Chapter 9.26 — HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL (C-H) ZONE

Sections:

9.26.010 Purpose and application. 9.26.020 Permitted uses. 9.26.030 Site area. 9.26.040 Lot dimensions. 9.26.050 Coverage. 9.26.060 Building setback areas. 9.26.070 Distance between structures. 9.26.080 Height of structures. 9.26.090 Driveways. 9.26.100 Off-street parking. 9.26.110 Usable open space. 9.26.120 Landscaping. 9.26.130 Screening, fences, and walls. 9.26.140 Signs. 9.26.150 General provisions and standards.

This chapter shall apply to all land within the Highway Commercial (C-H) zone district. The Highway Commercial designation applies to the area located adjacent to Interstate 5 and is intended to provide convenience, entertainment, and hospitality uses that serve tourists and other travelers arriving by car. Typical uses include convenience stores, restaurants (e.g., drive-in and drive-through fast food, sit-down), hotels and motels, gift and outlet stores, fuel stations, parking, and rest areas.

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.

The minimum site area shall be 7,500 square feet.

The minimum lot frontage shall be 40 feet unless a reciprocal use agreement for shared access and parking is recorded.

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The maximum coverage of a lot shall be 80 (80%) percent.

• A. No structure shall be placed within a building setback area.

• d. The front building setback area shall be a minimum of 25 feet from the front lot line except as modified by (F.).

• e. The rear building setback shall be a minimum of 15 feet.

• f. The interior side building setback area shall be a minimum of five (5) feet.

• g. The street-side building setback area shall be a minimum of 10 feet except as modified by (F.).

• h. The minimum setback shall be 55 feet from the legal centerline of any existing or proposed local street or minor collector, 70 feet from the legal centerline of any existing or proposed secondary highway or major collector street, or 80 feet from the legal centerline of any existing or proposed primary highway or arterial street.

• A. There is no minimum distance between commercial and accessory structures required, except that all building code requirements shall be met.

• B. There shall be a minimum of 20 feet between residential and non-residential structures.

• 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 access points on public streets.

• i. New driveways near street corners shall be located a minimum of 150 feet from the radius curve of the curb unless otherwise specifically approved by the City Engineer.

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

New developments over one acre in size shall provide a common outdoor, shaded sitting area for use by customers. The size of the shaded sitting area shall be a minimum of 250 square feet per acre of site area.

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

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• j. Landscaping shall be provided and permanently maintained in a buffer area not less than 15 feet from a lot line adjoining a street, except where the buffer area is covered by structures, parking areas, or driveways.

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

• A. The fences in the C-H zone shall conform to the design standards provided in Section 9.50.110.

• B. These regulations do not apply to fences or walls required by regulations of a State or federal agency, or by the City for reasons of public safety, or to retaining walls that adjoin land uses.

• C. 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 feet in height in the front yard area unless otherwise specifically required by this title.

  2. Where a commercially-zoned site adjoins a site that is residentially zoned, a seven-foottall solid wall and a 10 foot landscape buffer shall separate the commercial development from the adjoining residential district.

• D. Walls along arterial and collector streets. If a wall is required, or if the developer of a site located along either an arterial or collector street chooses to install a wall, the wall shall be installed and maintained equal to a minimum of six feet and a maximum of seven feet in height.

• E. 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:

     • a. Concrete/block

     • b. Latticework fencing

     • c. Wood

     • d. Wrought iron

  2. Rear and interior side yards:

     • a. Concrete/block

     • b. Latticework fencing

     • c. Wood

• F. 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.

• G. 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.

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Signs placed in the C-H 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.

• e. Mechanical equipment shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from a rear or side lot line that abuts a residential zone district unless there is a parapet wall that shields the mechanical equipment.

• f. 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.

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

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City of Avenal Municipal Code Title 9 – Zoning Ordinance