Lake Forest City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 9
228 CANYON COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
§ 9.228.010 Purpose.
The Canyon commercial district is established to provide for the development and maintenance of neighborhood commercial uses.
The commercial uses permitted in this district are intended to incorporate a low intensity rural theme and to be balanced and complementary to each other.
(Ord. 174 § 1, 2007)
§ 9.228.020 Permitted uses.
The following principal uses are permitted subject to the approval of a site development permit per Chapter 9.184:
A.
Retail or wholesale nursery with a maximum total building square footage of 5,000 square feet; or
B.
Child care facility and/or veterinary office with a maximum total building square footage of 7,000 square feet; or
C.
Research, testing and development laboratories with a maximum total building square footage of 7,000 square feet; or
D.
Public/private utility buildings and structures.
(Ord. 174 § 1, 2007)
§ 9.228.030 Temporary uses permitted.
Certain temporary uses, permitted per Section 9.144.060, include the following:
A.
Mobile construction office per Section 9.144.070.2.
B.
Christmas tree sales per Section 9.144.070.6.
C.
Halloween pumpkin sales per Section 9.144.070.8.
D.
Sale of single-season agricultural products per Section 9.144.070.9.
(Ord. 174 § 1, 2007)
§ 9.228.040 Accessory uses permitted.
The following accessory uses and structures are permitted when customarily associated with and subordinate to a permitted principal use on the same building site:
A.
Detached buildings;
B.
Fences and walls per Section 9.144.080.5.
E.
Accessory uses and structures which the Director finds consistent with the purpose and intent of this district.
(Ord. 174 § 1, 2007)
§ 9.228.050 Prohibited uses.
The following uses are specifically prohibited:
A.
All uses not expressly permitted above.
(Ord. 174 § 1, 2007)
§ 9.228.060 Site development standards.
A.
Building Site Area. Two acres minimum.
C.
Building Site Coverage. Thirty-five percent maximum.
D.
Building Setbacks.
1.
One hundred feet minimum from ultimate right-of-way for El Toro Road/Santiago Canyon Road.
2.
Twenty feet minimum from other public roads.
3.
Fifty feet minimum from property zoned residential.
4.
Twenty-five feet from property zoned non-residential.
5.
Projections into required setbacks. Parking spaces, eaves, cornices, outside staircases, balconies or other similar architectural features may project up to five feet into any required front, side, or rear setback.
F.
Lighting. Freestanding outdoor lighting fixtures shall be limited to a maximum of 12 feet in height.
(Ord. 174 § 1, 2007; Ord. 302 § 30, 2018)
§ 9.228.070 Special provisions.
A.
Maximum Square Footage of Development. In no case shall the type or maximum number of square feet of commercial development permitted on each property be exceeded. It is in no way intended or implied that this maximum is a guaranteed level of development. The ultimate number of square feet of commercial development permitted on each property shall be subject to approval by the Planning Commission in conjunction with a site development permit and or area plan. The maximum number of commercial square feet is as follows:
Retail or wholesale nursery | 5,000 OR |
Child care facility | 7,000 OR |
Veterinary office | 7,000 OR |
Research, testing and development laboratories | 7,000 OR |
Public/private utility buildings and structures | No maximum |
B.
All discretionary approvals shall be consistent with the following guidelines for the protection of resources:
1.
Oak Woodlands. Oak woodlands are defined as those general areas identified by a qualified biologist as having characteristics of an oak woodland plant community and are extensive enough to be considered habitat of local significance.
a.
Applicants for development proposals on parcels containing oak woodlands shall be required to provide a site-specific oak woodland analysis prepared by a qualified biologist/arborist to determine the precise boundary of the oak woodland. Said analysis shall include detailed mapping of at least one is to one hundred (1:100) scale.
b.
Oak woodlands shall be preserved in an undisturbed state to the greatest extent possible while still allowing for reasonable development. The site-specific analysis shall identify the level of impact of the proposed project and methods of reducing or avoiding adverse impacts of the project. The impact analysis shall consider all forms of disturbance resulting from the development, including changes in runoff, impacts within the drip line of trees, etc. If oak trees are proposed to be transplanted, the analysis shall identify suitable locations for the transplantation of oak trees.
2.
Streambeds. Streambeds are defined as major streambeds shown as a blue-line feature on USGS Quadrangle maps and/or Thomas Guide maps.
a.
Applicants for development proposals on parcels containing streambeds shall be required to prepare a site-specific streambed analysis prepared by a hydrologist to determine the precise boundary of the streambed. Said analysis shall include detailed mapping of at least one is to one hundred (1:100) scale.
b.
Applicants are required to submit detailed, site-specific analyses to identify direction and flow of natural runoff from the site, or immediately adjacent to the site. The detailed, site-specific analysis shall address the need for mitigation measures to keep velocities close to pre-development levels.
c.
