(A)   B1 Business District: The B1 business district is intended to create a business environment for a variety of commercial uses, including retail goods establishments, personal service establishments and office uses, designed to provide for the needs of local residents and enhance the economic vitality of the community. Areas within this district should have access to major streets and provide a safe, accessible, and transit-supportive environment for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders.

   (B)   B2 Business District: The purpose and intent of the B2 central business district is to sustain the economic viability of the Riverside central business district by preserving its historic character and allowing for compatible redevelopment. It is intended that the mixed use, small scale, and pedestrian oriented character associated with the B2 central business district will be strengthened through improvements to existing properties and new infill development that is consistent with its distinct historic scale, architecture and landscape architecture. The desired mix of uses shall consist of retail, service and limited office establishments on the ground floor, with office and residential above the ground floor. Development shall be carefully controlled to protect neighboring residential properties from impact, while at the same time permitting needed revitalization that supports economic development, boosts transit ridership, and enhances residential density near transit. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023)

Because different areas of the B1 business district have differing intensities of use, physical characters and functions, the village of Riverside has identified three (3) subdistricts each with its own set of allowable uses and bulk and yard regulations, as identified in table 4, “Business Districts Permitted Uses”, of this chapter. The subdistricts are identified on the B1 business district subdistrict map included as appendix H of this zoning ordinance. Each subdistrict is described as follows:

   (A)   B1 Commercial Subdistrict (B1-C): The B1-C subdistrict is intended to create a commercial environment for a variety of retail goods establishments, personal service establishments and office uses, which are oriented toward vehicular access along major roadways, pedestrian and bicycle access from adjacent neighborhoods, and nearby transit facilities. B1-C subdistricts may encompass retail centers, and mixed use development with residential uses permitted above the ground floor only.

   (B)   B1 Transitional Commercial Subdistrict (B1-TC): The B1-TC subdistrict is intended as a transitional area, where low intensity retail goods establishments, personal service establishments and office uses, as well as multi-family and townhouse dwellings, transition to surrounding single-family neighborhoods in a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environment with safe access to transit.

   (C)   B1 Transit Oriented Development Subdistrict (B1-TOD): The B1-TOD Subdistrict is intended as a transit-supportive mixed use area along the railroad and in close proximity to nearby bus and commuter rail facilities. The mix of uses generally supports multi-family residential, retail, service, office, and other employment-generating uses. Residential uses are permitted uses above the ground floor, and special uses on the ground floor. Uses appropriately transition to surrounding single-family neighborhoods in a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environment. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 4042, 2-2-2023)

Because various areas of the central business district have differing mixes of uses, physical character and functions, the village of Riverside has identified three (3) subdistricts, each with its own set of allowable uses, as identified in table 4, “Business Districts Permitted Uses”, of this chapter. The subdistricts are identified on the central business district boundary map included as appendix A of this zoning ordinance. The general mix of uses within each subdistrict is described as follows:

   (A)   B2 Retail Core (B2-RC): In an effort to encourage a “critical mass” of retail and service uses conveniently located to serve the village in a pedestrian-friendly and transit-supportive business district, the retail core allows retail, service and office uses on the ground floor.

   (B)   B2 Mixed Use Periphery (B2-MU): The mixed use periphery accommodates existing residential uses that surround and support the retail core with safe and convenient access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. The village encourages continued maintenance of these existing residential uses and establishment of additional new medium density residential uses in this subdistrict. In addition, the village may permit retail, service and office uses on the ground floor, and office uses above the ground floor, subject to approval as a special use.

   (C)   B2 Public Use Zone (B2-PU): The public use zone, located at the heart of the village, significantly contributes to the unique historic identity and character of Riverside. With a significant number of public historic landmark buildings the public use zone is intended to continue to accommodate existing public and quasi-public uses centrally located to serve Riverside residents. It is also intended that these properties remain in public and quasi-public use. In addition, the village may permit retail, service and office uses that are accessory to public and quasi-public uses or compatible restaurant uses, subject to approval as a special use. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023)

   (A)   Purpose And Intent: The purpose and intent of the use standards is to encourage a mix of compatible uses in the business districts that will serve village residents, commuters and the surrounding region. The range of permissible uses is intended to enhance the village’s tax base and create a mixed use district that is supportive of transit in a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environment, without adversely affecting neighboring properties.

   (B)   Use Table: Table 4, “Business Districts Permitted Uses”, of this chapter lists permitted and special uses for the B1 and B2 districts.

