The purpose of this overlay zoning district is to maintain and enhance the character of the historic buildings within the downtown area, promote the development of new buildings that are compatible with the character of the historic downtown, provide a high quality pedestrian oriented retail environment and support the downtown area as a vibrant economic hub of the community.

(Code 1999, § 17.58.010; Ord. No. 13-004, 4-8-2013)

A.

Uses permitted in the downtown overlay zoning district shall be only those uses permitted by the zoning districts with which the overlay district is combined, except as herein provided.

B.

Residential units are permitted when located above the ground floor or behind the commercial frontage.

C.

Outdoor patios and seating areas are encouraged to add to the pedestrian environment at the street.

(Code 1999, § 17.58.020; Ord. No. 13-004, 4-8-2013)

Downtown overlay zoning shall be established in accordance with the procedures in chapter 17.20. Downtown overlay zoning may be combined with any commercial zoning district. After the initial establishment of downtown overlay zoning, it may be expanded or contracted in accordance with the procedures in chapter 17.20, but at no time shall non-contiguous downtown overlay zoning be established.

(Code 1999, § 17.58.030; Ord. No. 13-004, 4-8-2013)

A.

General requirements for renovation or new construction is as follows:

1.

New construction or reconstruction shall be compatible with the materials, features, size, scale, and proportions, and massing of nearby historic structures.

2.

New construction shall sensitively maintain the rhythm of the established street wall.

3.

Replacement doors and windows and/or new doors and windows shall match as closely as possible, those of the original building or those of adjacent buildings (in the case of new construction).

4.

Whenever possible, outdoor utilities shall be screened or relocated. Mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view.

5.

New buildings shall open directly onto the street or pedestrian space.

6.

All new required off-street parking spaces shall be located in the rear or to the side of structures to reduce visibility from public streets and the interruption of the pedestrian environment within the downtown area.

7.

Bicycle parking facilities shall be encouraged and should be located near the pedestrian space and building entrances.

8.

Building entrances should be linked to the public sidewalk where possible with textured pavement, landscaping, street furniture, canopies or trellises.

B.

Standards for outdoor sidewalk cafes are as follows:

1.

Outdoor sidewalk cafes may extend into the sidewalk portion of the public right-of-way.

2.

Outdoor sidewalk cafes must not obstruct sidewalk pedestrian traffic or create public health and safety hazards.

3.

Roof material covering an outdoor cafe may extend into the public right-of-way from the face of the building a maximum of ten feet but in no way shall the covering extend over street parking spaces or the vehicle travel lane of the adjacent roadway.

4.

A definable decorative barrier element which physically separates the outdoor cafe seating area from adjacent pedestrian traffic shall be provided. The design and materials of such barrier element must compliment and be compatible with the architectural design of the restaurant building facade.

5.

Decorative/accent lighting may be incorporated into the outdoor café structure, awning or canopy and must meet all city code requirements.

C.

Vacant buildings. The appearance of vacant buildings does not contribute to the creation of a pedestrian environment in the downtown area. Since vacant buildings may inhibit the growth of the retail environment, special provisions are necessary to mitigate the impact of vacant buildings in the downtown area. Buildings within the downtown area shall give the appearance of use. The following regulations shall apply to all vacant retail space and are in addition to other requirements:

1.

All windows and doors of a vacant structure shall provide a window display or covering that is aesthetically pleasing and belies the fact that the building is vacant.

2.

Windows that are boarded up or have security shutters shall be decorated in a manner that is consistent with the character of those surrounding buildings that are not boarded up. Expanded metal is not an acceptable material.

3.

Upon receipt of a notice of noncompliance with this section, the property owner shall have 90 days in which to provide the window display or covering.

(Code 1999, § 17.58.040; Ord. No. 13-004, 4-8-2013)

A.

Landscaping shall comply with the requirements of sections 17.12.150 and 17.12.160.

B.

Streetscape requirements. Benches, streetlights, trash receptacles, street signs, planters, pots or other containers and tree grates shall all be consistent in style and compatible with the character of the active development in the downtown overlay zoning district.

(Code 1999, § 17.58.050; Ord. No. 13-004, 4-8-2013)

A.

There is no minimum lot size.

B.

The maximum building height shall be 45 feet.

C.

There is no front yard, side yard or street side yard minimum setback, other than that which may be required by the city building code.

D.

The minimum rear yard setback shall be zero feet unless the property backs onto residentially zoned property in which case the minimum rear yard setback shall be equal to that of the adjacent residential zoning.

E.

The maximum lot coverage shall be 100 percent.

F.

The minimum distance between buildings shall be zero feet or as required by the city building code.

(Code 1999, § 17.58.060; Ord. No. 13-004, 4-8-2013)