(A) Purpose. To create a vibrant downtown district fronting Bridge Street consisting of primarily retail and food service businesses that enhance the city’s economy by defining specific uses intended to increase consumer traffic.
(B) Applicability. This overlay district shall include all street level areas of buildings with store entrances facing Bridge Street from Antrim Street north to the Pine River Channel.
(C) Permitted uses.
(1) Food and beverage services, including: grocery stores, restaurants, cafés (including internet cafés), coffee shops, bars, taverns, wine bars, breweries, bakeries, delicatessens, bistros and specialty shops;
(2) Retail stores having a gross area of less than 5,000 square feet (Appliance, furniture and similar stores selling large scale consumer products are not considered retail);
(3) Art galleries, frame shops, photography and art studios;
(4) Small single building hotels and universities; and
(5) Professional offices and residential units as not permitted on the street level.
(D) Other regulations. The Planning Commission, upon request, may determine if a proposed use not listed above is similar to, or comparable to, the permitted uses in division (C) above. If the Planning Commission determines a proposed use is not similar or comparable to the permitted uses, the applicant may apply for a special use permit. The Planning Commission may issue a special use permit provided that the proposed use is found to generate commercial activity in accordance with the purpose of this section and it meets the requirements for special land use permits in §§ 153.250 through 153.257 of this chapter.
(E) Outdoor displays and merchandise. Merchandise or similar goods, and associated displays shall not be permitted on the exterior buildings, entryways or sidewalks, except during city-sponsored official sidewalk sales.
(Prior Code, § 5.41) (Ord. 848, passed 4-1-2024)