Loading...
(A) Intent. The purpose of these home occupation standards is to establish minimum requirements for home-based businesses in order to protect the residential character of Hancock County's residential areas, preserve property values, and prevent the hazards to persons and property that can result from residential-commercial land use conflicts.
(B) General home occupation standards applicable to the single-family residential, multi-family residential, and manufactured home zoning districts. A home occupation may be permitted, subject to Board of Zoning Appeals approval of a special exception, as an incidental use to any dwelling unit. In order to be considered a permitted home occupation, the use shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Activities. The face-to-face wholesale/retail sale of stocked inventories is not permitted, except for incidental sales that do not exceed 25% of total home occupation sales. Mail-order/telephone/internet sales, as well as distribution of sold merchandise is permitted. Manufacturing activities are not permitted.
(2) Effects of operation. There shall be no equipment or process used in the home occupation that creates noise, vibration, glare, smoke, fumes, odors, or electrical interference that is detectable, without the aid of instruments, off the premises (as determined by the Planning Director). There shall be no electrical or mechanical equipment utilized in the home occupation that will create any visual or audible interference with radio or television reception.
(3) Owner/operator. At least one person residing within the dwelling must be the primary operator of the home occupation.
(4) Employees. The home occupation may not involve the on-site employment or regular on-site gathering of any more than one person, other than those residing at the location of the home occupation.
(5) Outdoor storage/display. Their shall be no exterior storage of products, equipment or materials that are related to the home occupation.
(6) Business area. The home occupation may be located within the dwelling, but shall not exceed a total area of 500 square feet. The home occupation must utilize no more than 25% of the total floor area of the dwelling.
(7) Structural alterations. The home occupation must not require any structural or aesthetic alterations to the dwelling that change its residential character as described below:
(a) Dwelling appearance. The dwelling shall not be altered in its appearance and the home occupation shall not be conducted in such a manner as to differentiate the dwelling from the residential character of the area by the use of colors, materials, construction, or lighting.
(b) Entrances. The home occupation shall not require any additional entrances to the dwelling.
(c) Utility service. The home occupation shall not require increasing or enhancing the size, capacity, or flow of the water, gas, waste treatment, or electrical systems beyond what is standard for a residence.
(d) Interior alterations. There shall be no alterations to the interior of the dwelling to accommodate the home occupation that would render the structure undesirable for residential use.
(8) Parking and business vehicles. The home occupation shall not involve on-site customers, employees, meetings, or other events that necessitate the installation of any off-street parking spaces in addition to those required by this chapter for the dwelling unit. The on-site storage of business vehicles shall meet the requirements of § 156.069.
(9) Deliveries. The home occupation must not require the regular use of commercial vehicles for pickup and deliveries, other than those from the U.S. Postal Service or other small package carriers.
(10) Signs. No signs of any type shall be used, other than those permitted in the applicable zoning district by §§ 156.085 et seq.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07; Am. Ord. 2010-9B, passed 9-20-10)
(A) Intent. The purpose of these manufactured home standards is to identify the minimum requirements for the installation and use of manufactured homes consistent with the requirements of I.C. 36-7-4-1106 and the intent of this chapter.
(B) General manufactured home standards applicable to the manufactured home park.
(1) Manufactured homes in a single-family residential zoning districts shall comply with the minimum development and design standards of the residential zoning district as set forth in § 156.065.
(2) Storage space. Each home shall be provided with an enclosed, waterproof storage space a minimum of 20 square feet, either as an accessory structure on each home site, behind the skirting, or at a central storage facility.
(3) Emergency shelter. Each development or manufactured home park shall be equipped with a structure of adequate construction to provide shelter for residents from tornados and other severe weather events. The shelter shall be of sufficient size to accommodate a population equal to 2.5 persons per home site present in the development.
