Saint Francis City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
General Development Standards
§ 455-36 Buffer zones.
A.
Notwithstanding any other restrictions in this chapter, whenever any structure used for business or industrial purposes is proposed to be constructed or enlarged in such a manner that any part of the structure shall be within 100 feet of any residential district, a buffer zone shall be created. Such buffer zone shall consist of vacant land within 10 feet of the lot line of the business or industrial lot line toward the residential district. Within 10 feet of such lot line, plantings of an evergreen and/or deciduous nature shall be planted, and a fence shall be erected that is no less than six feet in height and meets all other restrictions of the zoning district. Such plantings and fence shall be in place within one year of the issuance of the building permit.
B.
Any person who would suffer hardship from the above may seek relief from the Common Council from the above restrictions. If the Council grants relief it shall be made by resolution.
§ 455-37 Lighting standards.
A.
Exterior lighting plan required. Whenever a site plan review application is made and whenever a special use permit is requested, an exterior lighting plan shall be submitted to the City of St. Francis to determine whether the requirements of this section have been met and that adjoining property will not be adversely impacted by the proposed lighting. Single-family and two-family dwellings are exempt from this requirement.
B.
Lighting plan elements. A lighting plan submitted pursuant to this chapter shall have, at a minimum, the following elements:
(1)
A color copy of the catalog page, cut sheet, or photograph of the lighting fixture, including the mounting method.
(2)
A dimensioned or scaled photometric data test report of the proposed lighting fixture graphically showing the lighting distribution at all angles vertically and horizontally.
(3)
A plot plan, drawn to a recognized scale, indicating the location of the lighting fixture(s) proposed, mounting and/or installation height in feet, the overall illumination levels (in footcandles) and uniformities on the site, and the illumination levels (in footcandles) at the property boundary lines. This may be accomplished by means of an isolux curve or computer printout projecting the illumination levels.
(4)
A graphic depiction of the lighting fixture lamp (or bulb) concealment and light cutoff angles.
(5)
In addition to the full-size drawings required above, one copy of each such drawing submitted shall also be submitted in black and white reduction, 11 inches by 17 inches, and in electronic format consistent with current City policy (CD ROM).
C.
Shielding of outdoor light fixtures. All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be indirect, full cutoff or shielded. Total cutoff luminaires with angles of less than 90° shall be required for all pole and building security lighting. At the discretion of the Planning Commission or City Engineer, more than the minimal level of shielding may be required.
D.
Illumination levels. In all districts, the lighting level at any property line shall not exceed 0.10 footcandle; however, one- and two-family homes are exempt from this requirement.
E.
Nonconforming light fixtures.
(1)
Existing light fixtures which do not conform to this chapter are allowed to continue, but extinguishing of such lights by 11:00 p.m. is encouraged.
(2)
No outdoor recreational facility, whether public or private, shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude any recreational or sporting event or other activity which is in progress prior to 11:00 p.m. at a ballpark, school ball field, outdoor amphitheater, arena or similar facility.
F.
Display lot lighting. Display lot lighting shall be turned off within 30 minutes after closing of the business. Security lighting is permitted with the City Police Chief's prior written approval.
G.
Architectural lighting. All architectural lighting shall be indirect, full cutoff or shielded, and be extinguished no later than 11:00 p.m. Lights shall have at least 90% of their light falling on the illuminated structure.
H.
Use of mercury vapor lighting fixtures. No mercury vapor outdoor lighting fixtures shall be installed in the City of St. Francis after the effective date of this chapter.
I.
Exemptions. Outdoor lighting fixtures existing and legally installed prior to the effective date of this chapter are exempt from its provisions.
J.
Violations and penalties. Any person, firm, entity or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be required to pay a forfeiture per current schedules for each day the violation continues after being issued a citation.
§ 455-38 Off-street parking and loading.
A.
Statement of intent. Off-street parking and loading regulations are intended to provide orderly, safe and aesthetically pleasing parking and loading areas sufficient to serve the minimum needs of all permitted and special uses within the City of St. Francis. Off-street parking shall be designed in conjunction with nonvehicular access to properties and other site design considerations.
B.
General provisions.
(1)
Parking, loading and access required.
(a)
In all districts and in connection with every use, there shall be provided, at the time any use is erected, enlarged, extended or increased, off-street parking stalls for all vehicles in accordance with the provisions of this section, except when the Common Council waives the requirement for off-street parking where adequate on-street parking is readily available to a use or uses.
