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Gardena City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 18

19A ARTESIA MIXED USE AMU

§ 18.19A.010 Purpose.

The Artesia mixed use zone is intended for a mix of commercial space and restaurants with medium density and live-work style residential units. The Artesia mixed use zone is different from other mixed use opportunities in the city (primarily overlays) in that it is designed to feature commercial and restaurant uses along the Artesia Boulevard frontage, along with some live-work units; while strictly residential units are clustered along the Dominguez Channel. Live-work units fill the space between the commercial and residential units.
(Ord. 1847 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)

§ 18.19A.020 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings described below:
"Main Street"
means that private street running east-west that roughly bisects the AMU zone into north and south halves.
"Service businesses generally based on site"
provide a service directly to the customer at the business premises. Examples include but are not limited to: copying and shipping; notary public; barber; small item repair; tailor and alterations; dry cleaner; financial advising and banking; tutoring; childcare; and indoor playgrounds.
"Service businesses generally conducted off site"
provide a base of operations and limited customer interaction at the business location while the core of the business activity is performed remotely. Examples include but are not limited to: plumbing; mobile pet grooming; windshield repair; private investigation; pool service; house painting; and wedding planning.
"Studio uses"
include but are not limited to: martial arts; art and design, including digital formats; post production; photography; sound recording; physical therapy, and yoga.
(Ord. 1847 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)

§ 18.19A.030 Uses permitted.

The following uses shall be permitted by right in the Artesia mixed use zone provided they are not listed as requiring a conditional use permit (Section 18.19A.040) or prohibited (Section 18.19A.050):
A. 
Residential. Permitted only south of Main Street:
1. 
Multifamily dwellings;
2. 
Single-family attached dwellings (townhomes);
3. 
Transitional housing, subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in this zone;
4. 
Supportive housing, subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in this zone;
5. 
ADUs and JADUs subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.13.
B. 
Commercial. Permitted only north of Main Street:
1. 
Retail stores up to five thousand square feet;
2. 
Restaurants;
3. 
Service businesses generally based on site;
4. 
Studio uses.
C. 
Live-Work. Permitted in live-work-style units only adjacent to Main Street and subject to a home occupation permit:
1. 
Professional, administrative, and business offices;
2. 
Retail stores;
3. 
Service businesses generally based on site;
4. 
Service businesses generally conducted off site;
5. 
Studio uses.
(Ord. 1847 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)

§ 18.19A.040 Uses permitted subject to a conditional use permit.

The following uses may be permitted in the AMU zone subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit in accordance with the procedure set forth in Chapter 18.46:
A. 
Commercial. Permitted only north of Main Street:
1. 
Retail stores over five thousand square feet;
2. 
Medical offices, including urgent care facility.
B. 
Live-Work.
1. 
Restaurants;
2. 
Catering services.
C. 
Establishments selling or serving alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the premises.
(Ord. 1847 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)

§ 18.19A.050 Uses prohibited.

All uses not listed in Sections 18.19A.030 and 18.19A.040 are deemed to be expressly prohibited, except those determined to be similar pursuant to the provisions of Section 18.42.040. No similar use determination may be made for the following specific uses, which are deemed to be either incompatible with the uses permitted in the AMU zone or otherwise prohibited:
A. 
Residential.
1. 
Any residential units other than live-work north of Main Street;
2. 
Home sharing rentals; and
3. 
Short-term rentals.
B. 
Commercial.
1. 
Any commercial uses other than live-work south of Main Street;
2. 
Fitness and training facilities;
3. 
Significant tobacco retailers.
C. 
Live-Work.
1. 
Industrial uses;
2. 
Wholesaling and warehousing;
3. 
Outdoor sales;
4. 
Adult-oriented businesses as defined by Section 18.62.020(G).
(Ord. 1847 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1854 § 11, 2023; Ord. 1871 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)

§ 18.19A.060 Property development standards.

