The purpose of the residential office zone (RO) is to allow for the reuse of those properties which have frontage on busy streets only where residential use is no longer economically feasible. This zone is intended as a transition between established residential neighborhoods and the existing commercial developments along these corridors. RO rezone applications must establish a clear justification for implementation of this zone over other land use alternatives for the property in question and the general vicinity.
Primarily, the RO zone standards are designed to preserve existing housing stock by allowing the conversion of residential properties to such nonresidential uses that have less impact on the surrounding properties than typical commercial uses. The conversion of a single-family home to a small professional office or other nonresidential use is a less intrusive type of development when compared to new construction and is better able to maintain the existing residential character of the streetscape. While, new construction is potentially allowed in the RO zone, it should be the exception, not the rule, and new structures and uses within this zone must be compatible in scale and character with surrounding residential development. (Ord. 2014-05, 4-17-2014)