Palmer City Zoning Code
17.29 C-L
Limited Commercial District
17.29.010 Intent.
The C-L district is established as a district in which the principal use of land is for a combination of dwellings and commercial enterprises. The commercial enterprises are of a nature to serve the daily or frequent convenience shopping and personal service needs of residences, thus serving a population and trade area which is less than that served by the central business district. The specific intent as established for this district is:
A. To provide buffer zone(s) between the heavy uses allowed in the general commercial area and the residential areas;
B. To permit an intermingling of commercial structures and housing;
C. All of the permitted principal uses listed in PMC 17.29.020 shall be uses conducted wholly within an enclosed building.
D. Land uses as defined in the Palmer use matrix in PMC 17.28.020. (Ord. 21-002 § 15, 2021; Ord. 10-011 § 3, 2010; Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 454 § 4, 1992. Formerly 17.28.010)
17.29.020 Permitted uses.
A. Land uses as defined in the Palmer use matrix in PMC 17.28.020.
B. Single- or multiple-family dwellings as part of a mixed-use development. (Ord. 21-002 § 16, 2021; Ord. 10-011 § 3, 2010; Ord. 05-042 § 7, 2006; Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 489 § 9, 1995; Ord. 454 § 4, 1992. Formerly 17.28.020)
17.29.021 Compatibility of land uses not defined.
Where a proposed use is not specifically identified or is unclear as to whether the use is allowed in a particular zone, the zoning administrator may find, based on a finding of facts, the use is similar to another use that is permitted, allowed conditionally or prohibited in the subject zone and apply code accordingly. Land use findings by the zoning administrator will be based on zoning district compatibility, intensity of use and comparison to like activities or land use. Land use rulings that require discretion on the part of the zoning administrator shall be confirmed by the planning and zoning commission at the next regular meeting that allows due public notice. (Ord. 21-002 § 17, 2021)
17.29.022 Appeal of compatibility of use.
In the event the petitioner disagrees with the decision of the planning and zoning commission they may appeal to the Palmer city council for final city evaluation. Any subsequent appeal shall be made to the superior court for the state of Alaska, in Palmer, Alaska. (Ord. 21-002 § 18, 2021)
17.29.028 Accessory uses.
Accessory uses in the limited commercial district are as follows:
A. Dwelling units in conjunction with and accessory to the permitted use.
B. Uses customarily incidental to the permitted use.
C. Storage buildings shall meet the following development standards:
1. Building Permits. The building and any accessory structures, such as add-on canopies, stairs and decks, shall comply with building codes. Trailer-type stands that are raised off wheels shall require building permits for adequate tie-downs and be skirted with similar materials as principal siding.
2. Signage. All signs will meet the requirements of PMC Title 14.
3. Setbacks. All structures shall be set back per the requirements of PMC 17.29.064. Structures, signs and parking and maneuvering areas shall not obstruct sight distance.
4. Site Plan. Comply with site plan standards of this title.
5. Size Limitations. May not exceed 400 square feet.
6. Placement shall be in rear of primary structure or use. (Ord. 21-002 § 19, 2021)
17.29.030 Conditional uses.
Land uses as defined in the Palmer use matrix in PMC 17.28.020. (Ord. 21-002 § 20, 2021; Ord. 10-011 § 3, 2010; Ord. 09-012 § 4, 2009; Ord. 09-001 § 4, 2009; Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 489 § 10, 1995; Ord. 454 § 4, 1992. Formerly 17.28.030)
17.29.040 Prohibited uses.
A. Land uses as defined in Palmer use matrix in PMC 17.28.020.
B. Conex storage building unless:
1. Screened with six-foot solid cedar fence, when placed abutting an R-1 residential use.
2. Sided with siding of similar material as that of primary structure on lot.
3. Sided or screened when abutting a nonresidential use.
5. Size limitations shall not exceed 200 square feet.
C. Parking or storage of heavy equipment, such as tractors, graders or trucks.
D. Temporary buildings, except when development standards meet the following criteria:
1. Sites with on-site parking and/or drive-up facilities will require an approved driveway approach with adequate sight distance per PMC 17.62.020(E).
2. Stands with drive-up windows require three 18-foot-long queuing spaces per window. Fewer spaces may be approved by the zoning administrator; provided, a plan is submitted showing the site has sufficient overflow areas so that traffic will not block streets, sidewalks or parking lot circulation aisles.
3. Parking shall meet minimum requirements of Chapter 17.64 PMC.
4. The temporary building and any accessory structures, such as add-on canopies, stairs and decks, shall comply with building codes. Trailer-type stands that are raised off wheels shall require building permits for adequate tie-downs and be skirted with similar materials as principal siding.
5. Meet all applicable licensing.
6. All signs will meet the requirements of PMC Title 14.
7. All structures shall meet the minimum setback requirements of PMC 17.29.064. Structures, signs, parking and maneuvering areas shall not obstruct sight distance.
8. Compliance with site plan standards of this title.
9. Size limitations may not exceed 700 square feet. (Ord. 21-002 § 21, 2021; Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 606 § 4, 2004; Ord. 454 § 4, 1992. Formerly 17.28.040)
17.29.050 Building height limit.
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet above grade. (Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 454 § 4, 1992)
17.29.062 Lot area restrictions.
Lot areas shall be subject to the following restrictions:
A. Minimum lot width is 60 feet.
B. Minimum lot area is 7,200 square feet.
C. Residential square footage shall not exceed commercial square footage in a mixed use structure. (Ord. 21-002 § 22, 2021; Ord. 10-011 § 3, 2010; Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 627 § 4, 2004. Formerly 17.28.062)
17.29.064 Setback requirements.
Minimum setback requirements are as follows:
A. For ground-level dwelling units (except for buildings existing as of January 17, 1978, in a recognized historic district, in which case the building setback for ground level residential use shall be the existing building setback), any part of a dwelling unit and residential garages, the setbacks are:
1. Front yard, 25 feet.
2. Side yard, six feet.
3. Rear yard, 25 feet.
B. For residential uses above the ground level and nonresidential uses not abutting or immediately across an alley from an R-1 or R-1E zone, the setbacks are:
1. Front yard, none.
2. Side yard, none.
3. Rear yard, none.
C. For nonresidential uses abutting or immediately across an alley from an R-1 or R-1E zone, the setbacks are:
1. Front yard, none.
2. Side yard, six feet.
3. Rear yard, 25 feet.
The width of the alley may be included in the side or rear setback measurement. (Ord. 21-002 § 23, 2021; Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 627 § 5, 2004. Formerly 17.28.064)
17.29.066 Open space requirements.
A. All residential uses require a minimum of 200 square feet of open space for outdoor activities per dwelling unit. No dimension of the open space shall be less than 10 feet. This open space requirement does not apply to any building which has a footprint constructed before January 17, 1978, and which footprint has not been significantly altered.
B. Open space shall not be used for storage, driveway, vehicle or other parking, or sheds (other than a fence). Open space may be used for lawn, shrubs, or trees. (Ord. 21-002 § 24, 2021; Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 627 § 6, 2004. Formerly 17.28.066)
17.29.068 Fencing requirements.
A lot, which abuts or is immediately across an alley from an R-1 or a R-1E residential zone and which contains five or more dwelling units or any nonresidential use, shall have a six-foot solid or interlap fence on the side or sides abutting or across an alley from the lower density residential zones. The fence shall be well built, finished and maintained. (Ord. 21-002 § 25, 2021; Ord. 05-026 § 4, 2005; Ord. 627 § 7, 2004. Formerly 17.28.068)