(b)
Sufficient space for the loading or unloading of vehicles shall be provided in connection with any nonresidential use hereafter established so that adjacent streets and alleys shall at all times be free and unobstructed to the passage of traffic.
(c)
Minimum requirements are set forth in this section.
(d)
Adequate access to a public street shall be provided for each parking space.
(e)
All parking shall provide safe routes for pedestrians to walk between their vehicle and their intended destination.
(2)
Procedures. All parking lots for projects requiring site plan review under § 455-47 shall be reviewed and approved during that process. The Zoning Administrator shall have the discretion to refer other parking lots for review and approval prior to issuance of a permit for their construction. The parking lot site plan shall be prepared in accordance with adopted site plan guidelines and shall include:
(3)
Changes in occupancy/use.
(a)
When the use of a building, structure or land is changed to another use or occupant, additional parking spaces shall be constructed for the new use or occupant sufficient to conform to this section.
(b)
If a building or structure was erected prior to the effective date of this chapter, additional parking or loading facilities are mandatory only in the amount by which the requirements for the new use exceed those for the existing use.
(c)
Where, due to site constraints, it is not possible to provide sufficient parking to meet the requirements stated above for changes in occupancy or use, the applicant shall demonstrate a good faith effort to do so. The Common Council, at its discretion, may grant an exception in such cases.
(4)
Application to existing lots. Application of these improvement standards to existing parking lots may be subject to adjustments relative to the shape and size of the existing lot and other existing conditions.
(5)
Similar use determination. In the case of uses not specifically enumerated, the number of spaces specified as the general standard for the use class or number of spaces specified for similar uses shall apply. The Zoning Administrator shall be authorized to make a preliminary determination and has the discretion to refer any such requests for Common Council determination.
(6)
Potential parking reductions.
(a)
Planning Commission may authorize reduction in parking.
[1]
Shared parking. The Planning Commission may recommend and the Common Council may authorize as much as a forty-percent reduction in the area to be paved for nonresidential off-street parking stalls when parking is shared by two or more uses, provided that:
[a]
The uses that are sharing parking have peak parking demand at different times.
[b]
Pedestrian sidewalks or paths are provided as safe connections between any uses sharing the parking area.
[c]
A shared parking agreement, signed by all parties, is approved by the Common Council, following receipt of Planning Commission recommendations. The agreement shall state a minimum time frame for the agreement to be in force; provide for ingress/egress easements; and state safe and proper maintenance provisions for driveways, parking and pedestrian connections.
[2]
Other requested parking reductions. If a parking reduction is requested for any reason other than shared parking, or a parking reduction beyond 40% is requested for shared parking arrangements, technical documentation shall be furnished by the applicant during the site plan review process to indicate, to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission and Common Council, that actual off-street parking demand for that particular use is less than the required amount or that sufficient on-street parking is available in the area.
(b)
Land banking of reserved parking area. When a parking reduction has been authorized, the Planning Commission may recommend and the Common Council may require that sufficient area on the property be held in reserve for the potential future development of paved off-street parking to meet the full requirements. When required, this reserve off-street parking area shall be shown and noted on the site plan, maintained as open space, and developed with paved off-street parking spaces when the City determines that such off-street parking is necessary due to parking demand on the property which exceeds original expectations. The reserve parking area may not be counted as part of any required green space area. The City may require that a letter of credit or other approved financial surety be provided at the time of permit issuance in an amount not to exceed 125% of the estimated cost of parking lot completion, to be exercised at City discretion, should the need for parking lot completion be determined.
C.
Parking design. All off-street parking shall conform to the minimum design standards set forth below:
(1)
Location. Required parking spaces shall be located on the same lot as the principal use or not more than 400 feet from the primary entrance to that use.
(2)
Screening. All open off-street parking areas containing more than six parking spaces, including parking aisles and driveways, shall be effectively screened year round, on each side that adjoins any property situated in a residential district, by a wall, fence or densely planted compact hedge not less than 32 inches in height and no more than six feet in height. Within 25 feet of any right-of-way, hedges are optional and, when provided, must be less than 32 inches in height. Hedges shall not obscure vision clearance at intersections.
(3)
Curbing required.
