(1) Purpose. The purpose of the General Mixed Use District-3 (GMU-3) is to provide an area for compact, walkable, mixed-use development that is appropriately scaled with high quality architecture in conformance with the unique character of the Historic Village. This district also provides for the establishment of a community focal point utilizing the access and views of the river together with a blend of cultural, historical, residential and commercial retail. The mixture of land uses within the district is essential to establishing the level of vitality and intensity needed to support retail and service uses. Future development within the district shall follow the Framework Plan as included in Chapter 5 of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan that is intended to guide public and private development, streetscaping and public realm improvements. The placement of buildings and the relationship of the building, parking, landscaping, and pedestrian spaces shall be guided by the Framework Plan and requirements of this chapter.
(2) Design character. The character of the GMU-3 District shall reflect high quality design due to the historic nature of the area, high visibility of these areas along county roadways and as the northwest gateway into the City. New development in this district shall create a unifying identity and transition between different uses through high quality design, pedestrian amenities, compact development, and connections to public spaces.
(3) Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted uses in the GMU-3 District:
Art, decorating and music galleries and studios
Bakery goods sales and baking of goods for retail sales on premises
Bank, credit unions and other financial institutions without drive-up tellers
Beauty salons, day spas and barber shops
Coffee shop, deli, wine bars or similar gathering places serving food and drink Convenience grocery store without motor fuel sales (not exceed 3,000 sq ft)
Copy services but not including printing press or newspaper
Dwelling, multiple family (apartment, condominium, cooperative, townhouse) at a minimum of 8 units per acre
Grocery store, meat market or other specialty foods market (not exceeding 10,000 sq. ft.)
Hobby store including handicraft classed not to exceed 10 students
Hotel, inns and bed-and-breakfast establishments (no more than 4 guest rooms)
Jewelry sales and jewelry repair store
Offices, administrative/commercial
Offices/clinics for medical, dental, or chiropractic services
Pharmacy, no drive-through
Publicly owned civic or cultural buildings such as city offices, libraries, auditoriums, public administration buildings.
Restaurants Class I and II, no drive-through
(4) Permitted accessory uses. The following uses are permitted accessory uses in the GMU-3 District:
Any incidental repair or processing necessary to conduct a permitted principal use as long as it does not occupy more than 30% of the gross floor area of the principal building.
Bus/Transit and Park and Ride facilities
Essential service structure
Outdoor seating accessory to a restaurant meeting the requirements in Subdivision (16) below
Private garages, off-street parking and loading spaces as regulated in this Title
Public open space plaza, square or other related uses
Signs as regulated in this Title
Trash enclosure service structure
(5) Conditional uses. Within any GMU-3 District, no structure or land shall be used for the following uses except by conditional use permit:
Drive-through lanes for permitted uses (restaurants, banks) if provisions for vehicle stacking, vehicle maneuvering, outdoor speaker devices, appearance and lighting of outdoor menu boards and other related matters can be shown to be in keeping with the intent and character of the GMU-3 District and compatible with surrounding uses.
Restaurant- Class IV (with drive-through)
Towers- cellular and communications as regulated in Section
1001.21 of this Title
(6) Interim uses. Within any GMU-3 District, no structure or land shall be used for the following purposes except by Interim Use Permit.
Special events (except carnivals).
a. Such activity is directed towards the general public and includes grand openings, craft shows, flea markets, mechanical and animal rides and displays of materials that are typically not sold or serviced on the site.
b. The event shall not exceed the period specified in the administrative permit and in no case shall exceed 3 consecutive calendar days per event.
c. There shall be no more than 2 special events per calendar year per property. However, each tenant in a multi-tenant building shall be permitted 1 special event per year. Multi-tenant buildings with less than 5 lease-spaces shall be considered as a single property for purposes of this provision.
(7) Setback, lot size, site design and height requirements.