(4) Entrances and interior roads. All interior manufactured home park streets shall either be dedicated to the public or be private interior drives. All interior streets, whether dedicated to the public or private drives shall meet the design and construction standards for public streets, including intersections, sidewalks, street trees, etc., provided by Chapter 155, Subdivision Control Regulations. If private streets are used, a street easements shall be substituted for the interior street right-of-way.
(5) Compliance verification. Prior to the release of an improvement location permit for construction of the manufactured home park, the following shall be provided to the Planning Director:
(a) Access. A letter from the County Highway Engineer, verifying the approval of the design of access points to public streets.
(b) Sanitary sewer service. A letter from a sanitary sewer service provider, verifying that adequate sanitary sewer service shall be available to the homes.
(c) Board of Health. A letter from the Indiana State Board of Health, verifying that all applicable requirements have been met.
(d) Drainage. A letter from the County Surveyor verifying drainage approval for the site.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07)
(A) Intent. The purpose of these environmental standards is to:
(1) Encourage the protection of unique environmental features; and
(2) Protect persons and property from the dangers presented by both the natural and built environments. Some of the following standards refer to complimentary state or federal regulations, that are not enforced by the county, in order to increase awareness of these regulations.
(B) General environmental standards applicable to all zoning districts.
(1) Land suitability. No land should be used, or structure erected where the land is unsuitable for such use or structure due to slopes, adverse soil or rock formations, erosion susceptibility, or any other feature determined by the Planning Director, County Surveyor, County Engineer, County Board of Health, or Plan Commission as likely to be harmful to the health, safety, and general welfare of the community.
(2) Preservation of natural features. Existing natural features such as mature trees, streams, lakes, wetlands, streamside riparian areas, floodplains, and similar assets should be preserved through harmonious and careful design. Land to be developed shall be designed and improved as far as practical in conformity to existing topography in order to minimize storm water runoff and conserve the natural cover and soil.
(a) Wetlands. Wetland areas shall be managed consistent with all applicable standards of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other appropriate agencies.
(b) Streamside forests (riparian areas). All structures shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from the top-of-bank, as determined by the County Surveyor. Within this required setback, preservation of native vegetation and minimal construction activity is encouraged subject to I.C. 36-9-27. Information produced by the National Resource Conservation Service as expressed in the Conservation Practice Standards for Riparian Forest Buffer (Code 391) or Forest Stand Improvement (Code 666) provide alternative sources for the managment of riparian areas.
(c) Floodplains. Floodplains shall be managed consistent with the Hancock County Code Chapters 152 and 154.
(d) Trees. When the preservation of existing trees is specified by the requirements of this chapter and/or by conditions placed on the approval of an application the following standards shall be met:
1. Construction activity. No construction activity damaging to the existing trees including the driving of construction vehicles and storage of construction materials shall occur within the drip-line of any tree to be preserved. Signs and construction fencing shall be used to demarcate the preservation areas.
2. Tree maintenance. All trees to be preserved shall be included in an easement recorded with the Hancock County Recorder within five days of Plan Commission approval. The easement shall include language that, subject to the approval of the Planning Director, requires the continued maintenance of the trees and prohibits the removal of healthy trees. Trees that are removed due to poor health, disease, or act of nature shall be replaced by the property owner prior to the conclusion of the next planting season (spring or fall, whichever is sooner). Replacement trees shall have a minimum trunk diameter of two inches, measured at 12 inches above the root ball.
(3) Conservation of historic features. Existing historic features (such as those listed as outstanding, notable, or contributing in the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory - Hancock County Interim Report, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, or listed in the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures), and similar irreplaceable assets should be preserved through harmonious and careful design.
(4) Ground cover. Any part or portion of a nonfarm parcel that is not used for structures, loading or parking spaces, sidewalks, etc. shall be landscaped or left in a natural state that complies with the applicable weed and nuisance ordinances of Hancock County. If landscaped, it shall be planted with an all season ground cover and with trees and shrubs in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and in keeping with the natural surroundings.
(5) Waste/debris. All properties shall at all times be maintained and used only in clean, neat and well-groomed conditions, free from all natural and man-made debris, junk, rubbish, trash, weeds, and similar items.