(a)
On-site concrete curbing and gutter for parking and access shall be required in all new developments with the exception of single-family and two-family developments.
(b)
When the use of a building, structure or land is changed to another use or occupant; or the building or structure is expanded causing an expansion of parking, the Common Council, at its discretion, may grant an exception to the requirement of concrete curb and gutter where, due to site constraints, it is not possible to provide concrete curb and gutter.
(4)
Minimum size of parking spaces. All off-street parking spaces shall conform to the minimum standards of the following table, unless reasonable provision has been made through alternate means to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
Minimum Size of Parking Spaces | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Angle of Parking Space | |||||
Parallel | 45° | 60° | 90° | ||
Length (feet) | 19 | 16.5 | 17.5 | 18.5 | |
Width (feet) | 9 | 10 | 9.5 | 9.0 | |
(5)
Minimum width of off-street parking rows and aisles. The design of all off-street parking regulated by this chapter shall be in conformance with the requirements set forth in the following table, unless reasonable provision has been made through alternate means to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. For any angle not shown in the table, the width requirement shall be established via calculation of a ratio extrapolated from the angles shown.
Minimum Width of Off-Street Parking Rows and Aisles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Angle of Parking Space | |||||
Parallel | 45° | 60° | 90° | ||
Single row and aisle width (feet) | 20 | 35 | 40 | 45 | |
Double row and aisle width (feet) | 28 | 58 | 60 | 62 | |
(6)
Parking for the disabled. Notwithstanding other standards set forth herein, parking for use by disabled persons must be provided in accordance with all state and federal codes.
(7)
Construction of off-street parking areas for all uses other than single-family and two-family homes.
(a)
Surfacing. All nontruck vehicle use areas shall be surfaced with an asphalt or portland cement pavement of a minimum of 3.5 inches of asphalt or seven inches of concrete so as to provide a durable and dust-free surface Truck use areas shall be designed based on the weight and volume of trucks. Parking lots shall be maintained in a dust-free condition at all times.
(b)
Grading. All vehicle use areas shall be graded and drained to properly dispose of all surface water.
(c)
Striping. Any parking area for more than one vehicle shall have the aisles and spaces clearly marked.
(d)
Time line. Surfacing shall be completed before occupancy is granted.
D.
Minimum required parking per land use category. The following table describes the minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for all new development in the City of St. Francis. In the case of redevelopment, parking shall be provided to meet these requirements where feasible; however, it is recognized that some parcels pose limitations for the availability of parking area due to existing lot sizes and development patterns. The Common Council is permitted some discretion in such situations under the terms of Subsection B(3)(c).
Minimum Required Parking per Land Use Category | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Land Use | Minimum Parking Requirements | |||
Residential Uses | ||||
General residential | ||||
Single-family, two-family and multifamily and watchman/service quarters | 2 garaged spaces per dwelling unit and 2 additional spaces per dwelling unit | |||
Senior housing | 1 space per bedroom and 1 space per employee*; of this total, garaged spaces must be provided in an amount equal to 0.5 garaged space per dwelling unit | |||
Specialized residential | ||||
Family day-care home, adult family home, community living arrangements and others regulated by the state | As required by type of dwelling unit; if not specified, to be determined by the Planning Commission | |||
Rooming houses, dormitories, fraternities and sororities | 1 space per bed | |||
Convent, rectory or monastery | 1 space per bed, unless otherwise determined by Planning Commission | |||
Educational Uses | ||||
Schools: elementary or middle school (public or private) | 1 space for every 10 students at maximum enrollment plus 1 space per employee | |||
Schools: senior high (public or private) | 1 space for every 2 students at maximum enrollment plus 1 space per employee | |||
Colleges, junior colleges or universities (public or private) | 1 space for each 2 students on campus during the highest attendance period and 1 space per employee* | |||
Schools: specialty or personal instruction | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Day-care center other than family day-care homes | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Community-Serving Uses | ||||
Community center | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Cultural institution | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per staff* | |||
Library | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Religious assembly | 1 space per 3 seats based on the maximum capacity of the facility | |||
Commercial and Office Uses | ||||
Bank or other financial institution | 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Currency exchange, payday loan agency or title loan agency | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Garden supply or landscaping center | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet of indoor sales/service plus 1 space per 1,000 square feet of greenhouse or outdoor sales and display area plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Office, general and government | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Retail establishment, general | 5 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* (for retail establishments under 60,000 square feet in size) | |||
