(A)   The intent of the Riverfront Corridor Overlay District (RCO) is:

      (1)   To recognize, preserve, maintain, and promote economically viable uses that are a benefit to the county;

      (2)   To maximize public benefit for further development of the riverfront area;

      (3)   To provide for improved scenic and aesthetic controls;

      (4)   To recognize the riverfront area as a visual, environmental, and recreational resource that affects and benefits the county as a whole;

      (5)   To protect adjacent properties from the negative effects of incompatible development; and

      (6)   To establish a physically attractive pattern of development for the general welfare of the county.

   (B)   The RCO extends along the Mississippi River and Rock River in the corporate limits of the county. The exact boundary of the RCO is delineated on the official county zoning map. The Riverfront Corridor Overlay District regulations, supplement, and control (where inconsistent) the regulations of underlying district(s). All other applicable provisions and standards of this chapter and other pertinent ordinances shall remain in effect.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   The following are permitted principal uses in the RCO District: All uses permitted by right in the underlying zoning district(s).

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   The following are other uses in the RCO District: Uses authorized by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   The following are applicable regulations in the RCO District: All requirements of the underlying zoning district(s) concerning site planning, building height, lot area, and yard depths shall remain applicable except where modified by the following sections.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   For the benefit of the public, access to or along the riverfront is encouraged. This will serve to provide open areas and vehicle-free areas for use by the general public. The desired design standards for such access are as follows:

   (A)   (1)   A public pedestrian/bike easement of at least 20 feet in width running in continuous length through the property for properties ordering the river.

      (2)   The easement shall be adjacent to the riverfront by an alternative location may be proposed if the riverfront location is not possible;

   (B)   The easement should connect to any adjacent public pedestrian/bike easement in a physically logical and efficient manner; and

   (C)   Such pedestrian/bike easements should be located in a safe and logical fashion, and be usable by pedestrians and bicyclists.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   (A)   If a public pedestrian/bike easement of a least 20 feet in width running continuously through the property is provided by the owner, the maximum building height allowable may be increased up to four stories, not to exceed 50 feet. The granting of this increase shall also be dependent upon design and topographical considerations.

   (B)   If a public pedestrian/bike easement of at least 20 feet in width running continuously through the property is provided by the owner, the required setbacks from public right-of-way may be varied as long as design, floodplain, safety, topographic, and view considerations are satisfactorily addressed; provided, however, the setback may not be reduced to less than ten feet.

   (C)   For every 400 square feet of dedicated public pedestrian easement which is at least 20 feet wide that is provided by the owner, one parking space may be deducted from the required parking total. This provision shall not apply to residential use within the RCO. Regardless of waivers or exemptions hereinabove granted or the requirements set forth in the off-street parking regulations of the county, required parking spaces shall never be reduced to less than 50% of the normal required total number of spaces.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   (A)   All applicants for proposed uses in the RCO shall be required to submit a site plan for review and recommendation by the Zoning Board of Appeals and approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals prior to, or in conjunction with, a zoning change, special use permit, or building permit. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall review site plans for proposed uses requiring approval.

   (B)   The site plan shall include the following information: A drawing(s) at a scale of 100 feet or less to the inch indicating:

      (1)   The legal description of the property;

      (2)   Existing topography and the proposed finished grade of the site, shown with contour intervals of two feet;

      (3)   Location and description of existing and proposed utility services on and adjacent to the development, including sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water mains, fire hydrants, and other utilities;

      (4)   All existing and proposed easements;

      (5)   The location and size of each existing and proposed structure or use on the site;

      (6)   The location and width of streets adjacent to or on the property;

      (8)   The dimensions and capacities of parking areas and loading areas, including the location and type of illumination and landscaping;

      (9)   The types of surfacing, such as paving, turf, or gravel to be used on the site;

