Wadsworth City Zoning Code
TRANSITIONAL MIXED
USE DISTRICT TMU
§ 154.170 INTENT AND PURPOSE.
(A) The Transitional Mixed Used District is hereby established to allow for a variety of compatible residential and non-residential uses adjacent to the CBD District and in other appropriate locations around the city. These areas are characterized by the following features:
(1) Land uses are predominantly residential in nature; however, this area serves as a natural growth or expansion to the commercial retail, restaurant and office uses, especially for the CBD.
(2) Most commercial uses within the district are small scale in nature with floor areas of less than 5,000 square feet.
(3) The building lots predate the city's zoning code and display a "pre-1950" development pattern in which lot areas and dimensions are typically substandard by current zoning requirements and building setbacks are much closer to property lines than what would be permitted in most current zoning district.
(4) Most development sites are built-out.
(5) These areas are generally walkable and in close proximity to the CBD District or other nearby non-residential use districts.
(6) Most of lots within this district are within one-quarter-mile of a public parking lot. These areas are also home to several large institutional uses with off-street parking facilities that could be utilized to meet parking needs of small site through private off-site parking agreements.
(B) The purposes of this District are:
(1) To allow for the appropriate mixing of compatible residential and commercial uses by reducing barriers to converting residential structures into business uses and vice versa. This allows a more "market driven" approach as to how structures are used.
(2) To promote economic vitality, housing and reinvestment around the town center and in other appropriate locations along major street corridors.
(3) To minimize or eliminate the disincentives to redevelopment created by traditional, single-use zoning. Single use zoning in favor of commercial development creates non-conforming uses out of existing residential dwellings while single use zoning in favor of residential uses prevents the natural expansion commercial uses; especially in areas around the CBD District and in other commercial zoning districts in older parts of the city. This district is designed to allow structures to transition to more commercial uses but also to require that commercial uses are appropriated scaled so as not to negatively impact the residential character of the area.
(Ord. 25-050, passed 3-4-25)
§ 154.171 PERMITTED USES.
(A) Single-family residential dwellings, detached.
(B) One-, two- and three-family dwellings, attached.
(C) Apartments above the first floor of non-residential structures.
(D) The following commercial uses, provided that the floor area does not exceed 3,500 square feet.
(1) General business office uses;
(2) Personal service uses such as barber shops, beauty shops, and similar services;
(3) Artist and photography studios and similar uses;
(4) Retail establishments;
(5) Restaurants, taverns and other places serving food or beverages for on- and off-premise consumption, without drive-through facilities; and
(E) Accessory uses that are clearly incidental to a permitted use.
(F) Other uses which the Planning Commission determines to be similar to and compatible with other allowable uses in the district.
(Ord. 25-050, passed 3-4-25)
§ 154.172 CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED USES.
(A) Bed and breakfast hotels subject to § 154.546(B)(4), (7) and (21).
(B) Churches and other buildings for the purpose of religious worship, subject to § 154.546(B)(4), (6), (10), (12).
(C) Clubs, lodges or fraternal organizations, not permitted in a residential district, subject to § 154.546(B)(4), (12).
(D) Government-owned and/or operated buildings and facilities, subject to § 154.546(B)(4), (6), (7), (10).
(E) Home occupations, subject to § 154.546(B)(17).
(F) Public, parochial and private schools, subject to § 154.546(B)(4), (5), (10).
(G) Public utility right-of-way and permanent structures, subject to § 154.546(B)(11), (21).
(Ord. 25-050, passed 3-4-25)
§ 154.173 AREA AND HEIGHT REGULATIONS.
As noted in § 154.170, most of the lots in the district were platted and have been built out since before zoning regulations were adopted by the city; therefore, lot area and yard setbacks are not as important as they might be for new development on vacant land. However, the following provisions shall apply:
(A) Lot area requirements. Upon adoption of these regulations, no new building lot shall be platted to be less than 6,000 square feet, nor shall two or more existing lots be consolidated to create a new lot greater than 22,000 square feet.
(B) Minimum front yard depth. For new construction, infill development and additions to existing structures, the front yard setback shall be determined by taking the average front setback of all existing structures within 100 feet of, and on the same side of the street as, the lot being developed.
(C) Minimum rear yard depth: 25 feet.
(D) Minimum side yard width: seven feet, except for attached dwellings with a shared party wall.
(E) Maximum building height: No structure shall exceed a height of 40 feet.
(Ord. 25-050, passed 3-4-25)
§ 154.174 OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS.
(A) Off-street parking for residential dwellings shall be required as per §§ 154.408(A).
(C) Reductions to off-street parking requirements:
(1) For sites located within one- quarter mile of a public parking lot, off-street parking for non-residential uses may be reduced by up to 60%.
(2) For sites and uses that have an off-site parking agreement with another site within one-quarter mile, off-street parking for non-residential uses may be reduced by up to 90%.
(3) All reductions to the off-street parking requirements shall be approved by the City Planning Commission.
(Ord. 25-050, passed 3-4-25)
§ 154.175 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL USE CONVERSIONS AND NON-RESIDENTIAL & MIXED USES .
(A) All use change/use conversion projects shall require a zoning permit.
(B) All non-residential and mixed use projects shall be approved by the City Planning Commission, which shall determine the compatibility of the proposed use with the surrounding uses; adequacy of off-street parking or reductions thereto; and the need and extent of any buffering. In addition:
(1) The Commission may impose conditions on non-residential uses to minimize potential impacts to surrounding properties, including restrictions or prohibitions on exterior seating, lighting and sound systems.
(2) Signage and modifications to exterior elevations shall be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Design Commission. Internally illuminated signs are prohibited in this district.
(3) All buildings and structures used for commercial and mixed commercial-residential uses shall demonstrate compliance with applicable commercial building and fire codes.
(4) Whenever possible, on-street parking should be located along the sides and rear of the property.
(Ord. 25-050, passed 3-4-25)