Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Kentwood City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 9

- C-5 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRIDOR COMMERCIAL DISTRICT3


Footnotes:
--- (3) ---

Cross reference— Licenses, permits and miscellaneous business regulations, ch. 26.


Section 9.01.- Intent and purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for certain high traffic corridors within the city that exhibit unique characteristics not found in other commercial districts in the city, and to encourage appropriate development and redevelopment to sustain the economic viability of the district. The regulations herein are based on the following findings:

A.

The shallow depth and adjacent residential districts and uses of many of the parcels along arterial routes make it difficult to arrange a site plan that can meet the setback, parking and buffer standards required of other commercial districts in this ordinance.

B.

The city wishes to encourage combinations of parcels to increase lot widths and depths to allow successful commercial development while allowing sufficient area to adequately protect adjacent residential land uses.

C.

The longterm viability of single-family residential uses along some arterial corridors is a concern. These residential uses are subject to high traffic volumes and future street widening. These factors call into question the longterm use of residential properties with shallow front yard setbacks.

D.

Uses appropriate for this district must be accommodated within relatively small lots and must be compatible with the adjacent residential neighborhoods.

E.

Establishing setbacks closer to the street than what is required in other commercial districts is considered appropriate given the unique conditions of this district and an objective to increase pedestrian activity along the street.

Section 9.02. - Table of uses and parking.

A.

The following abbreviations apply to the table of uses and parking:

P: Land and/or buildings in this district may be used for the purposes by right.
SLU: The following uses may be permitted by obtaining special land use approval when all applicable standards as cited in chapter 15 are met.
NP: Use is not permitted in the district.

 

Use Approval Type Parking Requirement Spaces per Unit of Measurement
Residential
Detached single-family homes existing at the effective date of this ordinance. Such homes may be improved, expanded and reconstructed as a conforming use P Two per dwelling unit
Residential dwellings located on the same premises as nonresidential uses permitted by this chapter, provided that all such dwellings meet all applicable building codes P Two per dwelling unit
Retail
Building supply and equipment establishments SLU One per each 400 sq. ft. GFA
Commercial enterprises producing merchandise on the premises SLU One per each 350 sq. ft. GFA
Open air businesses SLU One per each 800 sq. ft. of lot area used for the open air business plus parking for any main use building and associated accessory uses
Pawnshops SLU One per each 250 sq. ft. GFA
Restaurants, freestanding and other establishments serving food and/or beverages, including outdoor seating areas, but not including drive-through facilities SLU One per 75 sq. ft. UFA, including outdoor seating areas
Restaurants within shopping centers, excluding drive-throughs P One per each 100 sq. ft. UFA
Retail businesses P One per each 300 sq. ft. GFA
Convenience stores P
Vehicle rental establishments SLU One per each 600 sq. ft. GFA
Offices
Office P One per each 400 sq. ft. GFA
Clinic SLU Two per each exam or outpatient procedure room or station plus one per each lab or recovery room
Service and repair establishments
Animal hospitals and kennels SLU One per each 400 sq. ft. GFA
Financial institutions, freestanding P One per each 300 sq. ft. GFA
Financial institutions, drive-in SLU One per each 300 sq. ft. GFA plus three standing spaces per each outside teller or other outside service window
Funeral homes and crematoria SLU One per each 50 sq. ft. of parlor area
Personal service establishments P One per each 400 sq. ft. GFA
Repair and service establishments SLU One per each 1,000 sq. ft. GFA
Vehicle repair-major and minor SLU Two per each service stall, plus one per each employee
Fuel stations SLU Two per each service stall, plus one per each employee
Vehicle washes SLU One per each employee
Institutional, recreational, and utilities
Adult and child care institutions SLU One per each four beds, plus one per each daytime work shift staff, plus one per each four off-site visiting staff
Assembly buildings SLU One per each three seats or six feet of bleacher seating or each 100 sq. ft. whichever is greater
Bowling alleys or skating rinks SLU Four per bowling lane, plus ½ the amount required for accessory uses
Commercial recreation, indoor SLU Parking operations plan but not less than three per court or other recreational use plus parking required for any accessory uses. If athletic fields are included, there shall be provided an additional ten spaces per field
Commercial recreation, outdoor SLU Parking operations plan but not less than one per each miniature golf holes plus two per each batting cage plus one per each 50 sq. ft. with video games plus three spaces per court
Commercial schools SLU Six per classroom or amount required for the auditorium place of assembly, whichever is greater
Day care centers SLU Parking operations plan or one per each three clients computed on the basis of the greatest number of clients on site at a given time
Elementary and secondary schools SLU Three per classroom or amount required for the auditorium place of assembly, whichever is greater; separate areas for student drop off and pick up areas for buses must be provided
High schools, colleges and universities SLU Six per classroom or amount required for the auditorium place of assembly, whichever is greater; separate areas for student drop off and pick up areas for buses must be provided
Housing for the elderly SLU One per dwelling unit plus one per each daytime work shift staff
Libraries, art galleries or museums SLU One per each 300 sq. ft. GFA
Municipal and public service activities SLU One per each 300 sq. ft. GFA, not including parking areas for municipal vehicles (police cars, public works vehicles, etc.), plus spaces required for assembly areas
Parking lots to serve an adjacent permitted or approved special land use SLU N/A
Places of religious worship P Two per each five seats based on the maximum seating capacity [of the main place] of assembly up to 2,500 persons
Radio and television stations SLU One per each 250 sq. ft. GFA
Radio, television, or microwave tower SLU None
Theaters SLU Four per each ten persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load as established by local, city, county, state—Fire, health, or building codes
Utility substations, switching stations, and transmission lines SLU 2
Freestanding off-street parking P Parking operations plan
Exempt wireless communication equipment (attached to a lawful existing wireless support structure) in accordance with Act 366 of 2018 Refer to section 3.21
Exempt small cell wireless support structure in accordance with Act 365 of 2018 Refer to section 1.07F
Non-exempt small cell wireless facility (outside of the ROW) in accordance with Act 365 of 2018
Non-exempt small cell wireless facility in the ROW (exceeds height, width, etc. standards) in accordance with Act 365 of 2018
New wireless communication support structure Refer to section 3.21
Non-exempt wireless communication equipment or support structure (exceeds height, width, etc. standards) in accordance with Act 366 of 2018