      (10)   A drainage plan for the site; and

      (11)   The location and height of all existing proposed walls, fences, and screen plantings, landscaping, and buffer areas.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   A traffic study shall be required for developments that are expected to generate large volumes of traffic to and from a site. The appropriate official shall determine if a traffic study is required for a site. The analysis shall be performed by a registered professional engineer. The analysis shall include the anticipated or projected trip generation per day (ADT) and peak hourly traffic resulting from the proposed use; access points and driveways to and from the site; parking areas and number of parking spaces; stacking areas, and sight distances from the access points; distance from proposed access points to existing intersections and driveways within 500 feet; and other information necessary for proper review by the county.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   (A)   Commercial, industrial, office, and multi-family developments shall be required to provide landscaping or screening adequate to achieve the following objectives:

      (1)   To screen incompatible land uses and protect residential areas from negative effects such as noise, glare, and litter;

      (2)   To provide a visually attractive site design;

      (3)   To encourage the creative use of landscaping to frame or enhance views and vistas and discourage the obstruction of existing views; and

      (4)   To be sensitive to the environmental nature of the riverbank by limiting its alteration except as necessary.

   (B)   Exterior lighting on buildings or in yard and parking areas shall not produce any hazards, nuisances, or unsightly glare for adjacent land uses, pedestrians, and motorists.

   (C)   Refer to §§ 154.035 through 154.054, 154.454 through 154.555, 154.570 through 154.575, and 154.590 through 154.154.599 for specific development.

   (D)   Signs shall be freestanding.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   A site plan shall be submitted at the time of application for a rezoning, an authorized use, and if applicable, for a variance. If only a building, the site plan shall be submitted at the time of application for the permit. The site plan shall be submitted to the appropriate official. A processing fee of $25 dollars shall be paid to the county at the time the site plan is submitted. This fee shall not be required if the site plan is submitted at the same time as an application for a zoning change or authorized use.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   Upon receiving a site plan, the appropriate official shall schedule a public hearing for review by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall review and make a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for site plans requiring a zoning change, or only a building or sign permit. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall review and take final action on site plans requiring a zoning change, or only a building or sign permit. The Administrative Officer shall review and approve site plans for uses requiring the Zoning Board of Appeals authorization or variances, if applicable. A site plan approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals shall not require other authority review before the issuance of a building permit.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   If a site plan is submitted as part of an application for a zoning change, authorized use, or variance, the appropriate notification procedure established in this chapter shall be followed. If only a building or sign permit is required, at least 15 days before the public hearing, a notice stating the time and place of the hearing shall be placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. The notice shall also be delivered personally or by mail at least five days before the hearing to the applicant, respective owners of record or property adjoining or adjacent to the subject parcel, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   (A)   Site plans reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals, shall be approved, approved with conditions, or disapproved.

   (B)   In any case, the reviewing body shall make the following specific findings of fact concerning the site plan:

      (1)   Whether the proposed development conforms to the standards and requirements of the Riverfront Corridor Overlay District;

      (2)   Whether the proposed development is consistent with the land use recommendations and development policies;

      (3)   Whether the proposed development is designed to prevent traffic congestion and access problems along adjacent streets;

      (4)   Whether the proposed development is an attractive design and an efficient use of land;

      (5)   Whether the proposed development is compatible with adjacent land uses and is designed to protect adjacent properties from adverse effects such as noise, glare, litter, and unattractive features;

      (6)   Whether the proposed development will be adequately served by public facilities; and

      (7)   Whether the proposed development will have any negative environmental or physical impacts on the site or on adjacent properties.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   One- and two-family residences are exempt from the site plan requirements of the RCO. In addition, a site plan shall not be required for the renovation or expansion of an existing structure or use unless access points would be changed or a substantial increase in traffic to the site would be generated.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   (A)   Any amendment or change to an approved site plan must be submitted to the appropriate official for review.

   (B)   The appropriate official shall determine if the proposed amendment is a major change requiring review and approval by the appropriate public body. Minor changes can be approved by the appropriate official.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)

   Riverfront Corridor Overlay District site plan review requirements that also apply county-wide for site plans requiring a zoning change, authorized use and/or variances. The same notification and public hearing process shall also be followed.

(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)