Palmer City Zoning Code
17.30 Central
Business District
17.30.010 Intent.
The intent of this chapter is to establish consistent procedures and standards for the traditional downtown in the city of Palmer that is unique or requires additional consideration due to their character, historical importance or importance to the town’s economic well-being. The overlay districts will assist Palmer to promote and protect the public health, safety, comfort, character, convenience and general welfare in the central business district (CBD) overlay zone while meeting the goals established in the comprehensive plan. (Ord. 21-001 § 4, 2021)
17.30.020 Permitted uses.
Permitted principal uses in the central business district (CBD) are as follows:
A. All uses as defined in the Palmer use matrix in PMC 17.28.020.
B. One single-family dwelling per lot can have an accessory dwelling unit as an accessory use within the CBD. (Ord. 21-001 § 4, 2021)
17.30.021 Compatibility of use not defined.
Where a proposed use is not specifically identified or it is unclear as to whether the use is allowed in a particular zone, the zoning administrator may find the use is similar to another use that is permitted, allowed conditionally, or prohibited in the central business district and apply the code accordingly. Land use rulings requiring 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. 21-001 § 4, 2021)
17.30.022 Appeal of compatibility of use.
In the event the petitioner disagrees with the confirmation 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. 21-001 § 4, 2021)
17.30.028 Accessory uses.
Accessory uses in the central business 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 comply with development standards as follows:
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 the Palmer Municipal Code. Structures, signs and parking and maneuvering areas shall not obstruct sight distance.
4. Site Plan. Comply with site plan standards in this title.
5. Size Limitations. May not exceed 400 square feet.
6. Placement shall be in rear of primary structure or use. (Ord. 21-001 § 4, 2021)
17.30.030 Conditional uses.
The following conditional uses are allowed in the CBD upon the granting of a conditional use permit, in accordance with the provisions of PMC 17.28.020, and include one of the following:
A. Propane and butane service;
B. Car washes;
C. Crematory;
D. Welding service and supplies;
F. Residential care facility. (Ord. 21-001 § 4, 2021)
17.30.040 Prohibited uses.
A. Land uses as defined in the Palmer use matrix in PMC 17.28.020.
B. Conex building unless the following is met:
1. Screened with six-foot solid cedar fence when placed abutting a 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 the 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 traffic will not block streets, sidewalks or parking lot circulation aisles.
3. Parking shall meet the 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.
7. All structures shall meet the setback requirements of this title. 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. 21-001 § 4, 2021)
17.30.050 General provisions.
A. Applicability.
1. The overlay district is created as a special area to be superimposed on the underlying districts by approval of the city council as appropriate.
2. Boundaries of the overlay district are shown on the zoning map but may be modified from time to time by the city of Palmer.
3. Land use standards provided herein are intended to supplement those permitted in the general commercial and limited commercial districts and in most cases may be more restrictive than those of the underlying commercial zoning district.
4. Underlying uses of residential districts shall prevail. Wherever there exists a conflict between the requirements of the underlying commercial zoning and those of the overlay district, the requirements for the overlay district shall prevail.
5. The central business district is defined as follows:
Beginning at the intersection of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and the Glenn Highway centerlines; north along the centerline of the Glenn Highway; east to the northwest corner of parcel 18N02E32 Lot D9; east along the north side of parcels 18N02E32 Lot D9, Tract B, Colony Fair, 18N02E32 Lot D8, 18N02E32 Lot D7; north along the west side of parcel Tract A-1, Colony Fair RSB T/A and C; east along the north side of said parcel to the centerline of S. Cobb Street; north along the centerline of S. Cobb Street to the centerline of W. Blueberry Avenue; east along the centerline of W. Blueberry Avenue; southeast to the centerline of E. Blueberry Avenue; east along the centerline of E. Blueberry Avenue; crossing over S. Colony Way to continue east along the centerline of E. Blueberry Avenue to the centerline of S. Denali Street; south along the centerline of S. Denali Street to the centerline of E. Cottonwood Avenue; east along the centerline of E. Cottonwood Avenue to the centerline of S. Gulkana Street; south along the centerline of S. Gulkana Street to the southeast corner of Tract A, Arbor Estates; west along the south property line of Tract A to Lot 4, Block 2, Arbor Estates; south to the southeast corner of Lot 4, Block 2, Arbor Estates; west along the south property lines of Lots 4, 3, 2, and 1, Block 2, Arbor Estates; west to the junction of S. Eklutna and E. Fern Avenue; west along the centerline of E. Fern Avenue to the centerline of S. Chugach Street; north along the centerline of S. Chugach Street to the centerline of E. Fireweed Avenue; west along the centerline of E. Fireweed Avenue to the centerline of S. Colony Way; south along the centerline of S. Colony Way; west to the southeast corner of parcel 17N02E04 Lot B4; west along the south side of said parcel, to the centerline of S. Cobb Street; north along the centerline of S. Cobb Street to the centerline of W. Fern Avenue; west along the centerline of W. Fern Avenue to the centerline of S. Dimond Street; north along the centerline of S. Dimond Street to the centerline of W. Elmwood Avenue; west along the centerline of W. Elmwood Avenue to the junction of W. Elmwood and the Glenn Highway; north along the centerline of the Glenn Highway to the point of beginning.
B. District Boundaries – Zoning Map. The planning and zoning commission shall recommend the boundaries of the overlay districts as part of their establishment. Such boundaries shall be delineated on the zoning map with the identifying name(s).
C. Lot, Yard, Setback and Open Space Requirements. All lot, yard, setback and open space requirements established by an underlying zoning district shall apply unless alternate standards are provided by the overlay district(s).
D. Parking. Parking in this overlay district shall be in accordance with provisions of Chapter 17.64 PMC. (Ord. 21-001 § 4, 2021)