 

(Ord. No. 11-05, § 5, 7-17-2005; Ord. No. 6-06, § 3, 4-30-2006; Ord. No. 11-08, § 2, 8-29-2008; Ord. No. 1-19, § 14, 3-18-2019)

Section 9.03. - Development requirements.

A.

Site plan approval requirements. The following chart provides requirements for site plan approval. A site plan shall be submitted for Planning Commission review in connection with the following, unless specifically exempted in section 14.02:

Site Plan Approval Requirements Other Requirements
Special land use, plats, site condominium projects, and shopping centers and municipal buildings All other new buildings with a permitted use shall be subject to approval by the staff review team in accordance with the requirements of section 13.05. See section 3.25 for site condominium requirements and procedures. See chapter 14 for site plan requirements. See chapter 15 for special land use requirements.

 

B.

Lot and yard requirements.

Requirement Other Requirements
Minimum lot area 10,000 sq. ft.
Minimum lot width 75 ft. Any nonresidential use on a corner lot must provide the minimum frontage along the arterial street; lot width is measured at the front setback line
Front yard All main buildings shall be setback a minimum of 15 feet from the front lot line Except for necessary driveways the required front yard shall be landscaped
Parking within the front yard area of a side yard may be permitted to within five feet of the front lot line as a special land use; where permitted a three-foot high, brick screen wall with a limestone cap (or similar materials and design) or dense hedgerow shall be provided to screen the parking lot
No storage, overnight parking, off-street loading areas or accessory structures shall be permitted
Side yard (See definition of Yard, side in Section 2.02.Y.) Abutting residential districts or uses 20 ft. A six-foot high fence, masonry wall or vertical screen shall be provided for screening. Landscaping is required along the fence or wall. Dumpsters shall be placed adjacent to the main use building
Abutting nonresidential districts Ten ft. If the building is not placed on the lot line
None If the building is placed on the lot line
Corner lots 15 ft. On secondary frontage
Rear yard Abutting residential districts or uses 40 ft. All paved areas shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet
A six-foot high fence, masonry wall, or vertical screen shall be provided for screening. Landscaping is required along the fence or wall
Abutting nonresidential districts 25 ft. May be paved and used for parking
Maximum building height Three stories or 35 feet, whichever is lower See chapter 2, definition for building height

 

C.

Special design and operation standards.

1.

Lighting for parking areas and buildings shall comply with the requirements of chapter 20.

2.

Mechanical equipment and service areas shall be visually screened from adjacent properties and public streets. The architectural design of the building shall incorporate design features that screen, contain and conceal all heating, ventilation, air conditioning units, trash enclosures, dumpsters, loading areas and service yards.

3.

The number and location of driveways within the C-5 district shall be determined according to the provisions outlined in chapter 17.

D.

Development requirements for parking.

1.

The amount of required off-street parking spaces for individual uses shall be determined in accordance with the table in section 9.02.

2.

The design requirements for off-street parking shall be in accordance with section 17.04.

E.

Development requirements for signs. See also chapter 16 signs for general requirements.

C-5 District
Signs Permitted Size Number Height Location Other
Requirements
Freestanding ground 50 sq. ft. 1 per lot 4 ft. above mean grade If less than 5 ft. from ROW line
6 ft. above mean grade If 5 ft. or more from ROW line
Wall 1½ sq. ft. for each one lineal foot of wall One per street frontage Cannot extend above roofline On wall facing street, parking area or public entrance Area calculated using the wall to which the sign is attached
One sq. ft. for each two lineal feet of wall One per wall facing public parking area or public entrance not facing a street
Noncommercial 32 sq. ft. One per issue or candidate or issue per street frontage Outside of ROW
Real estate 32 sq. ft. One 6 ft. Setback at least ten feet from a side or rear lot line Permitted only when property is for sale, rent, or lease
Institutional bulletin board 50 sq. ft. One Four ft. above mean grade If less than five ft. from ROW line Only permitted for institutional uses; not permitted if a ground sign is also used
Six ft. above mean grade If five ft. or more from ROW line
Directional Six sq. ft. Subject to zoning administrator approval where required for traffic safety, subject to approved plan for design, number, and location
Window Shall not cover more than 25 percent of window area on any side of a building
Signs Permitted Size Number Height Location Other
Requirements
Portable 32 sq. ft. One Same as freestanding ground Outside of ROW and in a location where driver visibility is not impaired Limited to 30 days of display in any calendar year

 

(Ord. No. 11-08, § 4, 8-29-2008)