This district implements the commercial district comprehensive plan designation. It is intended to provide for areas characterized by a mix of commercial, office, or mixed use development. The standards are intended to promote viable and attractive downtown area which will promote a positive town image and foster a sense of place for residents as well as visitors. Structures should respect and reflect the historic nature of the community and its long relationship with the logging industry. Development patters should promote good pedestrian visibility and deemphasize the automobile.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 1999)

The following uses are permitted outright within the commercial business district, subject to compliance with all other applicable requirements of this Code:

A.

Animal veterinary, including associated temporary indoor boarding;

B.

Automotive services, not including junk yards or dismantling;

C.

Beauty or barbershops;

D.

Bicycle repair shops;

E.

Billiard or poolrooms;

F.

Bus stations;

G.

Cabinet shops or carpenter shops;

H.

Commercial laundries;

I.

Computer software development and similar uses;

J.

Convention facilities;

K.

Day care centers;

L.

Financial services including banking and mortgage;

M.

Fix-it, radio or television repair shops/rental shops;

N.

Fraternal organizations;

O.

Greenhouses or nurseries;

P.

Hotels;

Q.

Laundries;

1.

Self-serve;

2.

Dry cleaning;

3.

Tailor, dyeing;

R.

Libraries, museums or art galleries (open to the public);

S.

Mixed use development;

1.

Transitional housing;

2.

Emergency housing;

3.

Emergency shelter;

4.

Permanent supportive housing;

Must be composed of allowed uses from this title. No residential uses allowed on the ground floor. Complementary uses are encouraged to promote continuous use of the site. Street level uses should engage passersby and maintain a pedestrian scale;

T.

Offices, including:

1.

Medical/dental;

2.

Government;

3.

Professional/administrative;

4.

Business, such as travel, real estate;

5.

Commercial;

U.

Parks, trails, picnic areas and playgrounds (open to the public);

V.

Public parking lots or garages for private passenger cars (all access and frontage must be on secondary streets);

W.

Recreation facilities, athletic or health clubs;

X.

Restaurants, including:

1.

Drive-through;

2.

Sit down;

3.

Cocktail lounges with a restaurant in conjunction;

Y.

Retail sales of health and beauty aids, prescription drugs, food, hardware, notions, crafts and craft supplies, house wares, consumer electronics, furniture, appliances, automobile parts, books, liquor, magazines, stationary, clothing, shoes, flowers, plants, pets, jewelry, gifts, recreation equipment and sporting goods, and similar items;

Z.

Studios. Art, photography, music, voice and dance;

AA.

Taverns, nightclubs;

BB.

Theaters, excluding "adult entertainment establishments," as defined by this title;

CC.

Other uses not specifically listed in this title, which the planning department determines to be:

1.

Similar in nature to and compatible with other uses permitted outright with this district;

2.

Consistent with the state purpose of this district; and

3.

Consistent with the policies of the Town comprehensive plan.

(Ord. No. 790, 8-14-2024; Ord. No. 605, Att. A, 11-10-2004; Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 1999)

The following uses and structures customarily appurtenant to a permitted use, and clearly incidental to such permitted use, are allowed within the commercial district:

A.

Parking areas;

B.

Recreational area and facilities for employees;

C.

Residences for security or maintenance personnel.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 1999)

A.

Churches and community center buildings;

B.

Electrical Substations. Distribution;

C.

Fire and police stations;

D.

Hospitals, sanitariums, or similar institutions;

E.

Radios, television, microwave, cellular or observation stations and towers.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 1999)

Design review is required for all new developments or substantial remodels within the commercial district. All development should reflect the historic nature of the community. All architecture, materials and use color should be respectful of the nature of the community and promote the community's identity. These requirements are not meant to regulate, but rather to guide development towards the communities goal of a unique and pleasant down town.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 1999)

Development within the commercial district shall conform to the following listed and referenced standards:

R-MD Basic Development Standards

Performance Standards. Use, activity and operations within a structure or a site shall comply with: (A) standards adopted by the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency for odor, dust, smoke and other airborne pollutants, (B) Darrington noise ordinance, and (C) adopted state and federal standards for water quality and hazardous materials, in addition, all development subject to the requirements of the state Environmental Policy Act, RCW 43.210 shall be evaluated to determine whether adverse environmental impacts have been adequately mitigated.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 1999)