(a)

The R-2 zoning district encompasses land primarily adjacent to the central business district, and some of the older localities of the city. The residential character is mainly urban, single-family homes of earlier construction on individual lots. Some of the older stately homes are of particular vintage design.

(b)

To some extent, two-family homes are permitted here, but with controls as to location, site and density. The basis for transition is the fact that because many of these older homes are larger and represent sizeable maintenance and energy costs for a single family, it is feared that restriction to only single-family use may foster inadequate maintenance or even abandonment. The possible consequences can be a general appearance of blight; which (if allowed to proceed in a downward trend) can erode the social stability of any neighborhood, as well as adversely affect the appeal of the central city. Based upon the above, the R-2 district provides for some conversion of older, larger homes to two-family dwellings provided certain conditions for the health, safety and welfare of the neighborhood are met.

(Ord. No. 123, § 7.0, 6-5-89)

In the R-2 residential district, no uses shall be permitted unless otherwise specifically provided for in this chapter, except for the following uses:

(1)

Single-family detached dwellings.

(2)

Two-family dwellings.

(3)

Publicly owned and operated parks, playfields, museums, libraries and other recreational facilities.

(4)

Public, parochial or private elementary, intermediate and/or high schools offering courses in general education, not operated for a profit.

(5)

Municipal, state or federal administrative or service buildings.

(6)

Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to the above principal permitted uses.

(7)

Off-street parking requirements in accordance with section 20-81.

(8)

On-site-use wind energy systems having a height of sixty-five (65) feet or less and meeting the requirements of sections 20-650 through 20-654.

(9)

Attached accessory dwelling units subject to the provisions of section 20-601(25).

(Ord. No. 123, § 7.1, 6-5-89; Ord. No. 225, § 8, 2-1-10; Ord. No. 277, art. I, 3-18-24)

The following uses shall be subject to a special use permit:

(1)

Churches, subject to subsection 20-601(19).

(2)

Bed and breakfast facilities subject to subsection 20-601(9).

(3)

Public utility buildings, telephone exchange buildings, electric transformer stations and substations, and gas regulator stations, but not including storage yards, when operating requirements necessitate locating within the district to serve the immediate vicinity, and such use is not injurious to the surrounding neighborhood.

(4)

Group day care homes subject to subsection 20-601(21).

(5)

Private roads and streets subject to section 20-85.

(6)

Dwelling unit conversions subject to sections 20-626 through 20-633.

(7)

Wind energy systems having a height of greater than sixty-five (65) feet on parcels or specialized easements containing at least one (1) acre and meeting the requirements of sections 20-650 through 20-654.

(8)

Detached accessory dwelling units subject to the provisions of section 20-601(25).

(Ord. No. 123, § 7.2, 6-5-89; Ord. No. 211, § 8, 2-5-07; Ord. No. 217, § 11, 7-7-08; Ord. No. 225, § 9, 2-1-10; Ord. No. 277, art. I, 3-18-24)

Area, height, bulk and placement requirements unless otherwise specified are as provided in article XVII, schedule of regulations.

(Ord. No. 123, § 7.3, 6-5-89)

Signs shall be as regulated in article XIX, as applicable.

(Ord. No. 209, § 3, 1-2-07)