The RM-1 and RM-2 multiple-family residential districts are designed to provide sites for multiple-family dwelling structures, and related uses, which will generally serve as zones of transition between the nonresidential districts and the lower density single-family residential districts. The multiple-family districts are further provided to serve the limited needs for the apartment type of unit in an otherwise low density, single-family community.

(Ord. of 10-6-03)

In a multiple-family district no building or land, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall be erected or used except for one or more of the following specified purposes and shall be permitted subject to the review and approval of the site plan by the planning commission. Such review of the site plan is required to find proper relationships between development features as they relate to traffic safety and appropriate design of service roads, driveways, parking areas; accessory buildings, and open space.

(1)

Multiple-family dwellings.

(2)

Duplexes.

(3)

Triplexes.

(4)

Quadplexes.

(5)

Sixplexes.

(6)

Stacked flats.

(7)

Townhomes/rowhouses and attached single-family units.

(8)

Single-family detached dwellings.

(9)

Publicly owned and operated libraries, parks, parkways and recreational facilities.

(10)

Planned unit development pursuant to article 24.

(11)

Cemeteries.

(12)

Family day care homes.

(13)

Group day care home subject to section 78-297.

(14)

Adult foster care family homes.

(15)

Adult foster care small group home subject to section 78-298.

(16)

Accessory uses, subject to provisions of article 21.

(17)

Home occupations subject to provisions of section 78-212.

(18)

Essential public services.

(Ord. of 10-6-03; Ord. No. 21-03, 11-1-21)

The following uses may be permitted by the planning commission subject to article 23, the review and approval of the site plan by the planning commission, and the imposition of special conditions which, in the opinion of the commission, are necessary to ensure that the land use or activity authorized is compatible with adjacent uses of land, the natural environment and the capacities of public services and facilities affected by the land use, and subject further to a public hearing held in accord with section 78-281:

(1)

General hospitals not to exceed four stories when the following conditions are met:

a.

All such hospitals shall be developed only on sites consisting of at least five acres in area, and shall not be permitted on a lot or lots of record.

b.

The proposed site shall have at least one property line abutting a major thoroughfare.

c.

The minimum distance of any main or accessory building from bounding lot lines or streets shall be at least 100 feet for front, rear and side yards for all two-story structures. For every story above two, the minimum yard distance shall be increased by at least 20 feet.

d.

Ambulance and delivery areas shall be provided with an obscuring screen in accordance with the provisions of section 78-206. Ingress and egress to the site shall be directly from a major thoroughfare.

e.

All ingress and egress to the off-street parking area, for guests, employees, staff, as well as any other uses of the facilities, shall be directly from a major thoroughfare.

(2)

Convalescent or nursing homes, not to exceed a height of two-stories, when the following conditions are met:

a.

The site shall be so developed as to create a land to building ratio on the lot or parcel whereby for each one bed in the convalescent home there shall be provided not less than 800 square feet of open space. The 800 square feet of land area per bed shall provide for landscape setting, off-street parking, service drives, loading space, yard requirements, employee facilities, and any space required for accessory uses. The 800 square-foot requirement is over and above the building coverage area.

b.

No building shall be closer than 40 feet from any property line.

(3)

Adult dependent housing or assisted living facilities when the following conditions are met:

a.

Adult dependent housing provided for in a multiple-family housing form with central dining facilities provided as a basic service to each unit. A community center for the overall development shall be provided to support recreational and social activities.

b.

The following minimum requirements shall be provided for the elderly unit types permitted in subsection (3)a of this section:

6.

Proposed housing developments will also be evaluated in terms of their convenience and/or accessibility by residents to various commercial, office and service facilities. Consideration shall be given to the type of facilities proposed, resident needs, effective proximity to service facilities and transportation services to these facilities.

7.

All spacing shall meet the requirements of section 78-191, footnote (d).

(4)

Churches and other facilities subject to section 78-300.

(5)

Parochial and private elementary, intermediate, or secondary schools offering courses in general education, not operated for profit.

(6)

Uses and buildings of the city or government.

(7)

Bed and breakfast operations subject to section 78-287.

(8)

Adult foster care large group home.

(9)

Adult foster care congregate facility.

(Ord. of 10-6-03; Ord. No. 2012-04, § 6, 11-5-12; Ord. No. 21-03, 11-1-21)

(a)

In the case of multiple dwelling developments, all site plans shall be submitted to the planning commission for its review and approval prior to issuance of a building permit. Approval shall be contingent upon a finding that:

(1)

The site plan shows that a proper relationship exists between local streets and any proposed service roads, driveways, and parking areas to encourage pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety; and

(2)

All the development features including the principal building or buildings and any accessory buildings, or uses, open spaces, and any service roads, driveways and parking areas are so located and related to minimize the possibility of any adverse effects upon adjacent property, such as but not limited to, channeling excessive traffic onto local residential streets, lack of adequate screening or buffering of parking or service areas, or building groupings and circulation routes located as to interfere with police or fire equipment access.

(b)

All dwelling units shall be reviewed by the building official and shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1)

Dwelling units shall conform to all applicable city codes and ordinances and state or federal requirements with respect to the construction of the dwelling.

(2)

Dwelling units shall be permanently attached to a perimeter foundation. In instances where the applicant elects to set the dwelling on piers or other acceptable foundations which are not at the perimeter of the dwelling, then a perimeter wall shall also be constructed. Any such perimeter wall shall be constructed of durable materials and shall also meet all local requirements with respect to materials, construction and necessary foundations below the frost line. Any such wall shall also provide an appearance which is compatible with the dwelling and other homes in the area.

(3)

Dwelling units shall be provided with exterior finish materials similar to the dwelling units on adjacent properties or in the surrounding residential neighborhood.

(4)

Dwelling units shall be provided with roof designs and roofing materials similar to the dwelling units on adjacent properties or in the surrounding residential neighborhood.

(5)

Dwelling units shall be provided with an exterior building wall configuration which represents an average width to depth or depth to width ratio which does not exceed three to one, or is in reasonable conformity with the configuration of dwelling units on adjacent properties or in the surrounding residential neighborhood.

(6)

The dwelling shall contain storage capability in a basement located under the dwelling, in an attic area, in closet areas, or in a separate structure of standard construction similar to or of better quality than the principal dwelling, which storage area shall be equal to ten percent of the square footage of the dwelling or 100 square feet, whichever shall be less.

(7)

Any such dwelling unit shall be anchored by an anchoring system approved by the city.

(8)

The building official may request a review by the planning commission of any dwelling unit with respect to subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection. The building official or planning commission shall not seek to discourage architectural variation, but shall seek to promote the reasonable compatibility of the character of dwelling units, thereby protecting the economic welfare and property value of surrounding residential uses and the city at large. In reviewing any such proposed dwelling unit, the building official may require the applicant to furnish such plans, elevations and similar documentation as is deemed necessary to permit a complete review and evaluation of the proposal. When comparing the proposed dwelling unit to similar types of dwelling areas, consideration shall be given to comparable types of homes within 300 feet. If the area within 300 feet does not contain any such homes, then the nearest 25 similar type dwellings shall be considered.

See article XVII of this chapter for the schedule of regulations limiting the height and bulk of buildings, the minimum size of lot permitted by land use, and the maximum density permitted.

(Ord. of 10-6-03)