The commercial districts set forth herein are established to protect public health; to promote public safety, comfort, convenience, and the general welfare, and to protect the economic base of the city and the value of property. These general purposes include, among others, the following specific objectives:

(1)

To promote the most desirable use of land so that adequate space is provided in appropriate locations for the various types of business uses thereby protecting and strengthening the economic base of the city;

(2)

To place in separate districts those businesses which may create noise, odors, hazards, unsightliness, or which may generate excessive traffic;

(3)

To encourage the grouping in appropriate locations of compatible business uses which will tend to draw trade that is mutually interchangeable and so promote public convenience and business prosperity and contribute to the alleviation of traffic and pedestrian congestion;

(4)

To provide for the establishment of off-street parking facilities in order to alleviate traffic congestion and to promote shipping convenience and business prosperity.

(Code 1977, § 17.28.005; Ord. No. 06-04, 2006)

(a)

Purpose. The intent of establishing a C-1 Central Business District is to provide non-auto-oriented retail and office uses that would best function within a downtown location and preserve it as the primary focal point.

(b)

Permitted uses.

(1)

Accessory uses and structures incidental to the permitted uses;

(2)

Business and advertising signs when attached to a building pertaining to the use of the property in which the sign is located. The signs must conform to the provisions set forth in chapter 44;

(3)

Business and professional services, including but not limited to medical and dental offices and clinics, law offices, insurance and real estate offices, banks, finance, and utility company offices, currency exchange stores, pet stores, animal grooming stores, animal hospitals and clinics with no open kennels; except for those establishments requiring a drive-through facility;

(4)

Entertainment and amusement uses: movie theaters, dance studios, and bowling alleys;

(5)

Personal services, including but not limited to laundromats, jewelry shops, dry cleaning establishments, radio and television repair shops, barber, beauty, and shoe repair shops, photography studios, and printing and publishing establishments;

(6)

Public and semi-public uses such as buildings used by any department of the city, school district, township, county, state, or federal governments; except for vehicle maintenance, raw material storage, and other similar type facilities;

(7)

Radio, television, and recording studios;

(8)

Residential uses located above the ground floor;

(9)

Retail stores, including but not limited to hardware, clothing, and furniture stores with a maximum floor area of 3,000 square feet;

(10)

Specialty shops, including but not limited to antiques, gift shops, magazines, book and stationery outlets, office supply stores, florist shops, musical instrument stores, sporting goods stores, and video sales and rentals.

(c)

Special uses.

(1)

All permitted uses that require a drive-through facility, including attached automated teller machines (ATMs);

(2)

Automobile service and tire stores;

(3)

Bars and taverns, provided that no establishment is located closer than 100 feet from any residential district, religious institution, or school;

(4)

Convenience retail stores, pharmacies, drug stores liquor stores, meat markets, bakeries, delicatessens, and limited-item grocery stores with a maximum floor area of 3,000 square feet and not containing gas stations on the premises;

(5)

Hotels and motels;

(6)

Public utilities;

(7)

Railroad right-of-way and passenger stations;

(8)

Restaurants with seating for 75 persons or less;

(9)

Physical fitness center, limited area with a maximum building floor area of 3,000 square feet.

(10)

Body art establishments, licensed under the Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Regulation Act.

(11)

Dispensing organizations.

(d)

Maximum building height. No building or structure shall be constructed, erected, altered, or added so as to exceed a height of three stories or 36 feet. Parapet walls, chimneys, cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, stacks, and necessary mechanical appurtenances may be erected over and above the maximum height provided they are constructed in accordance with all other pertinent city ordinances.

(e)

Minimum lot size. None.

(f)

Minimum lot width. None.

(g)

Minimum floor area. The minimum floor area shall be 500 square feet.

(h)

Maximum impervious coverage. None.

(i)

Minimum front yard setback. No front setback is required except as necessary to provide a sidewalk between the building and the street of not less than eight feet. This shall be required on all sides of a lot or parcel of land that are adjacent to an improved public street.

(j)

Maximum front yard setback. The maximum frot yard setback shall be ten feet.

(k)

Minimum side yard setback. No setback is required for a side yard, except for a building that abuts a residential district. A building that abuts a residential district shall have a side yard setback of a minimum of 20 feet. A building that abuts a public street shall provide a sidewalk of at least eight feet in width between the building and street.