(a) Waste stored outdoors. No waste materials such as, but not limited to, garbage, rubbish, household appliances, inoperable vehicles, furniture designed for interior use, gasoline, oil, flammables, soils, tars, chemicals, greases, dead plant material, noxious weeds, industrial or agricultural waste, or any other material of such nature, quantity, obnoxiousness, toxicity, or temperature so as to contaminate, pollute, or harm water bodies or ground water, provide a habitat for disease carrying animals and insects, or represent a public safety hazard shall be deposited, located, stored, or discharged outside on any lot.
(b) Waste stored in structures. Waste shall not be allowed to accumulate within structures in a manner that is inconsistent with applicable regulations for the storage of such materials.
(c) Open dumping. Open dumping shall not be permitted in any zoning district.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07)
(A) Intent. The purpose of these parking standards is to reduce street congestion, ensure proper vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and therefore improve public safety by identifying the appropriate number and location of off-street parking spaces for each zoning district.
(B) General parking standards applicable to all zoning districts.
(1) General requirements. Parking spaces shall be located on the lot with the uses for which they are required. Exceptions are for off-site and shared parking. All parking spaces shall meet the following general requirements:
(a) Location. No off-street parking spaces may be fully or partially located in a public right-of-way, septic field, required landscape area, or buffer yard.
(b) Access. All required parking spaces must be designed to provide direct access for vehicles. In no case may areas which do not have direct access be considered a parking space meeting the requirements of this chapter (example: a residential driveway shall not be considered a parking space meeting the requirements of this section if a parked vehicle in the driveway prevents direct access to a required parking space in a garage or carport).
(c) Parking space dimensions. Parking space size shall be a minimum of 180 sq. ft. and dimensions shall conform with the Parking Space Requirements table below. In no instance shall the overhang of a vehicle be considered as part of the required parking space area.
(d) Interior drive aisle dimensions. Interior drive dimensions shall conform with the entrance and drive standards in § 156.071.
(2) Requirements for nonconforming uses and uses permitted by special exception or variance. Any use which is nonconforming in the zoning district in which it is located or is permitted by special exception or variance shall provide parking which is consistent with the use and the standards for the zoning district in which the use would be ordinarily permitted by this chapter. In no case shall the number of parking spaces required for non-conforming uses or those permitted by special exception or variance be solely based on the standards for the district in which they are located. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall specify the number of parking spaces for all uses permitted by special exception or variance consistent with the intent of this section. However, the BZA may grant variances consistent with the intent of this subchapter.
(3) Requirements for uses not specifically listed. The number of parking spaces required for uses that are not listed specifically shall be determined by the Planning Director based on the consistency of the use with those that are specified.
(4) Park use requirements. Off-street parking spaces for park and recreation uses and buildings located in any zoning district shall be provided consistent with the requirements for business uses provided by division (D) below.
(5) Vehicle storage requirements. The storage of all motor vehicles shall be consistent with the following requirements:
(a) Vehicle storage. Except as permitted in § 156.021, no vehicle, including recreational and commercial vehicles, shall be parked, stored, or allowed to remain on a lot or parcel of land that does not contain a primary structure.
(b) Stored vehicles to be salvaged/repaired. The outdoor storage of such vehicles associated with permitted auto repair or salvage facilities shall be consistent with the following requirements:
1. All such vehicles, including antique vehicles, shall be stored within the rear or side yard. In no case shall such vehicles be stored in any front yard, buffer yard, required landscape area, or required setback area.
2. All storage areas for such vehicles shall be completely enclosed with a six-foot tall, 100% opaque wood, stone, or masonry fence. Gates allowing access to the storage areas are permitted, shall be closed when not in use, and shall consist of six-foot tall, 100% opaque wooden doors.
3. NOTE: Stored Vehicles. In no instance should the provisions for stored vehicles be interpreted as enforcement of traffic code provisions for inoperable vehicles. These provisions are intended to ensure that auto repair and salvage facilities are operated consistent with the general welfare of the community.
