This article is established to provide relief from unnecessary hardships that may occur from the application of this ordinance to a specific piece of property. Further, it is intended to provide for the establishment of group project developments that could not reasonably adhere to the provisions of this ordinance.

Where the owner of a plot of land consisting of one or more adjacent lots of record at the time of the enactment of this ordinance did not at that time own sufficient contiguous land to enable him to conform to the minimum lot size requirements of this ordinance; or if the topography, physical shape or other unique feature of such lots of record prevent reasonable compliance with the setback or other requirements of this ordinance, such plot of land may nevertheless be used as a building site. The yard and other space requirements of the district in which the piece of land is located may be reduced by the smallest amount that will permit reasonable use of the property as a building site; however, in no case shall the building inspector permit any lot in a residential district to be used as a building site which is less than 4,000 square feet in total area, 25 feet in width, or has front, side and rear yard setbacks of less than 15 feet (front), three feet (side), and five feet (rear), respectively.

The front-yard setback requirements of this ordinance for dwellings shall not apply on any lot where the setback of an existing building or buildings located wholly or in part within 100 feet on each side of such lot within the same block and zoning district and fronting on the same side of the street is less than the required minimum setback. In such cases, the setback on such lot may be less than the required setback but not less than the average of the setbacks of the aforementioned existing buildings.

The height limitations of this ordinance shall not apply to church spires, belfries, cupolas, domes and similar structures not intended for human occupancy; nor the monuments, water towers, transmission towers, chimneys, smokestacks, derricks, conveyors, flagpoles, radio or television towers, or aerials, except in the vicinity of airports.

The side-yard setback requirements for corner lots shall be the same as the front setback requirements for the next adjacent lot fronting on the street that the side yard of the corner lot faces.

In all use districts except the central business district (C-1), no fence, walls, shrubbery or other obstruction (excluding traffic and street signs) to vision between the heights of three feet and 15 feet shall be permitted within 20 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines of streets or railroads.

A group project (housing, commercial, industrial, educational, medical, religious, civic) of two or more buildings to be constructed on a plot of land of at least two acres not subdivided into customary streets and lots, and which will not be so subdivided, may be constructed provided:

(116.1)

Uses are limited to these permitted within the district in which the project is located.

(116.2)

The overall intensity of land use is no higher and the standard of open space is no lower than that permitted in the district in which the project is located.

(116.3)

Building heights do not exceed the height limits permitted in the district in which the project is located.

(116.4)

The distance of every building from the nearest property line shall meet the front-yard setback and side-yard requirements of the district in which the project is located.

(116.5)

If the project is a planned shopping center, it shall be located on a major thoroughfare.

(116.6)

Off-street automobile parking space requirements for the proposed uses are provided for on the lot as specified by article VI, section 62.

(116.7)

If the project lies within or abuts upon a residential district, there shall be a ten-foot-wide, appropriately planted, buffer strip along the rear or side lot lines abutting the residential properties.

(117.1)

Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum standards for use, site development, construction, and placement of self-service storage facilities and allow service convenience that satisfies the needs of the citizens of the county. Self-service storage facilities (SSSF) shall be permitted within the light industrial and heavy industrial classifications.

(117.2)

Definitions.

Self-Storage/Mini (also known as Mini-warehouse): A single-story commercial structure with interior or exterior access to storage units, non-climate controlled or climate controlled, exterior metal doors, allows outside storage, and truck rental.

Self-Storage/Secured: A single-story or multi-story commercial structure with interior access to storage units that are not visible from the exterior of the structure is climate controlled and does not allow outside storage or truck rental.

(117.3)

General Design.

(a)

A 75-foot-wide buffer shall be required for new construction when abutting residential property. A 50-foot-wide buffer shall be required for the conversion of an existing building when abutting residential property.

(b)

Buildings shall have a pitched roof with a pitch of at least 4:12.

(c)

All buildings shall maintain a decorative facing on those portions of the building which face public streets and any property zoned residential or agricultural-residential. The decorative facing shall consist of fiber-cement siding (i.e., Hardiplank), wood siding, brick/brick veneer, rock, stone, cast-stone, stucco (including synthetic stucco), or metal siding which establishes a horizontal pattern. The transportation corridor overlay zone architectural requirements shall control when applicable. All storage buildings shall maintain the same architectural character. Building orientation. Buildings shall be situated so that overhead access doors of individual bays do not face any street frontage

(d)

Minimum and maximum development size. The minimum lot size for a self-service storage facility (mini-warehouse development) shall be two acres.

(e)

Generally. Designated customer parking is not required; however, a minimum of five parking spaces shall be provided adjacent to the facility's leasing office, if a leasing office is located on-site Landscape requirements. A detailed landscape plan shall be submitted with the development plans at the time of plan review for approval. Landscaping shall be provided in the areas between the property lines and the required fencing. This area shall be designated as a perimeter landscape strip. Landscaping shall be designed, placed and maintained in such a manner not to interfere with traffic visibility. A landscape strip of at least 20 feet in width shall be provided along all street frontages. The side and rear yard setbacks shall remain in their natural state or be re-landscaped when the self-service storage facility adjoins residentially or office and institutionally zoned property. If the existing vegetation is inadequate to buffer adjoining office and institution or residential development, an eight-foot-high wall shall be installed along interior property lines and street setbacks. The following minimum planting requirements shall apply as follows and shall supersede the landscape buffer and screening requirements of the NRC, CRC and GC zoning districts:

(f)

A minimum of one tree shall be planted for each 20 feet of perimeter landscape strip.