(l)

Minimum rear yard setback. No setback is required for a rear yard, except for a building that abuts a residential district. A building that abuts a residential district shall have a rear yard setback of a minimum of 20 feet.

(m)

Minimum corner lot setback. None.

(n)

Performance standards.

(1)

Off-street parking and loading. There shall be provided in the commercial districts, except the central business district, adequate off-street parking and loading in accordance with article IX of this chapter. Off-street parking and loading shall be located only in the rear yards of the C-1 Central Business District.

(2)

Mobility-impaired accessible parking. All developments that serve the public shall allocate parking spaces that are accessible to people with disabilities. Accessible parking shall be provided for any building or use initiated after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived.

(3)

Lighting. All off-street parking lots shall have adequate lighting. The level of illumination shall not be less than one footcandle or more than two footcandles measured at the pavement. Any lighting used to illuminate an off-street parking area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining property. Lighting should only be used to illuminate entries, signage, pedestrian areas, or historical areas.

(4)

Landscaping and screening. Within any district, a five-foot landscaped divider strip shall be placed between all parking areas and sidewalks. Within or adjacent to a residential district, all open off-street parking areas for six or more cars shall be effectively screened by a wall, a solid fence, or a densely planted compact hedge along any side which is adjacent to property in residential use unless that use is across a public street or alley from such parking area. All service entrances, dumpsters, air conditioning units, and any storage items shall be located at the rear of buildings and screened from view.

(5)

Entrance. The main entrance to all buildings shall face the main street, with secondary entrances as necessary from off-street parking facilities.

(6)

Fencing. Low wrought iron fencing and/or masonry walls are recommended surrounding outdoor dining/display areas and parking lots and should be utilized in conjunction with landscaping. Wood fencing may be used to hide service entrances, dumpsters, air conditioning units, and any storage items. The wood fencing should be solid and either painted or stained. Chainlink fencing shall not be used within the C-1 Central Business District. All fencing shall conform to the regulations in article X of this chapter.

(7)

Outdoor storage. Outdoor storage of items not intended for direct sale to the public shall not be permitted. All other business, servicing, and processing, except for off-street parking and loading and drive-through facilities shall be conducted within completely enclosed buildings.

(8)

Building design. All buildings in the C-1 Central Business District shall be compatible, whenever possible, with the scale and architectural details of surroundings buildings. Existing buildings requiring alterations or repairs shall retain the compatible exterior appearance, form, and integrity of the surrounding buildings. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved whenever possible. Long expanses of blank walls and monotony shall be avoided whenever possible.

(o)

Accessory uses.

(1)

Accessory uses shall be operated and maintained under the same ownership and on the same lot, or adjoining lots, as the principal use or structure.

(2)

No accessory building shall exceed 15 feet in height, shall not occupy more than 20 percent of the rear and side yard areas, and shall not be closer than five feet to any lot line.

(3)

Outdoor display of items intended for direct sale to the public shall be permitted as an accessory use only.

(Code 1977, § 17.28.010; Ord. No. 06-04, 2006; Ord. No. 10-05, § II(7.1), 3-8-2010; Ord. No. 12-01, § 1, 1-9-2012; Ord. No. 17-09, § 2, 10-10-2017; Ord. No. 20-03, § 3, 4-27-2020)

(a)

Purpose. The intent of establishing a C-2 General Commercial District is to delimit certain areas for the construction and/or operation of conventional, non-auto-oriented commercial activities that would best function within a central business district or downtown location.

(b)

Permitted uses.

(1)

Any use permitted in the C-1 Central Business District;

(2)

Accessory uses or buildings incidental to the permitted uses;

(3)

Automated teller machines (ATMs);

(4)

Farm equipment sales and service;

(5)

Freestanding or attached business and advertising signs pertaining to the use of the property in which the sign is located. The signs must conform to the provisions set forth in chapter 44;

(6)

Funeral homes and mortuaries;

(7)

Greenhouses, nurseries, garden supplies, and feed stores;

(8)

Major retail outlets including furniture, department, clothing, dry goods, shoe and variety stores, hardware, electric appliance, paint and wallpaper stores;

(9)

Recreation centers, health clubs, athletic clubs, and fitness centers not exceeding a floor area of 10,000 square feet;

(10)

Indoor theaters or auditoriums.

