(A) Purpose and intent. It is the purpose of the C-3 General Business District to provide areas for commercial establishments that offer a variety of goods and services. The district is intended to attract commercial uses that can provide products and services to the community and region. Proximity to adjacent uses for spin-off business is not a primary consideration and this district should provide larger lots and efficient access to arterial streets. See § 153.068(D) for building and design standards.
(B) Permitted uses. The following are permitted uses in the General Business District (C-3):
(1) Residential uses. Trailer parks and camping facilities: camping facilities for tourists provided that any boundary line associated with the facility is at least 300 feet from any existing residential district.
(2) Non-residential uses.
(a) Animal-related services, inclusive of:
1. Veterinary clinics/hospitals (no overnight care, no outside pens, runs or exercise yards). Dog daycares are permitted as a conditional use (see division (D));
2. Pet shops (no outside pens, kennels or exercise yards); and
3. All animal-related services shall be conducted within a soundproof building or structure designed to minimize noise pollution.
(b) Entertainment and recreational activities, inclusive of:
1. Art galleries;
2. Museums;
3. Bowling alleys;
4. Billiards;
5. Indoor recreation;
6. Studios/dance;
7. Miniature golf;
8. Golf driving range;
9. Theatres (drive-up requires six foot obscuring fence); and
10. Amusement parks (go-kart tracks shall be at least 300 feet from any residential district);
(c) Vehicles and equipment, inclusive of:
1. Auto service station;
2. Automobile repair (major, minor and tire sales);
3. Agricultural implements/dealerships; and
4. Automobile sales and rentals.
(d) Personal services, inclusive of:
1. Dry cleaning;
2. Laundromat;
3. Incidental repair;
4. Shoe repair/sales;
5. Sewing/tailor;
6. Massage treatments;
7. Tanning salon;
8. Barber/beauty shop;
9. Drug/pharmaceuticals;
10. Employment agencies;
11. Health clubs; and
12. Mortuaries/funeral.
(e) Professional services/commercial offices, inclusive of:
1. Locksmith;
2. Dental/hygienic;
3. Medical/clinics/hospitals;
4. Chiropractic;
5. Travel agency;
6. Real estate;
7. Architecture/design;
8. Engineering;
9. Accounting;
10. Property management;
11. Contracting (office);
12. Insurance sales/claims;
13. Plumbing/heating/electrical shops/sales; and
14. Electrical/heating/air conditioning/masonry/refrigeration/roofing or similar contracting businesses where outside equipment or storage does not exceed 20,000 square feet, provided the area is effectively screened by a site obscuring fence at least six feet in height.
15. Investment (banks, savings, loans, credit unions, and the like); and
16. Professional services or commercial offices of similar use/type/intent.
(f) General retail, inclusive of:
1. Paint/decor store;
2. Book store;
3. Camera/photographic/film;
4. Bicycle sales/repair;
5. Essential services;
6. Gift store/novelties;
7. Jewelry sales;
8. Appliance sales;
9. Hobby shop;
10. Florists;
11. Tobacco shop;
12. Health food/products;
13. Dairy product retail;
14. Clothing/apparel;
15. Antique store;
16. Variety store;
17. Hardware;
18. Pawn shops;
19. Tattoo shops;
20. Sporting goods;
21. Toy/game stores;
22. Nurseries/landscape/garden centers;
23. General sales/repair (clocks, watches, vacuums, dry goods, fabric, auto part sales, postage, appliances, copies, televisions, electronics or other similar uses);
24. Music/record stores (including instruments);
25. Convenience store (with or without fuel sales);
26. Department/discount;
27. Hunting goods/firearms/with other merchandise sales; and
28. THC product sales.
(g) Food and beverage services, inclusive of:
1. Bakery (goods/retail);
2. Delicatessen/prepared food sales;
3. Nightclubs;
4. Cocktail lounges;
5. Liquor stores (on/off sale);
6. Clubs/lodges;
7. Restaurants, cafes;
8. Bars, liquor sales;
9. Dairy product retail;
10. Meat or produce market (non-processing);
11. Truck stops/drive-thru restaurants (parking lots shall be 150 feet from any existing residential district);
12. Candy/ice cream/frozen desserts; and
13. Grocery, supermarket, fruit/vegetable store (non-vehicle or movable sales).
(h) Lodging facilities; inclusive of:
1. Motels/motor hotels; and
2. Hotels.
(i) Residential programs/facilities, day care facilities, child care centers, retirement, nursing, assisted living, elderly homes or similar uses, provided that:
1. Only the rear yard shall be used for play or recreational areas, unless otherwise approved. Said area shall be fenced, controlled and screened in compliance with § 153.065;
2. The site and related parking/service entrances have direct access to an arterial or collector street of sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic which will be generated by the development. Vehicular entrances to parking or service areas shall create minimum conflicts with through traffic movement;
3. Adequate off-street parking is provided in compliance with § 153.060;
4. Adequate off-street loading, as deemed applicable, is provided in compliance with § 153.060;
5. When abutting a residential district, a buffer area with screening and landscaping in compliance with § 153.065 shall be provided;
6. All state laws and statutes governing such use are strictly adhered to and all operating permits are secured; and
7. All signing, informational or visual communication devices shall be in compliance with the applicable provisions of this code.
