The purpose of the Z7 Specific Use District is to support the ongoing operation and future expansion of specific areas within Mason City. Any future expansion within these specific districts shall require conformance to an approved site plan as outlined in chapter 7 of this title. Each Specific Use District is outlined below and is legally described within the official Mason City Zoning Map, as amended.

Z7-1 Mercy Medical Center: The purpose of the Z7-1 District is to provide for the ongoing operations of this medical facility. The Z7-1 District consists of clinics, hospital, office buildings, accessory uses and open space.

Z7-2 NIACC: The purpose of the Z7-2 District is to provide for the ongoing operations of North Iowa Area Community College. The Z7-2 District consists of a college, office buildings, dormitory, accessory uses and open space.

Z7-3 Mobile Home Park: The purpose of the Z7-3 District is to provide for the existing forms and functions associated with a mobile home park. The Z7-3 District consists of a mobile home park and accessory buildings related to the operation of the mobile home park.

Z7-4 County Fairgrounds: The purpose of the Z7-4 District is to provide for the existing forms and functions associated with a fairgrounds. The Z7-4 District consists of agricultural, office, racetrack, grandstand and arena structures and accessory buildings and open space.

Z7-5 Conservation Subdivision: The purpose of the Z7-5 District is to allow for residential development of larger lots where City sanitary sewer is not available and is not anticipated to be provided under an orderly expansion of City services or within the foreseeable future. The Z7-5 District consists of single- family dwelling functions served by private streets and by private water, private sewer, or both.

Z7-6, Golf Course Development: The purpose of the Z7-6 District is to allow for a mix of forms and functions that add value to a golf course, including residential, mixed use, and commercial forms and functions. (Ord. 16-15, 10-4-2016; amd. Ord. 22-13, 11-15-2022)

Permitted forms and functions, which are identified in section 12-15-6, table 1A of this chapter, are those that are allowed by right within Mason City. New development or redevelopment will require a site plan drawn to scale showing that all zoning standards in chapter 16 of this title have been met and that any new development or redevelopment generally conforms to the approved master plan for the District. (Ord. 16-15, 10-4-2016; amd. Ord. 22-13, 11-15-2022)

Any development, lot of record or structure legally operated prior to July 1, 2010, shall be considered a permitted use and legally conforming within the Z7 District. Any redevelopment or addition to a development, lot of record or structure shall be required to conform to the forms and functions and development standards found within the Z7 District. Any change in form or function shall conform to permitted and conditional form and function standards as described in the Z7 District. (Ord. 16-15, 10-4-2016)

The following requirements apply to any development or subdivision within the Z7-5 Conservation Subdivision District.

   A.   All lots (except lots fronting upon an existing public right- of-way) shall be served by a private street approved by the City Engineer:

      1.   The street shall be paved with a dustless surface;

      2.   The street shall be built to support emergency vehicles as required by the Fire Department;

      3.   A turnaround at the end of any cul-de-sac or dead end street shall be provided and approved by the Fire Department;

      4.   Ownership and maintenance of the street shall solely be the cost and responsibility of the abutting property owners. Covenants, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney and approved by the Administrative Official, shall be recorded with the plat establishing a Property Owners' Association, outlining the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of abutting owners.

   B.   A tree preservation plan meeting the requirements of subsection 12-16-5D of this title shall be submitted along with the preliminary plat or development plan showing the location and species of all trees over six inches (6") in diameter and including details for protection of trees to be preserved. Trees to be preserved that are damaged or destroyed shall be mitigated according to subsection 12-16-5D3 of this title.

   C.   The development shall implement low impact design standards for stormwater runoff, such as rain gardens, vegetated swales and similar low impact design methods, subject to approval by the City Engineer.

   D.   Accessory Buildings: Accessory buildings shall conform to the requirements for accessory buildings in the Z2, Sub-Urban District. See section 12-10-4. (Ord. 16-15, 10-4-2016; amd. Ord. 22-3, 3-1-2022)

   A.   In addition to the development standards in Section 12-15-6, Table 1B, any multi-family residential development (3 or more dwelling units within a building, including mixed use) and any Lodging, Office/Miscellaneous, Commercial/Retail Service, Civic, or Civic Support development (as listed in Section 12-12-6, Table 1A) shall conform to the following:

      1.   A minimum buffer of fifty (50) feet shall be established between any building or outdoor activity area and any property zoned Z2, Sub-Urban District, or Z3, General Urban District. A parking area or access drive (other than a fire access drive required by the Fire Marshal) shall not be placed within this buffer. The buffer area shall include berms, landscaping, fencing, or other barriers in numbers and arrangement sufficient to form an effective visual screen. This buffer shall be determined to be in compliance by the Development Review Committee, in accordance with chapter 7 of this title.

         a.   Exception: Fairways, greens and adjacent open space areas on a golf course are not subject to this requirement; however, prevention of golf-related incursions upon adjacent property in the Z2 or Z3 districts shall be implemented in the golf course design. (Ord. 22-13, 11-15-2022)

TABLE 1
Z7 FORMS AND FUNCTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

 

 

 

(Ord. 16-15, 10-4-2016; amd. Ord. 22-3, 3-1-2022; amd. Ord. 22-13, 11-15-2022)