Washington Grove City Zoning Code

No building, structure or land may be used and no building or structure may be erected, structurally altered, enlarged or maintained, except for one or more of the following uses:

(a) Post office.

(b) Professional, business, or government offices.

(c) Retail sale of antiques (excluding refinishing).

(d) Barber and beauty shops.

(e) Dry cleaning and laundry pick up stations; no dry cleaning operations permitted on-site; laundry operations limited to one water-based clothes washing machine and one clothes drying machine; clothes pressing permitted; no self-service operations.

(f) Shoe repair shops.

(g) Tailoring.

The C L (Local Commercial) Zone may not be expanded nor new commercial zones established without a two thirds vote of the qualified voters, as of record, authorizing such expansion.

In keeping with general purposes of this Article as stated in Section 1.1, it is the purpose of this Section:

(a) That in accordance with prior action of the Town, the presently designated commercial area, i.e. Lots 1 and 2 and the unnumbered lot south of Lot 1 in Block 1 be given a zoning classification of local commercial C L.

(b) To assist in protecting both nearby residences and local retail development against fire, noxious matter, noise, glare and other objectionable influences;

(c) To lessen traffic congestion in the streets, especially in residential areas; and

(d) In general to promote the most desirable use of land in accordance with the purposes of this Article, so as to increase the stability of the commercial area while protecting the character and established pattern of desirable development in each area, thus conserving the aggregate value of the land and buildings and enhancing the economic base of the Town.

The function and characteristic of the commercial zone is intended to be as stated in the following Sections.

The following uses may be allowed as special exceptions in the Commercial Zone upon application to the Board of Zoning Appeals who may grant such special exception upon such conditions, restrictions, or limitations as the Board of Zoning Appeals may deem appropriate to preserve, improve, or protect the general residential character of the Town of Washington Grove and after a finding that the other requirements of this Section 8.2B and of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Washington Grove have been met:

(a) Research and development incidental to professional and business office uses, provided that the applicant shows by clear and convincing evidence that said uses will not present a risk to public health or safety.

(b) Specialty retail stores which are defined as retail sales of merchandise (but not food or drink for human consumption) of one class category of merchandise provided that the applicant shows by clear and convincing evidence that said use will not significantly burden the Town of Washington Grove with increased noise, litter, or pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

(c) Charitable, religious or educational institutions as defined in Section 4.2 provided the applicant shows by clear and convincing evidence that said use will not significantly burden the Town of Washington Grove with increased noise, litter, or pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

None of the above uses include:

(a) The sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, or
(b) The sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises.

Any such use which is found to be a public nuisance by reason of emission of dust, gas, smoke, odor, noise, vibration, or other disturbance, is expressly prohibited in the C L zone.

8.241 Regulation of Trash Receptacles

In the commercial zone, receptacles for the collection of trash (including dumpsters) must be located in a manner so as not to obstruct vehicular traffic or parking by the public. Such receptacles must not be permitted to be overfilled with trash, garbage or other refuse. Dumpsters must be kept securely locked at all times other than when being loaded or unloaded.

8.242 Trash Receptacles to be Screened

Receptacles capable of holding by volume more than 30 gallons must be screened completely from public view with an opaque fence whose height exceeds the height of such receptacle.

Litter Collection Required

In the commercial zone, the owner of any property must collect all litter, trash, garbage and other loose refuse on the property at least three times daily, at regularly spaced intervals of time, one such time being at the close of all businesses to the public. The owner is responsible for removing all refuse from the property.

In the commercial zone, a building or structure, or any part thereof, must not be maintained in a state of disrepair such that it provides a place of concealment for persons, or that broken glass, metal or other dangerous objects protrudes from such building structure or part thereof within the reach of any person.