(11)

Dispensing organizations.

(c)

Special uses.

(1)

Any special use permitted in a residential district or the C-1 Central Business District;

(2)

Assisted living facility;

(3)

Business and professional offices requiring a drive-through facility;

(4)

Carwash establishments, with no more than four bays provided;

(5)

Convenience retail stores, pharmacies, drug stores liquor stores, meat markets, bakeries, delicatessens, and grocery stores with a floor area of greater than 3,000 square feet or containing gas stations on the premises;

(6)

Gas stations;

(7)

Lodginghouses, clubs, hospitals, and institutions;

(8)

Parking lots as a principal use;

(9)

Restaurants with seating for more than 75 persons;

(10)

Specialty repair: repair shops for appliances and small articles, print, furnace, heating, sheet metal, and plumbing.

(d)

Maximum building height. No building or structure shall be constructed, erected, altered, or added so as to exceed a height of three stories or 36 feet. Parapet walls, chimneys, cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, stacks, and necessary mechanical appurtenances may be erected over and above the maximum height provided they are constructed in accordance with all other pertinent city ordinances.

(e)

Minimum lot size. The minimum lot size shall be 10,000 square feet.

(f)

Minimum lot width. The minimum lot width shall be 75 feet.

(g)

Minimum floor area. The minimum floor area shall be 1,000 square feet.

(h)

Maximum impervious coverage. The maximum impervious coverage shall be 70 percent of the lot.

(i)

Minimum front yard setback. The minimum front yard setback shall be 25 feet.

(j)

Maximum front yard setback. The maximum front yard setback shall be 50 feet.

(k)

Minimum side yard setback. The side yard shall be set back at least ten feet from the property line. A building that abuts a residential district shall have a side yard setback of a minimum of 20 feet.

(l)

Minimum rear yard setback. The rear yard shall be set back at least ten feet from the property line. A building that abuts a residential district shall have a rear yard setback of a minimum of 20 feet.

(m)

Minimum corner lot setback. The minimum corner lot setback shall be 25 feet from all public streets and thoroughfares.

(n)

Performance standards.

(1)

Off-street parking and loading. There shall be provided in the commercial districts adequate off-street parking and loading in accordance with article IX of this chapter.

(2)

Mobility-impaired accessible parking. All developments that serve the public shall allocate parking spaces that are accessible to people with disabilities. Accessible parking shall be provided for any building or use initiated after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived.

(3)

Lighting. All off-street parking lots shall have adequate lighting. The level of illumination shall not be less than one footcandle or more than two footcandles measured at the pavement. Any lighting used to illuminate an off-street parking area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining property. Lighting should only be used to illuminate entries, signage, pedestrian areas, or historical areas.

(4)

Landscaping and screening. Within any district, a five-foot landscaped divider strip shall be placed between all parking areas and sidewalks. Within or adjacent to a residential district, all open off-street parking areas for six or more cars shall be effectively screened by a wall, a solid fence, or a densely planted compact hedge along any side which is adjacent to property in residential use unless that use is across a public street or alley from such parking area. All service entrances, dumpsters, air conditioning units, and any storage items shall be located at the rear of buildings and screened from view.

(5)

Fencing. Wood fencing may be used to hide service entrances, dumpsters, air conditioning units, and any storage items. The wood fencing should be solid and either painted or stained. Chainlink fencing shall not be used within the C-2 General Commercial District. All fencing shall conform to the regulations in article X of this chapter.

(6)

Gross floor area. A principal building or combination of buildings on one zoning lot shall not exceed 25,000 square feet in gross floor area. The only exception to this shall be developments approved as a planned unit development.

(o)

Accessory uses.

(1)

Accessory uses shall be operated and maintained under the same ownership and on the same lot, or adjoining lots, as the principal use or structure.

(2)

No accessory building shall exceed 15 feet in height, shall not occupy more than 20 percent of the rear and side yard areas, and shall not be closer than five feet to any lot line.

(3)

Outdoor display of items intended for direct sale to the public shall be permitted as an accessory use only.

