, cultural, and governmental center to the City.

Neighborhood Business (NB). The purpose of the NB District is to provide for the development of small-scaled retail and service stores in areas adjacent to or surrounded by established residential neighborhoods, and to support the vision and goals contained in the City of Cortland Comprehensive Plan. Investment permitted in the NB District shall be compatible with the scale and walkability of neighborhoods and shall not negatively impact their residential character. The intent of this district is to accommodate shops and services that meet the needs of our residents while enhancing the walkability of the community and preserving the City's traditional residential development pattern.

Professional Office (PO). The purpose of the PO District is to accommodate a mixture of higher-density residential uses and relatively low-intensity office or service uses in accordance with the vision and goals contained in the City of Cortland Comprehensive Plan. The PO District is intended for areas of the City where single-family residential uses may no longer be viable due to high traffic volumes or other market factors, but remain viable locations, for multifamily dwellings or offices. Such areas shall serve as a transition or buffer zone between more intensely developed nonresidential areas and established residential neighborhoods. The dimensional regulations are also intended to permit the conversion of single-family detached dwelling into multifamily or commercial buildings.

General Business Local (GB-2). The purpose of the GB-2 District is to provide suitable areas for a wide range of commercial uses and to support the vision and goals contained in the City of Cortland Comprehensive Plan. The intent of the GB-2 District is to create commercial corridors and activity centers that are smaller in scale than those permitted in the GB-1 District, but more intense than those found in the remaining business districts. This shall be achieved through the application of a maximum building footprint requirement. Commercial activity in the GB-2 District should create streetscapes that successfully balance the needs of motorists and nonmotorists by providing building and site design elements that support a multimodal transportation network.

General Business Regional (GB-1). The purpose of the GB-1 District is to accommodate commercial development that caters to residents, travelers and tourists, while also supporting the vision and goals contained in the City of Cortland Comprehensive Plan. The GB-1 District is intended to designate areas for the development of larger scale commercial activities that depend upon significant volumes of motor vehicle traffic. In addition to accommodating motor vehicle traffic, development within the GB-1 District shall incorporate pedestrian amenities and circulation, including linkages to adjacent neighborhoods. This district encourages the application of site design and buffering techniques to regulate the design and placement of parking facilities, access points, structures, and landscaping elements to create welcoming gateways into the City.

Uses identified with a "P" in the table are permitted as-of-right in the subject zoning district, subject to compliance with all other applicable standards of this chapter.

Uses identified with a "SP" in in the table may be allowed if reviewed and approved in accordance with the special permit procedures contained in Article XVI.

Uses not listed and those identified with a "—" are expressly prohibited.