4 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* (for retail establishments from 60,000 to 90,000 square feet in size) | ||||
3 spaces per 1,000 square feet, plus 1 space per employee* (for retail establishments over 90,000 square feet in size) | ||||
Health Care and Social Assistance Uses | ||||
Medical offices and health clinics | 5 spaces per 1,000 square feet and 1 space per employee* | |||
Nursing home | 1 space per 3 patient beds and 1 space per employee* | |||
Service Uses | ||||
Building maintenance service | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Business service | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Catering service | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Dry-cleaning establishment | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet of customer service area | |||
Funeral home | 1 space for each 3 patrons at maximum capacity and 1 space for each staff or 25 spaces per chapel unit, whichever is greater | |||
Furniture and appliance rental and leasing | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Household maintenance and repair service | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Laundromat | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Personal service | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Tool/equipment rental facility | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Animal boarding facility | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Animal grooming or training facility | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Animal hospital or clinic | 5 spaces per 1,000 square feet and 1 space per employee* | |||
Motor Vehicle Uses | ||||
Gas station | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Body shop | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Repair facility | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Sales or rental facility, retail and limited wholesale | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Car wash, automatic | 1 space per employee* plus stacking space for 4 cars going in and 2 cars coming out | |||
Car wash, self-service | 1 space per employee* plus stacking space for 2 cars going in and 2 cars coming out | |||
Car wash, portering service | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Accommodation and Food Service Uses | ||||
Assembly hall | 1 space per 3 seats based on the maximum capacity of the facility plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Bed-and-breakfast | 1 space per room or suite plus 1 space per employee and/or owner-occupant* | |||
Hotel, commercial and residential | 1 space per room or suite plus 1 space per employee* plus 1 space per 3 persons based on the maximum capacity of all public meeting and/or banquet rooms | |||
Restaurant, sit-down | 1 space per every 3 seats (1 seat equals 10 square feet of gross dining area) plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Restaurant, fast-food/carry-out | Same as for sit-down restaurants plus stacking space for 6 vehicles per service lane | |||
Taverns | 1 space per every 3 seats (1 seat equals 10 square feet of gross dining area) plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Entertainment and Recreation Uses | ||||
Clubs and lodges | 1 space per 3 seats based on maximum capacity plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Entertainment establishments, general and adult | 1 space per 3 seats based on maximum capacity plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Golf courses, general | 8 spaces per hole plus any spaces required for other uses which are a part of the facility | |||
Golf courses, mini | 2 spaces per hole | |||
Golf driving ranges | 1 space per tee plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Marina | As determined by the Planning Commission | |||
Recreation or sports facility, indoor | 6 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Recreation or sports facility, outdoor | As determined by the Planning Commission | |||
Storage, Recycling and Wholesale Trade Uses | ||||
Recycling | 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Storage, general | 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Mini warehouse facility | 1 customer parking space per 10 storage cubicles | |||
Wholesale trade, general | 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Transportation Uses | ||||
Transportation uses, general | As determined by the Planning Commission | |||
Industrial Uses | ||||
Industrial uses, general | 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet (for industrial uses under 50,000 square feet in size) | |||
1.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet (for industrial uses between 50,000 square feet and 80,000 square feet in size) | ||||
1 space per 1,000 square feet (for industrial uses over 80,000 square feet in size) | ||||
Processing or recycling of mined materials | 1 space per employee* | |||
Agricultural Uses | ||||
Plant nursery or greenhouse | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet of indoor sales/service plus 1 space per 1,000 square feet of greenhouse or outdoor sales and display area plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Utility and Public Service Uses | ||||
Utility and public service uses, general | 1 space per employee* and any other spaces as determined by the Planning Commission | |||
Miscellaneous and Temporary Uses | ||||
Drive-through service lanes | Stacking space for 5 vehicles per service lane, for all uses where not otherwise specified | |||
Seasonal market | 1 space per 1,000 square feet of outdoor sales and display area plus 1 space per employee* | |||
Temporary real estate sales office | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet | |||
Other temporary uses | As determined by the Planning Commission | |||
*Means "per employee for the work shift with the largest number of employees." | ||
§ 455-39 Residential off-street parking and driveways.