a. Setback - principal structure
Front yard: build-to line (see below)
Side yard/interior: 0 feet minimum
Side yard/corner: same as front
Rear yard: 20 feet minimum
b. Setback - accessory structure
Front yard: build-to line (see below)
Side yard: 0 feet minimum
Side yard (street): same as front
Rear yard: 5 feet minimum
Front yard: build-to line (see below)
Side yard: 0 feet minimum
Side yard (street): same as front
Rear yard: 5 feet minimum
d. Front yard build-to line established. In the GMU-3 District in the front yard, a build-to line is established which provides a minimum and maximum front setback for buildings and other structures, from the right-of-way or property line. For parking, the minimum setback applies, but not the maximum. There are 3 build-to line conditions depending on the streets as described below. The location of these build-to line conditions for various streets corresponds with the illustrated Framework Plan contained in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
1. Build-to line, Baxter Avenue. The minimum setback shall be 15 feet and the maximum shall be 20 feet from the right-of-way or property line, for all properties located on Baxter Parkway (to accommodate for pedestrian promenade, streetscaping)
2. Build-to line, Robinson Avenue. The minimum setback shall be 0 feet and the maximum shall be 10 feet from the right-of-way, for all properties located on Baxter Parkway (to accommodate Main Street feel buildings should be located at the right -of-way)
3. Build-to line, secondary roads. The minimum setback may range from 0 feet to 10 feet with 10 feet serving as the maximum from the right-of-way or property line, for all properties on remaining secondary streets not identified in items 1 and 2 above.
e. Minimum lot size requirements. The following minimum requirements shall be observed in the GMU-3 District subject to additional requirements, exceptions, and modifications set forth in this Chapter.
1. Minimum lot requirements:
(a) Lot size: no minimum for non-residential uses
(b) Residential parcels shall maintain a lot width that is adequate for the design of the structure.
1. Building frontage. At least 65% of the street frontage of any lot shall be occupied by building facades at the build-to- line. In addition, on corner lots, a minimum of the first 50 feet of the lot frontage on either side of a street intersection must be occupied by buildings set at the property line. Parking or other space open to the sky is not allowed within this first 50 feet.
2. On lots with more then one street frontage (corners), the building shall be located to meet the 65% street frontage requirement on both streets.
3. The building frontage requirement may be met either with an enclosed building or an arcade constructed with a permanent roof of the same materials as the remainder of the building.
4. At least the first and second floor must meet the building frontage requirement. Arcades at street level and terracing of building facades above the second floor are encouraged.
5. Buildings with frontage on a primary street shall orient front facades parallel to the primary street.
6. Align the building front facade with adjacent buildings to promote visual continuity from the public right-of-way, unless site or use constraints are prohibitive.
7. Buildings shall have a clearly defined primary pedestrian entrance at street level.
8. Drive-through or drive-in lanes are not allowed within the front of any buildings. They must be located to the side or rear of a building.
9. Maximum impervious coverage. The total lot coverage shall not exceed 80% impervious.
1. The minimum building height shall be 25 feet or two stories while the maximum building height on all buildings shall be 45 feet or 4 stories.
(8) Parking requirements.
a. Parking for residential units in the GMU-3 District shall be calculated as required in Section
1001.19 with a preference for. a minimum of 50% be provided underground (or tuck under in townhomes with a minimum of 480 square foot garage). The residential parking spaces shall be specifically reserved for the use of residents and visitors only, separate from any commercial, office or other uses on-site or nearby and shall not be counted as part of any shared parking or joint parking arrangement.
b. Parking for non-residential uses in the GMU-3 District shall be calculated under Section
1001.19: Shared parking arrangements as provided in
1001.19 are encouraged provided that such shared parking is fully connected between sites for automobiles and pedestrians. On-grade parking is prohibited in the front yard directly in front of a building. Parking, shall be provided to the side or rear of buildings in mid-block areas. On-street parking shall count towards required parking.
c. Wherever a surface parking area faces a street frontage the maximum width shall be 65 feet as measured at the lot frontage. In addition, such frontage shall be screened with a decorative wall, railing, hedge, or a combination of these elements to a minimum height of 2 1/2 feet and a maximum height of 3 1/2 feet above the level of the parking lot at the build to line.
d. A reduction of up to 10% in the number of required off-street parking spaces may be approved by the Zoning Administrator in the case of shared parking areas between abutting uses.
e. On-street parking shall count towards required parking.
(9) Building design requirements. To maintain the character of the mixed use area the GMU-3 District is subject to the following standards to reflect the character of the District.