   (C)   Special Allowable Uses In The B2 District:

      1.   Special Allowable Commercial Uses In The B2 District: Due to the relative size of their respective private capital investment as of the date of the establishment of the B2 district, all existing commercial uses in the B2 district, which would otherwise be nonconforming including, but not limited to, the following uses at their respective locations, are hereby declared to be special allowable uses:

 

 

      2.   Special Allowable Residential Uses In The B2 District: Due to the long standing residential nature of particular properties as of the date of establishment of the B2 district, all single-family residential uses in the B2 district, which would otherwise be nonconforming at their respective locations, are hereby declared to be special allowable uses, provided that they shall conform with the applicable R1-AA, R1-A, R2, R3 or R4 standards that had been in effect as of the date of the establishment of the B2 central business district:

 

 

      3.   Status Of Special Allowable Uses In The B2 District: Such special allowable uses shall be considered to be permitted for all purposes of this zoning ordinance, including the right of the present and future owners to be allowed to continue to maintain such uses, rebuild any building to original size in the event of any partial or complete destruction, and to renovate or expand in compliance with all applicable provisions of this zoning ordinance, notwithstanding that such use of the premises would not otherwise be permitted in the B2 district. The above listed uses will lose their status as a special allowable use if one of the following occurs: a) if they are converted to a permitted use; b) if any of the special allowable uses are left vacant or abandoned for a period of one year; or c) in the event of destruction of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total square footage of the building and/or structure, as determined by the fire department, by fire or by any means not within the control of the property owner, unless a building permit is acquired for its repair or replacement within a period of one year.

   (D)   Residential Ground Floor Uses as Special Uses: Constant foot traffic is typically viewed as a key factor in promoting a business district with vibrant street life enabling pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders to conveniently access businesses and services at the ground floor of buildings. To minimize inactive uses in business districts, Table 4: Business Districts Permitted Uses in section 10-5-9 allows new ground floor multiple-family residential dwelling uses in the B2-RC Retail Core subdistrict only as special uses. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023)

   (A)   Purpose And Intent: The purpose and intent of the bulk requirements is to ensure that buildings are appropriately located on a site and of a size that is compatible with the size and scale of existing buildings in the business districts and surrounding residential properties. Bulk requirements also help to create safe and accessible spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists with respect to the public right-of-way.

   (B)   Bulk Table:

      1.   Table 5, “B1 District Bulk Requirements”, of this chapter contains the bulk and yard requirements for the B1 district. Interior side yard requirements are found in subsection (C) of this section.

      2.   Table 6, “B2 District Bulk Requirements”, of this chapter contains the bulk and yard requirements for the B2 district

   (C)   Interior Side Yard In B1-TC Subdistrict: In the B1-TC subdistrict, in order to encourage street wall continuity, a building shall be built at one of the interior side lot lines. The setback along the opposite interior side lot line shall be of appropriate width to accommodate a driveway for access to a rear parking area. However, a building may be built at both interior side lot lines if it meets the criteria of subsection (C)1, “Buildings Built To Both Interior Side Lot Lines”, of this section. In addition, the parking access requirements of subsection (C)2, “Parking Access Requirements”, of this section and the design standards of subsection (C)3, “Design Standards”, of this section shall be met.

      1.   Buildings Built To Both Interior Side Lot Lines: A building may be built at both interior side lot lines if it meets one of the following two (2) criteria:

         (a)   The building proposed to be built at both interior side lot lines shall share access to its rear parking area through the use of a driveway on another property within the B1-TC subdistrict. Permission to build at both interior side lot lines shall only be allowed if the shared driveway agreement is approved by the owners of each lot and creates a perpetual easement along and across the driveway. The driveway agreement shall be recorded and the resulting perpetual easement shall be recorded as a shared driveway easement on each plat of survey.

         (b)   A building may be built at both interior side lot lines when the building is constructed so that the structure extends over the driveway to maintain the street wall and thus providing access to a rear parking area.

      2.   Parking Access Requirements:

         (a)   All parking shall be located to the rear of the building.

         (b)   Driveways in the B1-TC subdistrict shall maintain a twenty foot (20') separation between curb cuts.

         (c)   Shared driveways and parking lots are encouraged.

         (d)   Building over the driveway to maintain the street wall is encouraged.

      3.   Design Standards: In addition to the required design standards of the B1 district in section 10-5-6 of this chapter, the following additional design standards shall be met for buildings constructed at the interior lot line in the B1-TC subdistrict:

         (a)   A building built at the interior side lot line shall have no openings within the side wall constructed on the interior side lot line. “Openings” shall be defined as windows, doors or any means of fenestration or ventilation. The intent is to allow neighboring buildings to build to the same interior side lot line. Such side wall shall be built according to all building and fire code regulations for a party wall.

         (b)   The front facade of the building shall form a continuous building line with no gaps.

         (c)   Buildings shall maintain a minimum facade height of eighteen feet (18'). Two-story structures are preferred.

         (d)   Building facades shall follow a simple rhythm of bays, with a pattern of building divisions or structural bays between twenty (20) and thirty five feet (35') in width.

