ARTICLE II. "CB" COMMERCIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

REGULATIONS (Draft As of May 19,2003)

 

Section 9-70. Use Regulations.

In a Commercial Business District, no land shall be used and no building shall be used, erected, or converted to any use other than those authorized in the City of Lucas Zoning Use Table.

 

Section 9- 71. Building Regulations.

A. A minimum of 75% of all building exteriors (to include any accessory buildings) shall be constructed of stone, brick and/or tile. Uses of other materials shall be on an exception basis and must be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council by way of an architectural rendering showing all four (4) elevations of the proposed building. Upon approval, the rendering shall become part of the zoning for that site. All structures on the site shall be architecturally compatible.

 

B. All building mechanical, electrical and communication equipment shall be screened from public view either by landscaping materials or materials that blend with the building.

 

C. Refuse collection areas shall be screened from public roadways or residential districts and shall be secured from public access.

 

D. Parking and drives to be weather impervious surface developed in accordance with City standards.

 

E. Storefronts or faces of commercial buildings in excess of sixty feet (60’) are required to have a minimum five-foot (5') setback at no greater intervals than sixty feet (60’). Multiple adjacent building fronts shall conform to this same rule.

 

F. Outside storage shall be by specific use permit.

 

G. Loading docks to be at rear or side of building and shall be screened from public roadways or residential districts.

 

H. No drive-in restaurant shall be located adjacent to a residential property.

 

I. All development in the Commercial Business District shall be subject to the lighting ordinance, the fence ordinance, the fire ordinance and other appropriate ordinances as applicable.

 

Section 9- 72. Height Regulations.

The maximum allowable plate height is to be determined by a ratio often feet (10') in height per fifty feet ( 50') setback from residential districts. This plate height shall not exceed the lesser of thirty-five feet (351) or 2-1/2 stories in height measured from the ground elevation of the street side of the structure.

 

Section 9- 73. Area Regulations.

A. Building Area: The total building footprint, including accessory buildings, shall not exceed a floor-area-to-land ratio of 0.40 to 1.

 

B. Lot Area: Minimum one (1) acres net, exclusive of all street rights-of-way and the 100-year flood plain as determined by a registered survey.

 

C. Setbacks: Minimum setbacks for commercial buildings are established in the chart below. The setback area between the commercial building and any adjacent residential lot line shall be fully landscaped with a 6-foot high earthen berm with landscaping. Landscape plans shall be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission in accordance with Section 9-66.

 

Minimum Commercial Building Setback Chart

 

Elevation        To property line         To adjacent residential lot line

Front                100 feet                        150 feet

Back                50 feet                          150 feet

Sides                25 feet                          150 feet

 

Section 9- 74. Site Plan Approval.

A. Prior to issuance of any building permit, an application in writing for the approval of the site plan, together with twenty (20) copies, shall be filed with the City Secretary. The site plan shall be submitted at least ten (10) consecutive calendar days before the meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission, if the site plan is to be considered at such meeting. No site plan will be considered by the City until the prescribed filing fees have been paid. Applicant shall submit proof of written notification set forth in Chapter 6, Article 4, Section 6-11, of the Lucas Code of Ordinances. The site plan shall contain those items as designated by approved City procedure, but not be limited to the following information:

 

1. The boundaries and dimensions of the proposed development, including total area.

2. The description, owners, and zoning classification of adjoining properties.

3. Contour lines at five-foot (5’) intervals.

4. Location map indicating the location within the city of Lucas.

5. Existing or platted streets; public rights of way; easements or railroads within or adjacent to the tract.

6. Existing and proposed utility lines showing sizes of water and sewer lines.

7. Existing and proposed fire hydrants and fire lanes.

8. Location of all easements.

9. Building setback lines.

10. Location and dimensions of buildings.

11. Means of ingress and egress to both property and buildings.

12. Engineering for drainage.

13. Areas designated for landscaping.

14. Parking area locations and specifications.

15. Must be drawn to an acceptable scale. (no less than 1 inch =50 feet)

16. Must provide signature lines for Chairman of Planning & Zoning Commission, City Engineer, and Mayor to signify approval.

17. Tree management plan for all existing trees in excess of 2" caliper .

18. Signage and lighting plan.

19. Locations of exterior mechanical, electrical, and communication equipment

20. Locations of refuse containers, loading docks and screening

 

B. For the purpose of assisting in-process planning, a properly designated "preliminary" or "concept" site plan may be submitted for consideration. Approval of a "preliminary" or "concept" site plan will not imply approval of all elements of a site plan.

 

C. Final plans shall be approved by City Council as provided in Chapter 9, Article 17.

 

Section 9- 75. Landscaping Plan Approval.

A. Prior to issuance of any building permit, there shall be seven (7) copies of a landscape plan submitted to the City. The plans are to be submitted at least ten (10) days prior to the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting at which they are to be considered. The landscape plan shall be approved or disapproved based on its compliance with the following requirements and any other deemed necessary to promote the character and value of the surrounding neighborhoods:

 

1) Plans shall be to same scale as approved site plan.

2) A minimum of 15% of the gross area must be landscaped.

3) The area between the property line and the street shall be included in the landscape plan and shall be maintained by the abutting property owner.

4) Heights of landscaping materials shall be such that they do not create safety hazards for vehicular traffic by blocking sight lines at ingress and egress points.

5) The specifications shall state the common names and scientific names (genus species), sizes, and quantity of all materials to be utilized.

6) Property abutting a different zoning district must be screened by a living screen. Planting which serves as a living screen shall be evergreens with an

initial minimum six-foot (6’) height and provides a solid visual barrier within two (2) years after planting.

 

B. It shall be the property owner's responsibility to permanently maintain the approved landscaping in a neat and orderly manner.

 

C. Landscaping shall mean plant materials (other than turf grasses) and other approved landscape materials arranged in an approved fashion. All plant materials shall be selected from any plant list or landscape ordinance adopted by the City.

 

D. Final plans shall be approved by City Council as provided in Chapter 9, Article 17.

 

Section 9- 76. Architectural Plan Approval.

A. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, there shall be seven (7) copies of a proposed architectural elevation of the building or buildings submitted to the City. The proposed architectural rendering, including use of site and/or building signage, shall be approved or disapproved based on its ability to create a village setting with a rural country style as a retail and neighborhood services area. This effort shall entail several design fixtures such as the use of clustered buildings as opposed to strip-type development.

 

B. Final plans shall be approved by City Council as provided in Chapter 9, Article 17.

 

Section 9- 77 Off-Street Loading and Parking.

See Article 23.