(c) Recreational vehicle parking. The open parking of recreational vehicles shall be subject to the following standards unless waived or modified by the Board of Zoning Appeals as a special exception. These provisions shall apply only within residentially zoned major subdivisions that are associated with residential uses as the only primary use of the property.
1. For purposes of this section, open parking shall be construed as the unenclosed presence or storage of any recreational vehicle as defined in § 156.121.
2. Open parking of a recreational vehicle shall be subject to the following standards:
a. At no time shall a recreational vehicle be occupied or used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes except for visitation as described in this section.
b. No portion of any required minimum front yard setback shall be used for the open parking of a recreational vehicle or parts thereof except for visitation purposes as described in this section.
c. The wheels or any similar transporting devices for a recreational vehicle shall not be removed except for repairs, nor shall such vehicle be otherwise permanently fixed to the ground in a manner that would prevent ready removal of the vehicle.
d. Not more than one recreational vehicle shall be permitted to be openly parked at any time. However, one additional recreational vehicle shall be permitted for visitation purposes not to exceed 30 days in any three-month period.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a recreational vehicle may be parked anywhere on the premises for loading and unloading purposes for a period not to exceed seven days in any 14-day period.
(d) Commercial vehicle storage. The storage or parking of commercial vehicles in residential zoning districts and primarily residential planned unit developments is subject to the following requirements:
1. The parking of a commercial vehicle shall be limited to one standard sized vehicle including cars, SUVs, and pick-up trucks. The parking of automobile trailers is not permitted. As an exception, any commercial vehicle may be stored within an enclosed structure. Semi-tractor/trailer storage shall be prohibited except as permitted in § 156.02 et seq.
2. This regulation shall not be interpreted to apply to commercial vehicles used for conveying the necessary tools and materials to premises where labor, using such tools and materials, is to be performed during the time of parking such vehicles, or to commercial vehicles in the process of temporarily loading or unloading deliverable goods.
(C) Residential parking standards applicable to the agricultural, single-family residential, multi-family residential and manufactured home park zoning districts.
(1) General standards. In no instance shall any vehicles be stored or parked in any front yard or side yard or rear yard. Temporary parking of vehicles in driveways accessed from the street and passing through the yard are exempt from this requirement.
(2) Single-family dwellings. Parking spaces for single-family zoning districts shall be provided on the same lot as the dwelling unit for which they are required and shall meet the following standards:
(a) Spaces requirements. A minimum of two off-street spaces, either paved or of crushed stone, are required for each dwelling unit.
(b) Access/location requirements. Parking areas must be designed to prevent vehicles from having to back into or maneuver in any arterial or collector street.
(3) Village overlay dwellings. Parking spaces for dwellings shall be provided on the same lot as the dwelling unit for which they are required and shall meet the following standards:
(a) Space requirements. Off-street, paved parking spaces are required for each dwelling unit consistent with the average number of off-street spaces provided per dwelling unit in village overlay zoned lots within 500 feet of the subject lot. A maximum of two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit shall be required.
(b) Access/location requirements. Parking areas must be designed to prevent vehicles from having to back into or maneuver in any arterial street.
(4) Manufactured home park dwellings. Parking spaces for dwellings in the Residential: Manufactured Home Park (RMH) zoning district shall be provided on the same site as the dwelling unit for which they are required and shall meet the following standards:
(a) Space requirements. A minimum of two off-street parking spaces are required for each dwelling unit. In addition, parking spaces for management offices, sales facilities, self-service laundries, and other accessory uses shall be equal to one-half of the requirements for those uses established by division (D) below.
(b) Access/location standards. Parking areas must be designed to prevent vehicles from having to back into or maneuver in public streets (excluding all alleys and any streets that are internal to the development).
