The D-4 metropolitan business district is intended to accommodate the several commercial types of activities and uses commonly found in the core of central business districts, as defined for the City in the central business district plan, and as found also in the largest regional shopping centers.

(Ord. 2046, passed 4-11-1968)

   The following principal uses are permitted in a D-4 metropolitan business district.

   (a)   D-3 uses. Any use permitted by § 50-47(b) in the D-3 district and as regulated therein, except as hereafter modified.

   (b)   Office buildings. Of any kind, including wholesale offices and incidental wholesale storage.

   (c)   Other retail uses. Department stores, and any other retail use or service not first permitted or prohibited in the D-5 district.

   (d)   Printing. Newspaper publishing plants.

   (e)   Light manufacturing. Any manufacturing, treatment, converting, finishing or assembling authorized as principal use permitted outright in the E district; provided, that such use shall not occupy the ground floor street frontage of any building within the core area, D-4 district.

   (f)   Residential uses. Residential uses of any kind; provided, that such uses shall not occupy the ground floor of any building within the district. Off- street parking per § 50-139 is not required; however, if provided, shall not occupy the ground floor street frontage of any building.

   (g)   Clubs, lodges. Alcoholic beverages may be sold, consumed or stored on the premises provided this activity meets all Federal, State or local statutes or ordinances, but not within 50 feet, property line to property line, of any residence district and subject to all applicable licenses and such licenses as may be required.

(Ord. 2046, passed 4-11-1968; Ord. 2930, passed 1-15-1985; Ord. 2972, passed 9-23-1985; Ord. 3237, passed 7-12-1993)

   When authorized by the Board of Appeals, parking structures and lots for passenger vehicles only, shall be principal conditional uses, subject to the following conditions.

   (a)   Such structures or lots shall conform with the official circulation and downtown development plan.

   (b)   Entrances and exits or ingress and egress ways, lanes or ramps shall be connected directly with one or more of the principal thoroughfares designated in the official circulation plan, by means of a private passage, bridge, tunnel or otherwise.

(Ord. 2046, passed 4-11-1968)

   Any use, building or structure customarily incidental to any principal use permitted outright, including production, processing and storage of goods sold at retail, and wholesale storage in conjunction with wholesale offices; provided, that any such production, processing or storing shall not occupy ground floor street frontage within the core area of the City, shall be an accessory use permitted outright in a D-4 metropolitan business district.

(Ord. 2046, passed 4-11-1968)

   Any use, building or structure customarily incidental to any principal conditional use in a D-4 metropolitan business district shall be a conditional accessory use.

(Ord. 2046, passed 4-11-1968)

   The following uses are prohibited in a D-4 metropolitan business district: any use which is first permitted or which is prohibited in the D-5 district.

(Ord. 2046, passed 4-11-1968; Ord. 2930, passed 1-15-1985)

   All uses authorized in this article shall be subject to the following conditions.

   (a)   Enclosed buildings. All business, service, repair, processing, storage or display of merchandise shall be conducted wholly within an enclosed building, except off-street parking structures and lots, used car and truck lots, off-street loading areas, gasoline stations and outdoor advertising. However, food, beverages (including alcohol) and merchandise may not be displayed and sold by an owner or tenant outside of a completely enclosed building subject to approval by the Flint Planning Commission as a “special land use” (§ 50-151.1) and the following conditions:

      (1)   Meet all health codes and City licensing and permit requirements.

      (2)   Pedestrian and vehicular movement and circulation may not be impeded.

      (3)   Outside activities must be conducted in a clearly demarcated area with barriers.

      (4)   A detailed site plan showing the location of all furniture and equipment must be submitted to and approved by the Flint Planning Commission. Outdoor furniture and equipment shall be constructed of materials that are durable and stable. The requirements of § 50-8.3 shall not apply to this subsection if the site plan required hereunder is not submitted in conjunction with a project requiring formal site plan review.

   (b)   Outdoor seating. Businesses providing outdoor seating for eight (8) or less patrons shall not be considered a special land use. Therefore, it is exempt from complying with the special land use requirements set forth in § 50-151.1(3). However, it is still required to comply with the requirements of § 50-56(a)(1) through (4). The zoning certificate issuance (§ 50-9) and fee set forth in § 50-12 shall apply.

   (c)   Use to be nonobjectionable. Processes and equipment employed and goods sold shall be limited to those which are nonobjectionable by reason of odor, heat, dust, smoke, cinders, gas, fumes, noise, vibration, radiation, refuse matter or water-carried waste.

(Ord. 2046, passed 4-11-1968; Ord. 2927, passed 11-12-1984; Ord. 3798, passed 8-8-2011)