a. All new building fronts shall include a minimum of 5 of the following elements:
1. Architectural detailing, such as cornice, awning, parapet, or columns;
2. A visually pleasing primary front entrance that, in addition to doors, shall be accented a minimum of 150 square feet around the door entrance for single occupancy buildings and a minimum of 300 square feet total for the front of multi-tenant buildings (this area shall be counted as one element). Entrances shall be clearly articulated and obvious from the street;
3. A minimum of 30% window coverage on each front that faces a street;
4. Contrasting, yet complementary material colors;
5. A combination of horizontal and vertical design features;
6. Irregular building shapes;
7. Horizontal offsets of at least 4 feet in depth;
8. Vertical offsets in the roofline of at least 4 feet;
9. Fenestration at the first floor level which is recessed horizontally at least 1 foot into the facade;
10. Other architectural features in the overall architectural concept.
b. Multi-story buildings shall have the ground floor distinguished from the upper floors by having 1 or more the following:
5. Intermediate cornice line
6. Brick detailing such as quoins or corbels
c. Residential uses on first floors. Whenever residential uses are included on the first floor of a building the first floor elevation shall be stepped up from sidewalk elevations immediately adjacent to the front of the residential unit to ensure the residential unit is raised from the public space. In addition, each first floor unit must have an individual private entrance at the street level with private courtyard enclosure.
d. Any exterior building wall adjacent to or visible from a public street, public open space or abutting property may not exceed 50 feet in length without significant visual relief consisting of one of the following:
1. The facade shall be divided architecturally by means of significantly different materials or textures;
2. Horizontal offsets of at least 4 feet in depth;
3. Vertical offsets in the roofline of at least four feet; or
4. Fenestration at the first floor level that is recessed horizontally at least 1 foot into the facade.
e. Other design requirements.
1. All principal buildings shall have an entry on a street.
2. Buildings shall provide a base and top to their architecture.
3. The tops of buildings shall be articulated to minimum the "box" like images.
4. Buildings shall be architecturally unique and shall not be of a corporate architecture (including roof patterns, corporate colors, architectural elements, and similar treatments).
f. Accent materials. Accent materials shall be wrapped around walls visible from public view. Where a mixed use building is visible from a public road all elevations shall be architecturally treated. Accent material shall consist of materials comparable in grade and quality to the primary exterior material. Such materials may include glass, prefinished decorative metal and fiber cement trim within soffit and fascia areas.
g. Major exterior materials of all walls including face brick, stone, glass, stucco, synthetic stucco, fiber cement vertical panel siding, architectural concrete and precast panels shall be acceptable as the major exterior wall surface when they are incorporated into an overall design of the building. Major materials must cover at least 60% of the exterior.
h. Fiber cement seam lines shall be architecturally integrated into the building design so that they are not visible. Seam lines can be filled, covered by other accent material or other method thereby making the seam lines invisible. Color impregnated decorative block shall also be allowed as a-major exterior wall material and shall be required to be sealed. All materials shall be color impregnated with the exception of architectural concrete precast panel systems and fiber cement siding that may be painted.
a. Building mechanical equipment. The view of all roof-top equipment and related piping, ducting, electrical and mechanical utilities abutting a street shall be screened from ground level view. Screening may include parapet walls, penthouses, or other architecturally integrated elements. Wood fencing or chain link with slats shall not be used for screening. The term "ground level view" shall be defined as the view of the building from the furthest point of the width of the right-of-way from the property line(s) that abut a street. A cross-sectional drawing shall be provided that illustrates the sight lines from the ground level view.
b. Ground mechanical-equipment. Ground mechanical equipment shall be one 100% screened from contiguous properties and adjacent streets by opaque landscaping, or screen wall compatible with the architectural treatment of the principal structure.
c. Trash enclosure service structure. All exterior trash enclosures or other accessory structures shall be constructed of the same materials and colors as the principal building.
d. Outdoor storage. There shall be no outdoor storage of either materials or products, except through the issuance of a conditional use permit.
e. External loading and service areas. External loading and service areas must be 100% screened from the ground-level view from contiguous residential or commercial properties and adjacent streets, except at access points.
f. Abutting districts. Wherever a GMU-3 District is across the street from an R Residential District, a berm, fence or screening consisting of compact evergreen trees or hedge or a combination thereof, not less than 90% opaque at time of installation, nor less than 6 feet in height, except adjacent to a street where it shall be not less than 3 feet nor more than 4 feet in height shall be erected or installed and maintained. All screening shall comply with Section 1001.24. g. Headlight screening. The light from automobile headlights and other sources shall be 100% screened whenever it may be directed onto adjacent residential windows.
(11) Lighting. In addition to the lighting requirements presented in Section 1001.14, lighting in the GMU-3 District shall also be subject to the following requirements: a. Decorative style lighting a maximum of 14 feet in height shall be used to illuminate all site areas with the exception of parking areas.
b. Shoe-box style lighting shall only be permitted in parking areas.
c. Lighting fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture of the building.
d. Wall-mounted lighting shall be used on building fronts to illuminate entry points and highlight architectural features.