(5) Multi-family dwellings. Parking spaces for dwellings in the Residential: Multi-Family (RM) zoning district shall meet the following standards:
(a) Space requirements. A minimum of 2.5 off-street parking spaces are required for each dwelling unit (rounded up to the nearest complete space). In addition, parking spaces for management offices, sales facilities, self-service laundries, and other accessory uses shall be equal to one-half of the requirements for those uses established by division (D) below.
1. Parking of the disabled. The required spaces shall include parking for the disabled meeting the requirements of division (D)(1)(e) below. The minimum number of disabled spaces provided shall either be as specified in the disabled space standards table or equal one space for every handicap-accessible dwelling unit, whichever is greater.
2. Driving surfaces. All parking areas, including parking spaces, interior drives, and ingress/egress into parking areas must be paved with asphalt, concrete, or other porous pavement materials that are approved by the Planning Director. All parking areas shall be clearly painted to show each parking space.
3. Drainage. Parking areas must be constructed to allow proper drainage, which shall be
4. Curbs. All parking areas shall generally be completely curbed. Curbing shall not be required if, in the opinion of the County Surveyor/Town Engineer, the drainage system for the property shall be best served if curbs were not present.
5. Lighting. Lighting for parking areas shall conform with the applicable exterior lighting standards of § 156.077.
6. Landscaping. Landscaping for parking areas shall conform with the applicable landscaping standards of § 156.075.
(b) Access/location standards. Parking areas must be designed to prevent vehicles from having to back into or maneuver in public streets (excluding all alleys and any streets that are internal to the development).
(D) Non-residential parking standards applicable to the commercial, institutional, and industrial zoning districts.
(1) General standards. Parking spaces shall be located on the lot with the use(s) for which they are required. All parking spaces and interior drives shall meet the following requirements.
(a) Driving surfaces. All parking areas, including parking spaces, interior drives, and ingress/egress into parking areas must be paved with asphalt, concrete, or porous pavement material that has been previously approved by the Planning Director to the nearest paved street. All parking areas shall be clearly marked to show each parking space.
(b) Drainage. Parking areas must allow proper drainage, and shall be subject to the review and approval of the County Surveyor/Town Engineer.
(c) Curbs. All parking areas for non-residential uses shall be completely curbed. Curbing shall not be required if, in the written opinion of the County Surveyor/Town Engineer, the drainage system for the property and surrounding environment shall be best served if curbs were not present.
(d) Minimum number of spaces. The minimum number of parking spaces required per property shall be determined by the sum of spaces required for each applicable use in the Non-Residential Required Parking Space Table at the end of this section.
(e) Parking for the disabled. Parking spaces reserved for disabled persons shall be provided in all parking areas consistent with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, Chapter 4.1.2 (5)(a) and all applicable revisions.
1. All required parking spaces for the disabled shall be those that are the closest to the main entrance of the primary structure.
2. Parking spaces for the disabled shall count toward the total number of spaces required by this chapter.
(2) Access/location requirements. All parking spaces shall be accessed and located consistent with the following standards:
(a) Access to public streets. Parking areas must be designed to prevent vehicles from having to back into or maneuver in public streets (access to alleys shall be exempt from this requirement).
(b) Maneuvering space. All parking spaces shall be provided with adequate maneuvering space into which vehicles can back for the purpose of exiting the parking space. For all multifamily and non-residential uses the following interior drive minimums shall be required:
1. Thirteen if one-way traffic and no parking or 45 degree parking;
2. Eighteen feet if one-way traffic and 60 or 90 degree parking;
3. Twenty-four feet if one-way traffic or accessing a loading berth.
(c) Off street parking in the front set back shall be prohibited.
(3) Offsite and shared parking. Under certain conditions, offsite and shared parking may be allowed on another lot that is within 500 feet of the lot occupied by the use(s) for which they are required.
(a) Off-site parking. Two or more uses may provide off-site parking collectively on one lot, however the total number of spaces shall not be less than the sum of the spaces required for each use (example: a group of business, industries, and/or apartments located on upper-floors over businesses may provide a common parking area). At least 80% of parking spaces shall be provided on site.
