Findlay City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1154
UOD University Overlay District
1154.01 INTENT.
The purpose of the University Overlay District is to allow post-secondary education institutions and their ancillary uses while preserving the residential character of the surrounding neighborhoods. The University District shall have a campus-like atmosphere with pedestrian connections, landscaping, and compatible architecture. The University District is designated in conjunction with the underlying zoning classification. The University Overlay District adds permitted and conditional uses to the underlying district.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1154.02 PERMITTED USES.
Uses permitted in the base zoning district.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1154.03 CONDITIONAL USES.
The conditional uses permitted in the University Overlay District are subject to Section 1154.04 Development Category of the site for which it is proposed. The following uses are permitted subject to the associated conditions:
(a) Universities and Colleges. All universities, colleges, and schools are permitted, along with the associated support buildings and uses, on condition they are identified as part of a campus master plan that has been reviewed and adopted by the institution’s board of directors and the Findlay City Planning Commission. Structures, buildings, and uses may include but are not limited to:
(1) Education Halls.
(2) Assembly Halls.
(3) Concert Halls.
(4) Athletic Facilities and Complexes.
(5) Student Life Centers.
(6) Dormitories and Residence Halls.
(7) Faculty Housing.
(8) Administrative Buildings.
(9) Libraries.
(10) Theaters.
(11) Parking Lots and Garages.
(12) Utility Stations and Infrastructure.
(13) Maintenance Facilities.
(b) Fraternity and Sorority Houses. Subject to the following conditions:
(1) Sanction by Parent Society.
(2) Approval of University.
(c) Civic Uses. Libraries and community centers, public or private. Conditions include:
(1) Access via major or minor thoroughfare.
(2) Hours of operation limited to between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m..
(d) Passive and Active Recreational Parks. Conditions include:
(1) Hours of operation limited to between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
(e) Theaters, Athletic Facilities, and Similar Places of Assembly, for both Indoor and Outdoor Uses Subject to:
(1) Access via major or minor thoroughfare.
(2) Multiple access points for ingress-egress to site.
(3) Clear passage stacking for a minimum of ten (10) vehicles on site, measuring from the access/right-of-way line.
(4) Low profile signage.
(5) When abutting a residential zoning classification, it must meet screening requirements set forth in Section 1161.07, Screening.
(6) Waste disposal/trash collection areas may not be located within the base zoning’s front, side, or rear yard setbacks.
(f) Commercial Uses. The following uses share the same conditions for approval. The conditions are listed in Setion 1154.03(g), Conditions for commercial use.
(1) Professional Offices.
(2) Restaurants.
(3) Day Care Centers.
(4) Art and Antique Shops.
(5) Bakery – Retail.
(6) Bed and Breakfasts.
(7) Book Stores.
(8) Business Services.
(9) Coffee Shops.
(10) Convenience Stores.
(11) Banks, Financial Institutions.
(12) Craft Supplies.
(13) Dance Studios.
(14) Laundromats.
(15) Flower Shops.
(16) Food Retailing.
(17) Hardware Stores.
(18) Health Services.
(19) Ice Cream Shops.
(20) Beauty Salons.
(21) Barber Shops.
(22) Boarding and Lodging Houses.
(g) Parking Lots.
(1) Parking must be illuminated.
(2) Parking requirement may be reduced by fifty percent (50%) if the site is connected by dedicated walkway or trail to another park, civic space, or civic use facility (i.e. school, museum, university). A City sidewalk does not meet the criteria for the parking exemption.
(3) Parking lots shall be located away from non-university residential areas.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1154.04 DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY.
All uses permitted by the University Overlay District in addition to those expressly permitted in the base zoning district shall be reviewed and approved using criteria established in two (2) categories of development: Small Scale Development and Large-Scale Development. Building setbacks are based on three (3) categories of height: Buildings one (1) or two (2) stories in height, buildings three (3) stories in height or less, and buildings in excess of three (3) stories.
(a) Buildings Less than Thirty (30) Feet Tall.
(1) Front Yard Setback. Twenty-five feet (25’).
(2) Side Yard Setback. Five feet (5’).
Twenty feet (20’) if adjacent to single family residential use
(3) Rear Yard Setback. Twenty feet (20’).
Thirty feet (30’) if adjacent to single family residential use.
(b) Buildings Thirty (30) Feet Tall or More.
(1) Front Yard Setback. Forty feet (40’).
(2) Side Yard Setback. Twenty feet (20’)
Thirty (30’) feet if adjacent to single family residential use
(3) Rear Yard Setback. Twenty feet (20’)
Thirty (30’) feet if adjacent to single family residential use.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1154.05 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Low profile signage and A-Frames only.
(c) Waste disposal/trash collection areas may not be located within the base zoning’s front, side, or rear yard setbacks.
(d) Parking. Parking Requirement may be reduced by fifty percent (50%) at the discretion of Planning Commission.
(e) In no instance shall outdoor merchandise be displayed in a required front yard setback. (Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)