The intent of the I-A, Light Industrial District is to provide locations for planned industrial development, including development within planned industrial park subdivisions and on independent parcels. It is intended that permitted activities or operations produce no external impacts that are detrimental in any way to other uses in the district or to properties in adjoining districts not to include normal traffic impacts or similar operational aspects. Permitted uses should be compatible with nearby residential or commercial uses.

   Accordingly, permitted manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, and light industrial uses permitted in this district should be fully contained within well-designed building on landscaped sites, with adequate off-street parking and loading areas provided in accordance with the standards of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 00-831, 11-8-2000)

      1.   Any use charged with the principal function of basic research, design and pilot or experimental product development when conducted within a completely enclosed building. The growing of any vegetation requisite to the conducting of basic research shall be excluded from the requirement of enclosure.

      2.   Any use as permitted and regulated in the T-R, Technology and Research District and O-S, Business Office District as long as it primarily services the employees of the principal I-A use.

      3.   Research and office uses related to permitted industrial operations.

      4.   Any of the following uses when conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building:

         (a)   Warehousing and wholesale establishments, tool, die, gauge and machine shops.

         (b)   The manufacture, compounding, processing, packaging or treatment of such products as: cosmetics, pharmaceutical, toiletries, food products, hardware and household supplies.

         (c)   The manufacture, compounding, assembling or treatment of articles or merchandise from the following previously prepared materials: bone, canvas, cellophane, cloth, cork, feathers, felt, fiber, fur, glass, hair, horn, leather, paper, plastics, precious or semi-precious metals or stones, sheet metal (excluding large stampings such as automobile fenders or bodies), ferrous and nonferrous metals (excluding large castings and fabrications), shell, textiles, tobacco, wax, wire, wood (excluding saw and planing mills), and yams.

         (d)   The manufacture of pottery and figures or other similar ceramic products using only previously pulverized clay and kilns fired only by electricity or gas.

         (e)   Manufacture of musical instruments, toys, novelties, and metal or rubber stamps or other small molded rubber products (not including pneumatic tires).

         (f)   Manufacture or assembly of electrical appliances, electronic instruments and devices, radios and phonographs.

         (g)   Laboratories—Experimental, film or testing.

         (h)   Mini-warehouses subject to the provisions in Section 7.02K.

         (i)   Labs.

         (j)   Data processing.

      5.   Warehouse, storage and transfer uses and electric and gas service buildings, public utility buildings, telephone exchange buildings, electrical transformer stations and substations and gas regulator stations, provided that outside storage is not permitted for any of these uses.

      6.   The parking of trucks and truck trailers incidental to any of the above permitted uses, not to exceed seven (7) continuous days.

      7.   Commercial kennels subject to the provisions in Section 7.02J.

      8.   Uses and structures accessory to the above, subject to the provisions in Section 2.03. Accessory office and sales operations may be permitted where such activities are clearly incidental to the principal industrial use, subject to the provisions in Section 7.04.

      9.   Regional newspaper distribution centers, provided that loading and unloading area is provided on the site.

      10.   Tree trimming services.

      11.   Commissary kitchens.

      1.   Automobile repair garages, including minor and major repair, subject to the provisions in Section 7.02B., and provided that all operations are carried on within a completely enclosed building.

      2.   Radio and television transmitting and receiving towers, subject to the provisions in Section 7.02P.

      3.   Metal plating, buffing, and polishing operations.

      4.   Construction equipment and related equipment sales, leasing, and storage, subject to the following conditions:

         (a)   Where feasible, equipment shall be stored inside. Open storage structures may be permitted by the plan commission, provided that such structures are enclosed on three (3) sides and have a roof.

         (b)   Storage yards shall be screened from any abutting public or private road in accordance with Section 5.02E.

      5.   Contractor's storage yards, provided that such yards are completely enclosed within an eight (8) foot masonry wall or screening, in accordance with Section 5.02(E).

      6.   Millwork, lumber, and planing mills when completely enclosed and located on the interior of the district so that no property line forms the exterior boundary of the I-A District.

      7.   Retail sales, gun ranges, commercial service, storage, or repair of any firearms, handguns, long guns, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, gun powder, explosives or blasting agents as partial or sole use of an individual structure or building subject to not being located closer than a seven-hundred-(700)-foot radius distance to the nearest residential zoning district, residential land use, church or place of worship, and public or private school.

      8.   Day laborer agencies.

      9.   Accessory retail or service uses that are intended to serve the occupants and patrons of the principal use, provided that any such use shall be an incidental use occupying no more than five percent (5%) of a building that accommodates a principal permitted use. Permitted accessory retail and service uses shall be limited to the following:

         (a)   Retail establishments that deal directly with the consumer and generally serve the convenience shopping needs of workers and visitors, such as convenience stores, drug stores, uniform supply stores, or similar retail businesses.

         (b)   Personal service establishments which are intended to serve workers or visitors in the district, such as dry cleaning establishments, travel agencies, tailor shops, or similar service establishments.

         (c)   Restaurants, cafeterias, or other places serving food and beverages for consumption within the building.

         (d)   Financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations.

      10.   Indoor recreation facilities, in the IA District only, subject to the provisions in Section 7.02Q(2).

      11.   Food truck courts, in the IA District only, subject to the provisions in Section 7.02BB, but prohibited within the West Downtown District, as defined in Article 27.00, the BD-Downtown Business District, as defined in Article 17.00, and the Dix-Vernor and Warren Business District Improvement Authorities, as defined in Article 1.00.

(Ord. No. 00-831, 11-8-2000; Ord. No. 15-1485, 9-22-2015; Ord. No. 16-1524, 3-15-2016; Ord. No. 25-1836, 1-28-2025; Ord. No. 25-1839, 5-20-2025)

   A.   Required conditions. Except as otherwise noted, building and uses in the Light Industrial District shall comply with the following requirements:

      1.   All manufacturing, compounding, assembling, processing, packaging, or other industrial or business activity shall comply with the performance standards set forth in Article 8.00.

      2.   All manufacturing, compounding, assembling, processing, packaging, or other industrial or business activity shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building, except as otherwise specified.

      3.   There shall be no outside storage of any goods, inventory, or equipment except in designated areas which shall be enclosed on all sides with a screening fence or wall, subject to the requirements in Section 5.02. Use of trailers for storage is prohibited.

      4.   Where applicable, machinery shall comply with the standards in Section 7.02S.

   B.   Site Plan Review. Site Plan Review and approval is required by the city planner for all uses in the Light Industrial District in accordance with Article 32.00.

   C.   Area, height, bulk, and placement requirements. Buildings and uses in the Light Industrial District are subject to the area, height, bulk, and placement requirements in Article 29.00—Schedule of Regulations.

   D.   General development standards. Buildings and uses in the Light Industrial District shall be subject to all applicable standards and requirements set forth in this ordinance, including the following:

 

(Ord. No. 00-831, 11-8-2000)