(b) Shared parking. Two or more uses for which the normal hours of operation do not substantially overlap may share parking either on or off-site (example: a church may share its parking lot with a business, or with apartments located on upper-floors of adjacent businesses). The Planning Director may grant a maximum 20% reduction in required parking.
(c) Approval requirements. All off-site and shared parking space arrangements are subject to the approval of the Planning Director. Approvals shall be based on the determination that the use of off-site and/or shared parking will not provide hardships for pedestrians, will not result in potentiality hazardous traffic conditions, and will provide an adequate number of parking spaces for the uses involved. The parking needs of possible future uses of the property shall also be considered by the Planning Director.
(d) Required documentation. A permanent documentation of any off-site and/or shared parking agreement must be signed by all involved property owners. The permanent written agreement shall include, but is not limited to the following items: maintenance, snow removal, ownership, and liability. The agreement shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director and the County Attorney. A copy of the agreement shall be retained for the files of the Plan Commission. Cross access easements shall be provided and recorded by each property owner to enable the sharing of parking facilities. Amendments to the agreement shall be subject to Planning Director approval and be duly recorded with the County Recorder.
(e) Bicycle parking. All non-residential uses shall provide one designated bicycle parking area for every 30 vehicle parking spaces required by this chapter, with a minimum area for two bicycle spaces. Each bicycle area shall provide adequate facilities for securing the parked bicycle.
Parking Space Requirements
| ||
Angle of Parking | Minimum Parking Space Size | |
Width | Length | |
Parking Space Requirements
| ||
Angle of Parking | Minimum Parking Space Size | |
Width | Length | |
Partial (Option 1) | 10 feet | 18 feet |
Parallel (Option 2) | 9 feet | 20 feet |
90 degree, 60 degree, and 45 degree | 10 feet | 20 feet |
Disabled | (refer to ADA guidelines) | |
Employees per shift: For each employee working on the largest shift (for multi- shift operations ample parking spaces to accommodate shift changes shall be provided) | 1 space | |
Business vehicles: For each vehicle stored on site | 1 space | |
Dwelling units: For each dwelling unit on site | 2 spaces | |
In Addition to ... | ||
Commercial Use | ||
Auto-oriented facility: For every 200 square feet in any car wash, repair or modification facility | 1 space | |
Dealerships: For each vehicle or mobile home on display at an auto/boat/RV/farm implement/manufactured home dealership (of an appropriate size, and to be used for the storage of each vehicle) | 1 space | |
Hotel/motel: For each sleeping unit in nay hotel, motel or bed and breakfast | 1 space | |
Retail stores (small size): For every 300 square feet in a personal service business, beauty or barber shop, or dry-cleaners | 1 space | |
Retail stores (large size): For every 400 square feet of gross floor area in all hardware, home improvement, furniture, and large appliance stores | 1 space | |
Retail stores (medium size): For every 300 square feet of gross floor area retail space in all convenience stores, gas stations, greenhouses, grocery stores, department stores and other retail facilities | 1 space | |
Sales facility showrooms: For every 500 square feet in all auto/boat/RV or farm implement sales facility showrooms | 1 space | |
Self-storage facility: For every 5,000 square feet at a self-storage facility | 1 space | |
Office Use | ||
Arts/public space: For every 300 square feet in any library, museum or art gallery | 1 space | |
Medical/dental office: For every 250 square feet of gross floor area in any medical or dental office or clinic | 1 space | |
Professional office: For every 300 square feet in any administrative or professional business office or bank | 1 space | |
Public/Institutional Use | ||
Airport: For every five hangar or tie-down spaces at an airport or heliport | 1 space | |
College/university: For every two on-campus residents of a resident-based college or university | 1 space | |
Day care: For every six children, permitted by capacity, in any day care facility | 1 space | |
Educational facility, after high school: For every four students for which a community college, business, vocational, trade or other commuter-based school is designed | 2 spaces | |
Fairgrounds: For every 300 square feet of area in enclosed structures at a fairground | 1 space | |
Hospital/nursing home: For every four patient beds at a hospital or nursing home | 1 space | |