(12) Landscape design. In addition to the landscape requirements presented in Section 1001.24 all plant materials shall be used to create a unified and attractive mixed use environment based on the following requirements. a. All land area not occupied by buildings, parking, driveways, sidewalks, or other hard surface shall be sodded or mulched and landscaped with approved ground cover, flowers, shrubbery and trees.
b. At least 10% of the total land area within the perimeter of private parking and driveway areas shall be landscaped. Landscaped areas provided within the build-to line may be credited toward this 10% landscaping requirement on a square-foot-for-square-foot basis, for up to half of the 10% requirement, or 5%.
c. Parking lot landscaped islands shall be a minimum of 150 square feet in area and include at least 1 overstory or evergreen tree meeting the requirements of this Chapter.
d. Where parking abuts the site perimeter there shall be provided at least 1 overstory tree per 25 feet of site perimeter.
e. At least 1 overstory tree shall be provided for every 500 square feet of landscaped area on the entire site.
f. The landscape plan shall include a full complement of overstory, ornamental and evergreen trees, shrubbery, and ground covers that are hardy and appropriate for the locations in which they are planted, and which provide year-round color and interest.
a. All properties with principal buildings in excess of 30,000 square feet shall be required to have a public plaza area(s).
b. The design of the plaza shall include special paving, benches, trash receptacles, lighting fixtures and other similar type features which comply with the Comprehensive Plan and City specifications.
(14) Signage. Signs in the GMU-3 District shall also be subject to the standards in Section 1001. Freestanding signs are prohibited in the GMU-3 District, except directional signs at driveways and within parking areas. (15) Pedestrian environment. Pedestrian connections to the surrounding neighborhood shall be incorporated into the neighborhood commercial development.
a. Pedestrian amenities shall be included in places where people typically gather, including but not limited to, transit stops, building entrances or street corners or abutting bike or pedestrian trail connections. These amenities shall benefit the intended users and be located in places that are highly visible. These spaces must include at least two of the following (master planned developments shall provide two elements in a central location):
1. Patterned materials on walkways.
6. Fountains, sculptures, or kiosks.
7. Street trees, flower boxes or container landscaping.
b. Sidewalk connections shall be provided to and through the development to existing and planed bus stops, trails, sidewalks and adjacent properties, where access exists or reasonable connections are possible. If a parking lot lies between the building entry and an adjacent public street, a pedestrian walkway at least six feet wide shall be provided between them. Clear internal pedestrian circulation routes shall be provided on the site.
(16) Outdoor seating for food service businesses.
a. Food service businesses, including but not limited to, bakeries, delicatessens, coffee and/or tea shops, and restaurants, may provide outdoor temporary seating for their patrons, provided that the following requirements are met and an annual incidental outdoor seating permit is approved by the Zoning Administrator:
1. The seating shall be located on private property.
2. The seating shall be of good patio or café type furniture that enhances the appearance of the business.
3. The outdoor seating area shall be defined with the use of landscaping, temporary fencing or other means that contains the tables and chairs for the use as demonstrated on a site plan and approved by City staff.
4. No alcoholic beverages or food shall be served to persons outside of the designated outdoor seating area. Signage shall be posted that restricts consumption of alcohol outside of the designated outdoor seating area as approved by City staff.
5. Patrons shall access the outdoor seating area through the main entrance or host station and shall be seated by a staff person and all full service restaurants with wait staff service.
6. The seating shall be located so as not to compromise safety. Seating shall not obstruct the entrance or any required exits or be located on landscaping or parking areas. If located on private sidewalks or walkways, seating shall be located so as to leave a minimum of a 4 foot wide passageway for pedestrians.
7. No additional parking is required for 30 seats or less. If public parking is available either in a ramp or adjacent on-street, then no additional parking is required. Any additional seating over 30 seats shall provide required parking based on 1 space per 3 seats. Shared parking will be considered and may be approved by-staff.
8. Any proposed outdoor seating plan over 50 or more seats shall be by Conditional Use Permit.
9. All exterior sound equipment shall be shutoff at 10:00 p.m. as regulated in Section
1001.14.
10. Lighting shall be permitted to the extent that it only illuminates the designed area. Lighting cannot shine or cause a glare upon other public or private property outside the designated area or as permitted in Section
1001.14.
11. Any proposed outdoor seating area on property abutting an R-Residential zoning district shall be by Conditional Use Permit.
12. The business owner shall regularly clean the seating area so that it is litter-free.
(Ord. 2011-02, passed 2-22-2011)