Lacey City Zoning Code
16.48 Open
Space/Institutional District
16.48.010 Intent.
It is the intent of this chapter to:
A. Protect and preserve certain areas of land devoted to existing and future use for civic, cultural, educational and similar facilities;
B. Provide for the social needs of the community as those needs relate to public services, open space and institutions whether publicly or privately sponsored;
C. Enhance the identity and image of the community as a desirable place for human growth and development;
D. Provide opportunities and facilities for the various activities and needs of a diverse and dynamic population;
E. Provide and protect parks, open space and other natural, physical assets of the community to improve the aesthetic and functional features of the community. (Ord. 583 §2.26(A), 1980).
16.48.020 Permitted uses.
A. Specific types of permitted uses are those which provide a public service or fill a public need as described in the statement of intent. Uses shall also be appropriate to the specific site and the intent behind each site’s designation as OSI. OSI sites designated as the result of a sensitive area designation should only be used for natural resource conservation purposes with associated trails for passive recreation opportunities or such active recreation opportunities as the city concludes are appropriate to the protection, conservation and use of such area. OSI sites designated as such for reasons other than sensitive area classification may be used for such other purposes as allowed in this chapter. Such uses include but are not limited to the following:
1. Parks, greenways and open space for active or passive recreation or enjoyment. (Note: Whenever a park or open space is created as an integral part of a subdivision, such park or open space shall be designated an open space/institutional district on the official zoning map);
2. Government buildings or offices such as city hall, fire stations, schools and colleges, hospitals, community meeting or recreation halls;
3. Libraries, museums, or similar cultural facilities;
4. Churches;
5. Residential uses as an incidental use to the permitted use such as caretaker’s quarters, or as an accessory use to institutional facilities such as housing for students, staff or faculty of colleges, hospitals and the like;
6. Urban agricultural uses as provided for and limited under Chapter 16.21 LMC.
B. Similar or related uses permitted, and criteria for determination of similarity or relatedness, are as follows:
1. Uses similar to, or related to, those listed in subsection A of this section are permitted upon a finding of the enforcing officer and/or the site plan review committee that a particular unlisted use does not conflict with the intent of this chapter or the policies of the land development plan.
2. The criteria for such finding of similarity shall include but not be limited to the following:
a. The proposed use is appropriate in this area,
b. The development standards for permitted uses can be met by the proposed use,
c. The public need is served by the proposed use.
C. Conditional uses may be permitted as provided for in Chapter 16.66 LMC.
D. Child day care centers shall be allowed as an accessory use to those uses permitted by this chapter. (Ord. 1496 §86, 2016; Ord. 1368 §39, 2011; Ord. 1192 §156, 2002; Ord. 1024 §45, 1995; Ord. 927 §16, 1992; Ord. 583 §2.26(B)(1-3), 1980).
16.48.030 Prohibited uses.
Uses other than those identified or described in LMC 16.48.020 are prohibited. (Ord. 583 §2.26(B)(4), 1980).
16.48.040 Development standards.
Development standards shall take into account both the environmental impact of the proposed use and the design standards of this chapter.
Permitted uses as well as similar or related and conditional uses shall comply with the standards of this land use district. (Ord. 1192 §157, 2002; Ord. 583 §2.26(C) (part), 1980).
16.48.050 Environmental impact.
A. Environmental review shall be conducted by the responsible official of all new construction, additions or expansions in areas designated environmentally sensitive/critical and/or for which SEPA review is normally required. Toward this end an environmental checklist shall be required in connection with all applications for building permits requiring such environmental review.
B. If the environmental assessment results in a declaration of nonsignificance, and no environmental impact statement is required, the enforcing officer may, nevertheless, make reasonable requirements designed to mitigate potentially undesirable or hazardous effects identified in the environmental checklist.
C. If the environmental assessment results in the requirement of an environmental impact statement, the procedure and review process provided for in Chapter 14.24 LMC shall be followed. (Ord. 1220 §48, 2004; Ord. 583 §2.26(C)(1), 1980).
16.48.060 Site area.
The minimum size and shape of the site shall be appropriate to the proposed use of said site and its relationship to abutting properties and traffic patterns in the vicinity of the site. (Ord. 583 §2.26(C)(2)(a), 1980).
16.48.070 Building limitations.
Height and site coverage shall be as follows:
A. Maximum height of buildings, eighty feet;
B. Maximum building coverage, thirty-five percent of site;
C. Maximum development coverage, seventy percent of site. (Ord. 583 §2.26(C)(2)(b), 1980).
16.48.080 Setback requirements.
A. If adjacent properties are in the same or in a less restrictive land use district:
1. Side yard minimum fifteen feet;
2. Rear yard minimum fifteen feet.
B. If adjacent properties are in any residential district:
1. Side yard minimum twenty-five feet;
2. Rear yard minimum twenty-five feet. Provided further, that the entire twenty-five foot depth shall be landscaped.
C. Setbacks from right-of-way:
1. If property fronts on a minor street or private street or drive, twenty-five feet;
2. If property fronts on major street, thirty-five feet. (Ord. 583 §2.26(C)(2)(c), 1980).
16.48.090 Ingress and egress.
Ingress and egress at the site shall be limited to one driveway for each two hundred feet of frontage. All driveways shall be not less than one hundred fifty feet from intersecting right-of-way lines, measured from the centerline of the driveway. (Ord. 1496 §87, 2016; Ord. 583 §2.26(C)(2)(d), 1980).
16.48.100 Off-street parking.
Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 16.72 LMC. (Ord. 583 §2.26(C)(2)(e), 1980).
16.48.110 Landscaping.
A. The preservation or enhancement of existing native plant materials shall be the predominant characteristic of landscape treatment in this district. Where new plant materials are needed to comply with the screening or aesthetic requirements of this section, the materials shall be of species native or complementary to or compatible with the species native to the Pacific Northwest.
B. Landscaping is also required in all setback areas and open space. Landscaping may consist of suitable ground cover, shrubs and trees. Suitable ground cover may include native vegetation, grass, or bark mulch. Native vegetation or stands of trees existing prior to development of the site may be acceptable to meet all or part of the landscape requirements.
C. The perimeters of common parking areas shall be landscaped in such a way as to create a diversion between streets and parking, driveways, or streets around entrances or exits of the site.
D. All trees, flowers, lawns and other landscaping features shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition at all times. (Ord. 1496 §88, 2016; Ord. 1380 §1, 2012; Ord. 583 §2.26(C)(2)(f), 1980).
16.48.120 Stormwater runoff.
Stormwater management is required and shall comply with the current City of Lacey Stormwater Design Manual and shall be subject to the city’s review and approval, and shall, moreover, comply with Chapter 15.22 LMC pertaining to community facilities. (Ord. 1496 §89, 2016; Ord. 1380 §1, 2012; Ord. 583 §2.26(C)(2)(g), 1980).