Penal/correctional institution: For every ten inmates for which a penal or correctional institution is designed | 1 space | |
Elementary/middle school: For every classroom for which an elementary or middle school is designed (see also Gathering space requirement under Recreation/Assembly Use for additional spaces) | 1 space | |
High school: For every 20 students for which a high school is designed (see also Gathering space requirement under Recreation/Assembly use for additional spaces) | 1 space | |
Bowling alley: For every lane at a bowling alley | 5 spaces | |
Camping facility: For every camp site or cabin at a campground | 1 space | |
Gathering space, non-business: For every three seats in a restaurant, auditorium, gymnasium, stadium, grandstand, funeral home, church (or other place of worship), or movie theater | 1 space | |
Golf course: For every nine holes at any golf course | 20 spaces | |
Nature area: For every one-half acre of area included in a nature area | 1 space | |
Recreational facility, sports: For every field or court at a sports or recreation facility | 20 spaces | |
Recreational facility, water-based: For every 100 square feet of recreational area at a swimming pool greater than 24 inches, skating rink or public lake | 1 space | |
Recreational facility: For every 200 square feet of gross floor area in any fitness center, dance academy, health spa, private lodge or club, or entertainment center | 1 space | |
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07; Am. Ord. 2010-2C, passed 4-5-10)
Cross reference:
Exterior lighting standards, see § 156.075
Landscaping standards, see § 156.077
Non-residential design standards, see § 156.078
(A) Intent. The purpose of these loading requirements is to provide minimum standards for the loading and unloading of materials at commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. These requirements are intended to prevent loading and unloading from occurring on a public street or in other locations that would present a danger to persons or property.
(B) General loading standards applicable to commercial, institutional, and industrial zoning districts.
(1) Loading berths required. Adequate off-street loading berths and areas shall be provided for any building or structure which requires the receipt or distribution of materials or merchandise by trucks or similar vehicles. Off-street loading berths may be provided either within or outside of structures on the property.
(2) Location. All required off-street loading berths shall be located on the same lot as the use to be served. They shall be designed so that no portion of a loading/unloading vehicle projects into a street, alley, or other public right-of-way. Shared truck courts between adjacent properties shall be permitted.
(a) All exterior loading berths for commercial and institutional uses shall be oriented to face the side or rear yards of the lot on which they are located.
(b) No loading space may be located in any front yard or any required buffer yard.
(3) Design and construction. All off-street loading berths shall meet the following design and construction requirements:
(a) Size requirements. All interior and exterior off-street loading berths for over-the-road tractor-trailers shall be a minimum of 13 feet in width and 140 feet in length including the apron. For local pick-up and delivery trucks, off-street loading berths shall be at least 12 feet in width and 60 feet in length including the apron.
(b) Vertical clearance. All loading spaces shall be provided with a vertical clearance of not less than 15 feet.
(c) Driving aisle requirements. All loading berths shall be accessed by a driving aisle that is a minimum of 24 feet in width for two-way traffic or 13 feet in width for one-way traffic at all points between the accessed public street and the loading berth.
(d) Surfacing requirements. All off-street loading berths shall be paved with concrete or other
(4) Access. Each required off-street loading berth shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley in a manner that will not interfere with traffic movements. There shall be no maneuvering within any street right-of-way. In no case shall a loading berth be located in such a manner as to require loading/unloading vehicles to back into a public right-of-way or overhang adjacent property.
(5) Space allowed. Space provided for use as any off-street loading berth shall not be used to satisfy any off-street parking space requirements of § 156.069.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07)
(A) Intent. The purpose of these entrance and drive standards is to provide for a safe and efficient vehicular and pedestrian transportation system by establishing minimum standards for site entrances, driveways, and interior drives.