All development shall minimize discharge so that future storm flows do not significantly exceed existing flow levels.
C.
All discretionary approvals shall be consistent with the following grading concepts to ensure maintenance of rural character. All development is subject to the grading and excavation requirements contained in Section 9.144.090.
1.
Contour grading techniques should be used to provide varying slope percentages and slope direction in three dimensional, undulating patterns, similar to the natural terrain. The following concepts should be utilized:
a.
Hard edges left by cut and fill operations shall be given a rounded appearance which closely resembles the natural contours. Rounding of cut or fill edges should extend a minimum of two feet on either side of any daylight line or hinge point located at the top of a manufactured or natural slope.
b.
The angle of any graded slope shall be gradually adjusted to the angle of the natural terrain.
2.
Manufactured slopes should be located on the uphill side of structures in order to partially hide the manufactured slope behind the structure.
3.
Building pads should follow the natural contours in order to minimize the amount of cut and fill required. The longer sides of the building pad should be parallel to, rather than perpendicular to, the natural contours.
4.
Grading shall be phased so that prompt re-vegetation will control erosion.
5.
Native topsoil displaced during development should be stockpiled and re-spread or replaced with fertile topsoil in order to encourage the growth and survival of landscaping.
6.
In steeper residential areas, it may be physically unfeasible to design a useable yard area. In these instances, other forms of usable outdoor space designed to adapt to the natural topography (including decks, patios, balconies or other similar structural forms) should be used.
7.
The amount of cut and fill material should be balanced on a project-by-project bases in order to minimize off-site import and export of soil. Exceptions may be permitted where it is demonstrated that the imbalance will result in further preservation of natural landforms and/or biological resources.
D.
All discretionary approvals shall be consistent with the following drainage concepts:
1.
Natural drainage courses shall be preserved and enhanced to the extent possible. Natural drainage features should be incorporated as an integral part of the project design in order to enhance the overall quality and aesthetics of the site. Development should be designed to minimize the need for channelization.
2.
Where bench drains, drainage channels or other man-made drainage devices are required; they shall be placed in less visible locations and shall be naturalized through the use of river rock, colored concrete and extensive landscaping.
3.
All lots shall be designed so that surface drainage from the lot will drain directly to its own street frontage, an approved natural watercourse or improved drainage easement.
4.
The use of permeable surfaces, such as wood decks and stone pedestrian walkways is encouraged to facilitate absorption of water into the ground.
E.
All discretionary approvals shall be consistent with the following architectural guidelines:
1.
New development should reflect a western frontier or early California architectural style.
2.
Architectural treatment shall be provided on all sides of structures which are visible from public roadways (i.e., architectural treatment is not required on the rear sides of buildings or in loading zones which are not visible from public roadways or from within areas of the project site to which the public normally has access).
3.
Exterior building materials and colors shall be used to help maintain the rural character of the area and should include, but not be limited to, river rock, natural or stained wood, exposed timber beams and columns, and split timbers. Smoothed stucco treated to simulate the appearance of adobe is encouraged. Painted or stained materials should approximate the range of colors found in the natural landscape.
4.
Glazing should not be used as a major architectural element, but may be used as an accent feature to add variety to building facades. Mirrored glass should not be used.
5.
Metallic or reflective surfaces, typical of industrial-type design are strongly discouraged.
6.
Building masses should be broken into smaller-scale elements and elevations articulated to produce shadows through setbacks, overhangs, recessed openings and projecting windows. Except for the rear portions of buildings which are not visible to the public, large or long wall planes should be avoided.
7.
All roof-mounted equipment, including solar panels, shall be screened and carefully integrated with building forms and should consist of materials and colors consistent with the treatment of the building.
8.
Roof should be sloped in a hip, gable or shed fashion. Flat roofs shall be permitted only when an irregularly shaped facade is used to modify roof appearance. Roof materials shall include mission tile, slate or other fire retardant materials, with colors that match the natural landscape.
9.
Special consideration shall be given architecturally to emphasize pedestrian areas, such as entryways and walkways, with the use of trellises, landscape planters and extended roof overhangs.
10.
Tie-up facilities should be provided to accommodate equestrian access.
11.
Signage and Lighting. These guidelines are in addition to the requirements of Chapter 9.164.
a.
All signs should be constructed of natural materials such as river rock and wood and shall be harmonious with the rural character of the area.
b.
All signs should be lighted through shielded exterior lighting only.
c.
All exterior lighting should be shielded in order to minimize glare off-site. All direct light rays shall be confined within the property.
12.
Landscape. The use of native plants is encouraged. A minimum of 50% of all shrubs to be planted should be native species.
(Ord. 174 § 1, 2007)