         (e)   The dominant feature of the street wall at the first story level shall be clear glass or open elements, including storefront windows, entrances, and openings that provide views into the establishment or storefront window displays. Window sign standards shall adhere to requirements established in Chapter 3: Signs.

         (f)   Awnings and built overhangs are encouraged to create an appropriate pedestrian scale along the continuous street wall. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023)

   (A)   Facade:

      1.   Multi-story buildings shall be designed with a definable base, middle and top. Rooflines, cornice treatments and window designs are encouraged to divide larger buildings.

      2.   Façades of buildings, including front and side façades, and rear façades facing the railroad, shall be visually broken into bays to avoid the appearance of large, blank walls. Visual breaks in the facade shall be accomplished by alterations in the plane of the facade, height of the facade, changes in materials, color, texture or pattern, and/or the addition of columns, pilasters and/or windows.

   (B)   Fenestration:

      1.   Windows shall be set back into or projected out from the facade to provide depth and shadow.

      2.   The ground floor of a commercial facade shall maintain a transparency of fifty percent (50%). Windows shall be constructed of clear or lightly tinted glass (no tinting above 20 percent or reflective glass).

   (C)   Rooflines:

      1.   Roofs shall be designed as an integral part of the facade design. Mansard roofs are prohibited.

      2.   Parapet walls shall feature three-dimensional cornice treatments or other shadow creating detail elements along their tops.

   (D)   Public Entrances:

      1.   All buildings shall have a public entrance from the sidewalk along the primary street frontage. This includes sidewalks within the public right-of-way that encompass a bus stop to provide for safe access to transit. Bicycle parking, such as bicycle racks or other methods, shall be provided near the front entrance or in a common area accessible to multiple buildings, including within the public right-of-way if approved by the Village.

      2.   Facades which abut parking areas and contain a public entrance shall make provision for pedestrian walkways, bicycle parking, and landscape areas.

   (E)   Building Materials:

      1.   The following materials are permitted for use on exterior elevations:

         (a)   Clay brick.

         (b)   Natural or cast stone.

         (c)   Cementitious stucco.

Other materials may be considered by the planning and zoning commission, provided that they are not expressly prohibited below.

      2.   The following materials shall be prohibited:

         (a)   Concrete masonry units (CMU).

         (b)   King size or jumbo brick.

         (c)   Aluminum siding or panel systems.

         (d)   Exposed aggregate (rough finish) concrete wall panels.

         (e)   Exterior insulating finish systems (EIFS, “Dryvit”).

         (f)   Glass curtain wall systems.

         (g)   Plastic.

         (h)   T-111 composite plywood siding.

   (F)   Sustainable Design: Sustainable design best practices are encouraged, which may include, but are not limited to, green roofs, infrastructure for electric vehicles and bicycles, solar panels, and permeable pavement. Such design elements shall be reviewed by Village staff for compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 2843, 12-19-2013; Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023)

   (A)   Purpose And Intent: The following design standards, together with the other regulations of the B2 central business district and other applicable historic preservation guidelines utilized by the preservation commission, are intended to encourage high quality, create safe and accessible spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists with respect to the public right-of-way, and scale appropriate building design that respects the historic character of the village of Riverside. While the building scale and design standards do not dictate a particular architectural style, it is the intent of the village to encourage building design that complements the architecture of its historic landmark and historically significant buildings located within the B2 district. Photos of examples of contextual architecture in the B2 district are included in appendix G of this zoning ordinance.

The following regulations shall apply to all new construction, additions and exterior remodeling in the B2 district in addition to applicable historic preservation guidelines for modifications to historic landmark buildings reviewed by the preservation commission, subject to title 11, chapter 1 of the municipal code.

   (B)   Building Scale Standards:

      1.   Buildings shall be designed with a definable base, middle and top. Cornices and parapets are encouraged to define these sections of the building. See building photos included in appendix G of this zoning ordinance.

      2.   Façades of buildings on all four sides, including façades that face the railroad, shall be visually broken into bays to avoid the appearance of large, blank walls. Visual breaks in the facade shall be accomplished by alterations in the plane of the facade, height of the facade, changes in materials, color, texture or pattern, and/or the addition of columns, pilasters and/or windows.

      3.   Punched openings in the wall plane shall be provided in which to set windows and doors. Flush mounted windows and doors are prohibited.

      4.   The first floor of buildings in the retail core of the B2 district shall be designed with a minimum ceiling height of twelve feet (12'). Fourteen feet (14') is encouraged.

   (C)   Building Access Standards:

      1.   Pedestrian Access: Each ground floor space with street frontage shall have its primary entrance on the public sidewalk. Additional entrances may be provided off of a parking area or access corridor. Bicycle parking, such as bicycle racks or other methods, shall be provided near the front entrance or in a common area accessible to multiple buildings, including within the public right-of-way if approved by the Village.

