The A-1 district is intended to provide regulations for land situated on the fringe of the urban area that is used primarily for agricultural purposes, but which may be undergoing urban development in the near future. Many tracts in this district will be in close proximity to developing residential, commercial, or industrial uses, and as such this district shall be considered a transition or holding zone. The purpose of this district is to restrict the permitted uses to those that are compatible with agricultural uses and developing residential, commercial, or industrial uses.
1. Principal Permitted Uses. Property and buildings in an A-1 district shall be used only for the following purposes:
A. Agricultural uses involving crop activity only.
B. Single family dwellings, including manufactured homes.
C. Churches and temples.
D. Public buildings and facilities, including essential service buildings.
E. Public and semi-public parks and playgrounds.
F. Golf courses and country clubs, except miniature courses or driving ranges operated for a profit.
G. Home occupations – home industry, provided the requirements of Section 165D.01 are met.
H. Accessory uses and buildings that are customarily incidental to any of the above stated uses.
2. Special Exceptions. Property and buildings in A-1 districts may be used for the following purposes in accordance with the provisions contained herein if the Board of Adjustment deems them appropriate:
A. Hospitals; rest, nursing, convalescent, and family homes; homes for children and aged; off-street parking and yards comparable for other institutional uses under the Zoning Code.
B. Cemetery or mausoleum that are a minimum of 10 acres in size.
C. Recreational development for seasonal or temporary use, excluding race tracks.
D. Roadside stand for sale of produce raised on the premises.
E. Extraction of sand, gravel, topsoil, or other natural resources provided the land is restored to a condition suitable for the permitted uses of this district.
F. Public riding stables, at least 100 feet from all property lines of the lot on which it is located.
G. Greenhouses, plant nurseries, and landscaping businesses operated for commercial purposes.
H. Farm animal husbandry including: dairy farming, livestock farming, poultry farming, private stables, and other agricultural activities provided that said activity occurs on a farm and is at least 1,320 feet from any existing dwelling, excluding the dwelling owned by the applicant.
I. Telecommunications towers (See Section 165D.06). Amateur radio towers are exempt from the provisions contained herein.
4. Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements. Off-street parking and loading requirements shall be those regulations as specified in Section 165D.02.
5. Sign Regulations. The following signs are allowed, but require a permit unless otherwise stated:
A. Nameplates attached flat against the wall of the principal building not to exceed four square feet in area (no permit required).
B. Church or public bulletin boards not to exceed eight feet in width and 10 feet in height.
C. Temporary signs advertising the lease or sale of the premises not to exceed six square feet in area (no permit required).
D. Trade, advertising, business or industry identification signs provided that:
(1) Free standing signs do not exceed 25 feet in height;
(2) Signs attached to a building shall not project above the height of the building or more than four feet from the wall of the building; and
(3) No sign shall exceed 150 square feet in area nor shall any sign cover more than 10 percent of the building face which it covers.
E. Billboards provided that:
(1) Free standing signs do not exceed 50 feet in height;
(2) Signs attached to a building shall not project above the height of the building or more than four feet from the wall of the building;
(3) No sign shall exceed 300 square feet in area;
(4) They are not within 150 feet of an intersection, highway structure, residence, park, school, cemetery, public, or semi-public building; and
(5) They are not within 150 feet of another billboard facing in the same direction.
F. All signs and billboards shall be maintained in a neat and presentable condition and in the event their use shall cease, the area shall be restored to a condition free from refuse and rubbish. Signs are subject to the City’s municipal infractions ordinance, and such signs in violation of the Zoning Code shall be deemed a violation of this Code of Ordinances and, thus, a municipal infraction under Chapter 3 of this Code of Ordinances and punishable as such.
G. Portable signs provided they stay no longer than 90 days per calendar year.