(a) Compliance. Each group home, before admitting residents, shall have proof of compliance with all applicable local, state and federal standards.
(b) Statement. Before admitting any residents, the group home operator shall submit a statement of the nature of the group home. Such statement shall include the number and nature of the residents, the number and type of personnel that will be employed, and the qualifications of the agency operating the group home.
(c) Occupancy. A group home with no more than eight residents is a conditional use in the R-2 District, subject to review by the Commission. No permanent certificate of occupancy will be issued by the City for a group home until the person applying for the group home has submitted a valid license, or other appropriate authorization, or copy thereof, from a governmental agency having jurisdiction.
(d) Appearance. To the greatest extent practical, all group homes shall conform to the type and outward appearances of the residences in the neighborhood in which it is located. All group homes shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Building Code and National Fire Prevention Code.
(e) Separation. Minimum separation requirements between any other group home shall be 1,500 feet. A group home may be located without consideration to the minimum separation requirements if the group home is separated from other group homes within the area of the aforesaid minimum separation requirement by a substantial natural or manmade physical barrier, including, but not limited to, an arterial street, a state or federal highway, railroad tracks, river or commercial/business district.
(f) Abandonment. If active and continuous operations are not carried on in a group home which was approved pursuant to the provisions contained in this Section for a period of 12 consecutive months, the group home use shall be considered to have been abandoned. The group home use can be reinstated only after obtaining a new approval from the Commission.
(Ord. 45-09. Passed 9-8-09.)