      2.   Vehicular Access: Front access drives disrupt the continuous building line, and have a detrimental effect on the pedestrian orientation of the B2 district, and therefore are discouraged. Buildings on lots less than one hundred fifty feet (150') in width shall have parking located in the rear of the site, with rear access, whenever possible. When such access is not possible, it shall be encouraged that the width of individual drive lanes be limited to ten feet (10').

   (D)   Building Design Standards:

      1.   Architectural Style: Conformance to established architectural styles is encouraged, but not required. However, the exterior design of buildings shall emphasize traditional architectural themes consistent with older buildings in the B2 district. See photos included in appendix G of this zoning ordinance.

      2.   Exterior Material: In order to adapt to changing technology, the development of new materials and so as not to limit the designer, additional materials other than those specified below may be permitted. The right to use alternate materials shall be reviewed on a case by case basis, in the context of each individual project.

         (a)   The following materials are permitted for use on exterior elevations:

            (1)   Clay brick.

            (2)   Natural or cast stone.

            (3)   Cementitious stucco. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009)

Other materials may be considered by the planning and zoning commission, provided that they are not expressly prohibited below. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 2843, 12-19-2013)

         (b)   The following materials shall be prohibited:

            (1)   Concrete masonry units (CMU).

            (2)   King size or jumbo brick.

            (3)   Aluminum siding or panel systems.

            (4)   Exposed aggregate (rough finish) concrete wall panels.

            (5)   Exterior insulating finish systems (EIFS, “Dryvit”).

            (6)   Glass curtain wall systems.

            (7)   Plastic.

            (8)   T-111 composite plywood siding.

      3.   Door And Window Design: In order to promote and maintain the small town, historic character of the B2 District, glazed surfaces on front facade(s) shall be double hung, casement or fixed picture windows, within discernable wall elements. Windows designed as true divided lights shall be encouraged. Sliding or jalousie windows shall be prohibited.

      4.   Door And Storefront Window Materials: All windows on front and corner side facades on all stories, or serving public entrances, shall be wood or wood clad with aluminum. It is encouraged that all ground level doors on front and corner side facades be constructed of wood. The design of doors made of materials other than wood shall be compatible with the design of the building. The use of vinyl windows and trim is prohibited.

      5.   Storefront Display Windows: In order to recognize the pedestrian orientation of the B2 District, the following are requirements for display windows:

         (a)   Along the length of facade(s) facing the public street and sidewalk, at least fifty percent (50%) of the first floor facade shall be display type windows where retail sales, personal service and/or office use is located on the first floor. A minimum eighteen inch (18") high knee wall shall be required beneath glazing. The bottom edge of such windows shall not be higher than thirty inches (30") above grade so as to allow pedestrians to see into the windows. Window sign standards shall adhere to requirements established in Chapter 3: Signs, which summarizes appropriate sign types, materials and maintenance for window signs.

         (b)   First story glass shall be clear and nontinted. Tinting of second- and third-story glass shall not vary by more than twenty percent (20%). Reflective glass is prohibited.

      6.   Sustainable Design: Sustainable design best practices are encouraged, which may include, but are not limited to, green roofs, infrastructure for electric vehicles and bicycles, solar panels, and permeable pavement. Such design elements shall be reviewed by Village staff for compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023)

   (A)   Accessory Structures And Uses: See section 10-7-3, "Accessory Structures And Uses", of this Zoning Ordinance for standards covering accessory buildings, structures, and uses.

   (B)   Landscaping And Screening: See chapter 9, "Landscaping And Screening", of this Zoning Ordinance and title 8, chapter 5 of the Municipal Code for standards governing landscaping and screening.

   (C)   Off Street Parking And Loading: See chapter 8, "Off Street Parking", of this Zoning Ordinance for standards governing off street parking and loading.

   (D)   Permitted Encroachments: See section 10-7-4, "Permitted Encroachments", of this Zoning Ordinance for standards governing encroachments.

   (E)   Temporary Uses: See section 10-6-3, "Temporary Uses", of this Zoning Ordinance for standards governing temporary uses. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009)

TABLE 4
BUSINESS DISTRICTS PERMITTED USES

 

 

 

 

(Ord. 2902, 3-17-2016; amd. Ord. 2908, 5-5-2016; Ord. 2918, 8-18-2016; Ord. 2953, 6-15-2017; Ord. 2955, 6-15-2017; Ord. 3002, 10-18-2018; Ord. 3003, 11-15-2018; Ord. 3004, 11-15-2018; Ord. 3022, 9-5-2019; Ord. 3061, 6-18-2020; Ord. 4042, 2-2-2023)

TABLE 5
B1 DISTRICT BULK REQUIREMENTS

 

TABLE 6
B2 DISTRICT BULK REQUIREMENTS

 

(Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009; amd. Ord. 2843, 12-19-2013; Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023; Ord. 4042, 2-2-2023)