(Code 1977, § 17.28.020; Ord. No. 06-04, 2006; Ord. No. 20-03, § 4, 4-27-2020)

(a)

Purpose. The intent of establishing a C-3 Automobile-Oriented Commercial District is to delimit certain areas for the construction and/or operation of those commercial activities which serve or attract an excessive amount of automobile traffic and which, because of this, are more suitable in a noncentral business district or downtown location.

(b)

Permitted uses.

(1)

Any use permitted in the C-1 or C-2 business districts;

(2)

Accessory uses incidental to the principal uses;

(3)

Automobile, motorcycle, or camper sales;

(4)

Restaurants with seating for 125 persons or less.

(c)

Special uses.

(1)

Any special use permitted within the C-1 or C-2 business districts;

(2)

Advertising signs/billboards;

(3)

Amusement establishments;

(4)

Commercial shopping centers;

(5)

Planned business center;

(6)

Restaurants with seating for more than 125 persons;

(7)

Self-service storage facilities.

(d)

Maximum building height. No building or structure shall be constructed, erected, altered, or added to, so as to exceed a height of 2½ stories or 30 feet. Parapet walls, chimneys, cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, stacks, and necessary mechanical appurtenances may be erected over and above the maximum height provided they are constructed in accordance with all other pertinent city ordinances.

(e)

Minimum lot size. The minimum lot size shall be one-half acre.

(f)

Minimum lot width. The minimum lot width shall be 100 feet.

(g)

Minimum floor area. The minimum floor area shall be 5,000 square feet.

(h)

Maximum impervious coverage. The maximum impervious coverage shall be 70 percent of the lot.

(i)

Minimum front yard setback. The minimum front yard setback shall be 30 feet.

(j)

Maximum front yard setback. The maximum front yard setback shall be 60 feet.

(k)

Minimum side yard setback. The side yard shall be set back at least ten feet from the property line. A building that abuts a residential district shall have a side yard setback of a minimum of 20 feet.

(l)

Minimum rear yard setback. The rear yard shall be set back at least ten feet from the property line. A building that abuts a residential district shall have a side yard setback of a minimum of 20 feet.

(m)

Minimum corner lot setback. The minimum corner lot setback shall be 30 feet from all public streets and thoroughfares.

(n)

Performance standards.

(1)

Off-street parking and loading. There shall be provided in the commercial districts adequate off-street parking and loading in accordance with article IX of this chapter.

(2)

Mobility-impaired accessible parking. All developments that serve the public shall allocate parking spaces that are accessible to people with disabilities. Accessible parking shall be provided for any building or use initiated after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived.

(3)

Lighting. All off-street parking lots shall have adequate lighting. The level of illumination shall not be less than one footcandle or more than two footcandles measured at the pavement. Any lighting used to illuminate an off-street parking area shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining property. Lighting should only be used to illuminate entries, signage, pedestrian areas, or historical areas.

(4)

Landscaping and screening. Within any district, a five-foot landscaped divider strip shall be placed between all parking areas and sidewalks. Within or adjacent to a residential district, all open off-street parking areas for six or more cars shall be effectively screened by a wall, a solid fence, or a densely planted compact hedge along any side which is adjacent to property in residential use unless that use is across a public street or alley from such parking area. All service entrances, dumpsters, air conditioning units, and any storage items shall be located at the rear of buildings and screened from view.

(5)

Fencing. Wood fencing may be used to hide service entrances, dumpsters, air conditioning units, and any storage items. The wood fencing should be solid and either painted or stained. Chainlink fencing shall not be used within the C-3 Automobile-Oriented Business District. All fencing shall conform to the regulations in article X of this chapter.

(6)

Gross floor area. A principal building or combination of buildings on one zoning lot shall not exceed 50,000 square feet in gross floor area. The only exception to this shall be developments approved as a planned unit development.

(o)

Accessory uses.

(1)

Accessory uses shall be operated and maintained under the same ownership and on the same lot, or adjoining lots, as the principal use or structure.

(2)

No accessory building shall exceed 15 feet in height, shall not occupy more than 20 percent of the rear and side yard areas, and shall not be closer than five feet to any lot line.

(3)

Outdoor display of items intended for direct sale to the public shall be permitted as an accessory use only.

Required Lot Standards

*See each district for exceptions.

(Code 1977, § 17.28.030; Ord. No. 06-04, 2006)