The property development standards set forth in this section shall apply to all land and buildings in the AMU zone.
A. 
Lot area: one-half acre.
B. 
Lot dimensions: minimum lot width of ninety-two feet. No minimum or maximum lot depth.
C. 
Density: eighteen dwelling units per acre maximum.
D. 
Building height: three stories and forty-five feet maximum.
E. 
Setbacks and Building Separation – Minimum Requirements.
1. 
Street front: twenty-two feet.
2. 
Sides and rear abutting property lines: five feet.
3. 
Commercial building to commercial building: fifteen feet.
4. 
Commercial building to residential building: fifteen feet.
5. 
Live-work building to residential building: ten feet.
6. 
Live-work building to live-work building: ten feet.
7. 
Residential building to residential building: ten feet.
F. 
Parking.
1. 
Residential and live-work: two spaces per unit plus one-half per unit for guest parking.
2. 
Commercial: one space per every one hundred seventy-five gross square feet.
G. 
Open Space.
1. 
Commercial: ten percent of commercial gross square feet.
2. 
Live-work: one hundred square feet per unit.
3. 
Residential: one hundred fifty square feet per unit.
H. 
General provisions set forth in Section 18.42.010.
(Ord. 1847 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)

§ 18.19A.070 Design criteria.

The design standards set forth in this section shall be used to review site plans, building plans and use permits for all development within the AMU zone and the residential design criteria in Section 18.42.190. In the case of conflicting design criteria, this section shall prevail.
A. 
Site Design. The following principles intend to establish an engaging street edge defined by the orientation and placement of buildings fronting major streets:
1. 
Building Orientation. Buildings and major pedestrian entrances must be oriented towards centers of activity; specifically, a primary street frontage or public plaza.
a. 
All primary ground-floor common entries or individual dwelling unit entries fronting on public or private streets must be oriented to the street, not to the interior or to a parking lot.
b. 
Entrances at building corners may be used to satisfy this requirement.
2. 
Setback Encroachments. Restaurant facilities and retail may encroach into the street setback as permitted by the city under an approved encroachment permit up to a maximum of eight feet from the building frontage, provided at least four feet of unobstructed walkway is maintained.
B. 
Architecture. The following principles intend to promote quality design:
1. 
Siding Materials. Plain concrete block, plain concrete, plywood, sheet pressboard, or vinyl panels are prohibited. Siding should be of high quality materials that weather well over time;
2. 
Color. Colors must include a base color and two or more accent colors for each building. Colors must be selected from the approved color palette adopted by resolution of the city council;
3. 
Multiple Story Structures. Each subsequent story above the second story shall be set back from the story below by a minimum of eight feet. Architectural features, private open spaces, and patios may encroach up to fifty percent into the multiple story setback area, up to the wall face of the lower story;
4. 
Building Facade. Street-facing facades must be architecturally enhanced through the use of the architectural features listed below:
a. 
Maximum total wall plane without windows or entrances (on any facade) should not exceed thirty percent of the first story wall;
b. 
A minimum of sixty percent of the street-facing facade between two feet and eight feet in height must be comprised of clear windows that allow views of indoor space or product display areas;
5. 
Architectural details listed below must adhere to the following:
a. 
Architectural projections, such as bays, dormer windows, sun-control devices, un-roofed porches, cornices, belt courses and appendages such as water tables, sills, capitals, and bases, may encroach into the required setback by up to eighteen inches;
b. 
Balconies and porches are encouraged to create distinction between units, but are not required;
c. 
Awnings, if used, must be broken into segments that mirror the door and window openings beneath them;
d. 
Canopy posts may not be placed within the public right-of-way;
6. 
Window placement shall reflect the use:
a. 
For commercial uses, large windows shall front onto major pedestrian throughways to promote exposure and visibility;
b. 
For residential uses, windows shall face away from loading areas, docks, and trash storage areas.
7. 
A lighting plan is required for any new construction pursuant to Sections 18.42.150 and 18.42.190(H).
(Ord. 1847 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 18, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)