The purpose of this district is to provide an environment in which the principal use of land is for single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings of a medium density. It is further the intent of this district to provide for such uses as schools, churches, libraries, parks, playgrounds, and other public and semi-public uses, along with certain home occupations, accessory buildings, and others to coexist on a limited and structured basis adjacent to residential uses.

Further, the objectives of this Article include:

A.

To encourage the construction of, and the continued use of the land for single- and two-family dwellings.

B.

To achieve the same character, stability, and sound residential environment as in the Low Density Single-Family Residential district while permitting a slightly higher density of people through the construction of two-family dwellings.

C.

To provide an affordable housing alternative in a residential neighborhood for those persons who do not require or desire a single-family residence.

D.

To encourage the discontinuance of existing uses that would not be permitted as new uses under the provisions of this Ordinance.

E.

To discourage any land use which, because of its character or size, would create requirements and costs for public services such as fire and police protection, water supply, and sewer treatment substantially in excess of such requirements and costs normally associated with single-family dwellings.

F.

To prohibit intensive business, commercial, or industrial use of the land, and to prohibit any other use which would substantially interfere with the development or maintenance of single-family dwellings in the district.

No building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected except for one (1) or more of the following specified uses, unless otherwise provided in this Ordinance:

A.

Single-family detached dwellings.

B.

Two-family detached dwellings (commonly referred to as duplexes).

C.

Home occupations.

D.

Adult foster care family homes, provided, this subsection shall not apply to adult foster care facilities, licensed by a state agency, for the care and treatment of persons released from or assigned to adult correctional institutions.

E.

Public, quasi-public, and institutional uses such as, but not limited to, municipal buildings and offices, courthouses, public off-street parking facilities, libraries, museums, public safety facilities, parks, post offices, and civic centers, (excluding storage yards for the same).

F.

Essential public services when conducted within a completely enclosed building, excluding storage yards.

G.

Churches and other facilities normally incidental thereto.

H.

Off-street parking.

I.

Accessory structures and uses customarily incidental to the above permitted uses.

The following uses shall be considered conditional and shall require a conditional use approval, and shall comply with any applicable conditional use requirements of Article XXIII:

A.

Attached or detached accessory apartments, provided the site contains a single-family dwelling only, and is limited to one (1) accessory apartment per site. Accessory apartments may be attached to either a single-family dwelling or a detached garage.

B.

Home-based businesses.

C.

Public, parochial, and private elementary, intermediate, and/or high schools offering courses in general education, not operated for profit.

D.

Public hospitals, but not including institutions for the care of the insane, provided that the hospital is adjacent to an arterial roadway as defined in the Eaton Rapids Comprehensive Plan.

E.

Private recreation areas, uses, and facilities including country clubs, golf courses, and swimming pools.

F.

Public utility buildings, telephone exchange buildings, electric transformer stations and substations, and gas regulator stations, but not including service or storage yards, when operating requirements necessitate the locating within the district in order to serve the immediate vicinity.

G.

Cemeteries.

The following requirements shall be met within a Single-Family and Two-Family Residential District (RD2):

A.

Development plan approval for all non-single- or two-family residential uses as specified in Article XVI of this Ordinance.

B.

Off-street parking, loading, and access management standards for all uses as specified in Article XXI of this Ordinance.

C.

Signs for all uses as specified in Article XXII of this Ordinance.

D.

Height, area, lot coverage, and yard regulations as specified in Article XVII of this Ordinance.

E.

Landscaping requirements as specified in Article XX of this Ordinance.