(j) Commercial car washes (drive-through, mechanical and self-service), provided that:
1. Stacking space is constructed subject to the approval of the City Engineer;
2. At the boundaries of a residential district, a strip of not less than five feet shall be screened in compliance with this chapter;
3. Parking or car storage space shall be screened from view of abutting residential districts in compliance with § 153.065;
4. The entire area other than occupied by the building or plantings shall be surfaced with material which will control dust and drainage, of which is subject to the approval of the City Engineer;
5. The entire area shall have a drainage system which is subject to the approval of the city;
6. All lighting shall be hooded and so directed so as not to be in violation of the provisions of § 153.068; and
7. Vehicular access points and curb cuts to the business shall be limited in order to maintain efficient transportation systems and to reduce conflicts with through traffic. Site plans and access configurations shall be subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
(3) Industrial uses. Production (light assembly) and warehouse, inclusive of:
1. Building material sales (non-lumber yard);
2. Lumber yards (outside storage shall be screened by a six foot obscuring fence);
3. Modular (factory built) home sales;
4. Carpentry/cabinets;
5. Furniture sales/assembly;
6. Furniture re-finishing;
7. Mini-storage/warehouse; and
8. Assembly/processing of non-offensive materials (appliances, electrical equipment, medical, dental, scientific or other similar uses).
(4) Public, institutional and civic uses.
(a) Library;
(b) Public assembly (churches, synagogues, temples, and the like);
(c) Governmental offices/buildings, conference centers, civic buildings;
(d) Open space, athletic fields, parks and playgrounds;
(e) Trade or vocational schools; and
(f) Parking lots/ramps and transportation terminals.
(C) Accessory uses. The following are permitted accessory uses in the Central Business District (C-3):
(1) Commercial uses within a building/structure that are accessory to the principal use but such use shall not exceed 30% of the gross floor space as utilized by the principal use;
(2) Off-street parking as regulated by § 153.060, but not including off-street parking for semi-trailer trucks;
(3) Off-street loading facilities as regulated by § 153.060;
(5) The stockpiling of black dirt and landscaping rock and materials accessory to nurseries, landscape centers and garden centers.
(D) Conditional uses. The following are conditional uses in an C-3 District:.
(1) Residential uses. Multiple-family dwellings up to 12 units, provided that:
(a) There is adequate off-street parking in compliance with § 153.060;
(b) One off-street loading space, if applicable, in compliance with § 153.060;
(c) Parking areas are screened and landscaped from view of surrounding and abutting residential districts in compliance with § 153.065;
(d) All signing and informal or visual communication devices shall be in compliance with the applicable provisions of the City Code;
(e) The principal use structure is in compliance with the state Uniform Building Code; and
(f) Usable open space is equal to 20% of the gross lot area.
(2) Non-residential uses. Publicly regulated utility buildings, structures necessary for the health, safety and general welfare of the community.
(a) Adequate off-street loading is provided in compliance with § 153.060;
(b) Vehicular entrances to parking or service areas shall create minimum conflict with through traffic movement; and
(c) All signing and informational or visual communication devices shall be in compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
(3) Planned Unit Developments.
(4) Off-premise or billboard signs as provided for in § 153.064.
(3) Planned Unit Developments.
(4) Commercial kennels, dog daycares, dog clinics or shelters with outdoor activity spaces, providing for overnight stays, provided that:
(a) Limited to a set maximum number of animals at any one time. This number shall be set at the time of permit issuance.
(b) All animal-related uses and services (excluding an outdoor activity space) shall be conducted within a soundproof building or structure designed to minimize noise pollution.
(c) Animal waste and order control shall be addressed as part of facility operations.
(d) The site and related parking and service entrances are served by an arterial or collector street of sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic that will be generated.
(e) Adequate off-street parking is provided in compliance with § 153.060.
(f) All facilities, including the outdoor activity spaces shall be located at least 300 feet from any existing residential use or low-density (R-1, R-2) residential districts.
(g) No outdoor runs or kennels.
(h) Outdoor activity spaces shall meet the following requirements:
1. The space shall be completely fenced and screened by a six-foot-tall fence that is at least 80% opaque.
2. The space shall be cleaned daily so as not to create a nuisance.
3. Animal waste produced within the space shall not be allowed directly enter the city's storm sewer system.
4. Animals in the activity space shall be attended by a facility staff member. Noise from dogs shall be muffled as practically as possible. Continuous or excessive barking shall not be allowed.
(5) Off-premise or billboard signs as provided for in § 153.064.
(E) Minimum dimensional requirements and standards. The following minimum requirements shall be observed in the C-3 District subject to the additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this chapter.
(1) Lot dimensional standards.
Use type | Lot area | Lot width | Lot depth |
As permitted | None | None | None |
(2) Setbacks.
(a) Front yard: none or as otherwise required per building codes.
(b) Side and rear setbacks: none or as otherwise required per building codes.
(F) Maximum building height. For additional information on calculating building heights see definition of BUILDING HEIGHT in § 153.010.
(1) Principal building: none.
(2) Accessory buildings: as governed by § 153.069.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. 23-01, passed 4-24-2023; Ord. 24-04, passed 4-8-2024)