The owner of a tract of land, located in any district at or near where a proposed shopping center is shown on the land use plan, containing not less than two acres in the case of a neighborhood shopping center, neighborhood business district type D-2, and not less than 15 acres in the case of a community shopping center, community business district D-3, may submit to the Planning Commission for its review a preliminary plan for the use and development of such tract of land for an integrated shopping center.

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

   In accepting a plan for review under § 50-108, the Planning Commission shall be satisfied that the proponents of the integrated shopping center into to start construction within two years if a neighborhood shopping center and three years if a community shopping center from the date of the approval of the project and necessary district change, and intend to complete it within a reasonable period of time as determined by the Planning Commission.

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

   It shall be the duty of the Planning Commission to investigate and ascertain whether the location, size and other characteristics of the site, and the proposed plan, comply with the following conditions.

   (a)   Site adequacy. That the proposed shopping center is adequate, but not excessive, in size to provide adequate shopping facilities for the population which reasonably may be expected to be served by the proposed shopping center.

   (b)   Traffic congestion. That the proposed shopping center is at a location where traffic congestion does not exist at present on the streets to be utilized for access to the proposed shopping center, and where such congestion will not likely be created by the proposed center; or where such existing or possible future congestion will be obviated by presently projected improvement of access thoroughfares or by demonstrable provisions in the plan for proper entrances and exits, and by internal provisions for traffic and parking.

   (c)   Thoroughfare access required. That any neighborhood shopping center will abut and front a street designated in the official major street plan as a secondary or primary thoroughfare or designated by the Planning Commission as a local or collector street as defined in the subdivision regulations; and any community shopping center shall abut and front on a street designated in such plan as a primary thoroughfare.

   (d)   Integrated design. The plan provides for a shopping center consisting of one or more groups of establishments in buildings of integrated and harmonious design, together with adequate and properly arranged traffic and parking facilities adequate provisions for drainage and landscaping. The project shall be arranged in an attractive and efficient manner, convenient, pleasant and safe to use, and fitting harmoniously into surrounding properties.

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

   The uses permitted in an integrated shopping center shall be appropriate to the specific functions thereof. In the case of a neighborhood shopping center the allowable uses shall be those permitted in the D-2 district. In the case of a community shopping center the allowable uses shall be those permitted in the D-3 district; provided, that no residential, heavy, commercial or industrial uses shall be permitted in any shopping center. Only those uses shall be authorized which are necessary or desirable to supply with goods or services the surrounding neighborhood or community, as the case may be. All uses authorized in this manner shall be in harmony with the design of the center and the environs thereof.

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

   The following regulations shall apply to an integrated shopping center.

   (a)   Building height. No building shall exceed two stores or 30 feet in height.

   (b)   Yards. No building shall be less than 50 feet distant from any boundary of the tract or site on which the shopping center is located. The center shall be permanently screened from all adjoining properties located in any residence district, and except for necessary entrances and exits, from all properties located in any residence district across the street and within 100 feet from such center. The type and nature of the screening shall be determined by the Planning Commission.

   (c)   Tract coverage. The ground area occupied by all the buildings shall not exceed in the aggregate 25% of the total area of the tract or site.

   (d)   Customer parking space. Notwithstanding any other requirements of this chapter, there shall be provided at least two square feet of off-street parking area, including driveways from every square foot of total floor space, not including storage space, in an integrated neighborhood shopping center; and three square feet of off-street parking area for every square foot of total floor space, not including storage space, in a community shopping center.

   (e)   Loading space. Notwithstanding any other requirements of this chapter, there shall be provided one off-street loading space for each 10,000 square feet or fraction thereof of aggregate floor space of all buildings in the center. At least one-third of the space required shall be sufficient in area and vertical clearance to accommodate trucks of the tractor-trailer type.

   (f)   Illumination. Accessways and parking areas shall be adequately lighted by lighting fixtures which shall be so installed as to reflect light away from adjoining properties.

   (g)   Signs. Subject to approval by the Planning Commission, all signs within the center shall be controlled by written agreement between the owners and tenants of the center, or otherwise, with the view to preventing excessive advertising and ensure a harmonious appearance of the center as a whole.

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

   Upon determination by the Planning Commission that the proposed integrated shopping center as shown in the preliminary plan appears to conform to the requirements of this article and all other applicable requirements of this chapter, the proponents shall prepare and submit a final development plan, which plan shall incorporate any changes or modifications required by the Planning Commission.

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

   If the final development plan is found to comply with the requirements in this article and other applicable provisions of this chapter, the Planning Commission shall submit the plan, its report and recommendations to the City Council together with the required application by the proponents for the necessary change in zoning classification of the site of the proposed center. The City Council shall hold a public hearing on both the development plan and application for a zoning district change.

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

   Following the public hearing, the City Council may modify the plan, consistent with the intent and meaning of this chapter, and may rezone the property to a classification permitting the proposed center for development in substantial conformity with the final plan as approved by the City Council; provided, that all procedures relative to amendments to this chapter shall be followed in that case.

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

   After the final development plan has been approved by the City Council and in the course of carrying out this plan, adjustments or rearrangements of buildings, parking areas, loading areas, entrances, height or yards may be requested by the proponents, and provided such requests conform to the standards, established by the final development plan and this chapter, such adjustments or rearrangements may be authorized by the Planning Commission.

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