(A) Land uses that serve a public need, or are deemed beneficial or essential to the public health and safety, welfare, or serving a public good of the community as determined by the County Board are considered essential services. These land uses, being necessary for the public health, safety, and welfare, and serving a public good, may be located in any area where it is essential to perform their function, provided the applicant demonstrates that the location is essential to perform the function and an appropriate siting process is utilized. The factors to be considered in the siting process include those set forth in the comprehensive plan and other factors applicable to the nature of the activity being proposed. The provisions of the zoning and overlay districts may be given consideration when considering an application for a conditional use permit when one is required, but the provisions shall not prohibit the location of essential services in any district.
(B) An essential service would typically fall into one or more of the following categories of activities:
(1) Governmental uses, buildings, and storage. Governmental services such as office buildings, garages, temporary open space, open storage when not a principal use, fire and police stations, parks and recreational areas, training centers, correctional facilities or other essential uses proposed by federal, state, county, local, special districts, and school districts.
(2) Public or private utility primary uses, energy production, transmission services, buildings, structures, towers, and storage. Transmission services such as electrical power lines of a voltage of 35 KV or greater, or bulk gas or fuel being transferred from station to station and not intended for en-route consumption or other similar equipment and accessories.
(3) Public or private utility accessory uses. Underground or overhead electrical, gas, steam or water distribution systems, collection, communications, supply or disposal system, including poles, wire, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, cables, fire alarm boxes, police call boxes, traffic signals, hydrants, or other similar equipment and accessories; but not including buildings or transmission services.
(Ord. 47, passed 7-23-02; Am. Ord. 70-2010, passed 1-25-11; Am. Ord. 97-2021, passed 7-20-21)