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La Center City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 18

142 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT HDR

§ 18.142.010 Purpose.

(1) 
The purpose of the High Density Residential (HDR) zone in La Center is to create vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities that maximize land use efficiency while preserving the city's unique, small-town character. The HDR zone aims to:
(a) 
Enhance Housing Availability: Provide a range of affordable and high-quality housing options to meet the growing demand and accommodate various household sizes and income levels.
(b) 
Foster Community Engagement: Design neighborhoods that facilitate social interaction and community building, with accessible amenities, such as parks, community centers, and local businesses.
(c) 
Support Economic Growth: Stimulate La Center's local economy by attracting new residents, creating job opportunities, and increasing the customer base for local businesses.
(d) 
Preserve Local Character: Integrate new developments harmoniously with existing buildings and uses of La Center and respecting La Center's historical and cultural heritage while introducing modern architectural elements.
(Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)

§ 18.142.020 Location criteria.

The City shall assign HDR zoning in close proximity to collector or arterial roadways with multimodal facilities; current or proposed transit routes; areas with higher intensity residential, mixed-use, and commercial development; employment centers; and with good access to public amenities, such as schools, recreation, open spaces, and community centers.
(Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)

§ 18.142.030 Uses.

(1) 
The following categories and uses are permitted, prohibited, or only allowed as conditional uses. Unlawful uses are not permitted. Any non-residential uses as allowed within the Timmen Landing Neighborhood Commercial overlay are subject to the permitted uses pursuant to LCMC § 18.150.020.
(a) 
Use Table Legend. The intended meanings of the terms in the master use table are:
"P" means permitted; "C" means conditional use review is required; "L" means limited use; "X" means not permitted.
Table 18.142.030
HDR District Allowed Uses
Use
Existing single-family detached
P
Single-family detached
X
Single-family attached
P
Multifamily dwellings
P
Cottage housing
P
Manufactured homes
X
Manufactured home subdivisions and communities
X
Family day care providers consistent with LCMC 18.270.020
P
Public parks, recreational facilities, and open spaces
P
Accessory buildings and uses normal and incidental to the buildings and uses permitted in this chapter
P
Home occupations
L1
Art galleries and museums not exceeding 2 gross acres
L1
Public utilities, such as electrical substations
L1
Foster care homes
L1
Churches
C2
Public schools
P
Community clubs
P
Day care centers
C2
Public buildings and uses not otherwise listed as permitted in the LCMC
C2
Bed and breakfast houses
L1
Mobile homes
X
All manufacturing and commercial uses or services, except permitted home occupations
X
Temporary sales offices in conjunction with a subdivision
P
Concessionaires, including commercial recreational rentals, only when located within the La Center Downtown Subarea boundaries as adopted
L1
1
Limited uses shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 18.270 LCMC. Except for concessionaires which shall be reviewed under Type I review, all limited uses shall be subject to Type II site plan review procedures.
2
Conditional uses shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 18.250 LCMC.
(b) 
For sites and developments within the Timmen Landing Neighborhood Commercial overlay, see uses permitted pursuant to LCMC § 18.150.020.
(Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)

§ 18.142.040 Development standards.

(1) 
All developments within the HDR zoning district shall comply with the density and dimensional requirements of Table 18.142.040. Non-residential developments as allowed in the Timmen Landing Neighborhood Commercial overlay are subject to the development standards of LCMC § 18.150.030.
Table 18.142.040
HDR District Density and Dimensional Requirements
Standard
Net Density1
16-24 units/acre
Minimum Lot Width
20 ft
Minimum Lot Depth
60 ft
Minimum Lot Area
1,500 sf
Maximum Lot Area
N/A
Maximum Lot Coverage
85%
Maximum Height2
45 ft
Setbacks3
Minimum Front Setback4
10 ft
Minimum Garage Setback from the Property Line
5 ft
Minimum Garage Setback from Alley
3 ft
Minimum Side Setback
0 ft attached or 10 ft abutting single-family detached
Minimum Street Side Setback
0 ft
Minimum Rear Setback
20 ft
1
In a phased project, each phase of the project shall meet the density requirements.
2
The maximum height of a dwelling is depicted in this table; the maximum height of a garage or accessory building is 20 feet.
3
Setbacks and building envelopes shall be identified for each lot on the face of the plat or binding site plan.
4
Minimum front yard setback shall be 20 feet from arterial streets and 15 feet from collector streets.
(2) 
General Standards for developments in the HDR district shall be subject to the development standards of the MDR-16 district pursuant to LCMC § 18.140.040.
(a) 
Single-family attached housing shall be subject to the requirements of LCMC § 18.140.050.
(b) 
Multifamily housing shall be subject to the requirements of LCMC § 18.140.060.
(c) 
Cottage housing shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 18.185 LCMC.
(3) 
Developments in the HDR district shall also be subject to the following requirements:
(a) 
Chapter 18.242 LCMC, Parks and Open Spaces;
(b) 
Chapter 18.245 LCMC, Supplementary Development Standards;
(c) 
Chapter 18.280 LCMC, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements;
(d) 
Chapter 18.282 LCMC, Outdoor Lighting;
(e) 
Chapter 18.320 LCMC, Stormwater and Erosion Control;
(f) 
Chapter 18.340 LCMC, Native Plant List;
(g) 
Chapter 18.350 LCMC, Tree Protection; and
(h) 
Chapter 18.360 LCMC, Archaeological Resource Protection.
(Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)