Chapter 9.24

DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL (C-D) ZONE

Sections:

9.24.010 Purpose and application. 9.24.020 Permitted uses. 9.24.030 Site area. 9.24.040 Lot dimensions. 9.24.050 Coverage. 9.24.060 Building setback areas. 9.24.070 Distance between structures. 9.24.080 Height of structures. 9.24.090 Driveways. 9.24.100 Off-street parking. 9.24.110 Usable open space. 9.24.120 Landscaping. 9.24.130 Screening, fences, and walls. 9.24.140 Signs. 9.24.150

General provisions and standards.

This chapter shall apply to all land within the Downtown Commercial (C-D) zone distrcit. The purpose of the C-D zone is to provide street-front retail shops, offices, entertainment, and public uses that serve residents and visitors within the downtown area. Typical uses include banks, salons, health and fitness clubs, art galleries and museums, specialty food stores, nightclubs and restaurants, bed and breakfasts/hotels/motels, movie theaters, as well as small community centers and parks. The Downtown Commercial zone is intended to implement the Downtown Specific Plan, preserve and enhance older architectural styles, provide an increased variety and density of development, promote pedestrian enjoyment and pedestrian uses where feasible, and discourage the development of uses and building designs that could erode the special character of the downtown area. The zone emphasizes the development of businesses that generate and cater to pedestrian shopping in buildings that are located at the sidewalk’s edge.

Uses shall be permitted or not permitted, conditionally permitted, administratively permitted, or temporarily permitted as prescribed in the land use table in Section 9.08.030.

There are no minimum lot dimensions.

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There shall be no required building setbacks.

There is no minimum distance between structures required, except that all building code requirements shall be met.

• A. The maximum structure height shall be 35 feet.

• B. Structures up to 65 feet may be erected upon approval of a conditional use permit in accordance with Chapter 9.80.

• A. Wherever possible, developments shall share driveways to minimize the number of driveways on public streets.

• B. New driveways near street corners shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from the radius curve of the curb unless otherwise specifically approved by the City Engineer.

• C. Sites with alleys should utilize alley access to minimize driveways on streets to the greatest extent possible.

• A. Off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be provided on the site for each use as prescribed in Chapter 9.54.

• B. Parking areas shall not be closer than five feet to any front or street-side lot line. The area between the lot line and the parking area shall be landscaped.

• C. New parking areas should be located behind or to the side of buildings, not between buildings and the street. Refer to Chapter 9.52 for Landscape Standards for parking areas.

• D. The Community Development Director or the Planning Commission may waive or reduce parking requirements where a documented hardship not involving economics exists, where there are unusual circumstances that prevent compliance with any required development standards, or when there is not a demonstrated need for all of the parking required by this Ordinance. A reduction of four parking stalls or less shall be processed as a Minor Deviation. A reduction of five or more parking stalls shall be processed as a Variance in accordance with Chapter 9.82.

There is no minimum requirement for usable open space.

• A. Landscaping shall be provided for each use as prescribed in Chapter 9.52 Landscape Standards.

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• B. Landscaping shall be provided and permanently maintained in a buffer area not less than 10 feet from a lot line adjoining a street, except where the buffer area is covered by structures, parking areas, or driveways.

• C. Required landscaping shall be installed prior to final occupancy and continually maintained pursuant to Chapter 9.52.

Fences, walls, and hedges in the C-D zone shall conform to the design standards provided in Section 9.50.110 and to the following standards:

• A. Fences, walls, and hedges may be erected and properly maintained to the heights identified below and measured from the highest adjoining finish grade:

  1. Fences, walls, and hedges shall not exceed three (3) feet in height area unless otherwise specifically required by this title.

• B. Allowable fence materials. All fences, constructed or installed within Avenal shall be limited to the following materials or a combination of materials:

  1. Front and street-side yards:

     • b. Concrete/block

     • c. Latticework fencing

     • d. Wood

     • e. Wrought iron

  2. Rear and interior side yards:

     • a. Concrete/block

     • b. Latticework fencing

     • c. Wood

• C. Temporary fencing. Temporary fencing may be necessary to protect archaeological or historic resources and/or trees during site preparation and construction. Temporary fencing for these purposes shall be subject to the review and approval of the Director.

• D. The City reserves the right to remove, at the expense of the owner of the property or properties enclosed by the fence, any fence in a public easement in any emergency.

Signs placed in the C-D zone shall be subject to the requirements and standards prescribed in Chapter 9.56.

• A. All businesses, services, and processes shall be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed, permanently fixed structure, except where specifically permitted by this title.

• B. Mechanical equipment shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from a rear or side lot line that abuts a residential use or residentially zoned parcel unless there is a parapet wall that shields the mechanical equipment.

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• C. New development shall be required to install public infrastructure necessary to adequately serve the project, based on requirements of the City Engineer, including sewer, water, storm drainage lines, curbs, gutters and sidewalks, street paving, street lighting, and trash enclosure. These improvements shall be constructed consistent with requirements shown in the City of Avenal Standard Specifications and Drawings and shall be installed prior to occupancy of any structures on the site.

• D. Structures and the use of structures or land shall be subject to the requirements and standards prescribed in Chapter 9.50.

In addition to the standard for Downtown Commerical contrined herein, any commerical zone district with frontage adjacent to Skyline Boulevard shall be required to comply with the following standards:

• A. Fencing.

  • i. All fencing is must be wrought iron an comply with the height and visibility requirements outlined in 9.50.110.

  • ii. All fencing is required to be locked outside of standard business hours to prevent at-will public entry.

    1. Lockbox access shall be required so law enforcement, fire department, and any other applicable emergency response personnel can access the site at any time as necessary.

    2. Uses that propose storage, either as a primary or ancillary use, must provide a solid, colored, masonry or brick block wall to screen vehcles from the public right-of-way; otherwise such storage must occur in a fully enclosed structure.

• B. Auto Sales.

  • i. Vehicles offered for sale must be on a fully paved, permanent foundation with concrete or asphalt.

• C. Landscaping.

  • i. A landscape buffer of a minimum 10 feet shall be provided on any and all sides of the property adjacent to the public right of way.

  • ii. Drought tolerant plantings consistent with Chapter 9.52 Landscape Standards shall be required.

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