Parking in residential areas of one- and two-family dwellings, whether actually zoned for such or occupied as such, shall be done in the following manner:
A.
Area limited. Parking shall be done either in a garage or on an improved surface. Such improved surface shall not exceed the lesser of 50% of the actual rear yard area or six parking spaces as defined herein.
B.
Access limited.
(1)
If access to the parking area in Subsection A above is from the front yard only:
(3)
If access is available from more than one side:
(a)
There shall be no parking in the front yard, except on an improved surface leading directly to the parking area in Subsection A above and not greater in width than two vehicles or the driveway's narrowest point in the side yard, whichever is less.
(b)
Parking shall be permitted on an improved surface in the side yard, provided that the total area does not exceed the area permitted under Subsection A.
(c)
There shall be no parking in the right-of-way.
C.
Heavy vehicle parking limited. No person, firm or corporation shall park, keep or maintain on property zoned for residential use the following types of vehicles:
D.
Private driveway width. Where the side yard of a lot is used for a private driveway, the minimum width of such side yard shall be 10 feet, except for R-1 and R-2 Districts. Private driveways for single-family and two-family homes shall be no wider in the front yard than at their narrowest point in the side yard.
§ 455-40 Sanitation and related storage.
The following requirements shall be met for all uses in all districts with the exception of single-family and two-family residential units:
A.
Centralized location(s) of trash dumpsters and garbage receptacles required. All new buildings and uses shall provide facilities for the central and accessible storage of solid waste within the parcel or lot. The location of these facilities shall be approved by the Aesthetic Control Board. Multiple locations may be required by the Aesthetic Control Board.
B.
Trash dumpster and garbage receptacle enclosures required. All garbage cans, trash dumpsters, trash containers, and other storage devices situated on any property shall be closed containers with lids and shall be concealed or suitably screened from public view. Sight-proof fencing (wood or masonry) and landscaping shall be used to obstruct vision into the storage areas totally. Where such facilities are provided outside a building, they shall be screened from public rights-of-way and adjacent property by an enclosure constructed of materials compatible with the materials on the front building wall of the main building. It is preferred that a screened pedestrian entrance be provided such that waste may be deposited without opening the large access gates.
C.
Trash dumpster and garbage receptacle maintenance required. Fencing and landscaping for storage areas shall be maintained in good condition and kept litter free.
D.
Unenclosed storage of trash or waste prohibited. No portion of any lot shall be used for open or unenclosed storage of trash or waste of any kind.
E.
Trash dumpster and garbage receptacle location in off-street parking space or drive prohibited. No trash dumpster or other trash or waste receptacle shall be permitted in any off-street parking space or drive.
F.
Concrete slab required. All trash dumpsters and garbage receptacles shall be placed upon a concrete slab that has a thickness of not less than seven inches.
G.
Adequate size to accommodate recycling materials. All trash dumpster and garbage receptacle areas shall be of an adequate size to accommodate the storage of materials to be recycled.
§ 455-41 Vision clearance at intersections.
A.
Purpose and intent. To provide clear vision for motorists at intersections where grade is not separated, there shall be a vision clearance triangle at the intersection of any streets with each other or with railroads, alleys, or nonresidential driveways.
B.
Vision triangle requirements.
(1)
The vision clearance triangle shall be determined by measuring 15 feet along the right-of-way, property lines, or driveway center lines starting from the point of intersection of said lines and connecting these two points with a line to define a triangular area. The City Engineer may adjust the vision clearance triangle configuration where physical site conditions exist that may adversely affect public safety.
(2)
In the vision clearance triangle, no structures of any kind or landscaping or parked vehicles shall be permitted between three feet and 10 feet above the center-line grade elevations of the intersecting streets, alleys or railroad tracks.
(3)
Allowable installations in the vision clearance triangle are utility and light poles when no safer alternative location exists; trees or plant species with growth patterns that will not develop significant foliage to obstruct views in the clearance area; official signs and signals; and on-street parking when traffic controls exist which permit decreased sight lines.
(4)
The configuration of vision clearance triangles shall be depicted on the site plan or subdivision plat or certified survey map required for the subject property, including a notation referencing these restrictions.
(5) 
Exceptions to these vision clearance requirements include new buildings only upon the prior approval of the Common Council following recommendation of the City Engineer and Planning Commission or Aesthetic Control Board and buildings or structures existing prior to the date of this chapter.