(B) General entrance/drive standards applicable to all zoning districts.
(1) General requirements. All driveways and interior drives shall conform to the following design requirements:
(a) Entrance widths. No entrance shall exceed the following pavement widths at the point which they intersect the public right-of-way. The distances for these standards shall be determined by measuring from the outside edges of the curb or pavement (whichever is more) of the entrance or drive at the public right-of-way which it accesses, and shall not include any acceleration or deceleration lanes or turning radii:
1. Fourteen feet per lane (exclusive of any medians) if from a nonresidential or multifamily residential use onto any type of street, and
2. Thirty-two feet total if from a single-family or two-family use onto any type of street.
(b) Travel direction. The direction of travel for vehicles using entrances shall be as follows:
1. All entrances providing access to a public right-of-way from all lots used for purposes other than single or two-family residences shall be designed so that vehicles are traveling in a forward direction when entering and leaving.
2. In no case may any entrance for any use be designed to require a vehicle to back onto any arterial or collector street.
(c) Shared entrances and drives. Shared entrances and drives are encouraged for all uses in all zoning districts, specifically for any multifamily residential or non-residential uses accessing a major collector or arterial street.
1. Access easements. All shared entrances and drives shall be shall be constructed only in appropriate access easements which easements must be recorded before usage commences.
2. Required documentation. A permanent documentation of any shared entrance and drive agreement must be signed by all involved property owners. The permanent written agreement shall include, but is not limited to the following items: maintenance, snow removal, ownership, and liability. The agreement, which can be amended and assigned shall be reviewed and approved by the Town/ County Highway Engineer and duly recorded with the County Recorder. Any changes to the agreements must be accomplished with the consent of the Planning Director. A copy of the agreement shall be retained for the files of the Plan Commission. The agreement shall be recorded prior to the issuance of the occupancy permit.
(d) Interior drive widths. The minimum pavement widths for driveways and interior drives shall meet the following requirements, exclusive of any parking spaces:
1. For single and two-family residential uses the minimum driveway width shall be 12 feet.
2. For all multifamily uses refer to § 156.069.
(e) Curbs. All entrances and interior drives for property used for purposes other than agriculture, single-family residential, or two-family residential shall generally be completely curbed. Curbing shall not be required if, in the opinion of the County Surveyor/County Highway Engineer, the drainage system for the property shall be best served if curbs were not present.
(f) Commercial area internal linkages. All uses located in a Commercial (C) zoning district shall provide interior drives that allow access between existing and proposed commercial uses on adjacent properties.
1. Cross-access required. The drives must be designed as a single two-way drive or a pair of one-way drives that provide access between the parking lots and interior drives of all adjoining commercial uses.
2. Separation. Interior drives providing cross-access between adjacent parcels shall be separated from the right-of-way of any such street by a minimum distance specified by the County Highway Engineer (based on the vehicle stacking requirements of the entrance(s) to the property from the public street.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07; Am. Ord. 2020-8E, passed 8-18-20)
Cross reference:
Landscaping standards, see § 156.075
(A) Intent. The purpose of these sight visibility standards is to contribute to a safe vehicular and pedestrian transportation system by ensuring clear visibilities at street intersections and the vehicle entrances to properties.
(B) General sight visibility standards applicable to all zoning districts.
(1) Sight visibility triangle required. All properties shall maintain an area (the "sight visibility triangle") at every intersection of an adjoining street with other streets and entrance drives. The sight visibility triangle shall be free of structures, vegetation (including crops), signs (other than street signs), and other opaque or partially opaque objects between a height of two and one-half and 12 feet measured from the nearest top-of-curb (or edge of pavement where curbs are not present).
(2) Sight visibility triangle dimensions. The sight visibility triangle shall be established by connecting points located along the intersecting rights-of-way (or edge of pavement in the case of entrances). The dimensions of the triangle vary dependent on criteria (such as speed design) as stipulated in the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets by the AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) latest edition, for intersection sight distance.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07)
Loading...