(g)

Immediately upon planting, trees shall be a minimum of ten feet in height.

(h)

Reserved.

(i)

If a hedge is to be installed in the perimeter landscape strip, the hedge shall be 24 inches in height upon planting, with the material planted every 24 inches on center. All planting shall be maintained in good condition by the property owner.

(j)

If the perimeter landscape strip is to remain undisturbed or natural, utilizing existing vegetation, then the requirements of subsections (1) through (4) of this subsection can be eliminated except for the landscape plan. The landscape plan shall indicate the limits of the perimeter landscape strip.

(k)

In the absence of adequate vegetation, in addition to a perimeter landscape strip, an eight-foot-high wall is to be constructed between a residential or office and institutional property line and the storage bays. The wall may be dispensed with along that portion of the perimeter landscape strip when all the following are met:

a.

The exterior facades of the storage buildings present an unbroken, wall-like appearance when seen from adjacent residential or office and institutional properties or rights-of-way. Storage bay doors shall not face towards adjacent residential or office and institutional properties or rights-of-way. This shall not prevent the installation of fire access doors, if mandated by the fire marshal.

b.

The exterior facades of separate storage buildings are joined by walls to give appearance of structural continuity.

c.

The resulting area between the outer face of the buildings and the property line or right-of-way is maintained and appropriately planted as a landscaped buffer utilizing berms, plantings and existing vegetation and approved by the division manager of zoning or his designee.

d.

There are no aisleways or other vehicle accessways located in the area between the building and adjacent residential or office and institutional property lines or rights-of-way.

(l)

Dumpsters and trash receptacles. Dumpsters and trash receptacles shall be located where they are not visible from adjacent residentially zoned properties, and adequately screened from view from all other adjacent properties and streets. Dumpster locations are to be approved by the staff during the plan review process.

(m)

Maximum building length. No individual building shall exceed 200 feet in length.

(n)

Minimum building separation. There shall be a minimum separation of 20 feet between buildings.

(o)

Minimum width of aisle ways. The minimum width of an aisle way shall be 20 feet if one-way traffic and 24 feet for two-way traffic. Traffic flow patterns in the aisle ways shall be clearly marked with directional signage and painted lane markings with arrows as may be approved.

(p)

Turning radii. To assure appropriate access and circulation by emergency vehicles and equipment, a minimum turning radius for all aisleways and access roads within the development may be required.

(q)

Fencing. The facility shall be fenced along the entire perimeter boundary. Fencing adjacent to a street frontage and abutting a residential zoning district shall be an architecturally finished wall or solid, opaque wooden fence with a minimum height of six feet, placed interior to any required landscape strip.

(r)

Size of storage units. Individual storage units shall not exceed 450 square feet in area.

(s)

Open storage. Open storage of recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, recreational equipment and similar vehicles of the type customarily maintained by private individuals for their personal use shall be permitted within a self-service storage facility subject to the following requirements:

1.

The total area devoted to open storage shall not exceed 25 percent of the total developed area of the facility.

2.

The open storage area shall observe the required minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks for the zoning district in which it is located.

3.

The open storage area shall be entirely screened from view from adjacent residential properties and public streets by a building or by the installation of a minimum six-foot high opaque wall or fence, or by existing vegetation if topography enables the required screening.

4.

If structures are utilized for open storage, the roof of any such structure shall not be less than a 2:12 roof pitch.

5.

No vehicle maintenance, washing, or repair shall be permitted within the open storage

(117.4)

Signage.

(a)

Maximum number. One freestanding sign shall be allowed for each lot frontage on which a self-service storage facility has access to a public dedicated street. In addition, one flat wall-mounted sign may be utilized.

(b)

Maximum height. The maximum height of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 20 feet.

(c)

Maximum sign area. The maximum total sign structure area for a freestanding or wall-mounted sign shall not exceed 100 square feet. If a ground base sign is utilized, the maximum total sign area may be increased to 120 square feet.

(d)

Prohibited signs. The following types of signs are prohibited on the site:

1.

Off-premises outdoor advertising signs.

2.

Signs placed on the doors of individual storage bays.

3.

Roof-mounted signs.

(117.5)

General Regulations.

(a)

Use of storage units. Individual storage units shall not be used for living, wholesale or retail sales, or hobbies. Storage bays shall not be used to manufacture, fabricate, or process goods; service or repair vehicles, boats, small engines or electrical equipment, or to conduct similar repair activities; conduct garage sales or retail sales of any kind; rehearsing or practicing utilizing band instruments; conversion to an apartment or dwelling unit; or to conduct any other commercial or industrial activities. Individual storage bays within a self-service storage facility shall not be considered a premise for the purpose of assigning a legal address in order to obtain mail delivery, an occupational license, or any other governmental permit or licenses to do business.

(b)

Materials stored. Individual units or the premises more generally shall not be used for the storage of hazardous materials, toxic substances, flammable liquids, or highly combustible or explosive materials.

(c)

Office. A leasing, management, and/or security office shall be permitted in conjunction with a self-service storage facility. Within such office, the sale or rental of items related to moving and storage such as moving boxes, packing supplies and hand trucks shall be permitted.

(d)

Reserved.

(e)

Accessory rental of vehicles. A self-service storage facility may rent or lease moving trucks and trailers, provided that all such trucks or trailers are stored in the open storage area authorized by this section; no display of vehicles or trailers for rent shall be authorized along a street frontage.

(f)

Parking. Designated customer parking is not required; however, a minimum of four parking spaces shall be provided adjacent to the facility's leasing office, if a leasing office is located on site.

(Ord. of 11-1-2022(1))