(A) Intent. The Central Business District (CBD) is established to encourage a form of development that shall achieve the physical qualities necessary to maintain and enhance the economic vitality of downtown Hamtramck, promote the preservation and restoration of historic buildings, ensure that new buildings are compatible with and enhance the downtown and reflect the city's cultural, social, economic, and architectural heritage, and maintain uses that relate to the pedestrian. The CBD should promote unique, attractive, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly places with a streetscape that prioritizes pedestrian circulation.
(B) Permitted uses. In the CBD, all business establishments shall be retail or service establishments that deal directly with customers. All goods produced on the premises shall be sold at retail on the premise. Only the following uses shall be permitted subject to the provisions of this chapter:
(1) Accessory buildings and uses as identified in this subchapter;
(2) Amusement centers;
(3) Bakeries;
(4) Bars;
(5) Brewery;
(6) Brewpub;
(7) Business or financial services, unless specifically addressed as a special land use in this district or specifically prohibited by this chapter;
(8) Butchers that do not process live farm animals;
(9) Clothing stores;
(10) Coffee houses;
(11) Commercial, light;
(12) Commercial retail sales and services, unless specifically addressed as a special land use in this district or specifically prohibited by this chapter;
(13) Commercial retail sales, food;
(14) Confectioneries;
(15) Cultural services;
(16) Delicatessens;
(17) Distillery;
(18) Fabric stores;
(19) Florists;
(20) Fruit and vegetable stores;
(21) Grocery stores;
(22) Hardware stores;
(23) Motel, hotel;
(24) Production filming;
(25) Restaurants;
(26) Restaurants, take-out;
(27) Specialty gift stores;
(28) Theatres;
(29) Establishments with sidewalk cafes on public sidewalks; and
(30) Mixed-use commercial and residential uses provided that the commercial use is a permitted use in the CBD.
(1) City owned parking lots; and
(2) Open air business uses.
(D) Accessory buildings and uses. The following accessory buildings and uses shall be permitted in the CBD District:
(1) Courts;
(2) Parking lots; and
(3) Garages, private.
(E) Area, height, and bulk requirements.
(1) Minimum lot size in square feet: none, provided that the provisions of off-street loading berth requirements are complied with.
(2) Minimum lot dimensions in feet: width: none; depth: none.
(3) Maximum height of building: four stories; 60 feet.
(4) Minimum yard setback in feet: Front: none, provided that the provisions of off-street loading berth requirements are complied with; Rear: none, provided that the provisions of off-street loading berth requirements are complied with; Sides: none, provided that the provisions of off-street loading berth requirements are met.
(5) Maximum lot coverage by all buildings: none.
(F) Structure and site requirements.
(1) All new buildings shall be constructed within one foot of the front lot line. All new buildings on corner lots shall also be constructed within one foot of the side lot line. Entryways may be recessed to allow for traditional storefront entryways consistent with the district character.
(2) All buildings shall have not less than one pedestrian entrance on the front lot line.
(3) Upper-floor awnings shall be permitted, provided that the awning is only the width of the window, encroaches upon the front lot line no more than three feet, and is not used as a backlit sign. Awnings, which shall be straight sheds may supplement facades, except if used solely to cover entryways. Cubed or curved awnings shall not be permitted. Awnings shall be between eight and 12 feet above sidewalk grade at the lower drip edge.
(4) The street number of not less than three inches in height shall be displayed above the front door and shall be professionally painted in appearance on the rear door of the building.
(5) Roof-mounted appliances shall be enclosed on all sides by view obscuring screening so as not to be visible from off the site from any angle. If such appliances or equipment shall be placed on the ground, the above screening requirements shall apply.
(6) All new buildings and additions or structural alterations to the footprint of existing buildings shall be found to be architecturally compatible with adjacent buildings. Any existing building which façade shall be altered after the effective date of this chapter or any subsequent amendment shall conform to the guidelines listed in this division, except that no zoning permit shall be issued until the Plan Commission has approved of the proposed changes to the façade and is assured of its compliance with this chapter. Updates that materially alter the facade no more than 20% may be approved administratively if in compliance with this chapter. This division shall not apply to regular maintenance of front facades. In making such a determination, the following shall be considered:
(a) Not less than 90% of the exterior finish material on all facades that face a street shall be limited to glass, brick, cut stone or coarsely textured stucco. On the second story and above, no more than 10% E.I.F.S. shall be permitted. Vinyl siding shall not be allowed.
(b) Colors shall be compatible with the majority of the buildings in the district.
(c) Blank walls shall not face a public street. Walls facing a public street shall include windows and architectural features customarily found on the front façade of a building, such as awnings, cornice work, edge detailing, or decorative materials.
(d) Each storefront shall have ground level window openings not less than 70% of the façade between two and eight from the ground. The wood or metal armature of such storefronts shall be painted, bronze, or powder-coated. The glazed area of a façade above the ground floor shall not exceed 35% of the total window area. Window air conditioners shall not be permitted in the front façade windows.
(e) Walls, displays, stored merchandise, signs, or other items shall not obstruct views into the store from street side windows.
(f) Windows shall have a light transmission factor of 80% or greater.
(g) Façade openings, other than ground floor display windows, including porches, windows, and colonnades, shall be vertical in proportion.
(h) Windows at or above the second story shall not be covered on the exterior.
(i) Upper-story windows that are replaced or exposed shall retain their original size, orientation, and shape so that the configuration of the façade is not changed.
(j) Outdoor security fencing shall not be permitted. Roll-up security fencing, if installed, shall be located within the building. No permanent or nonretractable security fencing shall be permitted within the building.
(k) Metal overhead doors for access to the building or interior-loading area shall not face a public street. Overhead doors for any other use shall not have less than 60% fenestration. If the overhead type door is not less than 60% fenestration, then such door shall be permissible. Loading docks and service areas shall be permitted only in the rear yard.
(l) Cantilevered mansard roofs shall not be permitted.
(m) The back of the building shall be constructed of brick, painted or dyed concrete block, or the same materials used on the building's façade. Painted concrete blocks shall be permitted for the back wall.
(n) Public pedestrian entrances shall not be permitted on the side of the building, with the exception of buildings located on corner lots. Public pedestrian entrances for buildings on corner lots may occur only on the front of the building, or the side of the building that is adjacent to the public right-of-way.
(7) All empty lots in the Central Business District shall be sodded and maintained, unless such lot is specifically allowed for parking. A screenwall shall be provided along the front lot line under § 155.116(B).
(8) A screenwall shall be built along the front lot line and aligned with the adjacent building façade for all parking lots, vacant lots, and lots in the absence of a building façade. Screen walls shall be between two and one-half to three feet in height and made of brick, stone, or other masonry materials matching the building. Screenwalls may have openings of a maximum of 24 feet for existing curb cuts to allow vehicular and pedestrian access.
(9) Parking shall be permitted in the area of a maximum of 30 feet off of the rear lot line and behind the main building. In the absence of a building façade along the side lot line a screenwall shall be constructed in accordance with § 155.116(C).
(10) No new driveways, service drives, or curb cuts shall be permitted off any public road.
(Ord. 497, passed 2-3-2004; Am. Ord. 523, passed 6-13-2006; Am. Ord. 2011-7, passed 12-13-2011; Am. Ord. 2019-02, passed 10-8-2019; Am. Ord. 2020-28, passed 3-3-2020; Am. Res. 2021-46, passed 4-13-2021; Am. Ord. passed 8-24-2021; Am. Ord. —, passed 3-8-2022; Am. Ord. —, passed 12-12-2023)