The purpose of the C2 neighborhood commercial zone is to preserve and promote the historic nature and character of the original downtown area while enhancing the walkability of the district and to restrict future commercial development to those usages that would be suitable and compatible with being intermingled with residential properties.

1. Existing and new commercial buildings should enhance the historic downtown area, while allowing for smaller parking lots and signage. High density residential housing will also be allowed.
2. Proposed work shall be compatible with the property or structure itself, as well as the surrounding neighborhood. Consideration shall be given to exterior design, site layout, proportion, detail, scale, color, texture, and materials.
3. Landscaping shall be compatible with the historic character of the property itself, as well as with the surrounding neighborhood or district.
4. The style, materials, size and location of signs shall be compatible with the historic character and scale of the property or structure as well as to the surrounding neighborhood or district.
   

Uses permitted in the C2 zone are as follows:

1. Restaurants;
2. Stores;
3. Clinics;
4. Offices;
5. Nursery school, school for students of art, dancing, dramatics, or music;
6. Government or public utility facilities of a nonindustrial character;
7. Theater, indoor;
8. Automobile service station;
9. Boarding and rooming houses, hotels and motels;
10. Same as R-2 zone.
    

The City Council may, after proper notice and public hearing, as prescribed in Chapter 16.60, permit the following uses where such uses are deemed essential or desirable to the public convenience or welfare. The Council shall have the authority to impose such conditions and safeguards as it deems necessary to protect the best interests of the surrounding property or neighborhood from damage, hazard, nuisance or other detriment.

1. Bowling alley, dance hall or similar commercial venues for public gatherings or recreational use;
2. Church;
3. Club or lodge;
4. Hospital;
5. School;
6. Multiple-family dwellings and apartments.
   

Any building or structure or portion thereof hereafter erected shall not exceed five stories or forty-five feet in height unless approved by conditional use permit.

Residential uses shall follow the set back requirements as set forth Chapter 16.20.050, R-2 zone. For all other uses:

1. No front or side yard shall be required except that when a building or group of buildings abuts upon a residential property, a yard shall be provided on the side of a lot abutting the residential property having a width of not less than ten feet.
2. There shall be a rear yard with a depth of not less than fifteen feet when abutting upon a residential zone. The rear yard may be used for off-street parking and loading.
   

Single family residences and duplexes shall have the same area requirements as set forth in Chapter 16.20.060, R-2 zone; townhomes shall allow one unit for every twenty-five hundred square feet of lot size, condos/apartments shall allow one unit for every fifteen hundred square feet of lot size. All other uses shall have no minimum lot size.

Accessory uses are permitted if constructed either at the same time or subsequent to the main building. Such uses shall be limited to two stories in height and shall not encroach upon required setback areas.

1. For residential units, two spaces for each unit as defined in Chapter 16.04, sufficient in size for a garage or carport, shall be required.
2. Because of the special physical constraints in the neighborhood commercial zone, off street parking requirements as required in Chapter 16.48 for commercial/mixed-use buildings may be adjusted or waived, with council approval, for any permitted use.
3. Parking area landscaping shall be included in the parking surface with plans approved by the City Council.
4. All landscaped areas shall be planted with live plant material and shall include an appropriate automatic irrigation system. The owner, tenant and any agent shall be jointly and individually responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping in good condition and free from refuse and debris so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance.
   

1. Total Sign Area Allowed. One and one-half (1 1/2) square feet of sign area shall be permitted for each of the first twenty five feet (25') of business frontage. An additional one-half (1/2) square foot of sign area shall be permitted for each linear foot of business frontage over twenty five feet (25'). This allowance may be utilized for any combination of the following signs:
   1. Wall Signs. Wall signs shall be architecturally compatible and integrated with the building, shall be flat against the wall to which they are mounted, shall not extend above such wall. One wall sign no more than twenty four (24) square feet per sign face is permitted.
   2. Projecting Sign. One projecting sign no more than sixteen (16) square feet per sign face is permitted. The sign face shall require a ten foot (10') clearance from the sidewalk and may not exceed an overall height from the sidewalk of fifteen feet (15'). Projecting signs may overhang a public sidewalk up to five feet (5').
   3. Awning Signs. Awning signs are permitted providing all general regulations are met and the awning is architecturally compatible with the structure(s) on which it is placed. The area of signage on awnings shall be calculated on the copy area only. A minimum clearance of seven feet (7') to the valance and eight feet (8') to the frame is required. The awning shall not have any internal lighting.
   4. Suspended/Hanging Signs. Suspended/hanging signs may accessorize awning structures and may not exceed four (8) square feet in size and shall have a minimum clearance of seven feet (7') to the sidewalk. Such signs are intended for the information of pedestrians.
   5. Window Signs. Window signs may be applied, painted or affixed to or in the window of a building as long as they occupy no more than fifty percent (50%) of the total window area and the area of such signage is calculated toward the total sign area allowed on site.
   6. Changeable Copy Or Portable Signs. Changeable copy or portable signs are allowed in the downtown district. Each business is allowed one changeable copy sign. The sign shall be placed either in the business entryway or along sidewalk. No illumination shall be allowed for the changeable copy signs.
   7. Door Signage. The door signage shall not exceed six (6) square feet nor be included in the total amount of permitted signage. The telephone number and/or website address shall be located on the door only.
   8. Pylon signs are not permitted.
   9. Plastic/acrylic faced light-box signs are not permitted.